ONE

How many people does it take to make a difference? One.
One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake a dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring
One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame a goal
One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom
One step must start each journey
One word must start a prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show you care
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what’s true
One life can make a difference
That difference starts with you!
- Author Unknown
Namaste

Custom Order

I just created this custom "Treasured Locket" for a friend's sister-in-law. I had great fun creating it. I was given her sister-in-law grandmother's writing from an old Christmas gift tag that had both of their names on it and started from there. Her favorite flower is a daisy and I found one on a postcard dated 1909, so I used that along with the 1 cent stamp. They call each other "Bum" which I thought was cute so I added that word by cutting out letters from old postcards. Additional ingredients include my signature chocolate wrapper, hidden house, page from a 1885 prayer book and hearts. It is such an honor to be trusted with someones "Treasures"!

*Special Note: The word "Love" that you see is my grandmother's handwriting. I am paying it forward as best as I can!
Namaste.

New Work in Time For Valentine's Day

New Item for 2010

These 17 inch necklaces on black Greek leather were created with original collages that I made from all sort of cool stuff including my grandmother's writing, letter from vintage magazines and postcards dating from 1910-1920. These necklaces sell for $52-56 at Craft Co. #6 in Rochester, NY www.craftcomapny.com


This "Treasured Locket" pin was created using a letter from my grandmother describing the first snow fall in 1965. I added foil from a Hershey kiss, roses from a 1910 postcard and of course hearts and a hidden house. This pin sells for $59.00 at Craft Co. #6 in Rochester, NY www.craftcomapny.com



These "Treasured Locket" heart necklace include an original collage, gemstones, trade beads from the late 1800's, pearls and the clasps are either real Indian head nickles, mercury head dimes or vintage clip on earrings. The price range is $198-218, and can be purchased at the Craft Co. #6 in Rochester, NY www.craftcompany.com

I hope you enjoyed looking at my new creations for St. Valentine's Day. Have a peaceful evening.
Namaste.

Happy New Year

Once again we have the opportunity to focus on goals, growth and where we want to go throughout 2010. It is that fresh start we have all been craving.

I am putting together ideas of how I would like to shape this new year for myself, family and how I can impact the world positively.

This year I am going to start by simplifing and organizing my home. This will help me create the balance I need. I believe once that is accomplished and maintained the burden of "keeping house" will lessen to a certain degree. And as it does, it will provide me the peace of mind that I and my family need, producing fruits of its own.

Secondly I am going to devote time, energy and effort to grow both of my businesses. As you may or may not be aware I am both an artist and yoga instructor.

My plan for my art is to brand myself and gain a few more national clients and perhaps even create a line of inspirational t-shirts with some of the proceeds going to a worthy cause. As part of this effort a group of women artists that I have been blessed to meet and call friends, have agreed to help each other set and meet goals. We meet on Sundays at various coffee houses. This group will help market and critique each others artwork.

As for my yoga I am going to grow it with more corporate clients and bring yoga to them at their workplace. I teach children and I hope to reach more children this year through yoga too. Last but not least, I am a firm believer that the best teachers are those that commit to being life long students themselves. My prayer is that I get into Baron Baptist's teacher training and continue towards my 500 hour level. (I am already at the 200 hour level).

So here is to the New Year, fresh starts, dreams and practice!!!!!!!
Namaste.

Reason for the Season

I was sent the below ideas today and thought "Wow someone is thinking!" So I thought I would share it with you all.

1) Simplify. Cut a few things out if you're feeling you don't have enough time, money, etc.

2) Watch your thoughts - we get hung up on thinking "I don't have enough." Switch it to "I have enough time, money, etc. Our thoughts are what drive us crazy - not what is actually happening to us.

3) Don't lose sight of what's important: family, friends, sharing time together - being happy! Be present in the moment and grateful for the friends and family you have.

Let's remember the true reason for the season - Christ's birthday and truly thank God for such an amazing gift given freely to us all!
Namaste

I Love This Quote

A friend gave me this quote this morning after yoga class and I love it so much I had to share it!

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving well-preserved, but to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other and still screaming, 'Whoo, what a ride'"

Make it an awesome day.
Namaste.

What will Matter

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you have collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass on to someone else. Your wealth, fame, and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear, so to your hopes and ambitions. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won’t matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter? How will the value of our days be measured?

What will matter is not what we bought but what we built.
Not what we got but what we gave.
What will matter is not our success but our significance.
Not what we learned but what we taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion and valor that encouraged others to do the same.

What will matter is not our competence but our character.
Not how many people we know but how many will feel a lasting loss when we are gone.
What will matter is not our memories but the memories of those who loved us.
What will matter is how long we will be remembered by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.
It is not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Choose a life that matters.

Fun Things to do to Keep Your Sanity In December

This time of year we all get so wrapped up in our list of things to get done before December 25th, that we end up exhausted, sick, tired and missing the true meaning of the season. Now I know there are things we have to get done but this year I am going to make the effort to slow down and savor the season. Here is my list to help me stay on track during this fun and busy time.

1. Remember the reason for the the season and base your priorities on the birth of Jesus and his teachings.
2. Be a tourist in your own city and seek out fun holiday things you have never done before.
3. Make hot coco with real milk and melted chocolate - no Swiss Miss.
4. Cut down your own Christmas tree. Enjoy the fresh air.
5. Bake cookies, let the kids help and take lots of pictures.
6. Set aside 1 hour, once a week - make an appointment with yourself if you have to - and pour a cup of tea and grab your favorite book, set the timer and enjoy.
7. Make it a goal to get to bed once a week at 9pm. You will be amazed at how much energy that will give you.
8. When you decorate play some Christmas music - favorites for me include "Carole of the Bells", "Ave Maria", "Silent Night", and "Charlie Brown Christmas" sound track!
9. Practice Yoga and or workout a few times a week - make that appointment again if you have too. I do and I am there at 5:15am.
10. Practice patience - this time of year we are presented with many opportunities to either blow our stack or we can breathe deeply, smile and remember that we are all trying to get it all done on time.

Make it a peaceful day - it is a choice!
Namaste.

December

Each week I will be listing fun things to do in preparation for Christmas. This will give us a chance to truly enjoy this beautiful season by showing patience and love to those around us. It will also help us keep on schedule and help us prioritize things better. Here is to a happy and healthy Christmas Season!
Namaste.