Ok…I’m back. :)

Wow!  What a hiatus!  I feel like I’ve been on my bloggin’ break FOR-EVER!!!  Today, I’m going with the hubby to get some Starbucks and then we are headed to get the two front windows on our SUV tinted (huge fun), and then we are off to (yaay!) Home Depot, to plan our landscaping projects to be done soon!  It should be an enjoyable day.  While I’m out and about, if you stop in on my blog, I thought I’d give you some things to look at and enjoy.  I have some fashion images that just appealed to me, inspired me, or perhaps they just got the wheels in my noggin turning this morning.  I’d also like to share a link with you to something I LOVE!!!  It’s a fun feature from Style.com (one of my fave sites to visit) called, “Candycast”  :)  It’s a fun fashion and style trends podcast by Candy Pratts Price.  I like the style and her humor and maybe you will too!  Till tomorrow!  Have a wonderful day! 

Concentrate On This.

“To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did” 

When God takes something from your grasp, He’s not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence…..

‘The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.’ 

A Strong Woman…

So, where do YOU get YOUR inspiration from?

I’ve been chatting it up in the etsy forums and found the many people like to know where artists get their inspiration from.  I’m going to share my most recent inspiration with you and I’d like you to share your inspirations on my blog also, by leaving a comment on today’s blog post. 

 When you see my inspiration, you may not get it.  Other people - they will immediately understand.  It’s common for people not to understand the inspiration of others, so I’ll explain.  “THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.”  It’s important to stand out. 

I’m slowly defining my style and how I, Nicole Catroppo, will stand out among the masses.  “What makes me ORIGINAL?  What do I do that makes people talk?”  If you’re an artist and you’re reading this, ask yourself the same questions, then follow the link that will lead you to my inspiration.  Every day I am defining who I am as an artist, but it’s coming along… a constant work in progress.

Now…MY INSPIRATION (ON APRIL FOOLS DAY, 200
It’s called, “Frozen In Grand Central Station”:
Click–> http://www.maniacworld.com/frozen-in-grand-central-station.html <–Click

Introducing Greenbelts…

I enjoy introducing artists now and again, who really spark my interest, and I’ve found someone who not only makes astonishingly original pieces, but she does it using recycled materials that we all wear out and throw away - belts.

Her name is Shannon Ritscher.  She is from Seattle, WA.  Shannon is a part-time graphic designer and part-time crafter (Greenbelts), but she is also a full-time, stay at home mom to her 4 year old son - Henry.  (Round of applause for balancing all three and rockin’ it out on Etsy at the same time!)  She’s awesome, is an inspiration, has a ton to choose from on Etsy and I seriously have so many favorites, it makes my head spin!

I don’t know about you, but I think the growth process of artists, when they work from the ground up, is a beautiful thing.  Shannon started listing on Etsy in June of 2007.  When I asked her about her early beginnings, she recalled, making collars and cuffs for friends and family for Christmas presents just 6 months before she opened shop.  She said they liked them so well that she thought she’d try her hand at selling them.  As Shannon thought back, she said, “I worked out of my neighbors basement for one full year before my husband finally built me a little work space (shed) on our back porch just a few months ago. Yea!”  If you’re a crafter, you can likely relate.  I know I started working at the kitchen table, which was followed by a relocation to our home office, with yet another bulge into our guest bedroom.  I don’t think the growth and development ever ends. 

I asked Shannon what her favorite material or materials are to use.  I’ve already said belts were one, but you’ll see from her work, she also enjoys working with buttons, found objects, and bottle caps and humorously, a favorite of most but not often thought of, Shannon’s other favorite thing to work with is “time.”  :) 

Shannon’s personal favorite of the items in her shop is a toss-up, but here was her response…  “The first one is a cuff made from a very cool weathered leather belt, a giant metal washer, and an amazing vintage dark abalone carved button. The contrast between the materials makes my heart flutter. I also have a soft spot for the red, white and black large cut flower cuff and collar setthat I have listed right now. I just about go cross-eyed every night, sitting and cutting out flowers (TONS of flowers!). I think they look adorable though - especially on. I love things that are girly but without all the frill.”  I’m sure there are lots of people out there that share Shannon’s taste!

When I asked her what she loves about handmade items, Shannon said she loves the unexpected aspect of handmade items.  Wonderfully said, Shannon’s additional comments were, “when you see something fantastic that is made from something else (recycled) and/or something that is uniquely beautiful - Well, there’s nothing better.”  She also added, “I do tend to gravitate toward recycled pieces because I love things that have a story behind them.”  I too love stories and because I’m a talker, love things that generate fun conversation!  Shannon’s items are and do, exactly that, which may be why I love them so much!  Plus, I’m an animal lover with three dogs - what fashionable, dog owner girl wouldn’t love having a matching dog collar and owner cuff set?  They’re sweet!

For all of our Etsy readers out there, I always think it’s good to know how other Etsians are promoting.  I’m a firm believer in working smarter, and not harder, so I’m regularly looking to borrow ideas from other successful people.  Shannon’s success has come primarily from promoting her items through her website, a blog, her Etsy shop, Myspace, and similar web based opportunities.  

Even though we are pretty much saturated by technology these days, I know some people still don’t realize the power and marketing potential of the Internet.  With 386 Etsy items sold and having 100% positive feedback, Shannon is one to prove that it works! 

Shannon says that most of her promotional efforts have been put on hold until her son starts school next year and she has a little more time to give it a good effort.  Currently, she has products in 8 stores, from Seattle to the UK.  She has a portfolio on TrunkT, her Greenbelts are featured on www.seekingdesigners.com and various blogs like www.pupstyle.com, itsthedogslife.com, www.treehugger.com, www.ourgreatgreenglobe.com, etc.  She is also gearing up to attend some local art/craft shows this summer.  Jeesh!  For having her promotions on “hold,” I’d say she’s pretty active and thriving!

Shannon had some kind words for me for featuring her in my blog, but after learning about her, her talents, and drive, I have this to say to her: Shannon –>YOU rock! 

High Five!

And lastly - one more thing about Shannon — she’s great because her birthday is the same day as Anthony and I’s wedding Anniversary…December 17th. 

If you have an hour and a half…

Another video from Randy Pausch.  It’s about Time Management.
Watch this…it’s worth the time you’ll invest. 

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5784740380335567758

It’s All About Setting Goals

What are your dreams?  What do you want more than anything?  What do you think about that you hope for and desire?  Think about it for a moment and ask yourself if you are doing anything about your dreams.  Do you make an effort to make your dreams a reality or do you chalk it up as having your “head in the clouds?”

R U …   OR   ?

I believe that we have dreams for a reason and I believe that reason is destiny.  I think that the universe and God urge us in directions that propel us towards our dreams, and if we let it happen, are willing to trust, and we keep an open mind, I truly believe that we can make our dreams happen. 

Part of making our dreams a concrete reality is setting goals.  When we set goals, we are making a commitment to invest in making our aspirations REAL.  Goals should be tangible, reasonable and measurable, should offer emotional satisfaction and benefit our overall dream, and should be something we can visualize happening.  When you set goals, you are creating an outline for your future.  It’s exciting to know that, when we set and achieve a new goal, WE are making OUR OWN wishes come true!  Knowing that we have the ability to play part in creating our own destiny is so empowering!     

Every day, week, month and year, I set goals for myself and I write them down.  I look at them regularly and I let other people know what my goals are.  I revise them if they need to change and I work hard to make them happen. 

My goals for March were to:
1.  Get to my 10th sale on Etsy
2.  Obtain 200 hearts on Etsy
3.  Get at least one local shop/boutique to carry some craft that I make.
4.  Make more money on Etsy than I made last month.

I am happy to report that I have 11 Etsy sales, I am at 180 hearts on Etsy, I have gotten one local shop to carry my items (possibly more before March is over) and as of last night, I have now made more this month than last month, so I am super close to meeting ALL goals set for the month of March.  Yay! (Thank you to Deborah in Pennsylvania for buying two necklaces last night!)

 

It is such a good feeling to achieve your goals.  I’d like to hear what your goals are and what you do to achieve them.  Please comment and share!  :)  Maybe we can help one another!

Where my inspiration took me..

Here are my creations from wood burning.  I’m quite excited!  There are so many possibilities!!!  I burned the wood, then adhered turquoise cabs to the design and coated it in two-part epoxy to give it a fun shine.  I plan to make it into a pendant, but it could progress into something all together different before I’m finished!  The side that doesn’t have cabs on it is still being developed.  I’m playing with the idea of where to place the turquoise.  I’ll let you know how it turns out.

 

When things come our way…

Inspiration…a SERENDIPITOUS moment, indeed!

This is probably my most favorite quote and my mantra.  I believe quite strongly that, you can achieve any goal that you can conceive and believe in, and that if you commit to working toward making it happen, it will.  The beauty of following your dreams is the places they will take you.  You might have something in mind when you start on your journey and you may expect to proceed down a specific path.  Sometimes that happens, but sometimes your dreams will take you somewhere completely different from your original plans.  When this happens, you have to embrace the natural ebb and flow of life.  It’s like they say…”Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”  I believe that everything happens for a reason, so with that in mind, I suggest we believe in reasons unknown and make the most of what we’ve been dealt.  The unexpected “detours” on the path of life can be completely beautiful in how they contribute to our growth, knowledge, wisdom and experience and often bring unexpected gifts of inspiration and wonderful blessings in disguise. 

Follow your dreams.  Take risks.  Love with all that you have.  Live life to the fullest!

Something beautiful about being an artist is that inspiration can strike us at any given moment.  And when it does…let it be a force to be reckoned with!  It is a beautiful gift, so don’t let the whirl of thoughts, ideas and mental pictures die.  Inspiration… One of life’s natural highs - let it take you places! 

The last few days, I have been working on creating a new something for an Etsy friend.  This something required that I work with wood and paint.  While working on that item today, something struck me to play around with a tool I had originally bought for soldering.  The tool doesn’t get hot enough for gold or silver, so it has sat around for months.  It was a hot iron tool, that can also be used for wood burning and today it occurred to me that I might just TRY it!  I have never dabbled with wood burning, but today I gave it a shot and let me tell you…I loved it! 

I know that all artists find inspiration differently, but today, lit a fire of fresh and new ideas!  I’m getting ready to turn in early for bed, so I’ll post a picture of the doodling I did with the iron tomorrow.  Who’d of thought that burning some wood would lead to such great inspiration?

How about you?  When is the last time you stumbled upon something that led to great inspiration? 

TAKE TWELVE MINUTES TO WATCH THIS.

My college girlfriend, Carrie, sent this to me and I must share.  The things that this man says are the way I choose to live my life!  Watch it.  You will understand why I shared after it ends.  I hope it inspires you.

<http://video.stumbleupon.com/?s=ithct48cqw&i=ufcchmyxqsuj9vwsemax>  

I’ve put together a collage of my thoughts and emotions following that video: