Happy Holiday's!

Happy Holiday's and best wishes for the New Year to all my friends, family, fellow bloggers, and SITStas!

For me, there is nothing more important at the Holiday's than Family, be it friends or blood. We have a wonderful Christmas Tradition in my Family that started during the Great Depression. When my Grandmother was a kid, all that her family could afford for Christmas during the Depression was Oranges. Oranges were a very special treat. So as my Mom and Aunts and Uncle grew up, my Grandmother gave them Oranges in their stockings every year to remind them to be humble. That Christmas is not about all the toys and presents and getting stuff, but about being thankful for what you do have and the people that love you. The tradition has been passed down in my family to the 4th generation now. My Mom did it with me, and I do it with my kids. They love getting their Orange every year, and I love telling them the story behind the Orange.

Happy Holiday's all, and may your life be filled with many, many Oranges.

Serendipatiousness

Today has been a day filled with emails, sculpting leaves, screaming children, and good new friends. I have been an artist for all of my life. I actually cannot remember a time when I was not making something new out of something else. My Mom always instilled that creativity in me. I remember crying about messing up a drawing when I was little, and she took my "mistake" and turned it in to a pretty flower. "There are no mistakes in art." She said, "Only chances to make more art." That has stuck with me my whole life. I have tried to live my life that way . There are never mistakes, only chances for something new and perhaps unplanned (my living proof to this is my beautiful daughter Brooke). Serendipity is my favorite word. I guess I fly by the seat of my pants a bit, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so lucky to have been blessed with the ability to believe in myself and the things I do, no matter what the odds are against me. I have always been a black sheep. I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. Some might think me strange, I think I'm just me. That ability has led me to where I am today, which is the proud owner of my own small business, creating beautiful (Well, I think they're beautiful! LOL) pieces of art for people to adorn their bodies with. Who knows how far it will go. Far if I have my way, but regardless, I have learned so much already. About myself, about business, about the world. I have meet some INCREDIBLE new artists and people. I am so grateful for that. There is truly something to be said for meeting's of like minds. I am LOVING it!!!! (You all know who you are!) I am loving it, and them, so much that I plan on rolling out a series of guest blogs with some of these new, emerging talents. Since I have started on this little adventure of mine, I have discovered the sheer beauty of handcrafted items and the raw, unexposed TALENT of these artisans. I feel that it is my mission to somehow make the world aware. I feel a little icky now when I go into department stores. Seriously. In addition to the series of guest blogs, which you will definitely want to tune in for, I will also be starting a series called "Friday's Fashion Find's". This is my excuse to window shop the talented designers of Etsy and other places, and bring you the crème de la crème of emerging designers and handcrafting artisans. I AM SO EXCITED!!!! Stay tuned, these new and exciting things will begin unrolling in the next couple of weeks! Happy Holidays, and Happy Handmade Shopping to everyone! I am also new to Twitter, so please stop by and say HI if you are on there too! www.twitter.com/ArcoIris_hc . Have a fabulous day!

Inspiration

I was picking herb's out of my wonderful, fragrant herb garden on this sunny Thanksgiving. There is not much lovelier than the smell of fresh herbs being warmed by the sun. ☺ As I lazily clipped and picked and pruned, a lovely sound came from above me, and then all around. The beautiful, yellowing leaves of the tree's in my backyard were being pulled gently off the tree's by the slight breeze and were rustling and fluttering gently to the ground. It was like snow in its peacefulness. The slow, lazy way the leaves drifted and spun to meet the ground and cover it in a blanket of gold. I must say, I was enthralled. I think I must have just sat there, squatting next to my herb garden, watching, listening, relaxing and enjoying, for a good 10 minutes. It was a moment of pure bliss in an otherwise, hectic day and life. Some people go to church. I m happy going to nature. Even just those few brief minutes were enough to soothe and calm a relatively stressed out soul. I gave thanks for that. And for the screaming children that unavoidably interrupted that moment of peace and solitude as well. Of course! (LOL) I give thanks for those two every day of my crazy little life. ☺