I think I am going crazy.....

I seriously feel like I am going crazy, cuckoo, looney tunes etc...It is killing me that we are in living out of a little more than suitcases and boxes until our house hunt is over. Can we just find something already! I love my husband but I do not want to spend every waking hour of the day with him, nor do I want to drive all over after looking at place after place. I just want some of my own space! I haven't even been returning phone calls, sorry to those of you I have not called back. I must however say that on the flip side I am EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE for being back "home", being close to my family and friends again, having the opportunity to explore my desire to pursue jewelry design full-time, and overall just the time to create. I feel very angsty when I cannot create or have no outlet in which to be creative, regardless of what medium it may be. I must also say that I know that this is a very small concern in comparison to the other things that are going on in the world. I am forever a bleeding heart and those that know me know that.

Well it really has been quite awhile since I last posted. So let me give you all the 411 on what On A Whim Jewelry has been up to...

We last left off when we were submitting items in one of the Sundance Gifting Lounges through the Indie Exhibit. It was overall a really great experience and provided much insight into what hard work goes into branding and promoting your art, items, etc. After some difficulties (really say procrastination on my part), I ran all over Phoenix/Glendale looking for the items I needed for my perfect packaging..Needless to say that was a total crap shoot but a learning experience nonetheless. I ended up with Purple and Black bags that I hand tied ribbon around. They looked good but not as how I first envisioned. Lesson learned. I have been brainstorming other packaging options. I want to do something cute, affordable and something that someone could re-use if they wanted. Either way working on some new packaging ideas....Hope to find some new sourcing ideas. The shipping process was a whole different learning experience. Finding boxes to fit all 45 bags, getting them in without smashing the bags, hoping the bags arrive the same way as I packed them etc....All in all everything arrived fine so there was no reason for worry. Great experience overall. I have some pics posted on my facebook page if you are interested in checking out. I won't count out participating in another awards show/festival...

Once we get settled here in the PNW I will be focusing on getting the studio functional and working on the online aspect for the store. I am so anxious to get started with this! I have been looking into some possible art classes at the colleges around here also. Who knows what the future may hold. I am going to be optimistic, hopeful, and most importantly POSITIVE on those rough days :)

As always thank you so much for reading this and providing support as well as listening to my senseless ramblings. I hope you are all living out your dreams!

Here's to 2011...so long 2010

Well it has been awhile since I last blogged. Where to start.....Well I made one of the biggest decisions of my life recently. One I had mulled over for a VERY long time. I have longed dreamed of of leaving my comfortable 60K a year corporate retail job. Crazy I know, especially after being with them for 9 years! My family asked me if I had lost my mind, my husband was like "you want to do what?", and my friends were incredibly supportive! So here I am starting off the new year as my own boss, trying to build my own business doing what I love. So 2011 will be all about making my dream come true and creating a successful future and business. On A Whim Jewelry has big things in store!

Husband and I will be moving back to the PNW in early March. Once there we will focus on doing shows, bridal fairs, home parties and starting our online bead store. So the next few months will be very busy preparing for the move and working on the business needs. So grateful to be able to do this so I am not complaining. I must give a Thank You to my husband for his support and encouragement. It has been so nice to actually have time to spend with him and not be on any type of schedule. We have enjoyed a few outings and I look forward to us being able to pick up and go if we want to more often :)

I have to say that after reflecting on many things this past year I feel like I have a better understanding of what happiness is to me. What is TRULY important and what I can live without. We get so attached to "things" that hold no value or bring little joy aside from the initial "I want and must have". I have wasted so much $ on "things" I DO NOT NEED. So part of leaving my job was also a personal challenge on doing more with less and making it ALL count. So there will be plenty of challenging things I will need to give up on or have less of but overall I feel like this is really going to make me appreciate much more in my life. I look forward to being a better person, friend and wife in 2011. Working full time and being stressed out 24/7 really challenged my abilities especially with being a good wife. Adios to all of that unhealthy stress!!

This week we are shipping off our items to be part of one of the gifting lounges at the Sundance Film Festival. This had been so exciting but stressful and I hope that it all pays off in the end. Tying up the last details with that and we should have some really fun new creations to share.

I can't wait to learn some new techniques. I am going to be taking some classes here soon on bead stitches, wire work with cabochons, and a few other things I hope you will all like.

I hope everyone's new year is starting off grand. How will you make this year count?