Random Acts of Kindness.....

   
Ah, a random act of kindness, have you ever been the recipient of one?  I was, I was in line at a Starbucks and as I pulled up to the window to get my coffee the barista said the car in front of me paid for my coffee as a random act of kindness.  Wow, the feelings were overwhelming, that simple gesture made me feel so good.  I just wanted to speed up to say thank you but then, that is the random part, you do it just to do it, not to get a thank you, not to get recognition, just to be nice.

After this happened to me, I have pretty regularly done the same for others, the pay it forward practice.  Today, I would like to share with you what happened the last time I did it.  I have been meaning to tell this story for awhile, but now, before Christmas, it seems very appropriate.   The day started normal, I stopped at Starbucks and paid for the person behind me's coffee and went off to finish the day.   We had plans to attend the Purdue football game and then rush back to Indianapolis to go to our high school's football game, which was being held at Lucas Oil Stadium.  My son was meeting his football team outside the stadium.  We got there with a few minutes to spare, my husband dropped us off to so my son would be on time and then he went to park.  I had put my money, around $70 and my debit card in my pocket so I wouldn't have to carry my purse at the game.  We still needed to purchase tickets.  When we met up with the team, one of the other parents asked if anyone needed a ticket, I said we did, so he gave one to me, would not take any money for them.  We still needed two more, so I started off to buy them when another man said he had extras, and gave me two more.  I went to offer him money and realized that when I got out of the car my money and debit card had fallen out of my pocket, I had no money!  He also refused to take money for them, he had several extra, said as long as I was an Artesian fan I could have them.  I found out later he was the coach of the other middle school.

So, on a day that had the potential to be very discouraging, it was a day of lessons and giving, both ways.  Yes, it was a pain to lose my card and get it replaced, but although I lost my money, I would have spent it on the tickets, so it was a wash for me, I hope whoever picked it up needed it and it made their day a bit better.  In one day there were several random acts of kindness that I had the pleasure of being included in as both the gifter and receiver, so you really do reap what you sow!

Once Upon a time, I had to decide what to give.....

Well, my first involvement in a celebrity gifting experience is about to happen.  The gift bag full of goodies will be shipped tomorrow to Ginnifer Goodwin, currently appearing in the new series, Once Upon a Time.

How did I decide what to do?  Well, I did a bit of googling and found several pictures of her.  In most of them she did not have on a necklace but in a lot of them she was wearing noticeable earrings, so earrings it was!  I wanted them to be a statement piece, so they are large and sparkly with Swarovski crystals in them.

So fingers are crossed that she will like them.  This has been exciting and stressful all at the same time!  We will just have to wait and see, but it has been an excellent adventure!

Wow, all the attention..........................

Just needed to share, I am am humbled and excited from all the attention I am receiving.  I was interviewed and on the local news on Thursday regarding my participation in the awards shows.  Here is the link if you would like to watch, the video is the small box to the right.

Indy Channel Story - Channel 6 WRTV

Today, I am featured in the Sunday, Reporter Times paper, our local paper.  Here is the link to the story, I copied it to my facebook page since the paper has a login.

The Reporter Times Story

Now, I need to move out of the limelight and into the studio and get to work!  Hope everyone has a great day and week!  This picture is from the article.

It's Crunch Time!

Well, getting excited and nervous all at the same time.  This time of year is crunch time, shows every weekend, holiday gifting season, and this year....................

I am participating swag bags for both the Golden Globes and Academy Awards!  The first set of gifts, for the Golden Globes are due to be shipped and received by Dec. 4th.  I have been working on getting my inventory up for all of the above.

Here is a sneak peak at the Golden Globes gift!

I've decided to share this journey here on my blog, so look for production pictures and ups and downs along the way.  Next up, perfecting my packaging!

I do have an announcement, I have decided that these will be a limited edition, the 2012 Golden Globes Awards Gift, so, they will only be available until the day of the Golden Globes Award Show on Sunday, January 15, 2012!

I am enjoying this process, I just hope everyone will enjoy my jewelry!

Getting ready for busy season!

It is that time of year, we are busy every weekend, kids, us, football, etc..  It is also always my busiest time of the year for jewelry.  I feel as if I am moving forward, my website is now re-done, but there is always so much to do.

One thing I have found that really helps me stay organized is my planner.  I used to use paper planners, then I went totally electronic, which worked for the routine, daily things but not the long term plans.  I had a planner called Planner Pads recommended to me, and I have never looked back.  It has a great flow that can incorporate many areas of your life, and flows it all to the daily things, in an hourglass format.  I use it to plan, set appointments, take notes, it is my all in one brain!  If there is one drawback that I can find, I really would like a more colorful, fun pattern and they are very basic!  You can find them here, www.plannerpads.com .

Hope you are all enjoying the fall as much as I am, it is so beautiful!  Here is a sneak peak of my latest creation, learning how to set stones and make hinges!

I also recently had some pictures taken, and can I say how much I hate to have pictures taken, here is one from the studio!

with that, I am off to start the day!

New, Fresh Start

Ah, I really don't have a huge post but just wanted to share that my website has been updated, along with my blog.  I will be spending the next few weeks tweeking and loading products.  I am so over the top happy with the results, that I couldn't wait to share.  I will be sharing some of my thought process and development process in the next few weeks, but today, I just wanted to say thank you to Stephanie Williams of http://cloverstonedesigns.com/ for doing such a great job!

Fall, a time of change

Is it in the air?  Fall is a time of change, the weather is changing, the leaves are changing and it leaves me in the mood for changes.  I am currently reworking my website, blog, etc.  so things are more coordinated and easier to tend to.  I have also been changing things around my home, painting, cleaning, etc..  What are you changing?

I am sharing a recipe to change up your dinner time for the fall.  It is a Pampered Chef recipe from the newest Season's Best Cookbook!

Autumn Risotto with Chicken & Cranberries
-----------------------------------------

Ingredients:
1  cup (250 mL) sweetened dried cranberries
2  cups (500 mL) hot water
1  medium onion
1  cup (250 mL) uncooked Arborio rice (see Cook’s Tip)
1  tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
2 3/4  cups (675 mL) chicken stock
3/4  cup (175 mL) dry white wine such as Chardonnay
1/2  tsp (2 mL) each salt and coarsely ground black pepper
1/2  cup (125 mL) blanched slivered almonds
2  stalks celery
2  oz (60 g) cream cheese
2  cups (500 mL) diced cooked chicken or turkey breasts
1/4  cup (50 mL) finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:
1.  Combine cranberries and hot water in Small Batter Bowl; set aside. Coarsely chop onion using Food Chopper. Combine onion, rice and oil in Deep Covered Baker; stir using Small Mix 'N Scraper(R). Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 2–4 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add stock, wine, salt and black pepper; microwave, covered, on HIGH 13 minutes or until rice is still slightly firm, stirring once halfway through.

2.  Meanwhile, toast almonds in (8-in./20-cm) Sauté Pan over medium heat 5–7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Slice celery using Veggie Slicer. Cut cream cheese into cubes using Utility Knife. Drain cranberries using (7-in./18-cm) Strainer; set aside. Carefully remove baker from microwave using Silicone Oven Mitts. Add chicken and celery to baker; stir. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 3–5 minutes or until rice is tender and risotto appears creamy.

3.  Carefully remove baker from microwave. Add cream cheese and almonds; stir until cheese is fully incorporated. Fold in cranberries. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings (about 6½ cups/1.5 L)

Nutrients per serving: (about 1 cup/250 mL): Calories 420, Total Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 3.5 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 470 mg, Carbohydrate 51 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 23 g

Cook's Tip: Arborio rice is an Italian short grain rice that can be found in the rice or ethnic section of most grocery stores.

If desired, substitute an additional 3/4 cup (175 mL) chicken stock for the wine.

To cook on the stovetop, soak cranberries as directed in step 1. Place almonds into (12-in./30-cm) Skillet. Cook as directed above and remove from Skillet. Add onion, rice and oil to Skillet. Cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until onion is softened. Add stock, wine, salt and black pepper. Bring to a simmer; cook 13 minutes or until rice is still slightly firm, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, prepare celery, cream cheese and cranberries as directed in Step 2. Add chicken and celery; cook 2-3 minutes or until hot. Remove from heat. Continue as directed in Step 3.
(C)The Pampered Chef, Ltd. 2006 

If you make it for dinner make sure you come back and share the results with us!


Have a great weekend and week!

Back for my workshop with Hadar Jacobson

I just returned from a 2 day class with Hadar Jacobson in Brighton, Michigan.  First, I was lucky enough to get away for 2 days and thanks to all my friends who helped out with my kids.  Sometimes, the planning to go away is just so darn hard, you have to coordinate everyone's schedules, that I just want to say nevermind.  I am so glad that this time I didn't and made it happen.

We did a 2 day class on using base metal clays and doing mokume gane patterns.  I learned so much and as soon as I get my pieces fired, I will post a picture of them!  Hadar was just a great teacher, she is so patient and accomodating.  I was lucky to meet some very interesting and great people and found a new bead store to add to my list in Michigan!

I think it is so important to do these things, to feed your heart with the things you love!  In the end, it makes you a happier, more fulfilled person, so I challenge you all to think deep and find something you love and go do it, take a class, take a few hours and just immerse yourself in it!

This picture was taken when I was trying on a necklace she made and I was trying to convince her it looks great on me!  It was embedded with a magnet, a very cool style!

New Experiences

This past weekend I did a 3 day show at the state fairgrounds.  I have been extremely stressed about this since I have never done something of this size before.  Well, I am happy to report that it went very well.  Some things could have been done better, and you always learn from every experience but I am happy with the results.

Best of all, I have met some awesome people.  I also got to add to my jewelry collection, I purchased two pieces from other artists.  Yes, I not only like to make it but love to buy and wear it!

The next few months I will be focusing on creating a new website look and listing more online.  I welcome any and all suggestions to make this better!  I am also going to be trying to get a good system in place to incorporate all aspects of my day, kids, work, house, etc, so when I have some good tips or ideas I will share!

Hope you all have a good week!

Birthdays

It's Monday, it's the first day back to the normal routine after spring break, and it's my birthday.  I have been reflecting alot today and the changes I have made,  the things I want to do, and the way I role model for my kids.  Last week, we had a shooting in our school system.  The parents are angry, I understand that, but there is a contingent that are trying to get the principal fired.  They say she knew and didn't do anything about it.  So far, everything is hearsay, but what I know to be fact is the child that did the shooting was expelled.  He was kicked out of the school.  What more could she have done?  What exactly do people want these days? 

Everyday, we have opportunities to talk to our children, friends, etc...  Everyday, I enforce the thoughts that your actions are your actions to my kids, whether it be hanging up their clothes or breaking something in the house, or lying to their parents.  Yes, I get the but she ......, or I did it because........, and I always stop and say, you are the only one responsible for your actions, period.

So, I will leave you with this thought, treat each day as it is your last, treat every person the way you would like to be treated and always take ownership of your actions!

New Day, new experiences

This Saturday I will participate in Women in Art Marketplace at the Eiteljorg Museum.  It is a small show held at the museum.   It is a juried show, which means you had to apply and be chosen to be in it.  I wanted to apply, but then found out it was the Saturday before spring break, so I thought no, I won't.  Yet, I kept thinking about it, I had never applied or been in a juried show of this level.  So, I thought, I will apply for the experience, I probably won't get chosen.  So I did, then the email came that I was chosen.  Now, a big decision, delay spring break for a day and do the show or be happy with being chosen and go on vacation.  My very supportive husband urged me to do it, so here I am, nervous and excited for this new experience, but thinking that I am crazy for doing this the day before a vacation! 

It has been stressful but it has been very rewarding.  My hope is to have a great day and a great spring break.  I have been asked multiple times, why did I do this to myself, and I had to think about that and ultimately, my answer was that I was being true to myself, this is important to me and I needed to do it.  I needed to do the things necessary to make it happen because I didn't want to live with the "what if's?" if I didn't do it. 

Was it easy? no  Was it convienent? no but will it be worth it?  It already is!  So my conclusion is this, if you have a dream, or a need, or a want, go for it and do what is necessary to make it happen for you!

My hope is you all have a great day and think about your dreams.

Always learning...................................

I am taking a certification course in ArtClay and will be level 1 certified by the end of the week!  Originally scheduled at the beginning of Feb., we got the ice-storm and had to postpone until this week.  I will be very happy to be done.  I am taking the course from a great instructor, Marti Icenogle.  I have learned so much in just the 2 days I have already taken!  I have come to the conclusion that we never stop learning, there is so much and so many things to do, that people are on a constant quest to learn more!  Have a great day and go learn something new!!!

Winter is always an surprise

Winter in Indiana is always an unknown variable.  It is hard to plan your days, then a snowstorm or ice storm pops up and changes it.  For example, I am taking a 3 day certification course with precious metal clay, did day one on Monday, day 2 and 3 are supposed to be today and tomorrow, only we are getting the storm of the century (ice by me!) so now I do day 2 and 3 on Feb. 15 and 17th, which is fine, but you always have to have a contingency plan in place!  What is your contingency plan?  Do you have one and do you need one?  Something to ponder on this cold, snowy, icy winter day!