tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59649700101688789612024-02-07T18:03:03.513-08:00JONESING FOR JEWELRYUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-87731339013997163642018-12-27T13:21:00.002-08:002018-12-27T13:25:07.488-08:00The Gap In Depth - Part One<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week I shared a video on my Instagram: a two minute clip that changed my views significantly when I saw it the first time a few years ago; footage I have needed to return to repeatedly when the work gets tough and my confidence is low; a bit from Ira Glass titled The Gap. If you haven't seen it; or it's been awhile since you last viewed it, please see it <a href="https://vimeo.com/85040589"><b>here</b></a> before continuing reading on. </div>
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While this piece is incredibly moving in itself, and resonates with so many artists across all mediums, what I want to talk about is what happens in the gap. It's something I have wanted to speak on for years, but perhaps only in feeling like I've successfully navigated my own way through, or at least partially through the gap, do I feel like I have any authority in writing this.<br />
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PART ONE - JEALOUSY AND DOUBT</div>
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Finding my voice, or working through the gap, which may be better terminology for this post, was absolutely one of the most challenging things for me. I spent years agonizing, in what could only be described as pain. Frustrated, and like Ira says, disappointed, that that the work I was making wasn't up to my potential. I could see I was more than what I was producing, but I didn't know how the hell to get there.<br />
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The dirty, transparent, honesty of it all was that I would look at other artists and feel a deep sense of jealousy. I would watch them create masterful work with what, from an outsiders perspective, seemed like ease. I couldn't possibly imagine them pacing their hallways, kicking things, pulling their hair out, or laying awake at night trying to figure it all out and piece it all together, as I had done so many times before.<br />
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And it all made me doubt myself.<br />
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It can bring you to a deep, deep, dark place. I'm convinced this is where the term "tortured artist" is born. Falling short of meeting your ambitions over and over again will wreak havoc on a human mindset.<br />
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The jealousy and doubt made me do stupid things. It made me lust after what other artists had; after their success. It make me question my own taste and my own voice. It made it take longer to get through the gap than I would have if I had any sort of grace and confidence in myself as an artist at the time.<br />
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It took awhile, but I realized soon enough, that the jealousy wasn't "that's so cool, I wish I had thought of making that," but rather, "that person is an amazing artist, I hope one day to have the confidence in my voice to create as freely as she does." While the line between these can be easily blurred, the difference between them, for me, is paramount. The jealousy I was feeling didn't lie in the physical item they had created, but in their ability to create beautiful, authentic, genuine work. And I wanted more than anything to be able to do that. <br />
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If you are feeling connected to my words, if what I am saying sounds familiar, please know that in my understanding, everyone goes through it. I believe in my heart of hearts that you can make it just as I have, just as others have, you just have to keep going.<br />
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Lastly, as I reach the edge of the gap, as I narrow down my voice, I'm challenging myself to find forgiveness. To allow myself the grace and understanding of previous stupid choices and of feeling jealous. Of accepting that they were part of my path, while I'd love to hide them, that they played a role in getting me here, and by opening up and sharing with you, that maybe you be able to get through it all with a little more ease.<br />
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And that's comforting enough for me.<br />
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PART TWO - IT'S OK TO SAY NO</div>
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PART THREE - COMFORTABLE IN MY VOICE</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-90451605109683107842018-04-19T17:41:00.001-07:002018-04-19T17:41:53.215-07:00Smithy Stretch Series - Number Two<br />
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The best of intentions, as it goes... </div>
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... the original plan was to tackle these challenges once a month, but as you can tell, the Holiday season turned into the spring, and before you know it it's been awhile. </div>
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While I am just as committed to the project, maybe it's more realistic to say once a quarter? It's really amazing how little extra time I find in a month!</div>
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This "month's" challenge was money. Actually, it's been the set challenge for awhile now. Part of my procrastination was that my original design was overwhelmingly crazy. I don't even think my torch could have kept up with such a piece. One day I'll let you sneak a peek into my sketchbook and you'll understand. </div>
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That's the funny thing though, I'm sure athletes could tell you, just how far to push yourself. How to stretch your muscles in a way that makes you stronger, but doesn't tare them and make you see an orthopedic surgeon or walk like you've been riding a horse bareback. </div>
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Despite the delay, I'm really happy with this crazy piece. I found one of the nickels just before seriously re-embarking on this challenge along one of the beaches we frequent. The green patina on it was just fabulous. </div>
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And so I designed.</div>
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I etched.</div>
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I formed.</div>
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I soldered.</div>
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And soldered.</div>
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And soldered some more. </div>
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Cleaned.</div>
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Patinad.</div>
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And finally set the nickel stones.</div>
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I was most proud of the precision on this piece. I was amazed that my calculations were correct and after forming the roll, the nickels fit just perfectly in the ends with no fuss!</div>
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Lastly it taught me that I need a guillotine shear ASAP! </div>
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As always, these pieces will be available for sale in my Etsy shop. You will find them at a much lower price than you will find most of my work. The goal with these is to stretch my creativity, to learn new skills, and to cover the expenses. </div>
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You can find it <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/608904073/if-i-was-a-rapper-smithy-stretch-series?ref=shop_home_active_1">here</a> until sold. </div>
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Cheers!</div>
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Carin</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-24784774005644871452017-11-30T06:54:00.000-08:002017-11-30T09:12:59.036-08:00Smithy Stretch Series - Number One<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Over the past 8 years I have often equated this art experience of mine, this journey, with a hike in the woods. It is a common theme in previous blog posts. I'm constantly trying to find my way; searching for light and truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the beginning it felt crowded, and I couldn’t seem to find the space I needed to grow and stretch. I couldn’t find the room to reach my full potential. At that time, I lacked the necessary tools and skills to clear the overgrown, suffocating shrubbery around me, and therefore I wasn’t capable of forging through on my own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">To create breathing room, I would take a few steps down an already well worn path. There were a plethora to choose from. Each were beautiful and welcoming and well manicured. I would try each one on for size to see how it fit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">While skipping down one path and then another was fun and easy; while it brought me some level of happiness and a bit of success, I felt uneasy about it. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Unfulfilled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I wanted more for myself; I knew I could be more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So I had a choice, I could continue to walk down a path someone had already walked, a path another artist had already taken the time and energy to create for themselves, or I could dig deep within myself and find the courage and strength to trudge my own way through the overgrown brush. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If I am honest with myself, I stayed on the well worn paths for too long. I lingered there hoping there was another, easier way. I stayed there out of cowardice mostly, I think. This is probably my biggest regret to date (I will leave it open ended because we all know I’m bound to do more stupid stuff in this lifetime). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But this is the thing, you can never get to your ultimate place, you can never be your best self or reap the big rewards if you are walking a path someone else has already walked. <b>THEY WILL ALWAYS BE AT LEAST ONE STEP IN FRONT OF YOU.</b> You must, if you choose to go deeper, go your own way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It’s not easy. I don’t blame anyone, including myself, for staying where it’s comfortable. I certainly do not have any authority to judge where anyone else is at on their own journey, but I will tell you what I do know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I do know that despite the burn and the pain and the tears, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">despite the heartache and late nights and all the anxiety, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">despite the questioning and self doubt and all the self pity, </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">despite the hard work and massive amounts of energy, effort and time, it has been all worth it for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>IT HAS BEEN, WITH OUT A SHADOW, OF A DOUBT WORTH IT FOR ME. </b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It’s where I found my light and happiness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It’s where I found truth and my place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It’s where I earned the title “artist.” </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jL_SemtDLq_2ou2AyMhZzM8kfP54HN_CGD7gwY9RKcwAFufIE3J_ACWSY2yZR8hPjpJlh4ojhVau3rYh786JkjcBOCI-fDrGie1ANK16Dttt07oHYZUT-m8ki6jLAWU8ApAJUm6u4G2A/s1600/Vintage+Brooch+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jL_SemtDLq_2ou2AyMhZzM8kfP54HN_CGD7gwY9RKcwAFufIE3J_ACWSY2yZR8hPjpJlh4ojhVau3rYh786JkjcBOCI-fDrGie1ANK16Dttt07oHYZUT-m8ki6jLAWU8ApAJUm6u4G2A/s640/Vintage+Brooch+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have a few techniques I have honed over the years of trudging through the bush. When my creative muscles weren’t strong enough to push forward I’d need to stop and stretch for a minute. I'd need to pause and acquire the necessary tools and experience to continue on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One of the techniques I love the most is this playful, stream of consciousness work that removes so many barriers artists are often hindered by. It removes the “audience” factor, no longer worried about how a piece will be received. It puts you on a deadline that requires you to finish a piece, no matter what it is; good or bad. Ultimately, I think it promotes an environment where it is easier to create from instinct rather than over thinking it. Which is something I am always striving for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">While I believe that 2017 brought me to an amazing place in my work, and I finally earned the title “artist,” I don’t believe this is the end of the path for me. I think there is plenty more to come. I think my journey has just begun, and I’ll be dammed if I worked this hard to get here and then just stopped moving. I want to be more, I know I am capable of more and so I will keep pushing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">To do so, I have come up with another fun side project. Once a month some fellow friend smithies and I (I need some others to keep me honest and on a deadline, and also I hope it helps them in their own work), will be producing some crazy pieces. They might be good, they might be really bad, but most of all, I’ll be working on moving forward. I’ll be stretching my creative muscle to it’s max in hopes that it can bring me deeper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The subject of this first piece was “vintage brooch.” I searched for weeks for the perfect one to use in my work. I found ones that really felt like “me,” for example, cast acorns that could have been easily incorporated into my own style, but easy is not what I am here for. This particular vintage campaign button just called to me. The typography and color scheme had me swooning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">While I am not completely in love with the final piece (I personally feel it to be a little basic for this particular project and think I could have stretched further) I also learned a lot. Mostly, LEATHER and STEEL PIN BACKS WHOA!!! But also, that I’m happy to have taken this on and committed to it. I'm happy that I'm choosing to fit in this work despite deadlines and crazy schedules and bills to pay. I'm happy to be putting the art first, and I’m excited to see where it takes me and I hope you follow along. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Qa-9Yz6mQpb2xCHnfxZLWqj3pws61hkosoNdLmRTMIZ2QT8erm8IuP1MkEK3EFXlSARJzgTlQcpmvdAKs0MVl-REDS6Gn7gTACgAUdb2tTGv8Ef1SCJ6gOduZ_JfZD6OYs8HUuI-iSz/s1600/Vintage+Brooch+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Qa-9Yz6mQpb2xCHnfxZLWqj3pws61hkosoNdLmRTMIZ2QT8erm8IuP1MkEK3EFXlSARJzgTlQcpmvdAKs0MVl-REDS6Gn7gTACgAUdb2tTGv8Ef1SCJ6gOduZ_JfZD6OYs8HUuI-iSz/s640/Vintage+Brooch+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“It’s Not Political, It’s Just a Brooch” Brooch</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Smithy Stretch Series</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Leather</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sterling Silver</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Steel</span></div>
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These pieces will be available to help cover the costs associated with the side project, but at a lower price than you will find most of my work because I want to ensure that it's more about the art than the business.<br />
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Available here until sold: https://www.etsy.com/listing/562470630/its-not-political-its-just-a-brooch?ref=shop_home_active_1</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-75188703981878594182017-10-19T16:52:00.004-07:002017-10-20T15:42:57.728-07:00I Had An Affair With a Man Named Turquoise<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">
I posted today in my Instagram stories about how this was probably the last piece of turquoise I'll ever set. I might as well been put in front of a firing squad! You guys are <i>SERIOUS</i> about your turquoise! It's like I broke the news to ya'll that Santa Clause isn't real. </div>
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I thought maybe if I explained a little, you might see there is more to life than turquoise..... or maybe not, but at least I made my point. Please know, this post is not to put down anyone who loves or uses turquoise in their work. It is a glorious stone; that color! This is to try and explain my complicated relationship with it. </div>
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Let me start off by asking, "Have you ever loved something that was bad for you?" Come on ladies, there had to be at least one guy you dated that was so wrong for you. While it might have been fun for awhile, you knew deep down inside that you wouldn't marry him. </div>
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That was turquoise for me. Turquoise was the easy way out. Often the success of designs would solely rest on the beauty of the stone or if I was finding myself challenged in a design, I could just add a piece of turquoise, and BAM it would complete it. #putapieceofturquoiseonit </div>
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You might be thinking, so what's so wrong in that? </div>
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The bottom line is, while the designs worked, they weren't me. I thought they were for awhile, and I loved the feeling of polishing and sending out successful designs. But over time, I found turquoise put me in a box that I had a hard time breaking free from. I used it more than I should have because it was easy. </div>
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The day I heard my muse whispering that I should break up with turquoise, I first thought, "She is freaking insane, have you seen his body?!" But more and more over the past year she's won me over. </div>
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Recently, I felt like the pieces of work that contained turquoise I gave up on, I fell back into old habits, rather than working to push myself forward. Who doesn't take the elevator instead of the stairs once in awhile? For goodness sakes, we're human! </div>
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While turquoise definitely helped me learn to walk, and it allowed me the ability to learn how to design, I feel pretty confident that I'm ready to fly. Now that my wings have strengthened, the thing that helped me for so long, I find to be a hinderance. Turquoise is holding me back, and I know, deep down inside, as hard as it is, I have to break up with it. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">IT'S TIME FOR ME TO PUT THE CRUTCH DOWN AND SEE IF I CAN FLY. </span></b></div>
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I know this post might make some of you go running, but I sincerely hope you'll stick around, cause maybe I'll fly or maybe I'll crash down face first in a pile of poo, and either would be equally fun to watch. Also, more sincerely, I promise to make super cool shit that you can absolutely wear with all that lovely turquoise you have. </div>
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P.S. I completely hold the right to change my mind, tomorrow, 3 months from now, 10 years from now... cause girls, Turquoise is sexy! </div>
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P.S.S. No, I'm not destashing my turquoise anytime soon! Hands off! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-4768379501187043372016-05-23T07:51:00.000-07:002016-05-23T10:01:32.664-07:00You Are Not Your Mistakes // A Home Decor Series<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I can't stop thinking, thinking about all the mistakes I've made.</div>
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The things I've done or said that I shouldn't have.</div>
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The times I should have spoken up.</div>
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The times I should have taken the higher road or made a different decision.</div>
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Sometimes I feel like my mistakes have driven my life.</div>
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That they have defined who I am today and had the power to direct me.</div>
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This series is all about healing.</div>
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About letting go of mistakes and chalking them up to lessons.</div>
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About realizing I, you, we are human.</div>
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About reminding myself that those lessons I have learned are what propelled me forward and allowed me to make some incredibly wonderful and incredibly right decisions.</div>
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Each of these babies start from silver from previous mistakes.</div>
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Pieces that didn't work.</div>
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Solder and ideas that didn't flow.</div>
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Melted bezels and broken saw blades.</div>
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I've melted them all down to their elements.</div>
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Turned them into lessons, and used them to grow something new and beautiful.</div>
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I can't tell you how healing it is.</div>
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To be able to turn that torch up to screaming high and just let the heat burn away your mistakes.</div>
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Let it melt it down until it's no longer recognizable.</div>
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Until you've forgotten how painful it was when it happened.</div>
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Cast succulents.</div>
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Shed antlers.</div>
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Weathered cow vertebrae.</div>
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To adorn your home.</div>
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To remind you.</div>
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Carin</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-47754351306663483342016-03-26T10:20:00.000-07:002016-04-07T12:06:17.366-07:00Woman Up // <div style="text-align: center;">
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And just when you feel yourself settle into comfort,</div>
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just as your muscles are able to relax, </div>
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just as your soul feels settled.... </div>
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Reach strongly for something beyond your fingertips.</div>
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Desire the challenge.</div>
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Seek it out.</div>
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Grab it confidently with both hands.</div>
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Don't drag it behind you or carry it haphazardly. </div>
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No, pull the weight of that sucker square onto your shoulders.</div>
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Strive to make the new discomfort manageable and then eventually make it look effortless.<br />
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Because woman, you are the most beautiful when you bravely and vulnerably tumbling forward in pursuit of life. </div>
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When you are answering the question, what am I capable of? </div>
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I want to know the strength of this body... and this soul.</div>
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I want to know I can wo-man up to any challenge.</div>
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I want to feel uncomfortable in contentment, and twitchy when I'm still.</div>
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I want to see the vastness myself and therefore also my boundaries.</div>
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And most of all I want to break them.</div>
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Guys I've been pushing myself hard lately. Stretching and reaching for more in almost every aspect of my life. It's super exciting, but it also feels incredibly overwhelming.<br />
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I keep wondering if I'm capable to rise to the challenges I've laid out for myself.<br />
I keep asking if I'm really capable of what I hope for.<br />
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And I keep trying to remind myself that this is who I am. That I am a strong capable woman, and I've rose to every challenge before this. That I've built this business up with just these 2 hands.<br />
I keep trying to remember I've taught myself these skills before, and I'll keep trying to do it again and again and again.<br />
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No matter what.<br />
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Available <a href="http://www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com/">here </a>until sold.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">♥</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span>Carin</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-83262906994952741942016-03-22T17:34:00.000-07:002016-03-22T17:34:09.474-07:00LURE - SMALL FRY<div style="text-align: center;">
REPOST FROM ORIGINAL LURE BLOG:<br />
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I keep thinking about how luscious & tempting things in this life can be. </div>
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Intriguing us with beautiful forms,</div>
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pungent perfumes,</div>
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bold, stunning colors. </div>
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All things that promise rushes of dopamine through our blood stream. That addictive, powerful flow which excites each and every one of our cells. </div>
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It makes us feel alive.</div>
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It makes us feel happy.</div>
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Often when we speak of these types of things, we talk about how indulgent they are. Each of them carrying a sense of negativity with them. We hope we are strong enough to evade their pull, and somehow that ability would make us better human beings. </div>
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It brings me back almost 20 years, neatly sorting seed beads into their own little compartments. I'd pick up a few, gently sliding my fingers back and forth across their glassy surface. Letting a few of them at a time all back into their designated spot. </div>
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That's when the tug began for me, I got sight at what I consider my life long lure. A glimpse at what a dreamy, sexy life this career would be. </div>
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But as with most things that bring us happiness, as a good strong human, I stopped myself from daydreaming too long or too hard. I'd think about how much fun it was as a hobby, but never, ever would I allow myself to dream beyond that. </div>
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Perhaps, I thought, too much daydreaming would somehow get in the way of "real" work. </div>
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But oh how wrong I was.</div>
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How wrong we are.</div>
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My only regret is how long it took me to allow myself the freedom to explore. </div>
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Explore my truth,</div>
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Explore my passion,</div>
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Explore my life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC99XKvwf-_PY1ap8sF8oe6XDIGHpylT2r40Iumuj0cw42TRw3Yd9qh_eY3ElXYvlDbzSbaEwH51KuvbOUMjm6GmpoBXpi-GmqY56pv0AElvttFRTG5-KIjcb-vcHpGrED4n-tMuzT8K7/s1600/Lure+-+Small+Fry+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC99XKvwf-_PY1ap8sF8oe6XDIGHpylT2r40Iumuj0cw42TRw3Yd9qh_eY3ElXYvlDbzSbaEwH51KuvbOUMjm6GmpoBXpi-GmqY56pv0AElvttFRTG5-KIjcb-vcHpGrED4n-tMuzT8K7/s640/Lure+-+Small+Fry+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I regret so much, how long and how hard I struggled against the urge. </div>
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Now, when I daydream, it's more frequently about the past than the future.</div>
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I remember my 18 year old self standing at the top of a set of stairs that led to an art department. </div>
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A set of stairs I was too coward to walk down. </div>
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An 18 year old too afraid to speak her truth and too fearful to take the leap. </div>
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Now as I daydream, I find myself telling that youngster this,</div>
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"Now is always the time for happy." </div>
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___</div>
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NOW IS ALWAYS THE TIME FOR HAPPY.</div>
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NOW IS ALWAYS THE TIME FOR HAPPY.</div>
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NOW.</div>
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I challenge you this, why not indulge? </div>
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______</div>
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These beasts are meant to be big and bold.</div>
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For those of us willing to take the bait.</div>
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Go against the norm.</div>
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Take the less worn path.</div>
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To you, I applaud.</div>
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I send my highest praises.</div>
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They are more than that though.</div>
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A side story if you will. </div>
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Of a friendship that started while sorting those seed beads 2 decades ago. </div>
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A person who, despite what she says, was by far one of the biggest artistic influences of my life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE95V-z0On13d3Z8rKXHSuzuXehuH4MsO8ORxUoT90rawF0XtwEfgPiWj9kugmmbuEUNwkKRORvM4FfwjiaGwFM7Yl2ZVTMr86cYqkDkW_EG77XzhfaJuq32cFFO6p76YlJVtSMmU_eWrn/s1600/Lure+-+Small+Fry+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE95V-z0On13d3Z8rKXHSuzuXehuH4MsO8ORxUoT90rawF0XtwEfgPiWj9kugmmbuEUNwkKRORvM4FfwjiaGwFM7Yl2ZVTMr86cYqkDkW_EG77XzhfaJuq32cFFO6p76YlJVtSMmU_eWrn/s640/Lure+-+Small+Fry+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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She gifted me a pair of articulated fish earrings over a decade ago.</div>
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They were my favorite.</div>
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I rarely took them out.</div>
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But then there was that one time I did, and sadly they were never to be seen again.</div>
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I've thought about those earrings for 10 years.</div>
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So I bring you my, bigger, bolder version all these years later.</div>
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I think appropriately, they are sized to represent my unwavering announcement that I will not follow the well worn path. </div>
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I will embrace my indulging, dreamy, sexy career with all it's ups and downs.</div>
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I took the bait. </div>
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will you? </div>
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___<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpMqgX_OdRbfrDnJJixsQCwbbqY_56mVXvOGs-mCLRsCcS3_STN0wem5hCXyO79mYhJelx1cSoZ4lOO-QgHyXKAp6P5VEMDsyPdMPUI7qHObcA-bhUpkfAW3tsNbTTetW9oyU0TrKFVio/s1600/Lure+-+Small+Fry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpMqgX_OdRbfrDnJJixsQCwbbqY_56mVXvOGs-mCLRsCcS3_STN0wem5hCXyO79mYhJelx1cSoZ4lOO-QgHyXKAp6P5VEMDsyPdMPUI7qHObcA-bhUpkfAW3tsNbTTetW9oyU0TrKFVio/s640/Lure+-+Small+Fry+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Available for purchase <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/273404524/lure-small-fry?ref=shop_home_active_1">here</a> for just 1 week. At which time I will close the listing and fulfill all orders at one time.<br />
<br />
Carin</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-14027395801579324782016-02-22T07:11:00.000-08:002016-02-22T07:11:03.357-08:00A STIRRING // <div style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
I'm starting to feel some stirring in my sits bones. For so long now my hands and mind limited my abilities, but 2015 brought such tremendous growth. Budding at at my tips, I'm ready for more. But like the plant primed to bloom, I've realized that I need more than just a deep desire to flower. There are elements that can help a girl get there, and tools I need to take it to the next level. I've discounted these lovely pieces to help fund some of the big purchases I feel comin<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">g around the corner. A rare chance to snag something lovely at a lower price. A gift to you for supporting and helping me shine my light a little brighter. </span></div>
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I've discounted a hand full of items in the shop today, I'd love it if you took a moment to check it out. </div>
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I can't thank you enough for all your support. </div>
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Happy Monday friends.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35bzIT_GttMnd_A3xRbyRoVzyURFAhtvT4RSn8njAfdGXoNdhvNB8Dvl1_ivUGEjkiD1mI9pZ9pwqwRvjlyKikdsgDfEXhG3PcaB4_u3NSrOhNqkPOvX4DzcYHTAN_fvr3uWxhrmsobcW/s1600/Progression+-+Fiddle+Earrings+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35bzIT_GttMnd_A3xRbyRoVzyURFAhtvT4RSn8njAfdGXoNdhvNB8Dvl1_ivUGEjkiD1mI9pZ9pwqwRvjlyKikdsgDfEXhG3PcaB4_u3NSrOhNqkPOvX4DzcYHTAN_fvr3uWxhrmsobcW/s640/Progression+-+Fiddle+Earrings+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ25Kz_i8wgHLmKD3kJFf8DDQTgyCXaVNwhaFgt1nzZI2nFi6OxXlIgtzT8W7DwAkEkqsg_SKl4mMqiJ2wwbrHaHzgfmCUGtownbPtzQq1YeljaoVLSL7-jsA_KBnREwdfEP9FdcpvTnL/s1600/Leaf+Ring+lodolite+Rectangle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ25Kz_i8wgHLmKD3kJFf8DDQTgyCXaVNwhaFgt1nzZI2nFi6OxXlIgtzT8W7DwAkEkqsg_SKl4mMqiJ2wwbrHaHzgfmCUGtownbPtzQq1YeljaoVLSL7-jsA_KBnREwdfEP9FdcpvTnL/s400/Leaf+Ring+lodolite+Rectangle+3.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10aUsEk3gEBV3XngnhAbd8GPVXUOUrcSL02W0oxZXTBCthIO4iurqWtZu9vUFoCvBs0rM3-NlbqHZq6S_N-MIfo0GUbO9_0teHCi4WjGNbMS06dsYWsX5mIabmT8lNpC-BYovVR1qvbJp/s1600/A+little+Something+for+Everyone+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10aUsEk3gEBV3XngnhAbd8GPVXUOUrcSL02W0oxZXTBCthIO4iurqWtZu9vUFoCvBs0rM3-NlbqHZq6S_N-MIfo0GUbO9_0teHCi4WjGNbMS06dsYWsX5mIabmT8lNpC-BYovVR1qvbJp/s400/A+little+Something+for+Everyone+5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgocIqJMFdG0zu8yTG6kzy9efNehKXvs79fVwFFIXu91mNuYwpFSIei1s2MLt3U_x_R_PLFEMW6Js381n5Pcii_bi_7w2Dx9P5jdLKAtdc49RUx5vnHXUZHvjh0g6JN94Jj2ebTEF7ROg/s1600/3+Totem+Necklace+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgocIqJMFdG0zu8yTG6kzy9efNehKXvs79fVwFFIXu91mNuYwpFSIei1s2MLt3U_x_R_PLFEMW6Js381n5Pcii_bi_7w2Dx9P5jdLKAtdc49RUx5vnHXUZHvjh0g6JN94Jj2ebTEF7ROg/s640/3+Totem+Necklace+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Carin</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-6802530227733182802016-02-08T12:32:00.001-08:002016-02-08T16:56:44.697-08:00Naturalist // A Shop Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark. -- John Muir</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkESGda3TV40Rm02yqPGnztfzOvWldPwILOMTCfSAbRBm0c-q7tYPEtlRn0x0mUyxzwd1xnIhyphenhyphenwBRC6UiFQSi60Oa1pLjSKpCAKHYFvG42CONnNZYALNBCUZZpHg7spjmyPCeoN0iRt29-/s1600/Branch+Hemp+Bangles+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkESGda3TV40Rm02yqPGnztfzOvWldPwILOMTCfSAbRBm0c-q7tYPEtlRn0x0mUyxzwd1xnIhyphenhyphenwBRC6UiFQSi60Oa1pLjSKpCAKHYFvG42CONnNZYALNBCUZZpHg7spjmyPCeoN0iRt29-/s640/Branch+Hemp+Bangles+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Naturalist Bangles will be available. Both size med/small. 7 1/2" inner circumference and about 2 3/8" diameter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94G_I1EybPvOrnPW68IdIxWcEV6iN_A2IwM2oJ5RV-Fm2Dr_OMTGnBWbLUU_HrTw80UHLB0ew6rDu9gxw5ZM6G70Wo1Z0fV2MNET2fecOBBwrfQBEHtu_wdfgciXmIo73o9ihtG0CgNdJ/s1600/Double+Ocean+Jasper+Pine+Cone+Necklace+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94G_I1EybPvOrnPW68IdIxWcEV6iN_A2IwM2oJ5RV-Fm2Dr_OMTGnBWbLUU_HrTw80UHLB0ew6rDu9gxw5ZM6G70Wo1Z0fV2MNET2fecOBBwrfQBEHtu_wdfgciXmIo73o9ihtG0CgNdJ/s400/Double+Ocean+Jasper+Pine+Cone+Necklace+1.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHdEgq2LQfXi5_lk6Jx_S80rlEHx4spoaSF0elv14Nr4j4spmdO18kxHUziybNT0w9Fr5Sel_sOCC2Go_KPnUiN0pEiK8H_67mXH9RrQkkjtdNDfGu_kxBrce97ddfxx2EQe4fyUgjy1A/s1600/Evolution+Leaves+Earrings+long+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHdEgq2LQfXi5_lk6Jx_S80rlEHx4spoaSF0elv14Nr4j4spmdO18kxHUziybNT0w9Fr5Sel_sOCC2Go_KPnUiN0pEiK8H_67mXH9RrQkkjtdNDfGu_kxBrce97ddfxx2EQe4fyUgjy1A/s400/Evolution+Leaves+Earrings+long+1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveihxXQAriIfKT24VaOy2-NkNrug5YhAG7M9Bw1PREAdWBIdU_clZTQ_Jj4heElznSkdfoi4XuCpbtqNp8qoDPt15ELM4YYcN4pLAeoQ7LUHe-8F28WTKefBcUxf4UY_Jhs6O78nk0h7U/s1600/Ocean+Jasper+Drop+Ring+Worn+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveihxXQAriIfKT24VaOy2-NkNrug5YhAG7M9Bw1PREAdWBIdU_clZTQ_Jj4heElznSkdfoi4XuCpbtqNp8qoDPt15ELM4YYcN4pLAeoQ7LUHe-8F28WTKefBcUxf4UY_Jhs6O78nk0h7U/s640/Ocean+Jasper+Drop+Ring+Worn+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Ocean Jasper Drop Ring will Be available. US Size 5 1/2.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdi2DsiWQ-p5iT3PX63V2zYdUbwf9horTx8WRrPCdVU6JYCT4UN9NGkN4jjkBINpQcJHKlvYcEuEsKFnTBlWRqMTkQHiRZZQRl6XXLVm4RpO7TpxYugXx45GvqUWtb4j5nCk_LMyd6jpT/s1600/Ocean+Jasper+Drops+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdi2DsiWQ-p5iT3PX63V2zYdUbwf9horTx8WRrPCdVU6JYCT4UN9NGkN4jjkBINpQcJHKlvYcEuEsKFnTBlWRqMTkQHiRZZQRl6XXLVm4RpO7TpxYugXx45GvqUWtb4j5nCk_LMyd6jpT/s640/Ocean+Jasper+Drops+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZE7PX6veguMQU7s4eO6dCpofEn9sKD-vnMm4ALcyN1Rj9xjVGpnGv1r-G5H6ykebABUBCN4XC1YfK_2V2DCKF3V8SLFIMGlBqypiUM8oeABFVPoqU_jRrObbkCkpbnwpXGSE-f4xnxOf/s1600/Ocean+Jasper+Round+Pine+Cone+Necklace+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZE7PX6veguMQU7s4eO6dCpofEn9sKD-vnMm4ALcyN1Rj9xjVGpnGv1r-G5H6ykebABUBCN4XC1YfK_2V2DCKF3V8SLFIMGlBqypiUM8oeABFVPoqU_jRrObbkCkpbnwpXGSE-f4xnxOf/s640/Ocean+Jasper+Round+Pine+Cone+Necklace+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spring is coming. I can feel it. My fingers are still mind numbingly cold, but the marrow in my bones is starting to twitch.</div>
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I'm excited for this next season. I love to take the winter to reflect, to learn and to make peace with the previous year. But with the sun warming the ground, those goals I've set look delicious and achievable. I feel like I have the energy of a pup, ready to take on this crazy world.</div>
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I can't believe how much I've learned in just a year. Looking back feels crazy. Crazy I've come so far, but also crazy grateful for all you've given me.</div>
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I don't want to waste any of it. I want to soak it all in and keep going. I want to show you what I have, and that you've invested your time and attention wisely.</div>
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I've got some serious goals this year. I'm so content with where the jewelry is headed and can't wait to produce more. It's falling out of my mind and hands quickly these days. My heart and head know where it's going, and I've learned to trust those instincts.</div>
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I've also taken the time to assess my flaws. Give recognition to them and address how I can do things better. </div>
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Some of what I'm working on: </div>
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WRITING: I struggle to find words. I've always been better at speaking with silver than letters. So I'm working on it, and until then I'll look to those that have them. That have already spoken how I'm feeling and what I think. I'm grateful that they can help me communicate while I find my own.</div>
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DRAWING: I'm also working on drawing and lettering. I think these are two key elements in any art form that can help with overall design. I've always been so-so at both. I bought a sketch book. I'm jotting words, but also sketching plants and things I find. </div>
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PHOTOGRAPHY: Always, always, always, but more specifically I've never been good at photographing myself posing with jewelry. Those of you good at the jewelry selfie, I commend you! I've tried all sorts of things, timers, remotes.... but if you could see the outtakes I get, and the time I spend to get just one half decent shot of a piece... well then you'd really understand.</div>
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I've always toyed with the idea of hiring a model, but honestly that just feels really strange to me. It's like hiring someone to cast my pieces or getting an assistant. Luckily my friend Emily has offered to help out when she can. She's a kick-ass outdoorsy, rock climbing, mama. </div>
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I could go into all the details of our friendship, but I'll just tell you this one quick story of how we met. </div>
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It was 1990. I was in Kindergarten. It was 1/2 way through the school year.</div>
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This little blond comes walking in with her mom. Her eyes full of tears. She was transferring to a new school, a new state, and a whole new life. She was scared and lonely.</div>
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As the teacher and her mom tried to console her, I walked up and introduced myself, and said "It's ok, you can be my friend."</div>
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Fast forward more than 2 decades and we still are. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUr8iuSL7TXnDw5mvHF9ukdrr2DRKNM-ztrtnZ7zQYi7BqynLVP-ldMG6i-wjgxrD5OusrzabsHRf8c1i7mDsDht-EKlAtx0w_9CQr2nSinN3AXLZM7RgIjIktqLqS4RYA-VqhPn7MaDY0/s1600/Branch+Bangles+Worn+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUr8iuSL7TXnDw5mvHF9ukdrr2DRKNM-ztrtnZ7zQYi7BqynLVP-ldMG6i-wjgxrD5OusrzabsHRf8c1i7mDsDht-EKlAtx0w_9CQr2nSinN3AXLZM7RgIjIktqLqS4RYA-VqhPn7MaDY0/s640/Branch+Bangles+Worn+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Shop update goes live on Tuesday 2/9 at 7pm PT <a href="http://www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com/">here. </a></div>
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I really hope you can make it!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span>Carin</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-45287903623827870642016-01-14T11:48:00.001-08:002016-01-14T12:42:09.219-08:00Clean Out the Cobwebs / A Shop Update. <div style="text-align: center;">
It's funny how it happens.</div>
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The cycle of the year.</div>
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The end of so many things.</div>
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Sometimes the celebration of accomplishment, but all too often the feeling of failure.</div>
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Then the fresh start and the newness of being.</div>
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Juxtaposed in just a span of a few seconds.</div>
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I came back from Holiday renewed, but not ready.</div>
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I spent my first week deep cleaning.</div>
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Preparing my space and myself for 2016.</div>
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I was just mentioning to someone that this year feels so different than the last January.</div>
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I feel confident.</div>
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My skills honed.</div>
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I have a lot to learn.<br />
I'm not trying to sound cocky, but I'm also recognizing how far I've come.</div>
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I'm allowed to do that.</div>
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I should do that.</div>
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I can't wait for this year, but first I had to deal with the past.</div>
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Remove the scars from my soul and the stains from my bench.</div>
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Store away the lessons I've learned, and organize the unused pieces.</div>
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Clean my soul and my studio.</div>
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... </div>
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This shop update is the result.</div>
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Things I've had around.</div>
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Bits and pieces I found in the deep clean.</div>
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And ideas I felt I needed to try before moving on.</div>
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I hope you enjoy!</div>
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Available at 7pm PT until sold <a href="http://www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com/">here. </a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLEmW7a91yC984Gds1w7fC_K6uUUPMNMOZePu1tuFHlo_5KGNI1uvJV_CSfOgykEHNuLkPDmmhGFOCk_PVV-Vpo2pq7Z9rAyzKfR_oIEAKa02WOJBD0eLJha4p128l2YJhlYTtJbj9pHI/s1600/Time+Out+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLEmW7a91yC984Gds1w7fC_K6uUUPMNMOZePu1tuFHlo_5KGNI1uvJV_CSfOgykEHNuLkPDmmhGFOCk_PVV-Vpo2pq7Z9rAyzKfR_oIEAKa02WOJBD0eLJha4p128l2YJhlYTtJbj9pHI/s640/Time+Out+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see more photographs of this piece <a href="http://jonesingforjewelry.blogspot.com/2015/12/time-out-tea-set.html">here. </a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDz0Ln9IBaT9DIBLwA76-HKu-k7ZJQGhAFp4ftbuo7EgTlCPjia6PkEwYegYLgCqgN3DDvfoQ9fw2e8mAejGA0bhX6bCXjXqCI5TU1dzKV8jz2GlPmax_RCNdr-M9vOU3M2hSt76PXJIl/s1600/Ride+The+Wave+-+Surfite+and+Opal+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDz0Ln9IBaT9DIBLwA76-HKu-k7ZJQGhAFp4ftbuo7EgTlCPjia6PkEwYegYLgCqgN3DDvfoQ9fw2e8mAejGA0bhX6bCXjXqCI5TU1dzKV8jz2GlPmax_RCNdr-M9vOU3M2hSt76PXJIl/s640/Ride+The+Wave+-+Surfite+and+Opal+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3IoBG8TulQOj4P6lOi-E_TuZ-QpzCXvQ7YSrKxFax8b_sdYM-Wwb1dlv2-X8i43wrLY-rBMhMdZNHsUYm99bA8_X3oLblHeqJB_1uLSpQrsduI0kceQsYZ3zcK2Tuy7p-0hwRmXbUTyD/s1600/Ride+The+Wave+Opal+%2526+Surfite+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3IoBG8TulQOj4P6lOi-E_TuZ-QpzCXvQ7YSrKxFax8b_sdYM-Wwb1dlv2-X8i43wrLY-rBMhMdZNHsUYm99bA8_X3oLblHeqJB_1uLSpQrsduI0kceQsYZ3zcK2Tuy7p-0hwRmXbUTyD/s640/Ride+The+Wave+Opal+%2526+Surfite+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Please note, this surfite piece does not have the stone set. You'll be able to choose to have it completed in your ring size or as a necklace) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jjfyjOvywqc0-9XLuKcINMdxY4RFmPBnQJWeLoOyTMlYv2w5OeC2eSi09eSABK3i6PHh37_I8SYktjb_rC3yGLEmpPjVcy2kXZmv3-phiWBKnIFiEmG2Xlp55aUuojJwPrtI2S53HBqC/s1600/Dinker+Earrings+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jjfyjOvywqc0-9XLuKcINMdxY4RFmPBnQJWeLoOyTMlYv2w5OeC2eSi09eSABK3i6PHh37_I8SYktjb_rC3yGLEmpPjVcy2kXZmv3-phiWBKnIFiEmG2Xlp55aUuojJwPrtI2S53HBqC/s640/Dinker+Earrings+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxcMKiPwqWN-8l5w88mtNEx8vl7ZoZKQluGGDM2gbMRfEDm9v4-S8kGzaApzZiKC6IieBQyaYFe2GD6HQv8oyVB48IVYy-gJMqsM8pm0QbgstyXPKGCzQQi6qGwPVQpXm851mr1T24ImA/s1600/Dinker+Earrings+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxcMKiPwqWN-8l5w88mtNEx8vl7ZoZKQluGGDM2gbMRfEDm9v4-S8kGzaApzZiKC6IieBQyaYFe2GD6HQv8oyVB48IVYy-gJMqsM8pm0QbgstyXPKGCzQQi6qGwPVQpXm851mr1T24ImA/s400/Dinker+Earrings+5.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIo5iIHsEQuUir42I9iB6A2ASRzQ-1zBo7ICEsIKRIsLfzk201Ti9jMi0npuWSnvIHaHSB2ZX_JrYsh6OAu_1obAfL-qyu4sxqxP0u1__nW1kSESvakx2g2cYLwjz94HZjIfdhLM3Ew0N/s1600/For+Your+Hopiness+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIo5iIHsEQuUir42I9iB6A2ASRzQ-1zBo7ICEsIKRIsLfzk201Ti9jMi0npuWSnvIHaHSB2ZX_JrYsh6OAu_1obAfL-qyu4sxqxP0u1__nW1kSESvakx2g2cYLwjz94HZjIfdhLM3Ew0N/s400/For+Your+Hopiness+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVg8NVyxxYx2ZAGjtCEX9IxTNAsQHgaBjU__Q6L0EVS93BUpsu0P1G90R3nP-GCuHgq1k5t5mF9HXBh8i-mtKxdx5WqHNE6BQeYaOBLEy45A8PD5svk5w8oQFC0l9H5IwbUQ-2BkX-dKt/s1600/Progression+Pods+-+Chrysoprase+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVg8NVyxxYx2ZAGjtCEX9IxTNAsQHgaBjU__Q6L0EVS93BUpsu0P1G90R3nP-GCuHgq1k5t5mF9HXBh8i-mtKxdx5WqHNE6BQeYaOBLEy45A8PD5svk5w8oQFC0l9H5IwbUQ-2BkX-dKt/s640/Progression+Pods+-+Chrysoprase+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUujO4JdrD9ChGDEa3YxTcfnTst_OCaODGpy-QhXDzY9KyVLhOkWqr155VcEi_2UYdIjQ1-rMNFgypAWfuc1teTS1ZmY8mma3NMTIrZ7049xa2Wjt3bbYRVOVgP0wxnQ4CYUtvHTHM23vV/s1600/Progression+-+Fiddle+Earrings+Crazy+Lace+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUujO4JdrD9ChGDEa3YxTcfnTst_OCaODGpy-QhXDzY9KyVLhOkWqr155VcEi_2UYdIjQ1-rMNFgypAWfuc1teTS1ZmY8mma3NMTIrZ7049xa2Wjt3bbYRVOVgP0wxnQ4CYUtvHTHM23vV/s400/Progression+-+Fiddle+Earrings+Crazy+Lace+1.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrXHcwFgoW0RCnfWYLB46D54YoMuYtmZICKFikt8tisEtRDLSyjSk7jaQfWqBq2hoftHuBm0JJOpXI2rNgpPLCOY-lLEVWv_USdWX6FRlxJEI7XjgSt18k98zuiofaK61IUBBfG3328H4/s1600/Progression+Pods+-+Chrysoprase+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrXHcwFgoW0RCnfWYLB46D54YoMuYtmZICKFikt8tisEtRDLSyjSk7jaQfWqBq2hoftHuBm0JJOpXI2rNgpPLCOY-lLEVWv_USdWX6FRlxJEI7XjgSt18k98zuiofaK61IUBBfG3328H4/s400/Progression+Pods+-+Chrysoprase+1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8hVY9KC0KvFdg1woZi630oQG42cy4L9R23VWiL_3dNKx5Su-nHp12XSuVdgZwY3zti2F6anSO2xATAfqK8fXYHXbNgO_mI-UW7Tm-sO9nZcp4ZzLW5i_um0QA7vfiR69QbT8eL7QS5-F/s1600/Cast+Branch+Triangle+Earrings+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8hVY9KC0KvFdg1woZi630oQG42cy4L9R23VWiL_3dNKx5Su-nHp12XSuVdgZwY3zti2F6anSO2xATAfqK8fXYHXbNgO_mI-UW7Tm-sO9nZcp4ZzLW5i_um0QA7vfiR69QbT8eL7QS5-F/s640/Cast+Branch+Triangle+Earrings+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">♥ Carin</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-85268828298106774572015-12-23T08:58:00.001-08:002015-12-23T11:19:30.174-08:00The End Of A Year, The Start Of An Era.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
The rain is relentless here in Seattle.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We're living up to our stereotype at the moment.<br />
I'm nestled under a quilt next to my chunk of a dog who is unapologetically mid-day snoring.<br />
<br />
I'm feeling warm and cozy and full of gratitude as I consume endless pots of Christmas Blend.<br />
<br />
Thankful really.<br />
<br />
This year was more than just another circle in the endless spins around the sun.<br />
What the last 365 days held for me was remarkable.<br />
<br />
Imagine closing your eyes one day, normal & average and waking up realizing you have magical powers.<br />
<br />
It happened to me.<br />
<br />
This year.<br />
<br />
And it can happen to you.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I went into 2015 just a simple person.<br />
Hustling, working, breathing.<br />
I was someone who loved to craft.<br />
Someone who made things with my hands, and someone who was lucky enough to send simple bits and pieces of that work off into the world.<br />
<br />
But I was also someone who longed to be so much more.<br />
<br />
I watched artists create amazing, magical, transformative work out of what seemed to be nothing.<br />
<br />
I was in awe of their powers.<br />
<br />
In many ways, January's cold was filled with fierce jealousy. Dreaming to be more, but frustrated with not knowing how to get there.<br />
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And so I did the only thing I knew how to do.<br />
<br />
I worked.<br />
<br />
I continued to hustle day in and day out.<br />
Diligently.<br />
Relentlessly.<br />
Endlessly.<br />
<br />
Some days the work came easy, but more often than not, the work was hard.<br />
Painfully so.<br />
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<br />
I felt so extremely frustrated at times.<br />
Frequently I could see glimpses of things I'd want to create, but the ideas would never fully form and in an instant they'd be gone.<br />
My body would physically feel tense,<br />
my cells swollen.<br />
Like and itch I couldn't scratch, the creative block would consume me.<br />
<br />
I'd try anything to relieve the mounting pressure.<br />
<br />
By spring, I had experienced a few moments at what my own artistic voice sounded like. A deep, thundering, powerful voice rooted deeply in the PNW.<br />
Yet simultaneously gentle and calm.<br />
Grown from nature and spiked with a touch of feminism.<br />
Bursting with inspiration and insight.<br />
<br />
But the most important thing I learned while the last of the snow thawed in the foothills, was that my voice was just that.<br />
<br />
Mine.<br />
<br />
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And it was unlike any others.<br />
<br />
No one has had the experiences I have had.<br />
No one else thinks or feels exactly as I do.<br />
And this, what I used to think was my downfall suddenly, became my strength.<br />
<br />
By summer, I had realized I was special.<br />
Unique.<br />
I had important things to say and share. <br />
<br />
Rather than hiding them away, rather than trying to sound like someone else,<br />
rather than follow the masses.<br />
<br />
I knew I had to choose the right path.<br />
I had to go my own way.<br />
Although harder, oh so important.<br />
<br />
The current was wickedly strong and finding my footholds on my path was challenging.<br />
<br />
I wish I could look back and say I made my way with more grace and poise, but I stumbled.<br />
<br />
Time after time.<br />
Major, epic fails that I will carry with me for the rest of my days.<br />
<br />
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<br />
In the end though I believe I made it to the other side.<br />
My perspective so much different than a mere year ago.<br />
<br />
I have significant,<br />
important things to share with the world.<br />
I have magic to weave.<br />
<br />
In 2015 I was a crafter, a maker, a follower.<br />
2016 I am and artist & a leader.<br />
<br />
But what I wish most of all, is that you know that you too hold magic within yourself.<br />
If you only take the time to look.<br />
You are wonderful, and special and unique.<br />
You have powers no one else has.<br />
<br />
My powers are new and fresh. I have transformed from caterpillar to butterfly, but my wings are still drying. I think I'll spend a lifetime learning how to reign them in. How to be at the helm of this life.<br />
<br />
But I'm thankful to know I have them.<br />
Hidden for so long, but never to be put away again.<br />
<br />
Find your magic.<br />
Weave it so.<br />
Share it with the world.<br />
<br />
2016 here we come.<br />
<br />
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___<br />
<br />
This piece a little glimpse at the magic.<br />
Weaved subconsciously.<br />
<br />
I don't know what drew me to buy this little carved horse, but as soon as I saw it I knew she belonged with me.<br />
<br />
A little out of my normal purchases, but so incredibly beautiful. I didn't have a plan for her. In fact, I didn't know if she would ever be used or just added to the collection.<br />
<br />
When she arrived, I was surely smitten, and quickly realized I had just the pairings for her. Like a puzzle I didn't know existed, they came together perfectly. Almost as if they were custom cut to be together.<br />
<br />
And it's time like these that make me wonder... how on Earth did I come to own all 3 of these puzzle pieces at the same time? Matching parents from 3 different suppliers from 3 different continents. Soul mates if I ever saw such a thing.<br />
<br />
Pure and utter magic has graced me. I hope I did them justice.<br />
<br />
Believe in the magic friends.<br />
<br />
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Available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/261509828/woven-magic?ref=shop_home_active_1">here </a>until sold. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">♥</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"> </span>Carin</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-25174421439379143792015-12-09T11:02:00.001-08:002015-12-09T11:17:57.500-08:00Ride The Waves - A Surfite Shop Update<div style="text-align: center;">
I often find myself dreaming of more peaceful days. The chaos of this time of year never fails to overwhelm me, and right now, more than ever I wish to set sail on a smooth glassy lake. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I suppose it's hard to appreciate the rocky, tippy nature of life. Just as you catch your breath, you can feel the tides changing, the white water bubbling, and another big roller is coming your way. </div>
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But I've made a change recently, rather than allow the waves to swallow me whole and sink me deep, I'm gonna surf. Like a world champion I'll sail across them with grace and poise, I'll make it look easy. </div>
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Available at 7pm PT <a href="http://www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com/">here. </a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span>Carin</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-44723807115305580582015-12-07T10:38:00.002-08:002015-12-07T10:38:41.292-08:00Time Out - A Tea Set<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXANPNFQpdkdMZH76cj-5VV6MXFjJXOePE0dnk8dh1Ax2ZFActVmsCnRxlcZKqdQiVDuHBnOrQs3gjFSMkItzBGidEaP_6Z7lf_AKH5z7RQ02YytmlP0eEz9bGVHmTFdjh-R3yckfWQeE/s1600/Time+Out+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXANPNFQpdkdMZH76cj-5VV6MXFjJXOePE0dnk8dh1Ax2ZFActVmsCnRxlcZKqdQiVDuHBnOrQs3gjFSMkItzBGidEaP_6Z7lf_AKH5z7RQ02YytmlP0eEz9bGVHmTFdjh-R3yckfWQeE/s640/Time+Out+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IJG8gUzfeHcTk8ShEe-CXHlCWe-m9sYXBYWue1ixnOkh4sVqCwb6_Y91yLwQuc7AUqbal3wGaDdmpCypW9XzNEyJKq5iqo5MDiQwjzgEbXNFH2FeUCXAkgdwSCRfXtpuZrmnP0aNUXbs/s1600/Time+Out+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IJG8gUzfeHcTk8ShEe-CXHlCWe-m9sYXBYWue1ixnOkh4sVqCwb6_Y91yLwQuc7AUqbal3wGaDdmpCypW9XzNEyJKq5iqo5MDiQwjzgEbXNFH2FeUCXAkgdwSCRfXtpuZrmnP0aNUXbs/s640/Time+Out+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbgSTaYnnfWDa97i2ftNtTPs7jztAEqneoYO1MubsZjDQBeMfnijpI2Ywpqh_gkHvQ7Kkv0M-j4lMSCbM6tpSFrRdb0l3B_A2l36CXuBuB2hGaT0X28EGeiC9cm249PuejaeOFuRt_9-p/s1600/Time+Out+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbgSTaYnnfWDa97i2ftNtTPs7jztAEqneoYO1MubsZjDQBeMfnijpI2Ywpqh_gkHvQ7Kkv0M-j4lMSCbM6tpSFrRdb0l3B_A2l36CXuBuB2hGaT0X28EGeiC9cm249PuejaeOFuRt_9-p/s640/Time+Out+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYsOGTXdWui2orAMhoyZJb1tYQRD9XtQDQAwqyIdJE6f5iT-ppZMIxGA7UVS2spbDlweE2JFwcZzpbSlR1b5Tbih17WdACGbH3uP5ChWippuAen-9tK4d9wuQIND75lq_P4k3WZIOt2Mx/s1600/Time+Out+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKYsOGTXdWui2orAMhoyZJb1tYQRD9XtQDQAwqyIdJE6f5iT-ppZMIxGA7UVS2spbDlweE2JFwcZzpbSlR1b5Tbih17WdACGbH3uP5ChWippuAen-9tK4d9wuQIND75lq_P4k3WZIOt2Mx/s640/Time+Out+11.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span>Carin</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-39459078375011333772015-12-01T17:17:00.000-08:002015-12-01T17:22:29.161-08:00When Life Gives You a Mini Cake, Eat the Whole Damn Thing // <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnqxns2juxy2OV8Av_iBW9yko9ozDGY3SW6aI1EMOQ86AYJFV0eIeNFjvvw0mmeVaJjRSNUvcl4QSxGRU_jGS5LxpaE8lL2IHchz3qH489kFJ5VArD63Wu3te9PeNoTqa0PrUtItte_Uq/s1600/Mini+Cake+Ring+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnqxns2juxy2OV8Av_iBW9yko9ozDGY3SW6aI1EMOQ86AYJFV0eIeNFjvvw0mmeVaJjRSNUvcl4QSxGRU_jGS5LxpaE8lL2IHchz3qH489kFJ5VArD63Wu3te9PeNoTqa0PrUtItte_Uq/s640/Mini+Cake+Ring+6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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On days like these, I make sure I'm ready. I know the day will be blissful, and so I make sure I have everything in order. </div>
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My coffee and pickle are equally hot. </div>
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My favorite Pandora station is on. </div>
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The studio is clean and organized. </div>
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What awaited me was all the hard work from a late night the evening before. </div>
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All the leaves were ready, the sawing and texturing done. </div>
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This morning was going to be epic. and I couldn't wait to complete this ring that I had been dreaming about for the past few days. </div>
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Magic was going to happen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQZ6cMcC_f7Y4JfTa2sXCiUgYy3wjTQ2Z1oPlzJJdO4g-2DqNpw64Ktetdkgz9eHfhlJ-lWGOtHozwcdEiW7VpKe-qTtsC0m0vNGT5-S6TvfhNtNJce9_ElysqwT8z18KnNqIawCnZLsG/s1600/Mini+Cake+Ring+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQZ6cMcC_f7Y4JfTa2sXCiUgYy3wjTQ2Z1oPlzJJdO4g-2DqNpw64Ktetdkgz9eHfhlJ-lWGOtHozwcdEiW7VpKe-qTtsC0m0vNGT5-S6TvfhNtNJce9_ElysqwT8z18KnNqIawCnZLsG/s640/Mini+Cake+Ring+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Although the first few attempts at soldering could have gone more to plan, I failed to see any red flags. I kept pushing, adjusting, making it right. </div>
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Finally as all the the elements came together. </div>
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Just as all the elements were soldered on, I took a step back to looked at what I had created.</div>
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It was then that I realized I had made a god damn mini wedding cake.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAg1uZ2KP8Zlr7NHzkhv09shPD9EVK-sGKeXDLNib4xbYkEfe3gUm199DRXUg7XEvM5j2z2UljmH2QASbVdexcD2Z2JLmZ1-M4ox0R0XoKY8vAqS1IrikdF4LYb7euJe4qhaYN8wq4jnw/s1600/Mini+Wedding+Cake+Ring+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAg1uZ2KP8Zlr7NHzkhv09shPD9EVK-sGKeXDLNib4xbYkEfe3gUm199DRXUg7XEvM5j2z2UljmH2QASbVdexcD2Z2JLmZ1-M4ox0R0XoKY8vAqS1IrikdF4LYb7euJe4qhaYN8wq4jnw/s640/Mini+Wedding+Cake+Ring+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Progress shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The first tier so perfectly round. </div>
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Topped with lovely fondant leaves and gum paste flowers. </div>
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I can almost taste the sugary sweet buttercream now. </div>
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At first I was a little frustrated. The hours I spent on this thing were too numerous and too sad to count now. </div>
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In the past, I would have let this thing eat me alive. I would have pouted for days at my design choices. I would have questioned my ability as an artist. I would have sunk into a serious slump.</div>
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But I didn't, and I'm glad I didn't.</div>
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Instead I posted it, for sale. I was ready to move on to the next thing, not dwell in the past.</div>
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I also allowed myself the freedom to joke about my little cake ring, imagining it sitting beautifully on the table as Barbie & Ken exchange vows. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5oTBv4PkT3F8IBlYWszEYJUdnm6cx3hh8dZzKBQqHtEGVRTDvM63qDCfa9ROzyHKodcgCYydmHqXnBq5nFqZGIi16ge_1ASqyqCob9uLmg5c6XVMMVL-WhrVM31KcXLR2BQvObJnH8VB/s1600/Mini+Cake+Ring+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5oTBv4PkT3F8IBlYWszEYJUdnm6cx3hh8dZzKBQqHtEGVRTDvM63qDCfa9ROzyHKodcgCYydmHqXnBq5nFqZGIi16ge_1ASqyqCob9uLmg5c6XVMMVL-WhrVM31KcXLR2BQvObJnH8VB/s400/Mini+Cake+Ring+4.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnspvUzA11izt8OIlCmQusgJNmWLznwbz3N2nIVmZPKHt0zaYF50fc5RNc5n3hxVatpEFMNnYamayLqJtARGNUfm2tOQWiWte2hKPgKgGGISzM3T5UPRjnA1l4b3uBDaJ4GDf9a3AonrUX/s1600/Mini+Cake+Ring+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnspvUzA11izt8OIlCmQusgJNmWLznwbz3N2nIVmZPKHt0zaYF50fc5RNc5n3hxVatpEFMNnYamayLqJtARGNUfm2tOQWiWte2hKPgKgGGISzM3T5UPRjnA1l4b3uBDaJ4GDf9a3AonrUX/s400/Mini+Cake+Ring+5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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What surprised me about it all was the response I got. </div>
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Messages, emails and texts came pouring in:</div>
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I was too hard on myself.</div>
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It was still gloriously beautiful.</div>
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They didn't see it as a cake.</div>
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First off, let me say, it is absolutely a mini cake. I mean seriously, this isn't even an argument.</div>
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Secondly, I never said it wasn't beautiful.</div>
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In fact it IS beautiful because of so many reasons.</div>
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Sterling and Turquoise...</div>
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YUM.</div>
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Oxidized and slightly polished...</div>
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YUM. </div>
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Heavily textured and detailed...</div>
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YUM.</div>
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Mini cake...</div>
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YUM.</div>
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Thirdly, it's ok that it's a freaking cake. </div>
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Because what I have learned over the years is that it's all ok. </div>
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Not to take it all so seriously. </div>
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To live lightly and freely and less dramatic. </div>
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No matter what is happening in your life, it's all ok.</div>
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It'll all work out.</div>
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Mini cakes.</div>
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Mini dramas.</div>
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Big dramas.</div>
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They all work out.</div>
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Tomorrow I'll be a better designer because of this. Plus I secretly love it now for what it reminded me of. </div>
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That it's ok for things to go wrong.</div>
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That I don't have to be perfect.</div>
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That sometimes I'm going to make stuff that doesn't go as planned.</div>
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And when this inevitably happens again, that I make something that frustrates the hell out of me, I'm going to eat that cake too, and the next one and the next one.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Because when life gives you a mini cake, I highly suggest you eat the whole damn thing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99j7_wTEL6Vi5fM0vcU9T86k_AdqRzVAlSTGLXjUy7uje8LK6Tr_FeE-5vUfhDIJDiM9kpbic_q1pQQzhwYLHzvx5QLSd_XS38RgpOHtRbepKaHoDc8eYeyJOwNNS0fUU-9QKfw1VD3Nf/s1600/Mini+Cake+Ring+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99j7_wTEL6Vi5fM0vcU9T86k_AdqRzVAlSTGLXjUy7uje8LK6Tr_FeE-5vUfhDIJDiM9kpbic_q1pQQzhwYLHzvx5QLSd_XS38RgpOHtRbepKaHoDc8eYeyJOwNNS0fUU-9QKfw1VD3Nf/s640/Mini+Cake+Ring+7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span>Carin </div>
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P.S. The mini cake ring has found a home. With a wonderful lovely supporter who will cherish it for all it's mini-cake qualities and more. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-75995769121710047512015-11-25T08:21:00.000-08:002015-11-25T08:21:07.575-08:00Makers for Makers /// A Blog Feature<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">I'm so incredibly honored to be up on the Sea of Atlas blog today! An incredible space created for makers by makers. I deeply believe in the community aspect of this creative life, and hope my words help inspire others on their creative journey. Please go check out the Makers for Makers</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">series <a href="http://blog.seaofatlas.com/journal/2015/11/makers-for-makers-jonesing-for-jewelry">here. </a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ccXg1Gypdo5EQeoYUR4mFO4RchIV_G49-Wk2oTDOWZzTaX33XK3PlTXaDM-egMs3oEOsIk30p-2ti5gOjMkujPe7ldJZLqB1_BR0yV3za_6pWDfmOv9li0N8aHxvGBZZIfincxw8NWgo/s1600/In+Tradition+Double+Agate+Ring+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ccXg1Gypdo5EQeoYUR4mFO4RchIV_G49-Wk2oTDOWZzTaX33XK3PlTXaDM-egMs3oEOsIk30p-2ti5gOjMkujPe7ldJZLqB1_BR0yV3za_6pWDfmOv9li0N8aHxvGBZZIfincxw8NWgo/s640/In+Tradition+Double+Agate+Ring+5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-18369682775094835882015-11-05T10:34:00.000-08:002015-11-05T10:34:17.479-08:00Reclamation // A shop update. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6oTfQpCr1XEj2DZYKaPF2iuJb3bIGtGezCSLM6s_5eOpBPZLFIKFyDStP4hdoMUhKmJ9x1ckLQJ2nArGqp0cVDHbM4cV6FLInkKxJRFih3_FxDvoHbHHJDI6se9ycv-GPUNVicTNvlG3/s1600/Reclamation+Rings+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6oTfQpCr1XEj2DZYKaPF2iuJb3bIGtGezCSLM6s_5eOpBPZLFIKFyDStP4hdoMUhKmJ9x1ckLQJ2nArGqp0cVDHbM4cV6FLInkKxJRFih3_FxDvoHbHHJDI6se9ycv-GPUNVicTNvlG3/s640/Reclamation+Rings+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For those times when we feel undervalued and under appreciated.</div>
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May these nuggets of beauty remind you to reclaim your spirit.</div>
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Stay true to your bold, beautiful and unique self.</div>
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Orientate yourself towards positivity.</div>
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Seek a haven where you can shine just like you always knew you could.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDloJaKKFSUBXU8pGXHlTOs5viXgOWAAKIc_vHVrm-f2q2suKmVQEDBAnU-d7-tCoVmbEfRRmbTGjt82gD4wWo8bUHqcS3Psi-p9FangoEGwlJ_8o-v4c3SUUZMwmKhepJet-hcYynIVmd/s1600/Reclamation+-+Opal+Ring+-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDloJaKKFSUBXU8pGXHlTOs5viXgOWAAKIc_vHVrm-f2q2suKmVQEDBAnU-d7-tCoVmbEfRRmbTGjt82gD4wWo8bUHqcS3Psi-p9FangoEGwlJ_8o-v4c3SUUZMwmKhepJet-hcYynIVmd/s640/Reclamation+-+Opal+Ring+-1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hSATPlSIXhFVS26T83CATApq-OdqceDvsmbquDw8gcJMmyzfUyH8Z5t8G0V9z5HCoD50i9LzPGJdob5QEDipMVZfDqSXFb3vRwuu5FuZSgEeYSSYw4ivukpDSosIZh7qx8cSTvnwQtHy/s1600/reclamation+bands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hSATPlSIXhFVS26T83CATApq-OdqceDvsmbquDw8gcJMmyzfUyH8Z5t8G0V9z5HCoD50i9LzPGJdob5QEDipMVZfDqSXFb3vRwuu5FuZSgEeYSSYw4ivukpDSosIZh7qx8cSTvnwQtHy/s400/reclamation+bands.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN4WpqoBjKDPoODrwolDQz7vfbjGHMF_4_TccADYFjFXV4o0Vravn0OSBonXpCw6sfN0wHT6lJCY1c0tJs5fyAcmL4P4Zl8zTcwMDiz3CLFTors9TPm7e-fZD7BcIbaWFRdvfZAC6CHrJ/s1600/Reclamation+4+stone+ring+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN4WpqoBjKDPoODrwolDQz7vfbjGHMF_4_TccADYFjFXV4o0Vravn0OSBonXpCw6sfN0wHT6lJCY1c0tJs5fyAcmL4P4Zl8zTcwMDiz3CLFTors9TPm7e-fZD7BcIbaWFRdvfZAC6CHrJ/s400/Reclamation+4+stone+ring+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tI_JzFwOBwkEdvFf9gpBErtC_lh7n7Yp_Sf4mNwmqWtXAwZxBTEu0bYMTYr5-E58vvZNflAlBoOTf1oi5SAnNlOPZ8QcRGHO2aamDOIwFi6mRhmNj7EXWxK-X6KG5tSOO1DMLHuQlQp6/s1600/Reclamation+Necklace+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tI_JzFwOBwkEdvFf9gpBErtC_lh7n7Yp_Sf4mNwmqWtXAwZxBTEu0bYMTYr5-E58vvZNflAlBoOTf1oi5SAnNlOPZ8QcRGHO2aamDOIwFi6mRhmNj7EXWxK-X6KG5tSOO1DMLHuQlQp6/s400/Reclamation+Necklace+6.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTBU_XRVRVbYVAoX27FYut-Nlad68f6pYRnthzTcm4u9o1b4EBZEElEr5l2VE9w90vH7gsShz1bUEfOv0FMAIHJXhb1LDxZWRd9bsvZnqrZ_1zpnQi6UYkYIgG_MCS6cCwcsVSuV8BUaM/s1600/Reclamation+Necklace+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTBU_XRVRVbYVAoX27FYut-Nlad68f6pYRnthzTcm4u9o1b4EBZEElEr5l2VE9w90vH7gsShz1bUEfOv0FMAIHJXhb1LDxZWRd9bsvZnqrZ_1zpnQi6UYkYIgG_MCS6cCwcsVSuV8BUaM/s400/Reclamation+Necklace+7.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtLQPOwQN4I_55WYacfs6VOyrAzg6OV_jGSWz-QW68gHW7-_dg7Nc1iMi6KEtMTj4DIAF740Y5q187x3lLREB4a47ltV4aZjwQv_jOI5GFvmhkchW5sQ4arL2tRDTPJhTBPJYbC0msnkS/s1600/Reclamation+OG+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtLQPOwQN4I_55WYacfs6VOyrAzg6OV_jGSWz-QW68gHW7-_dg7Nc1iMi6KEtMTj4DIAF740Y5q187x3lLREB4a47ltV4aZjwQv_jOI5GFvmhkchW5sQ4arL2tRDTPJhTBPJYbC0msnkS/s640/Reclamation+OG+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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___</div>
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Reclaimed.</div>
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Recycled.</div>
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Renewed.</div>
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From trash to treasure these surfite stones have found their haven.</div>
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___</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg91NusWzpBjB_lJ7wLyK46APeUHM_XRkigOuFyYEZB725bvYV_tENqvZA36vEWQCzpTgosP134Nv7eyyLQ5g_G07l7ZbHXrs0Sg3QoGbX4G7Z9bGHmq5h2en4RRImHvGGMmISBRBCqyBE/s1600/Reclamation+Triangle+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg91NusWzpBjB_lJ7wLyK46APeUHM_XRkigOuFyYEZB725bvYV_tENqvZA36vEWQCzpTgosP134Nv7eyyLQ5g_G07l7ZbHXrs0Sg3QoGbX4G7Z9bGHmq5h2en4RRImHvGGMmISBRBCqyBE/s640/Reclamation+Triangle+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRr9_w-RG-4MDk_fU5wPzf7Aw39On5RVHu4QCYAP24fxXWunpkV_r6ROgg3tX7d5rbDHrKnCJxnAaH9P2B4CT6A0eL6WB-VVwvFwgBjbGGtLQzD5o1B4hj-0VapxqjwRaZRy1JaOeeokA/s1600/Reclamation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRr9_w-RG-4MDk_fU5wPzf7Aw39On5RVHu4QCYAP24fxXWunpkV_r6ROgg3tX7d5rbDHrKnCJxnAaH9P2B4CT6A0eL6WB-VVwvFwgBjbGGtLQzD5o1B4hj-0VapxqjwRaZRy1JaOeeokA/s640/Reclamation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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More on those stunning special stones: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surfite is a brand spankin' new material! These are some of the very first ever pieces made with it. It is the resin and epoxy that has gathered after glazing surfboards. It was collected and cabbed by a lovely artist couple out of California!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
It is a similar idea to Fordite, which is left over car paint that artists have been cabbing for years. This is so much prettier though! The coloring for one is spectacular. Bright glittery pinks, olive greens and bold blues. The clear portions of the resin allow the back of the sterling silver setting to shine through.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ara_wPYuAZLhVsoqo4bbDmw5Zt0bzgp0scNwhwYfEKnGW6gCOx1kTvo0EnoKoSYNgf_4iQih5Bdylw5JZ8Je8EsaxT4tqJcrrJiBZMQTDBjsEdRXb1FWuJVJ3e-k5s0GwC0VaEETX9Ib/s1600/Reclamation+Side+Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ara_wPYuAZLhVsoqo4bbDmw5Zt0bzgp0scNwhwYfEKnGW6gCOx1kTvo0EnoKoSYNgf_4iQih5Bdylw5JZ8Je8EsaxT4tqJcrrJiBZMQTDBjsEdRXb1FWuJVJ3e-k5s0GwC0VaEETX9Ib/s640/Reclamation+Side+Detail.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Available on 5/11/15 at 1pm PST at www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com</div>
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Carin</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-39273595288873314052015-10-28T13:56:00.000-07:002015-10-28T13:56:34.632-07:00Progression // A Shop Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvrwUaklFYofcrAyrupdlD5D1FxY8u18p5p8BVkRN8Fi-0xQ5tTEsL8OCaxNkWjaXvEYxuvtfQzU4SsTT4X1ikNd_xi0EJxCSxquODbRRi5zjuhaCN7hZRB9KvN9vafCLT4h7ayS2pDG4/s1600/Leaf+Earrings+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvrwUaklFYofcrAyrupdlD5D1FxY8u18p5p8BVkRN8Fi-0xQ5tTEsL8OCaxNkWjaXvEYxuvtfQzU4SsTT4X1ikNd_xi0EJxCSxquODbRRi5zjuhaCN7hZRB9KvN9vafCLT4h7ayS2pDG4/s640/Leaf+Earrings+5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilWfwnBu3ofUS8EKL1hhatDEjBeDqe3Ne2BYzr8RUkxL1xNXmkB5B4bbgXmfOAYvx-tqUWUnpWjCgfV_IVrXUoyTo4g07WrOd-n25PzXfRsgBzdD7IJ2pYVTK6rDo8Xjnaf8TH7sUVywJ/s1600/In+Tradition+Double+Agate+Ring+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilWfwnBu3ofUS8EKL1hhatDEjBeDqe3Ne2BYzr8RUkxL1xNXmkB5B4bbgXmfOAYvx-tqUWUnpWjCgfV_IVrXUoyTo4g07WrOd-n25PzXfRsgBzdD7IJ2pYVTK6rDo8Xjnaf8TH7sUVywJ/s640/In+Tradition+Double+Agate+Ring+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIWJKkTyMuWnICx0nLLUIfpI0LtWIITRpopiWWN4S3gsEBaGk_SaMmaomkX4mHUogZByWGAlOvKGSJONB2rskiMfJgalGFD0WVYZZQ-2O0iSPbwmlgGV2mxf25U930lMZaRA9ldQ0cjvw/s1600/In+Tradition+Double+Agate+Ring+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIWJKkTyMuWnICx0nLLUIfpI0LtWIITRpopiWWN4S3gsEBaGk_SaMmaomkX4mHUogZByWGAlOvKGSJONB2rskiMfJgalGFD0WVYZZQ-2O0iSPbwmlgGV2mxf25U930lMZaRA9ldQ0cjvw/s640/In+Tradition+Double+Agate+Ring+5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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This past year I've really taken notice of the community around me. </div>
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I played a small part in a the "Cab it Forward" project in which fellow smithies pass on stones to one another as a sign of support, I made a few friends during my first smithing classes, and I've reached out to some fellow artists that I really admire.</div>
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All this to say, the community is real. And I'm happy to be a part of it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiAFdvLpa67BkTbyzLYaOnf_pFzlkFOzozNayHDn7q0xuRtujvVQqrv3drHc_NU3cdC_BSCXgvSpv5o7bZKJGllwXfJuhDzGSTWpf7C4LNGX_r-jmpvOpO3OB1J8ioR-pXsTYfgxdgYWG/s1600/Leaf+Posts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiAFdvLpa67BkTbyzLYaOnf_pFzlkFOzozNayHDn7q0xuRtujvVQqrv3drHc_NU3cdC_BSCXgvSpv5o7bZKJGllwXfJuhDzGSTWpf7C4LNGX_r-jmpvOpO3OB1J8ioR-pXsTYfgxdgYWG/s640/Leaf+Posts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I imagine us as a giant robot, my fellow artists and me. Each of us playing a part, but needing to work together as a whole to function properly. And I think of the structure built to hold this art community up. The bones and the frame on which we stand. Built bolt after bolt by those that came before us.</div>
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Entrepreneurs, </div>
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boundary pushers,</div>
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artists.</div>
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And I bow to their bravery and creativity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4rvSfASytWSNRyOCslWD51S4W5kvq4Ls8uh_ssxsLKCz6LrgKW9YqIBcQrox1c7fQ_Ug21gR2IZZtJ-zNHhVxL_vMGdzTYtn_o89giCrV10suP5q3Z21qgtBsb-LooGofbwemWvcww58/s1600/Leaf+Ring+lodolite+Rectangle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4rvSfASytWSNRyOCslWD51S4W5kvq4Ls8uh_ssxsLKCz6LrgKW9YqIBcQrox1c7fQ_Ug21gR2IZZtJ-zNHhVxL_vMGdzTYtn_o89giCrV10suP5q3Z21qgtBsb-LooGofbwemWvcww58/s640/Leaf+Ring+lodolite+Rectangle+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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This summer, after studying up on some more traditional native american work, I fell in love with silver in a way I hadn't before. A deeper more intense relationship with the metal. I was inspired by the way the silver pieces and forms nestled the stone. Making a sanctuary for it to thrive, and highlighting it's natural beauty.</div>
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I, the apprentice, really wanted to pay homage to those master's work. So after tinkering with it a bit, my "In Tradition" series was born. A thank you to all the artists who went before me. A realization of all their sweat and tears that went into their work.</div>
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While making the "In Tradition" series, I felt as though I was embodying the masters, and in ways emulating their moves. The swings of their hammers, the chattering of their saws, the grinding of their files. But what was born of this process was something more than that, something completely my own.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zFcvHC6WoEbdOhRLx_N1zHIJBZf4mHlIPfblDtP6KW1cD4lnAxksbs-g58y2nac0wlm3-zXNzicDGt_MXyvbgSka_HgThPol_yi1pbAIrp8UGi0j4swD_at4tQ6d79_KvnDlROllVM7f/s1600/leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zFcvHC6WoEbdOhRLx_N1zHIJBZf4mHlIPfblDtP6KW1cD4lnAxksbs-g58y2nac0wlm3-zXNzicDGt_MXyvbgSka_HgThPol_yi1pbAIrp8UGi0j4swD_at4tQ6d79_KvnDlROllVM7f/s640/leaves.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And so, although this leaf shape was born out of replication, I can't rightfully package it the same. It no longer belongs in the "In Tradition" series, where my heart was looking to the past. </div>
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These leaves, might take the same shape, but they were born out of individuality and progression. They look to the future. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCtQxzi2PKe6RqP1NDJhyphenhyphenIHS9JUfRSQofo48Ka2NoiEcB69Q8dHdue3AWittzs1llHURmLqOmEjFauX242W1M9NwUr443jNkhDO3h1OkJfrT33V5tgIVL7s565af-xozH_hIAUXt3PJmG/s1600/Leaf+Band+Rings+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCtQxzi2PKe6RqP1NDJhyphenhyphenIHS9JUfRSQofo48Ka2NoiEcB69Q8dHdue3AWittzs1llHURmLqOmEjFauX242W1M9NwUr443jNkhDO3h1OkJfrT33V5tgIVL7s565af-xozH_hIAUXt3PJmG/s640/Leaf+Band+Rings+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They are a mark, my mark, my bolt in the art community robot.</div>
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Until someone else builds upon this work, and together we move in unison. </div>
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All pieces and more available here: www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com</div>
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on Thursday October 29th at 5pm PT.</div>
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Hope to see you there!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">♥ </span>Carin</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-72074145214296979622015-10-27T10:58:00.001-07:002015-10-28T13:50:26.274-07:00LURE. <div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaxtbUkDOAcmsEacNgSSq1g7F37gA9ilflx9QgZLmjEVWj-TJ-UC8B_GVNmzwrKQ7gIYx2ptsl0NugCFmukVT9VKfdYwbVNwVcMDxSXMHIyV4wqHA6pjYtMssCa4W9zmZqPF74cNwxJPY/s1600/Lure+Earrings+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaxtbUkDOAcmsEacNgSSq1g7F37gA9ilflx9QgZLmjEVWj-TJ-UC8B_GVNmzwrKQ7gIYx2ptsl0NugCFmukVT9VKfdYwbVNwVcMDxSXMHIyV4wqHA6pjYtMssCa4W9zmZqPF74cNwxJPY/s640/Lure+Earrings+5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I keep thinking about how luscious & tempting things in this life can be. </div>
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Intriguing us with beautiful forms,</div>
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pungent perfumes,</div>
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bold, stunning colors. </div>
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All things that promise rushes of dopamine through our blood stream. That addictive, powerful flow which excites each and every one of our cells. </div>
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It makes us feel alive.</div>
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It makes us feel happy.</div>
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Often when we speak of these types of things, we talk about how indulgent they are. Each of them carrying a sense of negativity with them. We hope we are strong enough to evade their pull, and somehow that ability would make us better human beings. </div>
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__</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFHD6NRSOoG6z3riOVV2rb5eIVijfoVdHGh33Tx8OkEFHrmepZznaabh8HO8FRGesHcFFih8TD88uibnbgFKMy1nZ3b4pSzgQYpCONAeZs5whRqpUZIg_xRMXG9eDxU9pPP7-yiBOjF6D/s1600/Lure+Earrings+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFHD6NRSOoG6z3riOVV2rb5eIVijfoVdHGh33Tx8OkEFHrmepZznaabh8HO8FRGesHcFFih8TD88uibnbgFKMy1nZ3b4pSzgQYpCONAeZs5whRqpUZIg_xRMXG9eDxU9pPP7-yiBOjF6D/s640/Lure+Earrings+9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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It brings me back almost 20 years, neatly sorting seed beads into their own little compartments. I'd pick up a few, gently sliding my fingers back and forth across their glassy surface. Letting a few of them at a time all back into their designated spot. </div>
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That's when the tug began for me, I got sight at what I consider my life long lure. A glimpse at what a dreamy, sexy life this career would be. </div>
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But as with most things that bring us happiness, as a good strong human, I stopped myself from daydreaming too long or too hard. I'd think about how much fun it was as a hobby, but never, ever would I allow myself to dream beyond that. </div>
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Perhaps, I thought, too much daydreaming would somehow get in the way of "real" work. </div>
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But oh how wrong I was.</div>
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How wrong we are.</div>
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My only regret is how long it took me to allow myself the freedom to explore. </div>
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Explore my truth,</div>
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Explore my passion,</div>
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Explore my life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EAukpl3uk1vVyOrhZVvAzUDCozmcirGnMdLFhk1hOBP6UD1Dx42vLmZ8IR0jKE7Wq7QFVw6KSI24aubZd85NYFxgvmb_fY1kv1gl-ljdY3iDQTK4_D9NHRGtKt5UGwykiJRrfTOus2Xt/s1600/Lure+Earrings+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EAukpl3uk1vVyOrhZVvAzUDCozmcirGnMdLFhk1hOBP6UD1Dx42vLmZ8IR0jKE7Wq7QFVw6KSI24aubZd85NYFxgvmb_fY1kv1gl-ljdY3iDQTK4_D9NHRGtKt5UGwykiJRrfTOus2Xt/s640/Lure+Earrings+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I regret so much, how long and how hard I struggled against the urge. </div>
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Now, when I daydream, it's more frequently about the past than the future.</div>
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I remember my 18 year old self standing at the top of a set of stairs that led to an art department. </div>
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A set of stairs I was too coward to walk down. </div>
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An 18 year old too afraid to speak her truth and too fearful to take the leap. </div>
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Now as I daydream, I find myself telling that youngster this,</div>
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"Now is always the time for happy." </div>
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___</div>
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NOW IS ALWAYS THE TIME FOR HAPPY.</div>
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NOW IS ALWAYS THE TIME FOR HAPPY.</div>
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NOW.</div>
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I challenge you this, why not indulge? </div>
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______</div>
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These beasts are meant to be big and bold.</div>
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For those of us willing to take the bait.</div>
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Go against the norm.</div>
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Take the less worn path.</div>
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To you, I applaud.</div>
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I send my highest praises.</div>
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They are more than that though.</div>
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A side story if you will. </div>
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Of a friendship that started while sorting those seed beads 2 decades ago. </div>
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A person who, despite what she says, was by far one of the biggest artistic influences of my life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1Xtih_H7y0FSUjOwPlT-LG2d7nw1C3OVyeiR5-l6ctvRTdaZtDEg1ABnRALV1X0WuXbcr55PTHQ-VOjctjAWod9n3VPEhgLX3WhbtRUgeiBMMx4fsEIjWSdtAUYhPRH8Ce6Bfd0RfkCW/s1600/Lure+Earrings+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1Xtih_H7y0FSUjOwPlT-LG2d7nw1C3OVyeiR5-l6ctvRTdaZtDEg1ABnRALV1X0WuXbcr55PTHQ-VOjctjAWod9n3VPEhgLX3WhbtRUgeiBMMx4fsEIjWSdtAUYhPRH8Ce6Bfd0RfkCW/s640/Lure+Earrings+6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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She gifted me a pair of articulated fish earrings over a decade ago.</div>
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They were my favorite.</div>
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I rarely took them out.</div>
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But then there was that one time I did, and sadly they were never to be seen again.</div>
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I've thought about those earrings for 10 years.</div>
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So I bring you my, bigger, bolder version all these years later.</div>
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I think appropriately, they are sized to represent my unwavering announcement that I will not follow the well worn path. </div>
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I will embrace my indulging, dreamy, sexy career with all it's ups and downs.</div>
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I took the bait. </div>
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will you? </div>
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___<br />
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Watch them move here: <a href="https://instagram.com/p/9EYtRCHuzV/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://instagram.com/p/9EYtRCHuzV/</a><br />
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--<br />
<br />
Available in the shop update Thursday 10/29 at 5pm PT<br />
www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com<br />
<br />
Carin</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-41723252787113904122015-09-22T10:36:00.000-07:002015-09-22T14:53:35.186-07:00A Shop Update // <div style="text-align: center;">
For those of us who stood in the shadow of the giants.</div>
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Their grandeur intimidating us from taking the next step.</div>
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For those of us who felt like fragile, innocent saplings in their presence,<br />
And because of their success. </div>
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But despite the odds, chose to soak up any ray of sunlight that came our way,</div>
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And refused to give up on the potential.</div>
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For those of us that stood a little taller, stretched a little wider and rooted a little deeper each day until we stood head to head amongst them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquZsiMey3aHSnuLpe7uZe3BrfWibqN4vrnNp9jHPNEMIT4T5vxH5LIh6HQcJBjevM2jvyHV_YvQW6DKJJLJiV9sT4EJHbOJInQOphz0lUYV726MUIOu5Evj7p4HsAB57d2j24XAi52DNU/s1600/Married+to+the+Forest+Amongst+the+Giants+In+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquZsiMey3aHSnuLpe7uZe3BrfWibqN4vrnNp9jHPNEMIT4T5vxH5LIh6HQcJBjevM2jvyHV_YvQW6DKJJLJiV9sT4EJHbOJInQOphz0lUYV726MUIOu5Evj7p4HsAB57d2j24XAi52DNU/s640/Married+to+the+Forest+Amongst+the+Giants+In+progress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bear in the Moonlight Series</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPQfpyyNfKJEElmp1frAUMtebBOFv1HReaNMG6dVC9pARWP9VXNAcwtGr9_j5YZzZFqcX2y7iMN2Tez-4eMdeQ3iY8v6ocgsraauS_osRGTUIaUeI-Xl0i8LFdN7NRTrz5KuepPnNLiwf/s1600/Bear+in+the+Moonlight+3-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPQfpyyNfKJEElmp1frAUMtebBOFv1HReaNMG6dVC9pARWP9VXNAcwtGr9_j5YZzZFqcX2y7iMN2Tez-4eMdeQ3iY8v6ocgsraauS_osRGTUIaUeI-Xl0i8LFdN7NRTrz5KuepPnNLiwf/s640/Bear+in+the+Moonlight+3-5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T8ZyX88ut4HVeOkLvWnrc27hGl8bZASLsNzySRnccbulaJdDfFItJ2STC-s-fxa94XQUeZ5RNjrNrcpRO6FjGsLHAYMPTQgYikLBJHbNKKdDligSLPiZHB4V5BOqugeYTEoitzjZMLhZ/s1600/Bear+in+the+Moonlight+2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T8ZyX88ut4HVeOkLvWnrc27hGl8bZASLsNzySRnccbulaJdDfFItJ2STC-s-fxa94XQUeZ5RNjrNrcpRO6FjGsLHAYMPTQgYikLBJHbNKKdDligSLPiZHB4V5BOqugeYTEoitzjZMLhZ/s640/Bear+in+the+Moonlight+2-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mediation Stone Series</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Dag7nU7OrsQ46xIM3Ej2gmDEDHt4wFA3GRbSSrZyX0BTNY6Wfya3VspMgVSOKCUQbh2Ht2TM7xYYYkkamz604bAjlh4l9k7zYBo1lgN_M7xXGcZ7gINyJ3dJu0bcmyLTpjUkLUskRLjb/s1600/Mediation+Stones+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Dag7nU7OrsQ46xIM3Ej2gmDEDHt4wFA3GRbSSrZyX0BTNY6Wfya3VspMgVSOKCUQbh2Ht2TM7xYYYkkamz604bAjlh4l9k7zYBo1lgN_M7xXGcZ7gINyJ3dJu0bcmyLTpjUkLUskRLjb/s640/Mediation+Stones+4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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All available in the shop, <a href="http://www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com/">here</a>, at 8pm PST today, 9/22/15.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">♥ </span>Carin</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-45082209892766306542015-08-31T10:01:00.004-07:002015-08-31T10:01:49.041-07:00Knotmonot - A Shop Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A sneak peek of tomorrow's update.</div>
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18 pieces in all!</div>
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Hope to see you there!</div>
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P.S. I've had a lot of questions regarding the bead strands. They range in length from 38-41" You can wear them as an extra long necklace, double it up and have a layered necklace, or wrap it around your wrist! You can expect to get it on your wrist 4-6 times depending on the exact length of the particular piece and your wrist size. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dyPRmomWWXGMTGfPeDCKox4siSBzP1NvIcTWkjZCp1yMsAtmuVwPUIIKPfdGuyhJY4pTw4ZjiuS0jgMByZWP6kiLUhBbStSMU4BsmrMWD94HTM6SS9WGnCHdfX08eS3jLzs64W4cDNUa/s1600/Knotmonot+Shop+Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dyPRmomWWXGMTGfPeDCKox4siSBzP1NvIcTWkjZCp1yMsAtmuVwPUIIKPfdGuyhJY4pTw4ZjiuS0jgMByZWP6kiLUhBbStSMU4BsmrMWD94HTM6SS9WGnCHdfX08eS3jLzs64W4cDNUa/s640/Knotmonot+Shop+Update.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr8cx4EVYm7ZFYBOKK0r8D7Cbe0cGsLOr59uD2HncP_doy5wX5Hd_L8a1oScDomyL0ejRTP7TIhfM7M1WU1aVWMnEmq0xbzYn9AjHe_kohoYnomhBNuciZmnS3iDovY-9pNmwHWEE5xGl/s1600/Knotmonot+flowers+all+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr8cx4EVYm7ZFYBOKK0r8D7Cbe0cGsLOr59uD2HncP_doy5wX5Hd_L8a1oScDomyL0ejRTP7TIhfM7M1WU1aVWMnEmq0xbzYn9AjHe_kohoYnomhBNuciZmnS3iDovY-9pNmwHWEE5xGl/s640/Knotmonot+flowers+all+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-23908343114050222702015-08-26T06:52:00.001-07:002015-08-26T06:52:34.261-07:00A Decade.<div style="text-align: center;">
I struggle to find the words when I speak about him.</div>
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Just know this...</div>
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my heart is full.</div>
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Happy Anniversary Husband.</div>
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And if I'm the first to cross, I'll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_s_fPynguDbFKws-yWZ0uiA1ei-tZ4upSho6tjthMJ-L6KFRCW2xpjT9YV0QgMRWmm7RhiPXLK1xHiGlmmtCfS_mgSZVcVzUTPa1k3oWpZNsOUUpY-ZfPM2ZnN-y7PTHuYdqksDARoyq/s1600/Guitar+Strap+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_s_fPynguDbFKws-yWZ0uiA1ei-tZ4upSho6tjthMJ-L6KFRCW2xpjT9YV0QgMRWmm7RhiPXLK1xHiGlmmtCfS_mgSZVcVzUTPa1k3oWpZNsOUUpY-ZfPM2ZnN-y7PTHuYdqksDARoyq/s640/Guitar+Strap+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5bIfdp8ybAZ-Hetjrbe8SptP_fbZ_eRLXAJX8iOxpgUcbs8TJ4NZEVlcYdHzqCfTfymERqC6E_Q6iyjr9x5T27hE0ol5ZL1mhMA_Q1MNTIOCsA6W8yTmvys5I8kNTkq8QNgkjey0LwnR/s1600/Guitar+Strap+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5bIfdp8ybAZ-Hetjrbe8SptP_fbZ_eRLXAJX8iOxpgUcbs8TJ4NZEVlcYdHzqCfTfymERqC6E_Q6iyjr9x5T27hE0ol5ZL1mhMA_Q1MNTIOCsA6W8yTmvys5I8kNTkq8QNgkjey0LwnR/s640/Guitar+Strap+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-54190002638499860662015-08-14T13:46:00.001-07:002015-08-14T13:46:46.742-07:00Confessional - A Part of The Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I could start by telling you a slew of excuses. </div>
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I could tell stories about me as a child. I could tell you I've always struggled fitting in. </div>
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I could blame it on my situation.</div>
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I could tell you how I've never really felt like I was an artist.</div>
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I could tell you that for most of my life I equated success with money.</div>
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I could chalk it up to me being self taught.</div>
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I could bring up a million more things that played into the beginning years of my work.</div>
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But I won't. </div>
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I need to own this.</div>
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Because it's my fault.</div>
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It's was my responsibility.</div>
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It was my decisions and ultimately my actions.</div>
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My misstep, correction missteps, are many.</div>
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Small choices that seemed insignificant at the time, but grew into something unmanageable.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dDtOfIc-1rI61E003p9gdV4ENEyHkqA4TwEvZn9c5xs_P01THTeQKnbfjFxSLqWx4RjzkMSZmvG1hvyPwtNhHHtjwBcMsaGIid-wZ1bLVIiS4R9kZXfziil4d_FHyH9ckSPiShbmR9Dc/s1600/Confessional+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dDtOfIc-1rI61E003p9gdV4ENEyHkqA4TwEvZn9c5xs_P01THTeQKnbfjFxSLqWx4RjzkMSZmvG1hvyPwtNhHHtjwBcMsaGIid-wZ1bLVIiS4R9kZXfziil4d_FHyH9ckSPiShbmR9Dc/s640/Confessional+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQJ7pPGrLodWEUalkH5aCXL8VE_BB92vajxt5EJYPe6ES7tP_gsr7JI2wjwFRA1FQOSkPKw3f4Mwi-0x8pM7AzD3DA5irjUUqRniD3T8HmImih5ODitL8VEZ-Telza-qnMuClZ1UPdChl/s1600/Confessional+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQJ7pPGrLodWEUalkH5aCXL8VE_BB92vajxt5EJYPe6ES7tP_gsr7JI2wjwFRA1FQOSkPKw3f4Mwi-0x8pM7AzD3DA5irjUUqRniD3T8HmImih5ODitL8VEZ-Telza-qnMuClZ1UPdChl/s640/Confessional+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It started years ago, when I first ever desired to be a maker.</div>
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To be a maker full time.</div>
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To live and breath this work. </div>
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I wanted so bad to be "successful."</div>
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I looked up to so many amazingly talented artists and wondered how in the world I would ever get there. </div>
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Or if I was even capable of getting there. </div>
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I read everything there was to read on how to make a shop successful. </div>
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I thought I was doing all the right things.</div>
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I saw the formula so many Etsy sellers followed, and I tried to follow it.</div>
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Good pictures.</div>
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Accurate listing descriptions.</div>
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Strict policies.</div>
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Business licenses.</div>
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Insurance.</div>
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Calculating profit margins.</div>
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Marketing strategies.</div>
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But even more than that.</div>
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I worked hard on developing a brand that was popular.</div>
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And that would sell.</div>
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Because ultimately that's where my heart was.</div>
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To be "successful."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2MCdy2KbO9gdsI4WbpzO-ccfzyx3RGvR9HQ3UKq22NJdTBpTqDgZnw2W437pNCRP68GdR06vZl6QyWlhR-yL-1KjDSV_962MbV1XTccx1tCmTeMy4jhOv6_fblAh2UTlVGScDFVeUMdI/s1600/Confessional+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2MCdy2KbO9gdsI4WbpzO-ccfzyx3RGvR9HQ3UKq22NJdTBpTqDgZnw2W437pNCRP68GdR06vZl6QyWlhR-yL-1KjDSV_962MbV1XTccx1tCmTeMy4jhOv6_fblAh2UTlVGScDFVeUMdI/s640/Confessional+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Somewhere along the way that person that desired to be a maker, to be an artist got lost.</div>
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The business side of things took over. </div>
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And the money, the "success" became so much more important.</div>
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I was so tangled up in a web that I couldn't see out. </div>
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I celebrated the number of sales.</div>
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Carefully tracked every follower.</div>
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Tried to figure out how and why people viewed or purchased my pieces.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiQTSCZB6QlByYnFvHpBjY7_cSMsHvjR1x5fQKb-IZDuCVcL1dS2fcVUS9dNS8WED2sTD2K942CoFOWHewhMiPdZw6MtJewfOFLIxrX5DIA81auT_Sw-I9aMFGs6bLI4TA_f0uJ2TDlQ9/s1600/Confessional+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiQTSCZB6QlByYnFvHpBjY7_cSMsHvjR1x5fQKb-IZDuCVcL1dS2fcVUS9dNS8WED2sTD2K942CoFOWHewhMiPdZw6MtJewfOFLIxrX5DIA81auT_Sw-I9aMFGs6bLI4TA_f0uJ2TDlQ9/s640/Confessional+5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I made unforgivable and disrespectful choices.</div>
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Disrespectful to the art, the artists, and to you.</div>
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I found myself sitting at my bench not asking myself what I wanted to make or what the material called me to make, but instead what would sell. </div>
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At first I was proud of the work. I felt instant gratification and it fed the greed monster inside me.</div>
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I wanted to sell more, be more well known, and I wanted more than anything for my work to be desired.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiunj-M7rTEU8blpBkA8MaoJUGE_ojWKqbdD0RmNNOfReweNFChYb37M4ip3ViFq9cj9HYXCtKiLBlUFwvoLVFn7KMRp-iYvvLM6Fx0FLSRs7krFMQd-gHUClXR8BcewWE-e2jvWqFx5x/s1600/Confessional+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiunj-M7rTEU8blpBkA8MaoJUGE_ojWKqbdD0RmNNOfReweNFChYb37M4ip3ViFq9cj9HYXCtKiLBlUFwvoLVFn7KMRp-iYvvLM6Fx0FLSRs7krFMQd-gHUClXR8BcewWE-e2jvWqFx5x/s640/Confessional+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Overtime I felt my creative spirit shrivel. I felt stuck and stifled.</div>
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I knew something had to change, but I was so scared.</div>
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So scared I wasn't capable of being that good.</div>
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I wanted my art to be loved, but it was at the cost of making stuff that wasn't authentic.</div>
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And it was wrong.</div>
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I woke up one day, and took a long look in the mirror and didn't recognize myself. </div>
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I was ashamed.</div>
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I don't want to ever see that person again.</div>
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I'm fighting back.</div>
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I've seen my mistakes.</div>
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I'm owning them.</div>
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And I'm moving past it. </div>
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I'm putting the art first no matter the cost.</div>
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This beginning, it was rocky, but it's just part of my story.</div>
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I believe my ending is true and pure. </div>
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<br /></div>
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At the end of my career I want to be able to look back on my work and be proud.</div>
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I want to be a leader and not a follower.</div>
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I want to be respectful and respected.</div>
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I want to give to this community not take from it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I realize to do all those things take brave choices.</div>
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Takes courage and vulnerability.</div>
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So I'm here, completely open, exposed and vulnerable.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm asking for your forgiveness.</div>
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and maybe one day, I'll be an artist.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">♥ </span>Carin</div>
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<br /></div>
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AVAILABLE UNTIL SOLD <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/244225748/confessional?ref=shop_home_active_1">HERE.</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-13362877744487578692015-07-15T05:56:00.002-07:002015-07-15T05:56:57.547-07:00Totems<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4D-DuTKrJbP4lXNP7ZPHOeQr9VI6I906730747BAphYXugjk0Z6ga_SXJ6ojKZ8koAkbZZWJGFg4wPMnDB4IwlkDJshnmT2JfoLeZK31keIJ0fYAhIKIKX0RzK1fWrV3n_yOXWXn42tJ/s1600/3+Totem+Necklace+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4D-DuTKrJbP4lXNP7ZPHOeQr9VI6I906730747BAphYXugjk0Z6ga_SXJ6ojKZ8koAkbZZWJGFg4wPMnDB4IwlkDJshnmT2JfoLeZK31keIJ0fYAhIKIKX0RzK1fWrV3n_yOXWXn42tJ/s640/3+Totem+Necklace+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Traditionally totems are thought of in terms of their spirit.<br />
Guiding us with their unique personalities through this life.<br />
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A raven's slyness.<br />
An orca's wisdom.<br />
A bison's strength.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d-nlIv1pp4f34Vb0WYh-Ga_9smtZuYD4cDg8UtJCTFOshtAVJ6neKRj32AbwN2SNVEb3zkwPwy_9J2uPChY1MHjZrDrNTuWJsdDZU6pvQRRirSZvdM7HQOo42lKOHyqrr2ExNF5fKA68/s1600/3+Totem+Necklace+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d-nlIv1pp4f34Vb0WYh-Ga_9smtZuYD4cDg8UtJCTFOshtAVJ6neKRj32AbwN2SNVEb3zkwPwy_9J2uPChY1MHjZrDrNTuWJsdDZU6pvQRRirSZvdM7HQOo42lKOHyqrr2ExNF5fKA68/s640/3+Totem+Necklace+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But the biologist in me wonders about their physical form.<br />
Why and how they came to be.<br />
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This Earth, the ultimate sculpturist, carving these animals.<br />
Shaping their bodies.<br />
Making each species unique and special allowing them to find a small space in which for them to belong.<br />
Forming them to fit just perfectly within a small niche.<br />
A crack of space on this crowded planet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TVeQwMi2PuHNQwQD7nVl1dSo4DR2FGDNwSTtVIe9rU-FHBvEDLbXvn24uXdJvuMDCo2NI5wMJRsSrm1ugDEuc8gx1SyU16gjjaR5Uu-VDQt30qOVuWn9_h3b-s4JanuTyUlViTh3MGES/s1600/Totems+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TVeQwMi2PuHNQwQD7nVl1dSo4DR2FGDNwSTtVIe9rU-FHBvEDLbXvn24uXdJvuMDCo2NI5wMJRsSrm1ugDEuc8gx1SyU16gjjaR5Uu-VDQt30qOVuWn9_h3b-s4JanuTyUlViTh3MGES/s640/Totems+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pressure, uncomfortable, but necessary.<br />
Pushing and pulling them until their forms are just right, and as soon as the niche changes or moves, reshaping them.<br />
Never tiring of perfecting their bodies.<br />
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The ocean waves undulating over the whale.<br />
Smoothing it's skin.<br />
The current stretching and elongating it's body and forming fins powerful enough to resist it.<br />
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The strong winds, blowing through the bones of the raven.<br />
Hollowing them and allowing the bird to take flight.<br />
Creating space for itself amongst the clouds.<br />
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I imagine the plains where the bison roams carving a body strong and robust.<br />
Built for endurance and survival.<br />
Shaping a head harder than the limestone grounds in which it travels.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q-uCNLBnvlLLNA49BipNfGLqgltGRCASC4pfLvX7RVmfSeKVtdm-ILnr7S1dXAubQ6r5v7K-mPDmD78ZrA6ObQelzY6jc2ITU5YsWdAU910p-VXlpgBRc7yuy4u-tWB3GkCwkE9wyT12/s1600/Raven+Necklace+Turquoise+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q-uCNLBnvlLLNA49BipNfGLqgltGRCASC4pfLvX7RVmfSeKVtdm-ILnr7S1dXAubQ6r5v7K-mPDmD78ZrA6ObQelzY6jc2ITU5YsWdAU910p-VXlpgBRc7yuy4u-tWB3GkCwkE9wyT12/s640/Raven+Necklace+Turquoise+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I think about our journey through this life.<br />
The uncomfortable, but also necessary pressures that we experience.<br />
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No longer subject to evolution, our bodies are precise yet clumsy.<br />
Instead these pressures, if we are open to receiving them, shape our heart and mind.<br />
The parts of us that are still malleable.<br />
Soft like putty.<br />
Changing daily.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVSlbdAYMWAGwWLF7kTH2lMWDhUzFcU13ipL3yFMSF1IEO4RZyfzrAF6lBtbd8PpaCguRfhjjZWiGB-7SAAqLPxc3gRdCtan6wNF95Z6dqSP5pykZD_B72uZcqeSuM0EcENa16SthfYsJ/s1600/Raven+Necklace+Chrysoprase+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVSlbdAYMWAGwWLF7kTH2lMWDhUzFcU13ipL3yFMSF1IEO4RZyfzrAF6lBtbd8PpaCguRfhjjZWiGB-7SAAqLPxc3gRdCtan6wNF95Z6dqSP5pykZD_B72uZcqeSuM0EcENa16SthfYsJ/s640/Raven+Necklace+Chrysoprase+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Instead of the land shaping us it's our experiences, our perception and our reactions.<br />
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I've come to be a unique being because of these experiences. Similar to my peers, yet different enough to be myself.<br />
Just like Darwin's finches, I fit a particular niche, a place in this world just for me.<br />
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I don't know about you, but that my friends in comforting.<br />
<br />
So I will sit in my space that is meant for no one else,<br />
and I will be.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">♥ </span>Carin<br />
<br />
Pieces available here on Wednesday at 11:30 am Pacific Time until sold <a href="http://www.jonesingforjewelry.etsy.com/">here.</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-48409877870097937142015-07-13T14:48:00.000-07:002015-07-13T14:48:21.490-07:00Totem Shop Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hope to see everyone there! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964970010168878961.post-42992009703034540912015-07-10T07:34:00.002-07:002015-07-10T07:52:53.734-07:00Birthday Ring<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Every year I attempt to make a little something for myself on my birthday. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Yesterday I took my first stab at something outside my comfort zone and worked on a very traditional styled Royston Turquoise ring. It was so incredibly challenging and ultimately I was pretty mad at it by the time it was complete. All I could see were it's flaws and therefore my mistakes. But over the course of the day and night I just fell more and more in love. I hardly notice her imperfections. She's weighty on my hand but so incredibly comfortable and comforting to know she's there. Maybe that's how life is... imperfect perfection.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">♥ </span>Carin</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2