Craft Shows Fun & Profit

We did two craft shows in two weeks. Our mosaics were very well received. We have a decent amount of stock considering we only just started making mosaics a couple of months ago. In addition to our etsy store, http://www.mosaicillusions.etsy.com, we decided to try a couple of craft shows. Our first one was at Chippewa Valley High School on Saturday, November 14th, then this past weekend we participated in the De La Salle Holiday show. Both were very well-organized events. Since we are new to the craft show venue, we're still learning which products not only get the most attention, but which ones actually sold. No sense in making more products that people never even took a second glance at.

We have decided to pursue the mosaics and sell out the stock of our birdhouses, offering them at a huge discount. At the craft shows we are offering a "buy one, get one half off," or "buy two, get one free!" People love sales, especially around the holidays, so by offering these discounts, we expect we'll move our stock quickly. Of course, we'll keep up our etsy store as well: http://www.serenitybirdhouses.etsy.com and sell them until they're gone.

While one can certainly make money at a craft show, if you factor in the hours, the average crafter doesn't make a lot of money. Only a person who has hobbies and does crafts understands this. You simply can't factor in the time you spend and charge an hourly rate or you'd price yourself right out of the market. The biggest common denominator that all crafters share is this: We love what we do. And if we can make a few dollars doing what we love, all the better.

Crafters range from the part-time once a year show participant to the full time artist/crafter. There are different aspects of crafting for fun or crafting for a business. The main difference is if you're doing it for a business, you must treat it as such; keep good records, seek the best prices for supplies, stocking your inventory, invest in tables, tents, displays, etc. It's also important to pace yourself with how much you spend on supplies and materials. If you've ever stepped foot into an artist supply store, Joann's, Michael's, Ben Franklin, or the like, you understand what I'm talking about.

Here are a few pointers to consider if you'd like to try your hand at a craft show:

• Attend the craft shows you'd like to be a part of and take a look at what kinds of vendors there are, then pay attention to what people gravitate toward.
• If one particular booth is always full, chances are either the prices are low, the products are unusual (something that's not common for a show), they have A LOT of stuff (as people are naturally drawn to displays that seem to overflow with stock) or something else catches their eye.
• Once you determine which shows interest you, send in your application and get going! Make lists of what you need to make, purchase and bring, long before the day of the show arrives. Be prepared as you never know what you wish you'd have brought, but don't go crazy either.
  
• Make sure you know where to park and if someone will help you unload. Having some sort of wheeled cart is a good idea if you have heavy items. Don't lose the paperwork you are given when you register as it contains valuable information. (Many craft shows offer free donuts and coffee to their vendors!)

The day of the show has finally arrived. You're set up and ready for business. The doors are open and people are slowly drifting in to check out the show. While sipping that hot coffee and quickly munching on that free donut, you smile at your potential customers, tell them of your specials and patiently wait for your first sale. They walk by your display with barely a glance, while your neighbor has already made five sales. Don't lose heart! Lots of people "cruise" through an entire craft show, making a mental note of the vendor they will purchase from, then come back to buy later in the show.

If you are selling a larger item, offer to carry it to their car. Folks generally don't like to load themselves down while shopping. Packaging is also important. Make sure you have plenty of strong, yet attractive bags for your items (properly sized) with a business card in each one. You want to encourage repeat sales as well as maintain a professional appearance.

Suddenly, one person seems extremely interested in an item and asks a lot of questions. You explain the process, their eyes light up, they ask more questions and before you know it, they grab it, hand you the money. Congratulations! You've just made your first sale! You feel validated, victorious and a bit shocked that someone paid money for something you've created!

The craft show environment is unpredictable. You may do exceedingly well at one, and not so great at the next one. Don't take it personally or feel rejected if people walk by and don't stop to take a closer look. Not everyone likes every craft and not everyone makes a purchase. Some just like to browse, but if you have a chance to engage them in conversation and hand them a card, you never know. They may call you and buy that special item after all.

In conclusion, craft shows aren't for everyone. They are a lot of work, they take a great deal of time, demand an attention to detail, but they are can also be a lot of fun. You learn a lot at each show, meet great new people, and if you make more than you've spent, consider yourself a success because not only have you loved making your art or craft, you've sold it to someone who wanted it enough to pay for it.

Gazing Ball You Can't Stop Looking At

This is my second gazing ball! I used an old bowling ball which I found at a garage sale and gave it a new identity. This ball will be posted on my new etsy store, Mosaic Illusions.
My first gazing ball was my son's old bowling ball. What a great way to keep them out of a landfill and instead, have them fill your yard with color and light!

We have more projects in the works. I've just finished a quilt block trivet, which is ready for grout. A pencil holder and a candle holder is complete. Three sleighs will be created in a Christmas design. Five mirrors and of course, at least 7 more bowling balls that will find their place in our store as well.

But it doesn't stop there. We are going to be making tables, picture frames, mirrors, serving trays and coasters. Jim and I are both excited about making these fun and useable projects. Stay tuned!

An Old Bowling Ball Gets A New Life

No matter where I put this 16 lb. bowling ball, it rolled around and around until one day I decided it just had to go. This was the remaining bowling ball my son left behind when he moved out last year. The others ended up being sold for a pittance at a garage sale. But how does one get rid of a perfectly good bowling ball without feeling guilty about it? As the trend for "going green" continues to emerge, as it should, I am conscious of doing my part to keep things like old bowling balls out of landfills. There just had to be a way to turn this ball into something useful and I was determined to find it.

I've been a stained glass artist for many years. Being a lover of any glass art, I'd always been interested in mosaics and had been wanting to learn that craft, so one afternoon at my glass supply shop, I had purchased a book on mosaics. The book had ideas I'd never thought of; and inside was the solution I'd been searching for...using an old bowling ball as a work of mosaic art.

The gazing ball in the photo, once my son's old bowling ball, has been given a new identity as it graces the front of our home, nestled between the bushes next to the front porch. The birds love it, in fact, one of them perched on top of it today. I had always heard that birds are attracted to shiny objects, and this supports that theory.

Ironically, now both my husband and I are searching rummage and garage sales for old bowling balls. (Now I wish I'd kept the ones my son left behind!) Yesterday we hit a half dozen yard and garage sales and collected 6 more bowling balls. We filled the holes, and the balls are now ready to be transformed. I can hardly wait to start the next one! I'm thinking all mirrors. The birds will adore it and it will sparkle like a sun in its own solar system, bringing light and beauty to its surroundings instead of adding to the overflowing landfills.

Stay tuned as we breathe new life into the six new balls...

Have a Little Faith

This little flower is appropriately symbolic for my life as an entrepreneur. After leaving a "secure" job over a year ago, I struggled for months with back pain, depression, chronic fatigue and insecurity; with my life, with my future, and with myself.

Making the decision to leave my job was tough. I knew that once I walked out the door I'd never go back and would finally have the freedom to choose the direction my life would go. But to where?

Initially, after leaving my job, I had gotten a catchy business name to become a professional organizer, only to realize that physically it would not be possible. Of course, I could have hired people, but I'd have had to charge a lot more than this current market would allow, so I dropped that idea.

After two back surgeries, I'm limited, physically, in what I can do. This includes sitting, even for a half hour at a time, without some kind of back pain. The inability to sit limits my ability to work in and out of the office. It was one of the main reasons I chose to leave my desk job of 21 years. Like I said, it was tough, but the best decision for me.

As a rule, I tend to look too far into the future, which causes me unnecessary worry and grief over events that have not, or may not, happen. It's important to "plan" ahead, but don't look too far ahead because inevitably the future will change your plans. I've always cringed at the common interview question "Where do you want to be in five years?" I mean, really, how does anyone know what the near future, let alone distant future, will bring?

Logically, of course, I know why an interviewer asks that question. They want to see if you know how to plan, have goals. However, on a gut level, I've always felt that question is not only irrelevant, but unfair, as today's job market is anything but stable. Chances are the person who interviews you for a job won't be there next month. Five years? Give me a break.

I've tried many things in my life, some have failed miserably and others have been highly successful only to eventually fall through the cracks, opposite of the flower which inspired this blog. My most successful endeavors in life were ones in which I have been creative. Therefore, in order to be successful in my life, my career of choice must involve creativity.

My passions have always been writing and photography. Having the internet at my disposal to write until my heart's content in too many blog sources to count, as well as being able to post a million photos if I so choose, certainly fulfills both of my needs.

The esoteric creativity of combined writing and photography is awesome, but not without flaws. Creativity by its nature doesn't necessarily guarantee monetary success. In order to make a living, we have to sell a product, whether it is our creativity in a neat package, or a physical product we use to enrich our lives. It's difficult to work at something and sell it too and hiring someone to sell for you isn't always an option if you have no money to pay them.

That's where faith comes in. Faith is the invisible bridge that holds us up when we feel like falling down. Faith is what carries us through when our world seems to crumble around us; people let us down, prices continue to rise, incomes plummet, more people lose their jobs. It's easy to lose faith in what you once believed in.

Sometimes life boils down to faith. Faith that we CAN and will survive, no matter what life throws at us. Faith that we CAN make our dreams a reality and recover what we've lost. After all, if faith is gone, what's left?

Priceless Moments

My love of photography began with my first camera, a Bell & Howell instamatic, which I received as a graduation gift in 1972. Over the years, I've owned many cameras; instant point-and-shoot, 35mm, even disposable. I've always been told I have "a good eye" for taking photos. Well, no doubt as I absolutely love photography. You could say it's one of my many artistic obsessions.

My experience with digital photography began six years ago when I bought my first digital camera, an Olympus with 4 megapixels. My digital photographic skills have grown, blossomed, you could say, and I soon realized that my skills had outgrown the Olympus's features. It was time to look for a new camera.

After researching, I decided on a 10 megapixel Canon which has the bells and whistles my Olympus could only dream about (sorry Olympus!) I'm continuously amazed at the many features my new camera has. Within minutes I'm able to post an entire afternoon's worth of photos online to share with family and friends. Amazing. Powerful. Fun!

Living in the 21st century, we've come to expect and demand things that give us pleasure while saving us time and money. If you love photography and gadgetry as much as I do, chances are you also love the ease at which a digital camera freezes the moment and shows it to you, immediately! Magical, exciting, powerful, the digital camera allows us to use photography at its full potential; and not sacrificing the integrity of the craft, but enhancing it.

Being a parent of two children and two grandchildren, I value, more than ever, capturing the special moments of their lives. Photographs immortalize the moment. When we give someone a photograph, we give them a legacy that would otherwise be lost. Digital photography makes it faster, easier than ever before to capture and share those important moments.

Life in the 21st century seems to move at warp speed. Everyone is so busy they hardly remember what they ate for dinner yesterday. Too much activity, too little time. Therefore, it's vital we take time and share those special moments. Likely we won't get a second chance. Time is continuous; it carries on long after we're gone. Our lives are finite. Memories fade.

Photos allow us to capture the moment, and share those moments we hold closest in our hearts.

And that is truly priceless.

Enjoying a Cool Summer

This has indeed been a cool summer. With an average daytime temperature of 75 degrees, it's exactly the perfect summer for me. I know many people prefer much warmer weather, but personally, I love this cooler weather. I love the low humidity and the cool nights. I especially love not having to use the air conditioner, not once, this season! And that's a HUGE savings in electricity.

Of course, I could do without the wind. It's hard to take a good photo or attempt to do anything involving paper outdoors. Because of the strong wind, we've had to keep our patio umbrellas down more than up this summer. I don't want to replace the umbrellas every summer.

Today we took the kids to Memorial Park. Mackenzee enjoyed the slide and loved climbing all over the other park structures designed for kids only. Hunter enjoyed watching his sister, but of course, he loves everything she does. The noiser, the better. Got to enjoy that while we can, because knowing kids, it won't last.

Yeah, it's been a cool summer so far, but August could still blast us with the heat and humidity more common this this time of year. Me, I'm enjoying the cool summer because I can function better when sweat isn't pouring into my face. But that's just me.

Serenity Arrives

I've been busy the past couple months since my last blog entry. I finally got our birdhouse website up and running, although any web designer worth his salts knows that a website is never really done. It's an evolving, changing, moving, living force that grows and takes on its own personality.

I must admit, I wasn't sure I could get into this "web design" thing. In fact, I was convinced I'd simply NEVER get it. When my brother first handed me an HTML book, I sat down and opened the first page and began to read. The more I read, the more confused I became. I finally put the book down, completely frustrated and depressed. I thought to myself, "If this is the stuff I need to learn to be a web designer, I may as well sign up to become a rocket scientist. It was THAT intimidating.

Well, somewhere along the line my German stubborn-ness kicked in and I became even more determined to not only learn this stuff, but conquer it and make my own mark, albeit a small one on the world wide web. It was that determination and drive that pushed me past my "normal" limits, into the vast world HTML.

Michelle guided me through it, then gently pushed me off the cliff. It was up to me to either land on the ground in a heap or try out my web wings and fly. I chose to fly....a nice metaphor for the Serenity Birdhouses.

Admittedly, I have much to learn and it's a process, much like the website, but at least I have a better concept of how everything ties together (and it does), than I did when I started. It may take me a while to get there, but get there I will...much like the tortoise, slowly, surely, and one web page at a time.

An Artist's Perspective

While attending college, one of my favorite instructors told me I had a "passion" for art. She had also said she had seen many students come and go throughout her career and felt that I was one of those students who really connected with their work. I was flattered, but more so, surprised because I simply couldn't imagine an artist not being connected to their work.

I tend to see artistic beauty ordinary things in ways that only an artist can and luckily, a pretty fertile imagination. The other day while Jim and I had lunch at Olga's, I noticed something that surely escaped nearby patrons as they munched on their curly fries. While looking out the four-paned window, I noticed a tree just outside the building. Most people would only see a window, or maybe not even notice it at all. What I saw was a framed piece of art: the four window panes framed the tree just beyond it, creating a still life. I've seen similar such photographs in table-top black and white art books.

It's highly rewarding and at the same time frustrating to be an artist. The constant inspiration can be exhausting. I've recently rediscovered my love of painting, only this time using acrylic instead of oil paint. It's relaxing and easy to lose track of time when I paint. It’s the same thing with writing...once I get inside the head of one of my characters, it’s hard to return to myself. But whether I'm writing the great American Novel, painting a daisy, or cutting glass for a mosaic project, I thrive on creativity. Whenever I connect with my creative self, I simply breathe easier.

Become aware of your world and you'll see not only the beauty surrounding you, you'll also find what's not obvious at first, such as the tree framed by the window that I saw at Olga's. Watch how the setting summer sun creates long, hard shadows and builds intensity just before dusk.

As a child, when asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" my answer was simple: an artist. And judging by my interests and passions, I'd say I fulfilled my dream.

Family & Fun Photos to Share

I hope you enjoy this slide show!

I Need a 48 Hour Day

I've read that if you feel as though you never have enough hours in a day is a symptom of stress. Beyond the fact that I am stressed out because every waking minute is occupied with thoughts of finding work, I feel I simply don't have enough hours in a day to accomplish everything I've decided I need to accomplish.

Since I admittedly have never been a morning person, by the time I actually become efficient with my day, it's after 11:00 a.m. Since being unemployed, I've developed a routine of sleeping in, watching "The Doctors" at 10:00, channel surfing between it and Martha Stewart (who seems to indeed have at least a 48 hour day because of everything she seems to accomplish).

I love my morning routine, in fact, have labeled it my "happy hour" from the days I worked, and on my vacation or sick days would indulge in watching Martha Stewart, who is either my nemesis or idol depending on the mood I'm in.

Maybe it would benefit me to join the ranks of the "rise and shine" early people who have been linked to becoming wealthy along with already being wise, but I just can't bring myself to becoming a morning person. I feel it's wrong to fight your body's natural rhythm of waking and sleeping. I have always functioned better in the later afternoon and evening. It's when I'm the most focused and creative.

I've never been wealthy, but would welcome the opportunity to find out what it feels like, just once, sometime before I die. Plus, I have had enough life experience to know I'm not unwise, and also know I have not yet reached my full potential or fulfilled my life purpose.

Chances are pretty good that I will never be a morning person, nor will I enjoy getting up four hours earlier than I am accustomed to arising, but I also I realize that it may become necessary if I were to land a job. I also firmly believe that if one enjoys what they're doing and have a real purpose in life, incidentals like getting up early become insignificant compared to the stress created by not having an income.

Knowing that I'm not a morning person, I usually become productive in the later afternoon. I also acknowledge that even if I got up at the crack of dawn, I'd probably still go to sleep at the end of the day feeling as though I'd left many things unaccomplished. Therefore I've decided in order to get it all done, I need a 48 hour work day!

Realistically, it's simply not possible for me to acquire more hours in a day unless I sacrificed sleep, something I physically and mentally cannot do. Therefore it becomes necessary to stay focused without getting burned out, accomplish as much as I humanly can and try not to stress out about it at the end of the day.

Memories of March

The month of March holds special memories for me. It was the month I got my driver's license. It was (and is) the last month of the first quarter of the year. It is also the month when I feel that inner tingle which signifies an anticipation, hope for the emergence of spring.

I have always felt that once I make it through January, February and March, I deserve to look forward to April & May, hence warmer weather and welcoming of spring. Although, living in Michigan, making it through March doesn't necessarily mean we're through with snow, as to which we rugged Michiganders can attest. It just means that the bulk of winter's windy wiles are behind us and we can soon embrace better weather.

For me March also punctuates life and death. It was the month my firstborn, Andrew, was born; and the month both my father and father-in-law died. This March 3rd will be the 20th anniversary of my father's death and on March 13th, the 7th anniversary of my father-in-law's death.

Nothing ever prepares you for the loss of a parent. Even when death is imminent, acceptance has been met, and the arrangements have been made, the actual loss and its effect on your soul can't be described, only felt by those of us who are left behind.

Watching my father's chest rattle as he took his last breath on that cold, windy March evening was the most profound experience of my life. Both my sister and I held our collective breaths as he took his last one. I knew the exact moment he passed from this life to the eternal mysterious one as I touched his cold hand and watched his skin turn almost translucent.

But the single most powerful memory happened moments before he took his last breath...it was when I saw him smile. It was then that I knew he was going to a better place, a place where he would no longer suffer and finally be at peace.

Twenty years later and I still miss my dad. I miss his wacky humor, his funny smile, his lame jokes and his creative mind. When I hold my beautiful granddaughter close, I wonder if my dad watches us; or if he laughs at the way my grandson giggles at his older sister when she tickles him.

Somehow I sense his spirit and feel his presence guiding me through the hardest times. It's at those times I dream of him and he comforts me, always. It's at those times when I realize he'll always be a part of me the same as I will be a part of my children and grandchildren.

After all is said and done, the most valuable legacy we leave behind, is love.

Why Supply & Demand Determines Value

What is the best determination of value? Many years ago as a real estate agent, I was taught that a home's value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for it. In today's dismal real estate market, that's bad news for sellers and great news for buyers.

But, does that mean that suddenly your home (car, boat, rv, jewelry, etc.) has lost its original value? It all depends on how you personally define value. In fact, the less someone is willing to pay for something, the more valuable it becomes to us, and the more sense it makes to keep it.

If I'm confusing the issue, let's look at it this way. Unemployment has grown to a frightening level. People who have devoted years to their jobs are losing them left and right. And the common question they ask themselves is, "What do I do now?" Years ago if you lost your job, you'd just send out some resumes, get interviewed and get another job. That's no longer the case.

Back to supply and demand. Too many people out of work and not enough jobs available for everybody. Employers know this. It gives them license to implement elaborate screening techniques to "weed out" the undesirables; those less qualified to meet their unrealistic job requirements that a few years ago would not have been an issue.

Unemployment does not discriminate to just those without formal education. It's rapidly becoming an epidemic. It seems that every day I hear of yet someone else I know losing their job. And the sad part is it may not change anytime soon.

My question is this: does an unemployed person lose their original value? Does unemployment automatically erase the skills and experience a person has worked so hard to achieve? It would seem so, because what potential employers are willing to pay is directly affected by supply and demand of people applying for those positions.

The most obvious solution to this dilemma is to lower the unemployment rate by creating jobs and shifting the balance of supply and demand in favor of the workforce. Offer training and use the transferable skills people have and apply them to the newly created jobs. Get people back to work and stop outsourcing their jobs.

My thoughts on economic stimulus or tax refund checks: No matter how great a discount we are offered, or how low the interest rate is, these tactics simply won't entice us to buy (thus, boost the economy) unless we have a weekly check to pay for them.

Moving Forward With Change

Life is all about change. Change is not only necessary, it is inevitable. It's been said that the only thing that never changes, is change itself. The more we fight change, the tougher its impact on us. Therefore, it's to our advantage to adapt to, if not embrace, change.

Every minute of every day brings about subtle changes in our world. While each day is a duplicate of the previous day, at the same time it is a brand new day, the ultimate paradox, isn't it? The sun rises over the horizon, scattering the twilight as the last vestiges of nighttime vanish and a new day begins. We don't question it; we expect it.

As humans we rely on the cues of nature to prompt us forward in our lives. And at times it's though we are moving at warp speed into an unknown, uncharted territory of tomorrow's mysteries, while we ponder yesterday's regrets.

But all we truly have is today, right now, this minute. Tomorrow is promised to no one, so it's important to live each day as if it's our last and let the regrets go. Stop telling yourself that "someday (this) and someday (that)." Instead, look ahead, not behind you. Move forward and ride the coattails of change; and learn to embrace it. You never know just where it may lead.

Spring Tease

Today the temperature reached 58 degrees. It was one of those mid-winter "bonus" days that tease you into thinking spring has arrived...but don't don the light jackets just yet. It's still winter, despite the deceptively warmer temperatures we've been enjoying for a few days. Had this day arrived in April, I'd allow myself to be more optimistic, but in February it's just a little bonus.

But then again, it's hard not to fantasize about the warm summer sunshine on my face...imagine a cool ice tea with lots of lemon as I sit under my umbrella on the deck and read a compelling novel.

This summer Jim and I especially look forward to taking our 2-1/2 year old granddaughter, Mackenzee, on her first camping trip. We will definitely enjoy watching Mackenzee explore and learn about the "Great Outdoors." She is already looking forward to going camping in Papa's "Twaylor."

The promise of spring is always a time to anticipate, followed by the glorious sunshine days of summer. It's difficult not to want to rush time along to get out of the winter doldrums, but then again, I don't want to wish my life away. I've learned that it's too short and precious, so I want to enjoy every minute of it while I continue to discover all that life has to offer.

I Admit It...I'm A Book Junkie

For most people a bookstore is just another store that happens to be filled with books. For me, it's a sanctuary. There's something terribly exciting about being surrounded by all that knowledge. If there's anyplace I can surely get lost in time and space, it's at a bookstore. After a couple of hours of browsing, I'm compelled to quickly make a decision on which book or books to purchase before my husband has to propel me toward the doorway sometime before the bookstore closes its doors and shoves me out on my ears.

For me, a bookstore has always been a welcoming, inviting place to hang out. At first I find myself browsing the new releases and eventually end up in various areas, not necessarily searching for anything specific, but searching nonetheless. I'm simply compelled to look at, and ultimately admire, books. And it's quite amazing how certain books seem to call out to me as if they silently communicate a message they unknowingly sense I need at that time of my life.

The library has much the same effect, minus the smell of freshly brewed Starbuck's coffee. I can spend hours browsing the library's shelves and seldom do I leave with less than 4 or 5 books on several subjects. Funny, I seldom read each book cover to cover, but I always end up with many books. Much like a child in a candy store, I can't make up my mind. I want them all.

They are so much more than bound covers and words between pages! Books have indeed become an integral part of my life, much like my best friends. Since I'm always looking for answers, I'm always looking to expand my knowledge to share with others. Books provide both. Of course, they're also a great escape and an excellent source of entertainment.

My life-long goal has been to be one of the inspiring authors who grace the shelves of the bookstores I frequent. It's not an easy road, to be sure, but a road worth traveling. There's simply something magical that transpires between an author and a reader and my deepest desire is to be among those who make a lasting impression upon my readers and to leave my words behind long after I'm gone. It's a legacy I look forward to.

Left Brain vs. Right Brain

When you walk into a room, what do you see? Do your eyes sweep the room, taking everything in at once? Or do you look at each element and pick out the details? Do you study shapes and sizes of objects? Are you fascinated by the textures and colors of nature? Or would you rather figure out the most efficient way to balance your checkbook? How you answer these questions may determine if you are right or left brain dominated.

At times I'm convinced that I'm a left-brain individual. I tend to be analytical, logical and detail-oriented. But then again, I can also be intuitive, impetuous, artistic and creative, all of which are right-brain characteristics. I'd always been interested in this fascinating part of being human. In fact, last year my two hemispheres had their own discussion about it without my knowledge. Here's the dialog of the left and right sides of my brain:

Left brain: "Look what time it is! We've got to get back to work."
Right brain: "Leave me alone. I'm reading."
Left brain: "But I'm bored. Oh, wow! Look at that snow! I bet there's at least six inches on the ground. It'll take us at least an hour to get home. Then we have to make dinner, wash dishes, make lunch for tomorrow, take a shower and..."
Right brain: "Stop distracting me! Can't you tell I'm busy? Get a life, will ya? We've only got 45 minutes left of this hour, thanks to you and your distractions!!"
Left brain: "Ok. I'll think about something else. I should have gotten gas yesterday. This morning it was 25 cents more. I'd give anything to have the gas prices of 1972. Gosh, I miss 1972. Life was much easier back in '72."
Right brain: "Bob Seger wrote a song about 1972. I miss it too…life was easier. Hey, maybe I should write a book about owning a 1964 Beetle in which the heater never, ever worked and the necessity of always keeping a blanket wrapped around your legs. Hmmmm, winter, car, skating, being a kid. You go ahead and worry. You do it enough for the both of us anyway. I'll just keeping traveling down memory lane. I'd rather go there than back to work anyway."

Forty-five minutes later, left brain goes back upstairs, sits at the desk, and starts working, while right brain is silently planning the next story idea and admiring all the colorful trees on the path down memory lane when suddenly, it sees a bear on a deserted country road while thunder rumbles in the distance…

Dan Miller and 48 Days

Do you love your job? If the answer is YES, then don't bother reading the rest of this post. If the answer is an astounding NO, then please read on.

Last summer while going through a personal career crisis as well as suffering from work-related stress and anxiety, I was searching for some answers and I inevitably found myself standing in front of the "Entrepreneur" section at Barnes & Noble, hoping that something would "grab" me from that shelf. I wasn't even sure what I was looking for when this book seemed to jump out at me. It is called, "48 Days To The Work You Love," by Dan Miller. I'd never heard of Dan Miller, but my friend Debbie had told me about Dave Ramsey and when I saw his name as the foreword writer on this book, it merited retrieval from the shelf. Upon thumbing through the pages, I soon found myself intrigued by what I saw and gladly made the purchase, anxiously returning home to start reading it. Little did I know that book of 224 pages would soon change my life.

Dan's philosophy is that we not only can pursue work we love and fulfill our purpose, it is our obligation to ourselves and our fellow man (woman) to do exactly that. He explains that work should be something we enjoy doing, not hate. I found myself underlining so many things in this book that I had bought a special pen just to keep in the book so I wouldn't have to search for one while reading. Right from the start, Dan explains how vital it is to love what you do. A quote from one of the first few pages says, "You could perform as others expect and get a paycheck, but you are not likely to experience meaning, purpose, peace, or fulfillment in work you loathe." This was an eye-opening statement if I ever read one.

I had made the decision to leave my job for many reasons, mostly because I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do at the right time. Physically, I was incapable of performing at a level I knew was expected to keep up with the increasing demand of the industry. Mentally I was exhausted and knew if I didn't make a change soon that I'd be in trouble. Spiritually I searched for meaning in my own life and how to make the last half of my life the best. I knew it wasn't going to happen if I kept up the insane pace I had been struggling with. The book was encouraging and informative. Dan wasn't just a life coach, he was a life-saver.

In today's struggling economic climate, the challenge of finding work is harder than ever. Unemployment is reaching frightening proportions. Because of this, finding a job with so many people out of work can be overwhelming, and finding "meaningful" work sounds impossibly daunting. Enter the endless cycle of negative reinforcement. How do you break this cycle?

After reading 48 Days, I believe that not only is it possible to alter the course of our work life, but that the dire straits of a failing economy may actually be the catalyst needed to fuel the creative engine and get the ideas flowing in ways that being in the "comfort zone" and routine of a good economy would never encourage.

Another quote from the book is: "It is often in the midst of change and challenges that we find our own true direction." A wonderfully inspiring statement!

Dan puts "failure" in the right perspective. We can learn to use our failures to bring a higher level of understanding, meaning, purpose, fulfillment and learning to our lives. We have the power to make positive changes if we first identify what our "unique purpose" is on this earth. I am still searching for my life's path, but I feel that since reading Dan Miller's 48 Days book, I now have a compass and road map to get there and I'm about 99% sure that my course involves writing. That's why I started this blog.

SO - whether you are job-seeking, soul-searching or simply need inspiration, please pick up a copy of Dan Miller's "48 Days To The Work You Love." I highly recommend this book as well as "No More Mondays." Both books and so much more are available on Dan's website. If you click on the banner at the bottom of this blog, it will take you directly to Dan's phenomenal website. Sign up for the newsletter and listen to his podcasts! You can download them directly from itunes, as it is explained on the website. Trust me, it'll change your life!

A Journey Worth Taking

Since I left my job last August, I've been on a personal journey, trying to best determine what I wanted to do the rest of my life and make money doing so, while not compromising my health, sanity and happiness. It's been interesting and eye-opening, to say the least.

When I made the decision to leave the DMP (Detroit Media Partnership, aka Detroit News & Free Press), I was full of flash and fire. I had planned on starting my own business as a personal organizer. It seemed like a great idea since I am naturally organized and seem to have a knack for finding "a place for everything." I went so far as to get an LLC, "Got Clutter?" which I thought was an original and funny, yet relevant name for the budding business-to-be. I ordered business cards and told people about my business idea. My idea was well-received by my soon-to-be ex-coworkers, who wished me well on my new career as a personal organizer.

When I first left last August, I just wanted a break. I wanted to take some time off and enjoy the rest of the summer as well as my new grandson, Hunter, who was born July 18th. I enjoyed being a grandma yet again with adorable new baby Hunter, as well as my beautiful angel-baby, Mackenzee, who was turning two years old on August 31st. There was plenty of time to launch my new business venture.

As summer turned to fall, and eventually winter, with the holidays rapidly approaching, I realized that my so-called brilliant idea of becoming a personal organizer was a poor choice. Not because I couldn't pull it off, but because the job would have required bending and lifting and other things that I'm incapable of doing with my back problems, so I gave up the idea of becoming a personal organizer, as much as I liked it initially.

Divine Intervention
Late October I reconnected with a former co-worker and friend, Michelle, who found me through Facebook. Michelle is a web designer who resides in Texas. Her website is: http://www.studio1c.com. Thanks to Michelle, I've learned the basics of web design and continue to learn more and more, getting comfortable with terms like SEO, HTML and internet marketing. I've designed a website for Jim's carpentry business to attract viable customers while continuously increasing our web presence. Please visit: http://www.belliscarpentry.com.

Passion Plays an Important Role
Without passion, the soul is a lonely, empty place. With passion one can perform miracles. This form of passion had been missing from my life, the ability to openly pursue my options, find my life's work and redirect my future onto a path on which I truly belong. I've had to travel down many dead-end roads to find my path, but it was a journey worth taking as I've discovered an internal road map to my destination, combining my skills as an artist, hobbyist and writer.

I've always thrived while creating things with my hands as well as my mind. You could say creating for me is an obsession. I especially love to sew and lately I have been rediscovering just how much I enjoy being in harmony with my Husqvarna.

For the last several months I've been enjoying and using my craft room with a vengeance. In that 9x10 space I feel closer to my real self than I do anyplace else. So it made perfect sense to move my sewing machine and cutting table from their spots in the frigid basement into my warm, cozy craft room. Because of the proximity to the laptop, printer, and other craft items, it is easier to jump in and start a sewing project because everything is accessible. And I don't miss freezing my hands and feet while working in the basement!

Sewing is a seamless (no pun intended) effort in which to use my skills as a designer, artist and writer. I've recently designed my own oven mitt pattern which I'm selling at http://www.createdbyrene.etsy.com. I look forward to designing more patterns to sell.

I need to focus in order to write. Writing is hard work and takes an enormous amount of self-discipline. For a few years I haven't been able to focus on my writing. Writer's block has contributed to mental anguish, as writing is another passion. Reading is another passion, which I do endlessly on various subjects, always learning and enjoying what I discover. Many times I get frustrated with myself because I'd rather be reading than writing, but it's hard to justify one without the other.

My journey of many months has led me to discover many things about myself:
- It's vital for me to work at my own pace, earn a decent living and enjoy what I do
- My work must be creative and include hands-on design blended with writing
- It's important for me to help people achieve their goals and find their passions
- I'm open to new ideas and constantly search to improve older ones
- I must continue to learn and educate myself as I am a lifelong student
- My health is an essential key to my future successes and I must fight for it
- Keeping friendships flourishing and family in harmony is vital to my strength
- Balance is crucial to keeping one's perspective
- A sense of humor is helpful in stressful times

I hope you enjoy my blog as I continue my journey.

Happy trails!