A Novel Approach

My First Novel

I have recently published my first novel, "Rescued." I started writing this book ten years ago when an idea came to me after reading a book by Mary Higgins Clark. The book evolved over two years and in 2004, an agent from Georgia said he'd be happy to take me as a client. He sent out the manuscript and after a year when he couldn't lure a publisher, discouraged, I put the book aside. In early 2005, I rewrote the book again, this time approaching publishers directly. I followed the format for the Harlequin Intrigue" series, but received rejection letters as it didn't meet Harlequin's rigid standards.  It's true what they say about those rejections.

In August, 2006 I became a grandmother and my world changed dramatically, the book went on the back burner again, but it was a loose end that I wanted to finish. I had a great story, so when a friend suggested I try self-publishing, I rewrote the book for the fifth time last November, and got the Lulu.com

Post Surgery

Well, I had my wrist surgery on Monday, October 17th. It wasn't quite as painful as I had feared it would be. I had been dreading the surgery, based on what Dr. Burke had told me. He said it would be necessary to cut the ulna, the bone that connects the wrist at the outer side of the hand, and then install a metal plate to hold the cut bone in place while it heals. Then he would have to stitch the torn ligament, and attach it to the wrist with screws.

My Vacation From Hell

After eleven years of being separated from a close friend whom I had worked with, we reconnected on Facebook in October, 2008. After two and a half years of communicating through Skype, e-mail and the occasional phone call, we'd become close as ever and when she'd told me she wanted to sell her house in Texas and had planned on moving back to Arizona, she'd invited me to visit her after she was settled. She hadn't planned on her home in Texas taking almost a year to sell, but eventually, they sold the house and had finally settled in Lake Havasu City, Arizona in December, 2010. I decided to give hr a few months to get settled into her home, get through the holidays and plan to take a trip out there in mid-February, 2011. We'd planned this trip for several months and were both excited at the prospect of seeing each other again. To protect the identity of this person, I won't use her real name, so I'll refer to her instead as "Melanie."

We'd planned this trip for three months; what to do, places we'd go. Melanie had told me she had a lot of fun stuff in store for us and couldn't wait for me to arrive! I also couldn't wait to get there as I had anticipated it would be the vacation of a lifetime, since I'd never been out west and was looking forward to exploring the vast area with my friend. So when the day finally came and it was time for me to leave for the airport, I was excited to finally fly out to see my good friend. Little did I know what lie in store for me, beginning with the trip from the airport. That should have been a clue as what was to come.

The plane had left Detroit Metro airport at 8:25 p.m. on February 13th, (bad omen) and landed at the McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas, the closest major airport to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. I'd been on a plane before, but never alone and flying solo was more than a bit unnerving, but people do it all the time, so I squashed my instinctive nervousness and tried to relax and enjoy the trip. Little did I know it was soon to become the vacation I'd never forget, but not because it was the dream vacation I'd envisioned for months. I had no idea what was to come, or what a huge mistake and lack of judgment I'd made (but I'll get to that later.) Unforeseen events prevailed and my dream vacation soon turned into a nightmare that would have long-lasting effects in ways I couldn't even begin to imagine.

A Stitch In Time

I love to sew. Sewing is not only my favorite hobby, it's my passion. In the past few days I've made three jumpers for my granddaughter and finished two aprons that I had started back in spring. (The one pictured is a small apron with huge pockets.) The next step is to get them listed on etsy.

Wind of Change

It's been so long since I've written in my blog I don't know where to start. I've titled this post Wind of Change largely because so much has happened since my last post in April, so many changes, that indeed it seemed an appropriate title. I also happen to love the song "Wind of Change" by the Scorpions. You may listen to this song by following this link and watching the video: http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=164717&song=Wind+Of+Change

Learning With Lynda

In January, 2009 I was conducting a strategic job search. Even after getting my resume on Monster.com, Michigan Talent Bank and Careerbuilder, I wasn't receiving a lot of attention. But I remembered many years ago there was a company called MacTemps, which is now called Acquent.

Several years ago, I was contacted by Mariam McCarthy from Acquent about a position I had applied for. It had been a while since I've spoken to her but I decided to contact her again in my quest for a productive job search. Although she wasn't able to connect me to any jobs at that time, she did provide me with a powerful resource.

Mariam recommended http://www.lynda.com. I hadn't heard of lynda.com, and asked her to tell me about it. She said it was a website where you can choose from a large library of tutorial videos to watch an unlimited amount of times at your own rate, for only $25 a month. I checked it out and soon signed up for membership and have not regretted it.

Lynda.com allows you to choose whichever course you are interested in, watch only the videos you want to watch (or watch them all) and stop/start at any time. If you watch an entire course, you receive a certificate that you can download and print or e-mail to a prospective employer.

Lynda.com offered a variety of courses; Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash, Microsoft Word, Excel, Corel Draw, AutoCad, Joomla, HTML, CSS, Digital Photograpy, ASP, PHP, Database, Content Management systems, even blogging! As of this writing, they have 40,000 videos and are adding more every week. That's over 3425 hours of continuous training!

Although a large percentage of the courses are related to both graphic and web design, there are courses offered in photography and business, such as Microsoft Word for those who need to brush up on their skills. If you are an experienced designer, you can upgrade your skills while continuing your education.

Last night I watched the video on how Lynda Weinman got started and was fascinated by it.She and her husband Bruce, share many of the same philosophies as me, so I felt a sort of kindred spirit, a parallel universe, as I love art, design and photography as well as learning new things. I have learned a lot and have been able to apply what I've learned immediately in my websites. I love that I can study as much or as little as I want, anytime I want.

I highly recommend http://www.lynda.com to anyone who is passionate about learning without leaving the house!

Rene Bellis

p.s. Since completing several courses from lynda.com, I have been getting more phone calls from prospective employers. Coincidence? Maybe. Good fortune? Definitely!

Mid-Winter Blues

Every year at this time of year, with the tease of a sunny day I dream of spring. Friday and Saturday were beautiful, sunny days here in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Friday's temperature reached 40 degrees. It was just a great day to be outdoors and let the sun shine on your face. But it's only temporary as another snow system is moving in tomorrow. Winter is far from over but the promise of spring makes it easier to ride of the rest of the cold stuff.

Beating the winter blues is much easier when you have hobbies. They are a great distraction from the bad weather, not to mention an outlet for creativity. Although lately, I haven't been in much of a mood for my hobbies. Could just be I'm in a rut.

It's hard for me to believe that this is the third week in February already. It seems like last week we were toasting in the New Year. Before we know it, it'll be St. Patrick's day, Easter and YES! Memorial weekend, which marks our annual first camping trip of the season to our favorite campground, Petoskey KOA. Nothing beats the winter blues better than dreaming of our favorite camping spot.

For me, January, February and March are the toughest months of the year. I suffer from "S.A.D." (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and need the sunlight to feel good. Even on a cold day, the sun will perk me up. But I really look forward to the sunny spring sunshine. I love the fresh, clean spring air and the birds chirping in the bud-filled trees. It sounds corny, but it's true. Spring is the season of rebirth and with it, anything is possible.

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.