What You've Always Wanted

 

What you've always wanted

You attempted something and it did not work. But that doesn't mean it will always fail to work. When you truly desire to find a way, there is a way. Go back and remind yourself why you wanted to do it in the first place.
The obstacles you encounter do not prevent you from getting it done. Those obstacles enable you to get it done in a more creative, effective, realistic and sustainable way.
Right now you are more knowledgeable and experienced than you've ever been. Give it another go, and discover how much more effective you've become.
Don't fret about the opportunities you've missed. Instead, discover how those opportunities have now evolved.
The pathway may look different now, yet it is indeed still there. Confidently take that first step, and begin to do what you've always wanted to do.
-- Ralph Marston


Read more: http://greatday.com/motivate/100222.html#ixzz1EnNjpdrL

 

Have a great day!

Janie

Crystal Pendant Before and After Photos

 

Here are some before and after photos of a crystal pendant I have been working on.  It was a custom order to fabricate a silver bail to go on top of a piece of crystal.

The crystal was given to my customer by a friend.  She had been carrying it around in her purse forever.  She wanted me to turn it into a pendant so she could finally start wearing it.

This wasn't an easy job.  The top of the crystal has a very uneven shape which made it hard to fit. 

And here is the pendant afterwards with the new bail I made for it:

The crystal still has some brown coloring.  I guess that must be iron oxides.  I'm no gemologist, so I can't speak to that.  The customer that I made this for wanted me to work with it just like it was.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It's hard not to be pleased when you're able to bring out those mirror finishes.   I hope she will be pleased also.  She's getting it today!

Have a great day!

Janie

Clay Artists' Outreach to Cancer Patients with Bottles of Hope

   

It seems like cancer has become epidemic in our society these days.  If you haven't had it yourself, you probably know some one who has.  I have had it.  And just before last Thanksgiving, I lost my best friend to cancer.  There is a program that polymer clay artists participate in to reach out to cancer patients, called Bottles of Hope.

The photo above show a bottle of hope that I just made for a fellow clay artist with cancer.  Many of us who have known her online through our clay community at Polymer Clay Central, have gotten together off-line to  send her hats, scarves and bottles of hope. 

The second photo shows cane slices from a polymer clay cane swap that we all did long ago.  They are slices of canes from many clay artists she has known for years through Polymer Clay Central.

The Bottles of Hope project was started in 1999 by a very special person, Diane Gregoire, a cancer survivor and polymer clay artist. Diane found a way to use her special talents as an artist to cheer up the lives of cancer patients going through the ordeal of chemotherapy. She used clay to decoratively cover small glass medicine bottles and gave them to other patients as a symbol of hope.  You can read more about this and see some bottles that were made here:  http://www.bottlesofhope.org/  Please visit the site for this program if you would like to participate or to see many different bottles of hope that others have made. 

Have a great day!

Janie

Artists Helping Artists and Helping Hearts



Artists of all types have been coming together to help a jewelry artist from Etsy.  Her shop name there is Designed by Lucinda (it's closed now).  She and her family recently suffered a tragic loss when their home caught fire. They lost everything, but the worst part of all is that they also lost their son. 

Artists have grouped together and opened a shop at Big Cartel where artists of all types can donate their items to sell. The name of the shop is "Helping Hearts".  The proceeds of all sales go to a fund to be given to Lucinda and her family.  The sellers also absorb the shipping costs. 

Since it's not a sanctioned charity, a shop couldn't be created for this at Etsy.  I have donated a couple of necklaces to sell there myself.  In fact, one sold this morning.  Please take a look and see if there's anything their that you would like to purchase, or donate. 

http://helpinghearts.bigcartel.com/

Have a great day!

Janie

A Treasury Collection of Bare Feet at Etsy

Etsy shop owners often create what is called a treasury to showcase the products of fellow shop owners.  Well, iloveanabel730 (that's her shop name at Etsy), created a treasury of nothing but bare feet, and my silver Bare Feet charm was included. It's in the second row, second column.  It's an adorable treasury.  It's a kick to see all those bare feet together!  And here is the link for the charm listing at Etsy if you want to take a closer look:   http://www.etsy.com/listing/53290946/silver-charm-bare-feet-on-the-beach

Have a great day!

Janie

Choose Peace

Peace has no boundaries. To be truly at peace with anything is to be fully at peace with everything. But how can you be at peace when the world is so relentlessly demanding and complicated? How can you offer peace when you get none in return?
Understand that peace is not a transaction. It is a choice.
Peace is the way you can choose to be, whatever the situation. Peace is a choice that gives you great power in any situation.
You can be peaceful while still being ambitious and fully engaged with life and its many complications. You can be peaceful by following your own authentic purpose and living true to your highest values.
Peace is yours not to wish for, or to force upon others, or to negotiate, but to choose. Choose peace inside, and let the power flow out to your whole world.
-- Ralph Marston


Read more: http://greatday.com/motivate/100521.html#ixzz1DHdPw964

 

Have a great day and a peaceful week!

Janie

Metal Clay Today Contest

Metal Clay Today magazine is hosting a metal clay challenge titled, "Show me the Love".  Voting ends February 5th.  I have a silver clay heart ented in the contest.  My heart is titled "Heart in Hands".  Please come vote for your favorite!  There are some beautiful pieces in the challenge.

 http://www.metalclaytoday.com/ChallengesPDFs/ShowMetheLoveChallengers.pdf

Have a great day!

Janie