which pretty well sums up life as a designer in cube life. It's a bit hard to read but the boss is saying "You get back to that *!%$@! cubicle and start thinking outside the box!"Oh how true.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Cubicle walls and designers
Being a designer myself, in a corporate environment is pretty tough at times. All the noise from sales people on the phone, to marketing personnel having discussion on upcoming projects, and just the basic chitter chatter. Makes it hard for someone creative to get into that mode where you can block out the world and get into the mindset of a designer. Well, our company is in the process of combining offices, moving from larger cubicles with window views, into cube farms. Another designer friend of mine from a previous job sent this picture to me 
which pretty well sums up life as a designer in cube life. It's a bit hard to read but the boss is saying "You get back to that *!%$@! cubicle and start thinking outside the box!"
Oh how true.
which pretty well sums up life as a designer in cube life. It's a bit hard to read but the boss is saying "You get back to that *!%$@! cubicle and start thinking outside the box!"Oh how true.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
THE SITE IS READY!!!!
Well, I am in the beginning of my first "official" website launch. I'm sure there are kinks. Missed links. Misspellings here and there. That's what friends are for, right? CRITIQUE! Especially being that most of my close friends are designers.
This has been a LONG and HARD process, but it's done! And I am very proud of my accomplishment. I have learned a LOT along the way in design, Dreamweaver, coding, CSS style sheets, image optimization, and marketing. OOOOOOH the marketing. I have just begun that phase. Register with all the search engines, learning what SEO (search enginge optimization) is, how to create my banners for others sites to market myself. All this work, I deserve a paycheck! 20+ hours this weekend alone. But, I have to say, it's my "baby". I did a good majority of the work myself. Although I must give credit to my dear, patient, UNDERSTANDING husband. He was ready to kill me after I deleted all his work because it wasn't organized enough for me. Yes, call me slightly "picky" among other words. Although I was ready to kill him when he dropped my external drive and lost everything I done for a week. But, that's what backups are for. At least it was only a week's worth, and not the whole site lost.
I can now focus on pushing my site out to the public, promoting it, and hopefully getting somewhere with it.
Another big accomplishment that goes along with this, is I was able to sponsor two people this week in raising money. My childhood friend Chrissy for a Susan B Komen walk, and a co-worker's brother in GA who is doing a bike ride for MS. That's something special for me. I took all the profits I have made for each charity to date and help them meet their fund raising goals! How cool is that??? I am so happy with everything, and it seems it is finally beginning to pay off.
Six month almost to the day, all the work and it's LIVE! Check it out!
www.awarenesshelps.org
This has been a LONG and HARD process, but it's done! And I am very proud of my accomplishment. I have learned a LOT along the way in design, Dreamweaver, coding, CSS style sheets, image optimization, and marketing. OOOOOOH the marketing. I have just begun that phase. Register with all the search engines, learning what SEO (search enginge optimization) is, how to create my banners for others sites to market myself. All this work, I deserve a paycheck! 20+ hours this weekend alone. But, I have to say, it's my "baby". I did a good majority of the work myself. Although I must give credit to my dear, patient, UNDERSTANDING husband. He was ready to kill me after I deleted all his work because it wasn't organized enough for me. Yes, call me slightly "picky" among other words. Although I was ready to kill him when he dropped my external drive and lost everything I done for a week. But, that's what backups are for. At least it was only a week's worth, and not the whole site lost.
I can now focus on pushing my site out to the public, promoting it, and hopefully getting somewhere with it.
Another big accomplishment that goes along with this, is I was able to sponsor two people this week in raising money. My childhood friend Chrissy for a Susan B Komen walk, and a co-worker's brother in GA who is doing a bike ride for MS. That's something special for me. I took all the profits I have made for each charity to date and help them meet their fund raising goals! How cool is that??? I am so happy with everything, and it seems it is finally beginning to pay off.
Six month almost to the day, all the work and it's LIVE! Check it out!
www.awarenesshelps.org
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Yummy!!!
So the winter has caused me to gain 10 lbs. What woman doesn't make that complaint at the beginning of every spring? It's easy to hide that extra plumpness under a bulky sweater.... but now that it's time to start pulling out the shorter skirts and revealing necklines, I start watching the scale, what I eat, and trying to give up sweets. So I decided to try and sidebar my hunger by heading over to Etsy to browse.
Today's artist of the day is a mom of two from Delmar, DE. The owner of LilyBaySoaps. I picked her simply for one thing. I SAW CUPCAKES! My kids are cupcake fanatics. I was browsing around and found her site on Etsy, and the first thing my daughter said was "Cake! With "sprinklers"!!!!!" Then I had to look further. Cupcakes? Nope. Not really. SOAP that LOOKS like cupcakes. They look 100% edible! She has GREAT ratings, and her pictures make you almost smell the products! Just another store to add to my wish list and a great place to keep in mind when I finally get to go shopping!!!
To view all of LilyBaySoaps products, visit her at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5317480
Today's artist of the day is a mom of two from Delmar, DE. The owner of LilyBaySoaps. I picked her simply for one thing. I SAW CUPCAKES! My kids are cupcake fanatics. I was browsing around and found her site on Etsy, and the first thing my daughter said was "Cake! With "sprinklers"!!!!!" Then I had to look further. Cupcakes? Nope. Not really. SOAP that LOOKS like cupcakes. They look 100% edible! She has GREAT ratings, and her pictures make you almost smell the products! Just another store to add to my wish list and a great place to keep in mind when I finally get to go shopping!!!To view all of LilyBaySoaps products, visit her at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5317480
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Reflections
Today, in lieu of finding an Artist of the Day, I thought I would share my insights and reflections over the last 6 months.
Just by being on the boards on Etsy, I have found that I am not alone. Just by posting the portion of my descriptions that I am making donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, I have made new contacts. I’m not the only person who is crafty, I’m not the only person who is afraid, and I am not the only person out there in this great big creative world with MS. I have two fellow Etsians that have come forward to share their stories with me about being diagnosed. We’ve swapped sad stories of the “doomsday” that we found out what we had. About the D-Day of diagnosis. The day we no longer wondered, “What’s wrong with me?”. The stories of overcoming the MySterious disease that we live with. The “thing” that sets us apart from other artists, but brings us together.
I took on my creative challenge, not only to raise money, but to force myself to go out and DO SOMETHING with my god-given talents. Maybe part of my drive is to convince myself that I will not give into this disease, and let it restrain me from what I love to do. My fellow artists have told me that they too, fear the day may come when they can no longer enjoy their craft because their eyesight may fail. The day that their hands go numb and they can’t feel their medium they work in. Or when color is taken from their sight. Can you imagine, losing your ability to distinguish COLOR as an artist?!?! That would be like taking away that little part of Bill Gates brain that allowed him to write code! Unimaginable! But it may happen.
For those that have never known anyone with MS, I think for me, the worry is the “MIGHTS”, “whens” or “ifs”.For a doctor to tell you, “Well, today your eyesight is bothering you, but it MIGHT go away. It MIGHT NOT. A year from now you may be symptom-free, then again, you may lose your ability to walk”. We get put on disease modifying drugs that “might” slow the disease, but won’t cure it. “IF” they come out with a new medication it “MIGHT” help you, it MIGHT NOT. In some ways we’re lucky- MS is not a death sentence. But in a way, we’re NOT lucky- we never know when we will wake up with a new symptom, whether it will put us out of work on medical leave, when it will confine us to a walker or wheelchair. There’s no definitive line. No discernable dates. No guarantees.
So I guess my point is, I was diagnosed. I’m going to make the most of my days, that may or may not end well. Enjoy the other artists creations, the colors, the textures, the sights. Enjoy the conversations I have in sharing my knowledge of my craft.
Just by being on the boards on Etsy, I have found that I am not alone. Just by posting the portion of my descriptions that I am making donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, I have made new contacts. I’m not the only person who is crafty, I’m not the only person who is afraid, and I am not the only person out there in this great big creative world with MS. I have two fellow Etsians that have come forward to share their stories with me about being diagnosed. We’ve swapped sad stories of the “doomsday” that we found out what we had. About the D-Day of diagnosis. The day we no longer wondered, “What’s wrong with me?”. The stories of overcoming the MySterious disease that we live with. The “thing” that sets us apart from other artists, but brings us together.
I took on my creative challenge, not only to raise money, but to force myself to go out and DO SOMETHING with my god-given talents. Maybe part of my drive is to convince myself that I will not give into this disease, and let it restrain me from what I love to do. My fellow artists have told me that they too, fear the day may come when they can no longer enjoy their craft because their eyesight may fail. The day that their hands go numb and they can’t feel their medium they work in. Or when color is taken from their sight. Can you imagine, losing your ability to distinguish COLOR as an artist?!?! That would be like taking away that little part of Bill Gates brain that allowed him to write code! Unimaginable! But it may happen.
For those that have never known anyone with MS, I think for me, the worry is the “MIGHTS”, “whens” or “ifs”.For a doctor to tell you, “Well, today your eyesight is bothering you, but it MIGHT go away. It MIGHT NOT. A year from now you may be symptom-free, then again, you may lose your ability to walk”. We get put on disease modifying drugs that “might” slow the disease, but won’t cure it. “IF” they come out with a new medication it “MIGHT” help you, it MIGHT NOT. In some ways we’re lucky- MS is not a death sentence. But in a way, we’re NOT lucky- we never know when we will wake up with a new symptom, whether it will put us out of work on medical leave, when it will confine us to a walker or wheelchair. There’s no definitive line. No discernable dates. No guarantees.
So I guess my point is, I was diagnosed. I’m going to make the most of my days, that may or may not end well. Enjoy the other artists creations, the colors, the textures, the sights. Enjoy the conversations I have in sharing my knowledge of my craft.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Fashion Forward Fashionista!
I recently was added to Raghouse International’s “favorite sellers” on Etsy. I say, “What an honor!” I guess I look at what I have to offer in the world of fashion, and I stick with what I like, not really going out on a limb and being “fashion forward”. But, alas, that is yet another resolution of mine. Be new, be creative, but still BE ME. I love what I have made, and I keep striving to find my niche.
Renaissance Marie Austin is from Los Angeles, CA, where she has opened her own boutique, full of jewelry, crocheted items, and my ALL TIME FAVORITE the “Go Pastel Green Body Knit”. I love it best as an overlay vest-y look. But from the pictures, it can be worn as a scarf, wrap, or a head piece (almost like a hood wrap). I love the lightweight crocheted look. Appearing to be light enough for spring over a nice tank top.
One thing that has inspired me about her, is the fact she has opened her own boutique. I would LOVE to open my own physical store. A place I love to go to everyday, and do what I do best- CREATE. I think it takes guts to put your all into your passion, and hope for the best when it comes to making sales, making profits, and MAKING YOUR RENT! If someone gave me a million dollars tomorrow and said, “Make your dreams come true”, I would without a doubt, open my own place. I always think about making it a relaxed shopping atmosphere, with a back for teaching classes, but where in the front, the guest has a glass of water, maybe a cookie in her hands, and is admiring my makings. It would have cute trendy couches, and be a place other artists could feel free to get together and network, share their best ideas, and become close friends. Ahhhhh, but where is that millionaire in disguise?
To visit my fave new place, see Renaissance at www.raghousenternational.etsy.com. Happy shopping!
Renaissance Marie Austin is from Los Angeles, CA, where she has opened her own boutique, full of jewelry, crocheted items, and my ALL TIME FAVORITE the “Go Pastel Green Body Knit”. I love it best as an overlay vest-y look. But from the pictures, it can be worn as a scarf, wrap, or a head piece (almost like a hood wrap). I love the lightweight crocheted look. Appearing to be light enough for spring over a nice tank top.One thing that has inspired me about her, is the fact she has opened her own boutique. I would LOVE to open my own physical store. A place I love to go to everyday, and do what I do best- CREATE. I think it takes guts to put your all into your passion, and hope for the best when it comes to making sales, making profits, and MAKING YOUR RENT! If someone gave me a million dollars tomorrow and said, “Make your dreams come true”, I would without a doubt, open my own place. I always think about making it a relaxed shopping atmosphere, with a back for teaching classes, but where in the front, the guest has a glass of water, maybe a cookie in her hands, and is admiring my makings. It would have cute trendy couches, and be a place other artists could feel free to get together and network, share their best ideas, and become close friends. Ahhhhh, but where is that millionaire in disguise?
To visit my fave new place, see Renaissance at www.raghousenternational.etsy.com. Happy shopping!
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