happy halloween!

hope you get lots of candy ....... xo

* love live halloween block by danita

stop waiting for THE opportunity, the one you have IS the opportunity

We may be waiting on the perfect job for the perfect customer

(the job that will make us a household name like Windex or Brillo or ... uh, wait, not them, like Martha, yeah that's better like Martha or the project that will keep us busy with something challenging for awhile)

the problem with waiting is that it leaves us ... well, waiting. It is a pretty reactive place to be.

And I am not talking about going out and making it happen in this post

(although yes, we do have to do that sometimes, although maybe not as often as you might think)

but about just taking the job that you have in your hand, the one that you have done before, the one that you could do in your sleep, the one that is on your work table right now and making that job THE job.

Get out of that ego place that tells us that we are not doing enough - be joyful about that bird in hand.

*bird in the hand print by Tammy Olson

NOTE - I wrote this post several weeks ago and for some reason never posted it. I pulled it out today because I still feel it is valid and timely and hope someone will resonate with it.

The truth for me these days, is that there are so many bigger things going on in the world that talking about business right now feels very small potatoes

(as my grandma would have said - sniffle)

and I feel a certain sense of disconnect with it. At least in terms of posting about growing our businesses - what I really want to be writing about is this incredible opportunity we have as creators to be helping the world evolve into something better ... and maybe I will ....

xo

Upcycled Wood & String Name Plaques - Handmade Holiday Gift Countdown Week 5

You have probably seen these wood letters in the craft store and this is one easy-peasy way to make them uber cool!

You will need: the letters to spell someone's name or initials, wire brads (I used 3/4" X 17), colored string, hammer, I got away without drilling starter holes- but you could split the wood, so if you have a drill it might be a good idea, sawtooth hangers

1. Add a sawtooth hanger to the back of each letter (I didn't do this step until the end and you do not want to do that)
2. Nail in your brads - placing one each time the line of the letter changes direction - you may need to glue the brads in
3. Tie on your string and follow the brads. Tie it off.

Voila! I think these are super cute and turn those cheesy letters into something adorable.

GIVEAWAY - Christine's Beadworks Amazing Custom Bottle Cap Recycled CUFF! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK!

AND THE LUCKY WINNER IS:
Chosen by random.org
True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 273
Result: 113

Trisha! Congratulations Trisha and thank you to everyone who entered - please think of Christine for your holiday shopping everyone!

Christine's Beadworks is the totally amazing Michigan shop of maker Christine Wilson.

To Christine, design is one part inspiration, one part craftsmanship and several parts perseverance. She says, "If you enjoy what you are doing, you'll find the time, energy and skills to make it work."

Christine has a deep admiration for design, but it's the construction that really captures her imagination.

(her love and passion for process is so evident in her incredibly beautiful and detailed work!)

"The building of the piece from the selection of color to the layering of elements brings true joy into my designs. It would be impossible for me to imagine it without touching and doing it at the same time."

(don't we love that)

She utilizes unusual stones and artwork in her designs as well as recycled materials. Christine love's bottlecaps! There is something about these little miniature works of advertising artistry that have captured her imagination. She says, "So much is said in such a small space; they are a true testament to the power of simplicity in design. I'm proud to reclaim them from an inglorious end in a landfill and to enhance their artistry with my own."

We are so lucky to have one of Christine's amazing pieces for this week's giveaway!

WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive a CUSTOM cuff from Christine! Your choice of bottle cap (if she can find the cap) and your choice for the cuff from the belts she has on hand!

HOW TO WIN:

It's easy, peasy - just pop over to Christine's Beadworks and then pop back here and let Christine know in the comments below which of her amazing goodies is your fave!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post (5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog (5) Like me on Facebook (5) Like Christine on Facebook
Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:
Enter by midnight, Sunday, November 5th! Good Luck! CLOSED