Rebranding Me

I needed a change. Well, it was probably more a case of feeling really ready for one. So yesterday I started the rebranding thing with my new website opening page. I just felt like I couldn't look at that little girl face anymore. It no longer feel like that image reflected my work and the direction I'm moving in. I just don't feel cute anymore! So I expect I'll be a little less cute this year as I become a little more grownup (although I still love pink things and kewpie dolls - that's not going to change!).

Perhaps this all has something to do with turning fourty in a few weeks time? Or perhaps not? But whatever it is it feels right, and I expect the rest of the changes will just unfold throughout the year. I'm excited, and again definitely ready!

Crafty Me

The love of making things can lead to a career in making things. That career in making things can, at times, kill off, or at least dampen, a love of making things.

This does happen to me, and it is probably true that I don't often feel like making much more than jewellery. But perhaps I felt a little rested after the holidays and thus had a sudden enthusiasm for being crafty. So last night I made the jewellery displays (pictured above) from frames I had picked up from Ikea and some plastic mesh from Reverse Garbage.

Now my vintage collection is all organised and pretty. I don't know when I'll feel like making something again, that isn't jewellery (OK I did make something jewellery related!),but it was nice, and was a reminder about the pure joy, and lovely sense of achievement, you get from making something with your own hands. Sometimes, because making has become my business, I forget this.

Etsy Finds

It was a nice surprised to find my Knitwit bangle featured on Etsy's blog this morning. I do admit to having wondered if admin will ever notice me over there. There are so many sellers and many with really great products. Now I'll just wait until I get a featured seller spot. I'm hopeful.

Anyway I do think you just have to stick with something (and love it!), be consistent, and the rest will just happen in time. Having fingers in lots of pies helps too. That helps with feeling patient because if one thing isn't paying off, something else probably is. Like dating, it's a bit of a numbers game.

A Little Smile

My mother emailed this photo yesterday. It is a photo of my Uncle Rudi holding the bag that my parents and daughter left behind at Hamburg train station as they raced to catch another train.

It just makes me laugh. It makes me remember my own trip to Germany when I was a teenager. So maybe it is the thoughts of travel and the hope that I'll be able to pull that off this year, that I like so much. Or maybe it is my Uncle's puppy dog expression. Or maybe it is that cute, colourful plastic bag. But whatever it is, anything that can bring a smile to my face is well worth keeping.

Kit & Caboodle

After a little gentle proding (yes you Anna & Mel), and some pondering if I really did need another social networking site, I have decided to join Kit and Caboodle. It isn't just another newtworking site with business and social potential. But rather a site dedicated and focused on the contemporary jewellery scene. If you are a contemporary jeweller I would recommend you join. If you have an interest in contemprary jewellery I'd recommend that you spend some time exploring the site. It really is a fabulous resource, which I've only just started to discover myself.

Welcome 2009!

Last year was tricky. It was good, bad, and everything in between. But at the end of it I know that I wouldn't change any of it.

I know myself now, and for the most part, I rather like me. Maybe that isn't the thing to say, but then again I'm not really one for always saying the right thing. Anyway I do believe a healthy dose of self-esteem is good for us all. So I'll make that my wish for 2009. For me and for you. Good things tend to come when we feel good about ourselves. Or maybe we just tend to notice them a little more.

pictured above

good for my self-esteem!