Creativity

I have found that in order to keep me sane and mostly happy, I have to have some sort of creative outlet.  When I was younger, I always looked up to my mom because everything she did arts and craft-wise was amazing.  I thought that sadly, the artistic gene had totally skipped over me and I was really jealous!  When I was in high school, my mom opened an art gallery.  Thankfully, I had the opportunity to work there for around seven years on and off.  I loved being around all the artists and their amazing work.  While working there, I developed a love for jewelry.  I have always found gemstones awesome.  I even had a rock collection as a kid.  When I got married, A and I moved 2 1/2 hours away from our families.  We didn't know a soul there and it was a really hard transition for me.  The first Christmas that we were married, my mom gave me a whole bunch of semi-precious gemstone beads and sterling silver findings.  She got me just enough to start making some jewelry.  I don't even think it was a week later, I was on the internet searching for me supplies.  That was almost ten years ago.  These days, my jewelry making has slowed down a lot.  I don't really have a great place to set up all my things where I am comfortable to work and safe from L!  Even as my production has slowed down, some how my sales have picked up (I have been selling my jewelry at my mom's art gallery since I started)!  It's pretty freaking awesome!  I love making jewelry and the idea that people are out there rocking jewelry I made....just outrageously cool!

Recently, I took a bunch of my jewelry out of the gallery and took them apart.  This is a great way for me to update some of my designs and I don't have to buy more materials!  I believe it was around Christmas time that I made a bunch of new items for the gallery.  Well, my mom has been hounding me because my jewelry case is getting sparse.  Now it's time to beef it up again!  When I actually have the opportunity to make things, I am so happy and content.  I can't help but think about how cool it would be if I could expand my little "business" to other shops and galleries.  I debate this every time I get back into making my jewelry.  There is a lot to be responsible for if I expand.  I swear, someday I will!!!

I am forever thankful that my mom drew my creative gene out of me with my first jewelry kit.  It seems, since I starting making jewelry, I have become a lot craftier with other things as well....whether it's just something as simple as painting rocks for my garden or more complex like making a beaded flower bouquet with my mom for our vow ceremony.  I hope that L will grow up with an appreciation for art and love being creative as well!  

PS- Check out the website for my mom's gallery (Gallery in the Vault).  It really is an amazing shop!
http://www.galleryinthevault.com/

PPS- Expect to see all of my projects on my blog!  I love writing about them!