Lemme s’plain: Consider that variety of experience is absolutely key to rounding, forming and living a full life….an INFORMED full life. The experience is what shapes my perspective; and exposure, in small ways (or tiny bites) gives me clues and inspiration as to how much further IN to an experience I’m going to go. Helps me feel safe… prepared…and far from the Cliffs of Overwhelm.

Actively choosing variety keeps me in touch with many people who each have their own ways of life and living…helps me keep my own perspective while gently reminding me that my way is not the only way, nor the right way for anyone else…

What does “choosing variety” look like? For me, lately it’s been working a part-time VERY SOCIAL service job; designing buttons, accessories and bags; go-go dancing; volunteering; and getting to know new friends.

Other times it’s been when I’ve been scared of doing something new – that’s when I know I have to attempt it – the Go-Go Gig was that way.

Lots to choose from. Experiences. People. Perspectives. Exposure. I’m shooting for a full and satisfying life – with a soft, flexible, wide perspective and very little judgement of others. The only way I’m gonna get that life… to feel alive… like I am participating… is by living it – now. Here and now. With people. That includes you.

So, dear readers…I dare you to spoon up some new experiences….just test drive one or two…discover some similarities, some new ways, tastes, textures in life….it’s beautiful….and we get to share all of it!

There’s plenty. Just sayin’. xow

The Pound Art Center is having another OpenStudio!!!! This guest artist will be among several seriously skilled creatives Friday, Feb 5, 2010 – from 6-10pm. Bevvies and nibblies will be there…bring your sweetie for some pre-Valentine art viewin’ – and buyin’…..my latest series of glittered pendants will be in the house.

Get on down to the Pound~!  1216 10th Ave – Seattle

Come see my foray into GoGo-Land at HotFlash Dance party at Neighbors the next night – Feb 6.

It’s a lyric, a sentiment, a prayer, an affirmation….a wish. There’s less hypertension, stress, pimples, hurts and worries when my heart feels light. 

Even just “lighter than usual” – that counts and feels better, too. How to get to a lighter – and hopefully softer – heart?

EXTREME SELF-CARE AND NURTURING. To include, in no particular order: 
sleep; hydration; writing; reaching out to friends, family and organizations that mean a lot to me; handwork; and…..this is a big one….doing what I said I would do….And when I don’t, can’t or won’t…to own it.

This is a practice. And that last one is a HUMdinger, indeed. I’m imperfect and willing to give it the effort.  I have an easier time living with myself and others when I’m able to follow through…there’s freedom in saying What Is So…unhitching the yoke of “Should”…the burden of guilt…..those things are not fit for a light and soft heart.

At least that is the theory for the day.
I’m goin’ in to test it. 

Stay tuned, sugarplums – xow

12.15.09- Oh, the illusion of control, the surprise of “Wow, this isn’t what I thought it would be”…the sometimes disappointment, the sometimes delight….naturally embedded in this discovery. 

The Not Knowing. This is where I want to get comfortable. Only because I can rely on Not Knowing…and because it’s a surefire way to keep my heart, eyes, and ears open to new information. 

I’m in a place of Not Knowing right now…based on some recent information.
And it’s not comfortable. Feels like I’m walking around with 6-feet of toilet paper trailing on my sneaker and no one’s telling me….like my slip is showin’….like I’ve got a fatalistic case “plumber’s crack”….and WOE! (insert more melodrama here) it will ALWAYS be this way….

And it’s real. The feelings are real. 
The 6-feet of tp, slip and plumber’s crack do not exist at this moment – I’ve checked.

Feelings are internal weather systems – they pass. The only way through it, is through it, right?
It could be, afterall, that I’m not supposed to know….YET. 

I’ll take the discomfort. I’ll go ahead and feel these showers and storms without panicking, sabotaging or reacting. There’s another side, a promise of Spring, more information… it’s on its way. I get to be here, open and ready, when it arrives – AND get to live in these moments until it does.

12.01.09- Leaving the High Swinging at the Playground, Y’all.

In the space of 3 days I had my best and worst experiences at the Market – to date. The polarities of the days were astonishing…and I’ve spent the last 2 days in warm baths, lots of sleep, some tears and some laughs too….Be assured, I am not referring strictly to financials, either, m’loves. There’s also a heaping helping of dynamics and interactions in there. Alllllll stemming from…..

P-E-R-S-P-E-C-T-I-V-E.

Please, may I have a larger, wider, bigger, further-back perspective? It will only help. Taking a tip from the Dotilist, Seurate, again…..to step back.
Then look. Listen.

I vow to leave the swinging to the experts.
They would be the kids on the playground, y’all.
Have a super day, darlin’s! xow

From 11.24.09  - Holiday Season is in the news everywhere  – now I sure can get caught up in the media, making the perfect turkey, side or beverage. Folding my napkins into perfect turkey shapes…every absolutely spherical cranberry arranged in the just-right-amount of sauce….PLEASE….I needed a break from the squirrel in my brain who thought it was running the show.

Thursday – tomorrow – HAPPENS to be Thanksgiving….and we all get to have that day – to do with what we want and need to. I hope you’ll be with someone you love – or could at least like at some point. I get to be with friends….and it will be perfect …all I need do is show up -with the vanilla ice cream- and say Thank You.

From  11.16 - Welcome! The Fiber Gallery is my latest client! YAY! Featuring my latest DoubleDuty Sock-It, Suzie bags and a smattering of my latest handmade buttons. Up on Phinney Ridge, above the Woodland Park Zoo, I frequent this shop and just plain love it there! Thank you, Fiber Gallery, and Welcome Aboard!

Don’t forget about the Oasis Gallery in Wallingford, or if you are in Portland, OR, The Yarn Garden! 

Opening the Door to Wholesale: What’s worked for me has been: Kindness + Follow Up = Relationship. Graciousness, appreciation of the time spent with me, genuine wishes and openness that my products do well in their shop…being willing to ask for feedback and actually – actively! – listen and …respond. Not “react” – Respond.

Relationships, working relationships….at least, the kind I am looking for, requires this action. At least so far…this is what I am learning. Not easy. Still makes me want to throw up a little. But I’m doing it.

From 11.04 – All right…am up to my neck in “the process.” The unravelling…unveiling…unspooling….The more I work and uncover, the more work there is to do….more to uncover….in business, and in life. Wrote in my journal that I feel like a ship who left the harbor months and months ago…there’s no land in sight. I know I’m sailing…and feel like I am drifting. Truly, am probably doing a little of both. Since when was life EVER a straight shot to the finish line? Mmmmm. Never in my experience. Keep going! Keep going! Keep going! This is not the time to throw out the anchor! Keep sailing on!

The Spooooookiness of the Unknown.The unknown is what we live, work, play and breathe in – with eachother – every single moment….whether or not I want to admit it. Rolling with the life that shows up at my door requires a certain stance in order for me to lean in and make some progress. Key ingredients for this stance are: flexibility, awareness….and levity. 

I have skills in being serious – to the point of melodrama. (No, really, I do!) For me, this equation is true: Seriousness + Fear + Time = Hardness. The hardness forms in my perspective and also in my heart. This is a type of block that develops and shreds willingness to lean in, learn something new and keep moving forward. 

This is where humor comes in - before the time and fear are jet-streamed in to limit and harden my view. A little laugh or amusement keeps my perspective soft and malleable, keeps me breathing and moving. Circulation is critical! For muscles and oxygen in the ol’ bod’ – and also in my head for thoughts to keep moving through. The really scary stuff comes when I’m not moving at all – body or mind.

From October 29, 2009

On taking action NOW.

There’s no reward or “special deal” in procrastinating. Taking care of the “unfavorites” – and for me that’s dusting, accounting, cold calling – expediting these, thoughtfully and with a lot of love, gives me more room and space for adventures in the favorites.

C’mon now, time’s a’wastin’! – Only thing to do is to take action. Next step. Hello Progress. Hello Unknown. Hello Leap of Faith….

Hello Satisfaction….no matter what the outcome is. In path of taking action right now, in pursuing a creative, collaborative handmade life, even in the circumstance of this economy, I will never EVER have to wonder What If? … there will be no regret, no “I coulda been a contendah…”….no un-lived glory days…and more importantly, no illusions.

Only life. Full, full life. The playground is infinite… do whatchagottado….and get on with the good stuff…the real stuff!
- xo, little angels - w

From October 17, 2009:

Part of this time and space right now is just staying true to the course – even though it doesn’t look like anyone else’s. It is enough that it looks like mine…A challenge? YES. Worth it? YES. Trust in myself, my community is getting built. Progress is being made. Satisfying and scary at the same time? YES. It feels like I am alive and contributing in a healthy way…..no matter what happens next. And YES, some of my stitches are probably showing. I have a heart that comes through my hands in my work….imperfectly, humanly, joyfully. Go fill the day, Y’all!

Love to all. xow

It can’t be all about me. There would be no room for anyone else. 
And that’s no fun. xow

I was pretty conflicted with concerns about “what kind of working artist am I if I can’t show up on the waterfront, let my hands bleed while my work sits on my table – not selling! That would be the one who survives and continues to work and navigate the venues that work for my work.

 What kind of artist would I be if I stayed?  Uh. That would be the unsuccessful and completely resentful, non-business sensicle, blocked artist. Not pretty, I assure you. 

And not the direction I choose to go in. Taking a few leaps of faith, well, it makes taking more leaps a bit easier - 
In fact, let’s up the ante, shall we? I choose to believe that a working artist doesn’t have to be tortured or starving. Perhaps not overnight. But in time….all I need to do it stick with it. I’ve gotten this far haven’t I?

It’s about survival right now….and today was a particularly rough one in coffee retail what with the free drip coffee and tea…plus the last minute shoppers bent on St. Nick-i-fy-ing their environments and loved ones for the next 36 hours…..it was just today….and now it’s over.

And so, to do what I need to do…to keep the lights on (inside and out); my heart soft; to stay connected and keep moving forward,  part-time coffee work is what needs to happen. And overall – it’s not about swallowing my pride  - it’s about getting rid of my pride to just be grateful I got hired somewhere, so I can support myself.

I could see the need to take this job as a failing….but I don’t have to.
It’s worth the work to reframe it as yet another opportunity.
A very merry eve to you, little darlins – xow

Welcome to the delightful world of Photo Transfer.
These pieces are a delight to create, and make for thoughtful and meaningful gifts.
I’d be delighted to create custom gifts for you and your family….and can work from a black and white scanned image (jpeg, por favor). Original photos will not be harmed or reproduced…but will be lovingly returned.
I made and gave 3 ornaments to my own family members last Christmas holiday. My parents, and my maternal grandmother – as children. It was really great, and the ornaments even stood up to my 2-4 year-old nieces. I made them hoping my mom and dad would be talking with M, J & R about what it was like when they were growing up.
Also – that crazy and mind-blowing realization that yes, my parents were kids once, too! I don’t know why I forget that still! Perhaps because I didn’t know them then?
Mother’s Day, any holiday, birthday, anniversary or even random Thursday makes for a great opportunity to give a wonderful gift.

$25 covers the item, a bit of color in the image if you choose, postage, tax and packaging.
Send email or phone to let me know you’re interested, or if you have questions.
Once payment and the image/s are received, it takes about 10 days – or less! – to turn these little sweeties around to you.

Thanks y’all!

Georges-Pierre Seurat -dotilist – knew about perspective…and timing.
Knew when to take a step back to look again…
Check in, check progress….take the time, spend it….

Just to look.
looking, seeing, translating, composing, expressing….
-dude! those are all VERBS!-
All Action!
Some internal and some external – some quiet, some …Not.
All part of the process…all necessary….

Attention – sometimes easy to spend and focus…
sometimes giving attention is more work…
no matter the opinion – each step takes time….
perhaps a dot of time, perhaps a spaaaaan….
Give it.
Give it. Up and over.
To the process.
The looking and seeing are worth the time it takes….
How else will you be able to breathe it in? Be with it?
What do you want?
Whatever it is, it will take time….
it’s worth it…
what else do we think we have?
Time, timing.
Perspective – up close or a step back.
To look, see, absorb, translate, express….
Darlins, don’t miss a minute of it….the juicy process.
The satisfaction.
The beauty in the journey that just shakes us all.

Hummingbirds are callin- those fierce and beautiful flying darts are outside my door…
w

The wingbeats and wind ringing, passing clock-
wise
around my head.
Timing.
Another step.
Grounded.
Detached and observing
these actions are not reactions.
Just steps

A long swallow from the wine country
smiled across the pass -
A lift, a lightness…a different bird…

A match against my curiosity
after a long sparkless spell.

Grateful. Lighter.
I step again.