NEW website (and blog to go with it)

 Hey y'all!! I've got some news. It's great, but also bittersweet.

After almost NINETEEN years here on Blogger/Blogspot, I've FINALLY gotten my own website designed. WOOT! Of course, the address is CraftyHope.com, much like I was using here. With that said, there will likely be some hiccups in accessing both this old blog and the new site as it merges onto the information highway that is the internet. Hopefully I'll be able to catch and fix as many as possible. Please reach out to me and let me know if you're having any issues with either. 

The web address here on the old blog (as I'm calling it) is CraftyHope.Blogspot.com

One thing that will definitely take me some time to fix is the links that reference other old blog posts here. So, if you click a link and get an error message, you might need to add the .blogpot before the .com in the address. Sorry about that!

I'd love if you'd go check out the new site, follow me there, and let me know what you think. Of course, it's a work in progress. Like I always say...we all are works in progress.

THANK YOU!!

See you in the new space. :)

My Aim for 2017

It's an all new year!

I’ve tried to give some thought to this new year and what I want from it. While 2016’s goals and tasks and word weren’t really all that lofty, I still fell behind a little more each week and ended up feeling overwhelmed. 

For this coming year, I want to be a little more conservative. I’m going to try to make time in each day for 15 minutes of art and 15 minutes of exercise. That's it. There’s plenty more I could aim for, but if I can nail these two down I’d like to think that the rest will follow. It’s my year for Pete's sake. I can even change these and set brand new goals at any time. Any. Time. It doesn’t have to be a new year to have new aspirations. Life’s already complicated enough. I need more simple.

So, that’s my start. What are your plans for 2017?

I linked this post on the 2017 One Word Blog Hop at Create with Joy. 

2016 Word of the Year and Goals

It's a whole new year full of new expectations and goals and possibilities!!

With a new year comes the want/need/desire to better ourselves in some way. I have some ideas of what I want for 2016 but they are the same things I want every day. As I mentioned in my 2015 year end review, I set about 2015 wanting to focus on several words to achieve the goal of empowerment. This year, while I still have much I want to accomplish, I want to make sure I take the time to SAVOR life and all that comes with it. Instead of several words that will eventually be forgotten along the way, this singe word will hopefully be my beacon for 2016. I've read so many snippets of articles about savoring food rather than binge-eating, appreciating small moments, enjoying the time you have with people. I think that's the focus I want to have for the year. But, I'm sure at some point I will get lost in the chaos of American life. It is our way.

In addition to savoring life (see. . .I'm already making things more complicated), I hope to set single weekly goals for myself. I don't yet have a list of 52 goals as I'm sure these will develop over time but some of the ones I have so far include:

• create/start a blog calendar
• use cameo to create earring backs/jewelry cards
• learn to use my camera
• learn to sew (take a class of some sort)
• re-organize/update my blog
• how to voice-over a video
• learn more about options on youtube
• Start using periscope
• make a intro for youtube
• make a welcome message/video for youtube
• cut leather on the laser cutter
• saw-cut metal into shapes

I think that's a pretty reasonable start.

And then there's this - Lately, I felt that I come to the end of a week and have accomplished nothing at all. To rid myself of that feeling, I want to push myself to complete some specific tasks each week: 

**get at least one piece of jewelry made

**get at least one blog post up

**complete one of the weekly goals above

**have one journal entry (art journal or written entry)

**make one altered playing card (there are 52 cards in a deck and 52 weeks in the year and this small scale feels less intimidating than larger mediums.)

Of course, my health, well-being, better eating, organization, and clean house are also recurring goals for me. But, I think about these things all day long. I need no goals to remember and guilt myself into doing them.

This post is already too long and complicated-sounding - when really I just want to simplify things for myself. I hope to take these goals day by day and week by week without putting too much pressure on myself. Wish me luck! 

What are your aspirations for 2016? 

Big Happenings for the CraftyHope Jewelry Business

In my last post I mentioned that I had some exciting news. . .If you are a friend of mine on Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Twitter, or Tumblr; you may have already heard it or figured it out from some of these visual hints over the past few days.

Jewelry Tags

A Necklace Display

I spilled the beans earlier on those social sites and it's time to let you blog followers know too. (You get all the good pictures!) Here's the skinny - I got a display case at a new store; Southern Antiques and Accents, an antique mall here in Fairhope!! The booths contain an array of goodies from antique pieces to upcycled creations to mixed media art and more. I was fortunate to snag a display. I've been working like a madwoman the last few days pricing my available jewelry pieces and coming up with how to display them. It's been a fun, exciting kind of mania.

Now that I've got it all set up and ready to go, I'm busting at the seams to show you what I did. (Warning: Picture Heavy! You should be able to click on them for larger images.)

This was how my case looked when I went in there this morning. All empty and sad.

And, here's how it looks done. (I used the panoramic function on my phone's camera so it gives the case a little fisheye look. Sorry about that.) I'm not too sure about all the blank black space along the back, but I still need to make a sign and Pat's going to make me a few more of the necklace busts. So, that should cover it.

Here's a better look at the left side from straight on, though you have to squat to see it like this.

This is the same side from above. I threw some books in just to add some height and give some visual interest.

This is the middle of the case. I need to fiddle with the burlap ribbon a little to make it more even, but it'll do for now.

The right side of the case almost straight on.

The right side of the case from above. I wrapped a small mailing tube in some of the burlap so the button bracelets wouldn't just hang over the edge.

For access to the jewelry, the drawers pull out.

I'm just so very excited about this new venture!

Let me admit that this is the very first time I've displayed my jewelry. I've never done a craft fair or been in a shop or anything like that, so this is an adventure. . . a very exciting venture that I've been building up to for years and years. I know there's a lot more that could be done to the display, but for limited time, budget, and knowledge - I'm quite happy with it and just had to share it with you.

Have you ever displayed in a booth like this? Did it take you 5 years to work up the nerve to do it too?

Welcoming 2015 with Words for the Year, Goals, and Organization (I hope I'm prepared enough)

Here's hoping your New Year's Eve was a blast - whether you went out and partied all night or stayed home and kept it low key. As well, I hope that 2015 brings you dreams fulfilled, new found resolve, and much happiness.

As is tradition this time each year, I pondered what I want to change and improve. I considered picking a word for the year along with making new and extending current goals (not resolutions). In the end, I'm doing a little of both. I picked a few words I want to focus on for one result. I even made a pretty chart to illustrate this for you.

I started with several words that really appealed to me and have special meaning for the goals I want to accomplish this year. I'm just going to run down them quickly.

• Grateful: I want to make sure I recognize just how lucky I am, even for the small things each day. I think finding some positive in each day will help me be a happier person to be around. 
• Courage: When it comes to promoting myself and talking to 'new' people, I'm a bit of a wuss. I want to break out of my shell and get past some of that anxiety. I also want to be courageous in my art and take some chances with my creating. Courage also applies to helping people in need. My social anxiety often prevents me from stepping up and seeing how I can help someone else. I feel tons of guilt for this later and know that I will feel better the more I can be of assistance.
• Focused: Keeping goals in sight and heading for those is important. I want/need to make sure I accomplish something everyday and that's going to require some commitment and focus on my part.
• Confidence: Part of my lack of courage comes from a lack of confidence. I'm able to boast about myself in a silly, sarcastic way but never seriously. That needs to change, and I need to believe in myself the same way others believe in me.
• Creative: It's important to me that each and every day have some element of creativity. Whether it's through writing, jewelry-making, or art journaling; I need to have that time. It just makes me feel better and more whole. Who doesn't want a happier, more pleasant Hope?

In the end, I want the above five words to work together to help EMPOWER me to be a better person, feel good about myself, and make a change in the world.

In addition to the words above, I'll be working toward better health (mental and physical) with improved eating habits and physical activity; a healthier environment with a clean(er) house; and a healthy mind by reading books as often as possible.

As always, I spent a little time getting myself organized for the new year. 

• First I looked around the web for different blog planners. I found two helpful free ones. The first one is in a spreadsheet format and is the Free 2015 Online Blog Planner from Mom's Small Victories. Secondly, there's this printable, colorful 2015 Blog Planner from Confessions of a Homeschooler.  While I'm not really using either one of these ladies' planners as intended, I do like the information collection that's included in both of them and am using them as references on the type of stats and ideas I should/want to record.
• Next, I printed out the 2015 Bullet Journal Pages (monthly calendars) from Miss Zoot and added those to my bullet journal. Now, I just need to add in important dates: birthdays, appointments, Mardi Gras ball, deadlines, and other such nonsense.
• One more thing I did to prep for the new year was clean my dirty house! After weeks and weeks for being sick and then the holidays, my house was a complete disaster. I don't like welcoming in a 'new start' with a messy slate. As such, I picked up, wiped down, and put away as much as possible. Dusting and intense floor cleaning and such wasn't included. . .yet. However, I feel so much better about where I am this morning. I'm ready to go mess it all up again, especially the craft room!

I could review my goals from last year in intricacy, but who really cares? I know I still have plenty to work on and am proud of my small successes. Let's get on with 2015 already and not dwell on what happened in 2014!

It's now time to move forward into this vast, new year and see what I can make of it. What goals/words have you made for yourself and how have you prepared? I'd love to know (I can ALWAYS change up my plan if yours sounds better. ;)  )

Measly Meal Plan

As expected, the weekend was quite busy and I'm relieved that I went ahead and scheduled those posts. I just hope I can be as proactive this week. My Mardi Gras ball is this weekend and that means just about a whole week's worth of activities and things to do to get ready for it. My calendar and to do list are both quite wordy. I can at least check off one thing on those long lists: my meal plan.

Even though I won't be home but three nights this week, at least I know what I'll be making those evenings. I'll leave the hubs to fend for himself the rest of the week. I'm kinda ashamed about doing that, but I know I'm leaving him with leftovers, cereal, and some friends who want to eat dinner with him at least one of those nights. So it'll work out. Here's what I think we'll be eating together.

Breakfasts: Juice, Cereal w/fruit, Breakfast burritos, Bacon omelets w/toast & fruit

Lunches: Bean burritos, Soup & grilled cheese, Juice, Pizza quesadillas w/small salad, PB&J w/fruit & string cheese

Dinners: 

Lemony Pesto Pasta with Edamame and Almonds w/salad

Broccoli Souffle with Goat Cheese w/red potatoes & spinach salad

Chipotle Rubbed Flank Steak w/smashed potatoes & peas

There's more Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

I have to show off this new necklace in my shop. It's one of my most favorite designs. I can't believe I'm trying to sell it. You better grab it up if you like it before I change my mind.

Tribal JUNK Necklace

Oh look, there's something else I can check off my list. . .today's blog post.
How's your week looking?

Gratitude

Per one of my goals for the year, I want to be more grateful for what I DO have in my life. I'm just starting on this trend really (I know, it's a bit late in the year. oops) so I haven't yet gotten in the habit of recording the many, many blessings I have in my life, but here's a start for this week.

Natural Neutral Bracelet - NEW

I'm Grateful For:
~ The patience of my husband when I'm more than a little grumpy.

~ My mini-break from my own beading/jewelry making endeavors that has given me some time to feel inspired again.

~ That darn Redbox app on my phone and iPad that tells me where I can go to get the movie I want and even lets me reserve it until I get there (so I don't have to go running all over town or hold up the line at the box.)

~ The fact that the biggest worries we've had this week have been splotchy internet, a frozen air conditioner, and a few other expenses that we handled. While those have been stressful and bothersome, it could be so much worse.

Fancy Free Necklace - re-listed

What are YOU grateful for this week?

Exploring Creativity this Bead Table Wednesday

I've definitely been all over the place in my creative pursuits lately.
This is quite obvious on my bead table where you can find evidence of collage and soldering.

As well, I tried out new clasp and stringing techniques by using some suede cord, making a loop, and tying on a button for the clasp. It works great and looks pretty with the other natural shell elements to this necklace.

Lastly, I decided to make an uber-girlie piece with a polymer clay cupcake pendant I made a few months back. So, out came the pink and purple seed beads.

That's as far as I've gotten today because I'm hoping to get some shopping done before I head to Mobile to help with the nieces. I'm sure there's a ton more creativity happening on other Bead Tables this Wednesday!

Bead Table Wednesday

In other news, I spent some time yesterday taking pictures and editing photos, but haven't quite gotten to writing up the descriptions. However, I wanted to make sure I put something 'new' in the shop. Sooooo, I re-listed an item that I loved which never sold. And, I even brought the price down some too.

Happy Wish Bracelet

In addition, this went on sale.

25% Off - Naughty or Nice Necklace

With it being the first of the month, I decided to change up the blog header. (You might even recognize that bracelet as my previous blog header picture.) With the onslaught of summer, I went with a beachy picture. I'd love to know how you like it!