Memorial Day--It's so much more than a day to have a picnic or a day off work. It's a day set aside to reflect and be thankful for the sacrifices made by so many for the freedom that many times is taken for granted, or worse assumed (or demanded) to be a right.
Freedom is a double-edged sword. The very thing that gives me the ability to do whatever I want, have an opinion different from that of the government and to speak out without fear of reprisal inherently has a cost involved. I have to be willing to give others the same freedom--even when they disagree with me.
If we want to see a picture of the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, we need look no further than John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished:" and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
The word "finished" is a banking term meaning "paid in full." At that point on the cross, Jesus knew that the blood debt for all sin had been paid for with his own sinless/guiltless blood and the punishment for that sin been administered to Himself in full. There was nothing else any human owed God for ignoring Him, breaking His laws or refusing to obey what they knew in their hearts to be the right thing to do. The price had been paid for any who would accept it.
Imagine if you were given a check to cover the balance of your credit cards (or mortgage or car payment). Would you hold onto that check and never take it to the bank? Would you leave it on top of the hutch to gather dust for the next 20 years? Of course you have the choice (the right?) to do what you want with that check. You can use it to get out of debt or you can refuse to cash it and continue to struggle in your own strength to pay the debt off.
Jesus paid the debt that we had racked up but could not pay. He also has a plan for how to live without starting to build the debt back up again. There is nothing in your life that God doesn't know about...and He loves you anyway! If you want to know more about the freedom that comes from living a debt-free life and how much God loves YOU--this site will help you with those answers.
Freedom has never been free. But you can have freedom from guilt and shame and a wasted life. Jesus can take the broken pieces of your life and put it back together into something so amazing and beautiful. All you have to do is ask Him.
Questions? Learn more at my husband's site http://www.b4jc.com/bible/
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Fab Friday
A few weeks ago I introduced you to Susan Adams with MyFathersGifts and her beautiful jewelry. Susan also has started the Facebook page, It's Better Handmade for artists to showcase their work and help spread the word about each other.
This week, I would like for you to get to know Vicki Diane who is the 1st Officer Butterfly of It's Better Handmade.
Vicki's Etsy shop VickiDianeDesigns is filled with beautiful and bold pieces of jewelry. I have said many times that her work is not for the timid!
Vicki's energy and enthusiasm for her craft comes across not only in the jewelry she offers in her shop, but in her encouragment of everyone she comes in contact with!
This is just a small collection of Vicki's work...be sure to hop over to her shop and see what new listings she has today!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Team Tuesday
Another week has sped by and it's time for EtsyNJ Team Tuesday Blog Shop Hop! This is just a fun way to discover some creative and unique stores and some really awesome blogs along the way.
This week's shop is for the big dogs only! BigDoggyBling has everything you need for the special big dog in your life!
Be sure to check out the other great shops in this blog hop and have an awesome week!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
New items around my shop
It's fun to try out new designs and get creative! Here are a few of my latest listings (and updated photos for my most popular designs). If you like a design, leave me a comment--I'd love to hear from you!
Perfect for summertime lemonade on the back porch!
Add some bling to your Fourth of July party this summer with these charms...and never lose your glass again!
Inspired by my friend and fellow artist Vicki Diane of VickiDianeDesigns
I know you're not supposed to say this, but I just can't capture the beauty of these glasses in my photos. It is quickly becoming a favorite at the craft shows and one of the most commented on by my customers. I will keep working on my photography skills!
A customer favorite since I introduced it two years ago...becoming popular for weddings and in many beach houses! The neutral colors work well with many colors and design styles. This design is also fun with bright blues mixed in to create more of a whimsical look.
A favorite at Christmastime and for winter decorating, but these glasses look great in a rustic or country decor as well.
Please check out my shops to see all the designs I have available and the new designs that will be listed in the future. Custom orders are quickly becoming my speciality so don't hesitate to contact me if you have a special design in mind. Weddings, housewarming gifts or anniversaries are all great opportunities to show how much you care with the gift of functional art.
My ArtFire shop: Mommy's Dream Creations
My Etsy shop: MommysDream
Friday, May 21, 2010
Fab Friday
Welcome to another Fab Friday feature! This week I would like to introduce you to Julie from Julieriis. As a fellow painter, I can appreciate the work and effort that goes into each of her pieces. Julie has an inspirational story that I hope encourages you today.
How did you get started with your craft/art?
I saw silk painting demonstrated at a lovely little studio in the Cotswolds. They used really vibrant colours - I was hooked!
Singapore Orchid Hand-painted Silk
What prompted you to set up a home-based business?
My daughter Rachel was ill with cancer so I was at home most of the time. We did quite a lot of crafting. I thought I'd try and sell one of my ties on eBay. When it sold, I built the business up gradually from there.
What part of your craft is your favorite? (Designing, creating the actual piece, working with custom orders, etc)
I love the painting - especially when a colour blend works well. It gives me pleasure when I see the successful finished article looking back at me!
How have you changed since starting your business? How has this impacted your craft?
Happily, and against all expectation, Rachel's cancer improved a great deal. This has meant I have more time to paint and run the business.
I have also become more interested in abstract artists which have influenced my work.
Golf Hand-painted Pure Silk Tie
What is the most challenging aspect of running your business?
The financial side is definitely the most challenging aspect for me as I am maths-phobic! My husband was amazed I made any profit in the first year! Happily he's set up some good yearly spreadsheets for me and so long as I stick to them I don't get in too much of a mess.
Another challenge is that I commit to bringing out new designs every month - this keeps me on my toes, but its very satisfying!
Sea-spray Hand-painted Pure Silk Scarf
How did you come up with your shop name?
When I started out I sold jewellery and pictures as well as the silk ties and scarves I sell now. I wanted a name which would embrace all of those. My daughter Rachel suggested it.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see your business?
In five year's time I would like my husband Pete to be able to retire and join me in the business. I'd like a steady flow of customers and to be able to have some time free to go out with Pete, see family (we have 2 boys, 2 girls and a foster son) and do church stuff. Well I can dream anyway......!
Bright Africa Hand-painted Pure Silk Tie
How do you keep a balance between home and business responsibilities?
Sometimes more successfully than others! I try to keep Saturdays free to spend time with Pete and/or family. I always keep Sunday free so I can spend it worshipping God and spending time with friends and family. Its the week that gets more tricky - I don't clean the house often enough!
What is the funniest/craziest/most touching thing that has happened while having a business?
The reasons for people buying my ties make me laugh sometimes! One lady bought a rainbow bow tie for her dog!!
Mondrian Hand-painted Pure Silk Scarf
If you could give one piece of advice to others who are just getting started with their businesses, what would it be?
Take the next step - Its amazing where lots of small steps will get you!
Can you give us some links to be able to follow you?
http://www.julieriis.etsy.com/
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/julies-silk-n-style
http://www.facebook.com/juliessilknstyle
http://twitter.com/silknstyle
How did you get started with your craft/art?
I saw silk painting demonstrated at a lovely little studio in the Cotswolds. They used really vibrant colours - I was hooked!
What prompted you to set up a home-based business?
My daughter Rachel was ill with cancer so I was at home most of the time. We did quite a lot of crafting. I thought I'd try and sell one of my ties on eBay. When it sold, I built the business up gradually from there.
What part of your craft is your favorite? (Designing, creating the actual piece, working with custom orders, etc)
I love the painting - especially when a colour blend works well. It gives me pleasure when I see the successful finished article looking back at me!
How have you changed since starting your business? How has this impacted your craft?
Happily, and against all expectation, Rachel's cancer improved a great deal. This has meant I have more time to paint and run the business.
I have also become more interested in abstract artists which have influenced my work.
Golf Hand-painted Pure Silk Tie
What is the most challenging aspect of running your business?
The financial side is definitely the most challenging aspect for me as I am maths-phobic! My husband was amazed I made any profit in the first year! Happily he's set up some good yearly spreadsheets for me and so long as I stick to them I don't get in too much of a mess.
Another challenge is that I commit to bringing out new designs every month - this keeps me on my toes, but its very satisfying!
How did you come up with your shop name?
When I started out I sold jewellery and pictures as well as the silk ties and scarves I sell now. I wanted a name which would embrace all of those. My daughter Rachel suggested it.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see your business?
In five year's time I would like my husband Pete to be able to retire and join me in the business. I'd like a steady flow of customers and to be able to have some time free to go out with Pete, see family (we have 2 boys, 2 girls and a foster son) and do church stuff. Well I can dream anyway......!
How do you keep a balance between home and business responsibilities?
Sometimes more successfully than others! I try to keep Saturdays free to spend time with Pete and/or family. I always keep Sunday free so I can spend it worshipping God and spending time with friends and family. Its the week that gets more tricky - I don't clean the house often enough!
What is the funniest/craziest/most touching thing that has happened while having a business?
The reasons for people buying my ties make me laugh sometimes! One lady bought a rainbow bow tie for her dog!!
If you could give one piece of advice to others who are just getting started with their businesses, what would it be?
Take the next step - Its amazing where lots of small steps will get you!
Can you give us some links to be able to follow you?
http://www.julieriis.etsy.com/
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/julies-silk-n-style
http://www.facebook.com/juliessilknstyle
http://twitter.com/silknstyle
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Team Tuesday
Another week has sped by and it's time for EtsyNJ Team Tuesday Blog Shop Hop! This is just a fun way to discover some creative and unique stores and some really awesome blogs along the way.
Welcome to Dg Designs...home to one-of-a-kind fun, whimsical jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
If the sea holds you spell-bound, so will these earrings and bracelet!
With summer on it's way, these colorful earrings are a great addition to your favorite pair of shorts!
This animal print bracelet shows off your wild side!
And for those romantic evenings, this set of earrings will set off any outfit beautifully.
Be sure to check out the other great shops in this blog hop and have an awesome week!
So fun!
I love to make custom orders and this set for Samy was truly so much fun to complete! Samy was a giveaway winner from a recent blog feature by Tracey on her blog TraceyKnits.
Samy wanted something fun and with a celestial theme. The initial design always takes the longest for me because once the paint has dried on the glass, it's virtually impossible to remove it completly. After several false starts, I went with a whimsical design (rather than realistic) and it came out really well.
Custom orders take on average about two weeks to complete. Contact me on either my ArtFire shop or my Etsy shop with your ideas and we'll get started on your OOAK set of glasses!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Fab Friday - Pepi Designs
Welcome to another Fab Friday feature! This week we have an amazing contemporary jewelry designer, Petya from Pepi Designs. Keep reading to get to know her better!
How did you get started with your craft/art?
I've always been fascinated with jewelry, and especially earrings. The idea of having something one of a kind and being able to envision an idea and make it happen finally inspired me to teach myself how to make it. I started making earrings a few years ago, at first just for myself, and later for family and friends as gifts. The more I made, the more I wanted to make, and the more I wanted to learn about the world of handmade.
All the positive feedback I was getting about my pieces really encouraged me and I thought I could sell them to people who not only don't know me, but they don't even have to live in my city. I loved the idea of being a part of a handmade crafts community, connecting to people from all around the world, and this is when I opened my Etsy store.
What part of your craft is your favorite? (Designing, creating the actual piece, working with custom orders, etc)
I love the creating part when you look at your supplies and suddenly an idea comes to mind, and after working on it for a while you realize that the final product is even better than what you had in mind.
How have you changed since starting your business? How has this impacted your craft?
I'm still learning every day, finding inspiration in different ways - there is always room for improvement and so much to do! I've also become more conscious of my "free" time, part of which is not free anymore.
What is the most challenging aspect of running your business?
The most challenging part is MARKETING. It's a constant process, demanding a lot of time, effort, and sometimes money, and can get frustrating and discouraging at times. Yet, I do enjoy the challenge and I'm constantly learning and looking for unique and interesting ways to market my products.
Pepi is what my family and friends call me - a little nickname from my childhood. I wanted my shop name to have a little piece of me and remind me where I come from.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Where do you see your business?
I see myself having a stable customer base, with my business expanding and able to sustain itself.
How do you keep a balance between home and business responsibilities?
This is challenging! I have a full time job that has a very irregular schedule and gets a bit demanding at times, which makes it even harder to plan things out. However, I do try to make time for what I love. My boyfriend also has his own business projects on the side, so we both spend most of our evenings or weekends working together on our projects, which makes it fun.
If you could give one piece of advice to others who are just getting started with their businesses, what would it be?
Believe in yourself and be patient. Starting a business is never the way you pictured it in your dreams, it takes a lot more time and effort, so keep believing and don't give up.
Can you give us some links to be able to follow you? (Etsy, Artfire, Twitter, Facebook, etc)
http://pepidesigns.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/pepi_designs
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepi-Designs/10150123298960641?ref=ts
Monday, May 10, 2010
What a Weekend!
Well, everyone's growing up! My daughter has been wanting a new haircut for the longest time and Daddy finally agreed. What a difference it has made!
Here's before: And after:
And all six bunnies are celebrating one week with us! A couple are starting to eat solid food on their own and all of them are growing like crazy! We've had to move them into a bigger container and they are so cute when they hop around!
Here's before: And after:
And all six bunnies are celebrating one week with us! A couple are starting to eat solid food on their own and all of them are growing like crazy! We've had to move them into a bigger container and they are so cute when they hop around!
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