Secrets

I haven't written a blog post in a long time because I haven't been able to find the words to say anything.
I've been numb.
I've always been a pretty honest and open person when it comes to my life, choosing to reveal parts of myself to the world because there was some comfort in sharing.   It was cathartic, and felt good to commiserate knowing there were other people out there feeling the same way, or having some of the same experiences.
  But lately I haven't been able to do that because life became very complicated.  I was living with secrets.
 deep dark secrets that made me go silent, trusting no one. 
I have been to some of the darkest places in my life this past year and was unable to speak about anything for a very long time.
but I'm tired of hiding in the shadows,  and tired of the secrets.
I'm tired of feeling guilt. I want to let that all go in this new year.
and i'm working on it,  slowly but surely.
So in order to heal myself I have been immersing myself in my work and staying extraordinarily busy to keep my mind from losing my shit,  because you see my son had some serious problems this year with addictions that nearly consumed me, and him.
Being a teenager in this day and age is hard, very hard.  and for a sensitive creative child,  that can sometimes be devastating.  He is now in a safe place healing and getting the help he needs. he wont be home until April,  and I miss him. I can barely write this because of the tears and heartache,  taking comfort only in knowing that he is safe for now and that there is a long and scary road ahead of us for the rest of our lives, and also knowing that I have no control over this.  not one bit.
So I immerse myself in work.
I have been painting and renovating spaces, helping shop owners revamp their spaces,  or close their long time businesses.
creating handmade pillows for people that lost loved ones out of sweaters that belonged to mothers,  and helping people see their homes in a new light.
 Each and every thing helped me through my saddest days,  because I really do believe that Art saves lives,  and I also believe in telling my story it may help someone else.
so slowly but surely I will share things,  but it will take me some time to find my voice again.
I hope you'll be patient with me.
but for now I will share it in pictures of the past year and what i've been up to,
happy belated new year to all.
XOXO

Take time....

This time of year it's easy to slip into the madness and rush of the holiday season, and super easy to loose sight of what's important. 

I'm completely guilty of it.

I wake up at 4:00 am in a panic and go to my phone to plug in an alert on my calender, or jot down a note. I'll pass on a party invite because I'm too overwhelmed to go etc. etc.

 you know the deal.

 But every once in awhile I'm able to reel myself back in and focus on what matters. And that's family and friends.

All the other stuff can wait.

So this past weekend I spent time with my daughter and a friend. We pet alpaca, goats, and a sheep at downtown home and garden. bought a Christmas ornament, and some Christmas crackers---(those fun explosive little paper things that reveal a tiny treasure or treat.)

My friend Andy got a pair of toenail clippers in his, no joke. Most hilarious thing.

 I love that that place carries on old world traditions like selling oranges for stocking stuffers.

 Remember when life was so simple like that?

My mom used to get one in her stocking when she was a kid growing up in Texas. As a child I remembered thinking 'really? An orange?'  But now I see the value and charm in something so simple.

After our trip down the street We came home and decorated my tiny apt. For Christmas and ate tacos, Andy and Fiona played video games.

It was a really great night just doing nothing but being with people.

 I work every day all day long...and most days into the night. so these times are truly a treat.

 I'm back to work today finishing up a special project. And working on more things. I also have some exciting news to reveal in the future.

 But for now I'm just savoring the season as best as I can and keeping myself busy, but not too busy I can't take a second.

I highly recommend it. It's good for your soul, and the souls around you :)

Xoxoxo

Roadshows, making stuff, collaborations and things

    The past few weeks have been challenging to say the least. I have been hustling beyond the norm,  but it's been fun and new so there's that.  
  I am so lucky that I surround myself with Artists and creatives. Every day is an inspirational moment and I learn something new. I have hand picked some amazing people to work with and get to know,  so the future seems really exciting even though I am a little sleepy.  ;)

  My Talented friend Andy Tanguay and I decided to do the Ann Arbor Antiques market together.  It was a show with a focus on Re-purposed and handmade along with Vintage.  Even though it was a smaller show in scope,  but we had a great time!   It was a TON of work, literally packing up the whole shop and moving it to the farm grounds for the weekend.  But it was worth it!  We had a great show,  and would do it again.

  I made all sorts of things,  and sold a bunch.   My friend Andy made these great signs in the traditional old school way of hand lettering and using one shot paints with brushes made out of squirrel hair.  he's amazing!    he also made this fantastic Hello sign that lights up!

    SO freaking cool!  and can I tell you,  that he can make you a sign in any font and whatever phrase you choose?  yes.  pretty dang awesome if you think about it.

   It was fun to do displays at the show,  I did a kind of wildwest themed/funky one here,  and a colorful one on top......
  once it was over and my shop all packed up,  I decided to move things around at the shop because I now was inspired to do different things and make different vignettes at the store.   One of the first things I decided to do was to move my studio to the back of the shop,  and open up the middle room back to being a show room.   So painting walls was the first step.

 

dealing with the mess and fall out was the second.   In between taking care of kids of course.

Thank goodness they are part of my creative team and enjoy working at the shop in a variety of mediums.  here they are enjoying carving stamps.  Fiona made some killer ones,  and Jackson was still tweaking his.  :) 

 of course,  my bird likes to be part of the action as well,  he likes to roost in my bead box.  what a silly creature.    it then dawned on me that perhaps he thought they were seeds!  so I had to put my stuff away.   yes,  he is still alive and didn't appear to eat anything.  do not worry. 

 In between all that,  I worked on mosaic pieces and was happy to get back into that, until i realized how freaking laborious it is!  but I do love it,  and yes,  I sold this one,  but will make more eventually..........zzzzz.

   so this is what the shop looked like all torn up and in a mess.........when I started to flip out and think about all the work ahead of me,  my friend showed me this hilarious E-card that put everything back into perspective for me.     ;)
  So I continue to trod along.....

    Setting up my new work spaces,  all warm and cozy....

Painting fairy doors to gear up for the season...... and working on new shop displays........for when I re-open the shop,  because yes,  I've been closed for a bit,  and will remained closed for the next week or so,  because I want it to be amazing when I re-open. :)

In addition to all of that craziness above I have been working very limited hours at a jewelry shop downtown to help my buddies The Hart brothers on Main street.  They are closing their downtown shop Seyfried Jewelers, in December.  Their shop has been an iconic store for decades, and a huge part of our downtown merchant landscape that is definitely being squeezed out by high rents.  I will have more to say about that at some point,  but for now,  I am sad.  I love those guys, and am happy to help them.

I also was part of a collaboration with one of my online friends Chrissie Grace.  I had been involved in a book project with her years ago,  and know what a hard working talented sweet person she is,  so it was not hard to choose to be part of it.    You can take a peek at our Art print project here that I participated in with some of my favorite and  very close friends

 

And speaking of close friends.....Please visit my friend Jenny Elkins Blog!

she is giving away------  yes GIVING away an ART DOLL!!!!

that is amazing!

she is super talented,  has a fantastic eye,  and is one of the hardest workers I know.  so head over there and take a look. 

you can thank me later.  :)

  on that note,  I am off to kick some booty somewhere cuz i'm on a ROLL......

more on that business soon....

but for now,  please know I am always so thankful that you took the time to  stop by.

XOXOXO