Making Mandalas

I am happy to announce that I am finally selling my mandalas on Etsy! If you are wondering, here is how I make hand cut mandalas....

1. I draw a design, using "stencil" pieces that I make so that it is more precise.

2. I cut out the design and pop the pieces out.

3. I have a lot of left over little pieces that are also pretty and I like to use them to make a new design.

4. I flip it over (to hide pencil marks) and pair it with another lovely color behind to make the design stand out.

Special Delivery

Those who know me, know that I love to give handmade gifts. Most of my family and friends have at least one necklace, painting, wall decoration, textile gift, or at the very least, a card, that I have made....and my parents and grandparents have tons! I love the challenge of making a handmade gift that will fit that special person's personality and style, match the colors of their home, or will just mean something special to them. And I especially love seeing them open the gift!

Well, my most recent gift is a little different. My sister-in-law is on her way to Pakistan as I type, and with her, she has a necklace that I made for my mother-in-law (as well as some other things for both her and my wonderful father-in-law). But, this handmade gift is a little different because I have never met my mother-in-law. I only have an idea of who she is, from stories her children have told me, emails I have received, pictures I have seen, and one struggled telephone conversation.

This is what I know about her: * She is a kind person * a quiet soul *strong * a loving, nurturing mother * city girl * hard worker * she is calm and gentle * levelheaded * she stands up for her family and beliefs * brave * selfless * determined * respectful of nature * protective * a wonderful cook * she doesn't complain * she is humble * and she loves me and calls me beta (daughter) even though she has never met me. This may seem like I know a lot, but really it is only a sliver, especially when you make a necklace that is supposed to reflect a person's style and essence.

I find myself nervous about her receiving the gift and partly glad that she can open it privately, so that I don't have to be watching her, nervous that she won't like it, although I know enough to know that she would love it anyways because she is like that, and she would think it is wonderful just because it is homemade and from me...and because she is a mom...and I'm pretty sure that all moms are like that, regardless of culture. But I still whisper a prayer that she likes it....

Time to Get SERIOUS!

Ok, so one of my New Year's resolutions was to increase my Etsy sales this year, so I think that I need to stop sitting here on my butt, waiting for people to find my site and jewelry! So, I've made business cards to hand out (how professional, I know! :), I am going to start wearing some of my jewelry in order to advertise more, and I am working on adding some new art to my site for all of you who do not wear a lot of jewelry! So here is a peak of what is coming in the next week......!!!

I've been working on some mandala designs:

...and even made a mandala into my logo!

p.s. I might take some hints from my friend Christine as well, who is doing an amazing giveaway for her blog readers at Lavenders and Limes! What a great idea!

New Years Resolutions

Well, I'd say that 2009 was a pretty great year. I celebrated a wonderful first year of marriage, traveled to Peru with my dad, I started cooking more and trying new vegetarian recipes, I started this blog and my Etsy site, and I've continued to work as a school social worker and keep pumping iron at the gym! However, there is always room for improvement! This is the first year I am writing New Years resolutions and I thought that if i post them, then I will be held more accountable than just thinking them in my head! ;) So here they are:

1. Sign up for a Spanish course

2. Practice Urdu

3. Stretch for at least 10 minutes every day

4. Drink more water

5. Eat more greens and less chocolate (I'm anticipating this will be the hardest for me!)

6. Sell at least 35 pieces on Etsy in 2010 (I sold 18 necklaces/bracelets in 1009)

7. Read at least 25 books (I know this is low number, but still higher than my 12 books this year!)

8. Take (and pass) the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam

9. Meet my parents-in-law

10. Paint

11. Pay off my grad school loans (this will also be a BIG task but I think we can do it!)