I know that traditionally it’s the flush of a new year that has people talking about their dreams for the future.

But here, in Australia, the middle of the year is an appropriate time to plan and think about the things to come. In our seasons, the time of Yule – or midwinter – has just passed . . . → Read More: Mid-Year Dreaming]]>

I know that traditionally it’s the flush of a new year that has people talking about their dreams for the future.

But here, in Australia, the middle of the year is an appropriate time to plan and think about the things to come. In our seasons, the time of Yule – or midwinter – has just passed by. The days will now slowly start to get longer and warmer. A whole new spring and summer is in front of us (not to mention it’s a brand new financial year too, for those of us in business)!

My dreams? Well, the first one is to get going on this holiday that Nick and I have been looking forward to! We’ve had so many delays… and I don’t want to jinx us… but I think our departure is pretty close now!

I also have a big dream in the form of a little magazine. *bespoke* Issue 1 is due to be published in October, and while that’s a long way off yet, there’s a lot of work to do, and a lot for me to learn, before that comes to fruition.

I have dreams to keep growing Epheriell, to keep creating new, beautiful, eco-friendly jewellery – and to grow this blog and inspire/help/share with you all in the months and years to come.

I also have an ebook that I’ve been working on… and I want to get it finished! I’ve interviewed 7 top Etsy sellers all about their businesses, what has and hasn’t worked for them, and I’ve learnt so much from what they’ve shared – and I’m sure other people will too!

Finally, my biggest dream is this – to be able to keep working on all of my creative endeavours, and to make a living from them so I don’t have to go back to a ‘day job’ once we return from our travels.

A few years ago I set myself the challenge of making a living online before I was 30. Well, I’m 29 now, and not quite there yet, but I’m an awful lot closer than I was even six months ago, and I have the desire to keep working, keep creating, and keep dreaming so that I can make that particular dream a reality.

I often have moments of doubt - when I think “is this really possible?” “Am I capable of doing this?”

I’m very lucky, though, to have a very, very supportive husband who just calls me a ‘clever cookie’ and has never once doubted that I could pull off every crazy dream and scheme I’ve come up with. I think that without him, I’d be a lot further away from my dreams.

I’ve never thought of myself as a dreamer – but perhaps I am.

But one thing I never want to be is a dreamer who never turned those dreams into reality.

After all – this is the only life I’m going to have. And if I don’t follow my dreams and make them happen… well… no-one else is going to do it for me!!

So – I guess my final question is – what are your dreams? What are those things burning deep in your heart and mind – that you want to achieve and bring into being?

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It’s something that most – if not all – of us running our own, one-person businesses suffer from once in a while.

You’re working days, nights, weekends – any moment you can fit a little work in. You wake up and your biz is the first thing on your mind – and the last thing as you . . . → Read More: Some days, it’s all a bit much…]]> Burnout.

It’s something that most – if not all – of us running our own, one-person businesses suffer from once in a while.

You’re working days, nights, weekends – any moment you can fit a little work in. You wake up and your biz is the first thing on your mind – and the last thing as you fall asleep. You get twitchy if you’re away from your computer/studio for more than an hour at a time… but then, maybe suddenly, or maybe slowly, you realise that it’s all a bit much.

The pressure of doing it all, keeping on top of your e-mail, orders, blog, twitter, FB, forums, etc etc… it can wear thin. I know I feel this way once in a while – where my usual inexhaustible reserves of enthusiasm seem to vanish like fog in the face of a bright sun. In fact, I feel a little like this today.

If you asked my husband how much of my time I spend working, he’d likely reply with “all of it” – which is part of what brings these moments of burnout on.

Don’t get me wrong – you all know how much I absolutely LOVE my business, I love what I do – it’s a joy to me… but even when your business is you joy, there are times when you need to take a step back, clear a little bit of space in your mind, and breathe.

Today, I sat down with my stash of yarn, tucked up in bed, and crocheted a few new granny squares for the blanket I’m working on. Of course, my mind couldn’t help but think – and this post is the result! Sometimes I wish my brain had an ‘off’ switch… do you?

I plan to get back to some more crochet soon, and just let the gentle rhythm of doing something that I don’t HAVE to do soothe my mind.

Tomorrow, it will be all systems go again – but I always need to remind myself that time out is just as important to running my business as the time I spend working is.

What I’d love to know, dear readers, is what you do to combat burnout in your lives? How do you know when it’s approaching – how do you handle it? What strategies work to help you regain your energy and enthusiasm, and launch yourself back into your work with gusto?

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You know, that guy who you live with?

The one who always has to step over your pile of fabric as it slowly creeps along the floor?

Who has to clear a space on the table every time he wants to use it because it’s covered in your beads/paper/yarn?

Who brings . . . → Read More: An Ode to Craft Widowers…]]> Do you have a craft widower in your life?

You know, that guy who you live with?

The one who always has to step over your pile of fabric as it slowly creeps along the floor?

Who has to clear a space on the table every time he wants to use it because it’s covered in your beads/paper/yarn?

Who brings you a cup of hot beverage when you’re working away…

Who bemoans the amount of time you spend online – claiming you spend more time chatting on Twitter than you do talking to him?

Well, he needs to know he’s not alone. This is an ode – and a thank you – to all those craft widowers who put up with our mess, our distraction, our strange obsessions…

You know we still love you, and we’ll come to bed soon…

…right after we finish this last listing…

***

This is my craft widower… and boy, does he take it with good grace. The amount of tea he has made me over the years has to truly be without measure.

I guess I should call Gobbolino (cat of a thousand names) my crafty orphan, too. Many has been the time he’s come over to me and I’ve been too busy on the computer to pay him any attention. Not that that’s stopped him getting it, mind you. I’m sure your fur-kids or real kids have the same attitude…

What does your crafty widower do for you when you’re in your creative headspace?

Or – what does he NOT do that you’d like him to?

Share with us in the comments below!

(P.S. – if you’re a crafty guy and have a craft widow in your life… we’d love to hear from you, too!)

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Thank you, thank you, thank you all!

It truly blows my mind that over 1,000 people have liked what I post here enough to click that little . . . → Read More: 1,000 – Thank You!!]]> So, I came home tonight to find that my feedburner stats had returned to normal… and that Epheriell Designs has passed the 1,000 follower/subscriber mark.

Thank you, thank you, thank you all!

It truly blows my mind that over 1,000 people have liked what I post here enough to click that little subscriber button!

I hope I can keep inspiring, entertaining, beautifying, educating, amusing, and sharing with you all, and just generally bringing a little glimmer of happiness to your lives every day!

After all – it’s you that makes it all worthwhile!

Jess xx

Have you ever felt so happy that you literally danced down the street?

I have.

Today I dragged myself away from the computer to take a walk in the afternoon sun.

I live in the country at the moment, and it’s so relaxing just wandering down the roads, with houses spread out and surrounded . . . → Read More: Dancing Down the Street]]>

Photo by &who; on Flickr

Have you ever felt so happy that you literally danced down the street?

I have.

Today I dragged myself away from the computer to take a walk in the afternoon sun.

I live in the country at the moment, and it’s so relaxing just wandering down the roads, with houses spread out and surrounded by bushland (well, the big barking dogs aren’t that relaxing, but they’re a small price to pay).

I was thinking about my life at the moment – and about the possibilities for my future – and listening to Regina Spektor and Florence and the Machine.

I just felt so darn happy about where I’m at, and what lays ahead, that I just danced my way home down the street.

I’m sure that the neighbours got a chuckle out of me skipping and spinning my way along – and if I managed to spread a little of my happiness around, that’s just another bit of icing on the cake.

This blog and my jewellery are a big part of my happiness right now – so I wanted to say a very big thank you to all of you for taking a little time in your lives to have a peek at what I have to share and say – it means a great deal to me!

And to those who have bought my jewellery – you’re helping a dream come true – and I wanted you to know that, too

Jess

My first thought was – “I’m glad I found this – rather than some unscrupulous person”. I then had a peek to see if there was an address . . . → Read More: Helping Strangers – Those little moments…]]> Yesterday I was moseying along on my way home from the gym, when lo and behold, I came across a wallet lying on the path in front of me.

My first thought was – “I’m glad I found this – rather than some unscrupulous person”. I then had a peek to see if there was an address inside… which there wasn’t. I have to say, I felt kinda creepy about it. A wallet is a very personal possession. The things you carry denote who you are, what organisations you are affiliated to… it feels like a massive violation of privacy to look in someone else’s wallet uninvited.

After I had established that there was no address or phone number, I walked the rest of the way home, then drove up to the nearest police station to hand it in.

It got me to thinking about random moments in life where you have somehow crossed paths with a helpful stranger (or been one!).

I remember one time when I was driving my parent’s old 4WD down to the Gold Coast – and the tyre blew out as I was doing 110km/hour down a 4-lane highway.

I managed to pull over – and though I know how to change a tyre, I was having trouble getting the car jacked up high enough.

A young man pulled over – and set about helping me to jack up the car, and change the big, heavy tyre. When we were done, I thanked him profusely, and asked if I could have his e-mail to thank him properly (of course, I happened to be single at the time.. and he was kinda cute!). He just waved that off good-naturedly and said it wasn’t necessary, then wished me a lovely day. I don’t even remember his name!

Has something like this ever happened to you?

***

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You see, I have this wild and crazy notion that one day – in the not too distant future – I may actually be able to make a living from my creativity.

It’s my passion – the thing I think about endlessly from when I wake to when my eyes . . . → Read More: Am I Crazy?]]> If I am, I’m not the only one.

You see, I have this wild and crazy notion that one day – in the not too distant future – I may actually be able to make a living from my creativity.

It’s my passion – the thing I think about endlessly from when I wake to when my eyes start to droop at the end of a long day. My jewellery, and this blog – and all the things I find and share with you all - it’s the thing that keeps me motivated – that keeps me alive!

I don’t mean alive in the physical, breathing/eating/heart beating way, I mean alive mentally – vitally!

Before I started creating, there was always a void. Something was missing, but I didn’t know what it was. I’d always had vague aspirations to write, but art and craft had never really occurred to me – it seemed like something only super-talented people (or grannies!!) did.

It’s funny – neither my mother or grandmother showed any crafty tendencies during my childhood. I had no role models around me. I focussed on academic achievement, and found fulfillment in achieving good marks at school, as well as devouring many, many novels. I was never a girly-girl – I wasn’t interested in fashion or makeup or any of those typically feminine interests.

But once I took up the knitting needles (which was where my crafty journey began), a whole new world opened up for me.

Craft was something I had to discover for myself. It has shown me a world of fellow creatrixes, women (and some men, too) who find fulfillment in making useful, beautiful, unique creations. And not only that, but also a world of small businesses, home-based entrepreneurs – people who share my dream of making a living from doing what they love!

There seems to be a slow shift in the Western world back towards valuing the work we do with our own hands. I can only hope that this trend continues, and we start to value an item that is handcrafted with skill and love above one that has a particular brand or logo stamped on the label.

This is my dream – and it is what I am committed to being a part of – and sharing with you all here. Thank you for joining me in my crazy dream! Knowing I’m not alone in my journey to make a living from doing what I love – that all of you are here with me – is what keeps me going.

***

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Amanda Mac on Flickr

What drives us? There are plenty of people out there who are content to fill their ‘spare time’ with all sorts of non-creative pursuits (TV, reading, sport…).

I was, once upon a time, one of those people. I spent my time studying, reading, working. It was not until . . . → Read More: Why Create?]]> Why do we bother to create?

Amanda Mac on Flickr

What drives us? There are plenty of people out there who are content to fill their ‘spare time’ with all sorts of non-creative pursuits (TV, reading, sport…).

I was, once upon a time, one of those people. I spent my time studying, reading, working. It was not until last year that I really begain to immerse myself in craft, art, and creativity in general.

I have always had a drive to write, but apart from a few short stories and 20,000 words of an unfinished novel sitting on my harddrive, that idea never really took off (wait, I guess I am a writer now, though!)

I have to say – those years were not completely happy for me. I always felt as though there was something missing in my life. I was never quite sure what it was, and so I drifted along, always unsatisfied.

My life blossomed when I began to create. I have always been an intellectual person, caught up in thoughts and study – so to come ‘back to Earth’ by working with my hands has been such a wonderful new discovery for me.

I get real pleasure from making and finishing an actual ‘thing’. I feel that creating things with our own hands is one of those little pleasures that we, in first world countries, anyways, have lost from our culture.

We don’t make our clothes, we buy them. We don’t fix things, we replace them… it has become endemic in our society to just pay others to do the things we once would have done for ourselves.

I also get a little thrill when someone likes something I have created enough to buy it from me – and I get to know that something I have made is out there in the world, persisting and bringing people pleasure.

I think that, now that I have found this new way of being, it will become more and more a part of my life.

Now I just need to learn how to sew… but if my previous attempts are anything to go by, that is not such a wise idea!

***

I would love you to share your own stories and thoughts on this – why do YOU create?

***

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This has been a big week at Studio Jessica. It began with me feeling under the weather, and having to take trip to the doctors to get some antibiotics. I have also had the pleasure of living with a headache for most of the week… but all of that certainly paled into the background with everything . . . → Read More: What a week it’s been!]]> Whew!

This has been a big week at Studio Jessica. It began with me feeling under the weather, and having to take trip to the doctors to get some antibiotics. I have also had the pleasure of living with a headache for most of the week… but all of that certainly paled into the background with everything else going on.

Firstly, I have been featured on two very lovely sites this week. The lovely Steph (one of my customers, who loved her little square hoops) hosted a giveaway of two pairs of my little square hoops on her food blog. If you hurry, you’ve still got a few hours to enter!

Also, I’m lucky enough to have been chosen to be this week’s “In the Studio” feature over at Cafe Handmade. Whether this has contributed to my next bit of good news, I don’t know!

Oh, and in the name of being honest… If you check out the Cafe Handmade feature there is a picture of my desk… very clean. This is what it looks like today, and is more its natural state…

The most exciting part of this week is that I have had 10 sales on Etsy! Now, that brings me up to 40 sales overall since October last year… so you can see what an amazing thing 10 sales in a week really is!

I have been amazed, excited, overwhelmed – and slightly scared – by my success this week. I had been used to getting a sale once a week, or every few weeks, so to get such an influx has really made this a memorable week. I have been madly hammering, soldering, polishing, packaging… and I’ve got more ahead of me this weekend. I want to say an enormous thank you to all my customers – it really means so much when someone will part with their hard-earned money for some little thing I’ve made for them!

Since I’ve got the BrisStyle market coming up, and I’ve started making rings, I decided to invest in a good-quality ring-sizer this week, too.

It’s so pretty, and shiny, and tool-like… oh, and I am lusting after this hammer – rosewood handle, solid steel head.. droooool. After my current planishing hammer started to flake – obviously not solid steel as I thought! – I’m looking to invest in good quality tools.

I am now sitting here watching TV – and watching Nick trying to convince the cat to sit on his lap and be petted – it’s not having any of it, and is sooking down the end of the couch.

We’ve got lots planned for this weekend! I’ve got the market to prepare for, and a number of custom orders to make. Nick and I also have to get out wedding invitations made, as we really should send them out by the end of June! Also, Nick got notification that they will grant his Prospective Spouse visa – but he has to be out of the country to get it. So, we’ve decided to fly to New Zealand for a week during my holidays. We’ve got to get that organised too (it’s only two weeks away now, eep). Oh, not to mention we’re visiting my parents on Saturday night, and having friends round on Sunday – whew! Wish me luck, people!

**Update – Nick was hankering for ice-cream, so I am now sitting here facing a tub of Baskin Robins – I got a new tea flavour, and I hope it’s good. That is all.**

***

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I got to thinking about this yesterday as I walked on the beach near my house. I had just had a frustrating phone call with one of my staff, and it was on my mind during my walk.

However, after I spent some time walking, I sat . . . → Read More: The Purpose of My Life]]>

Nick caught me looking all contemplative one day in Fiji...

I got to thinking about this yesterday as I walked on the beach near my house. I had just had a frustrating phone call with one of my staff, and it was on my mind during my walk.

However, after I spent some time walking, I sat down on some of the massive sandbags that help to prevent the erosion of our foreshore, and just gazed out to sea for a while. It was a gorgeous, blue-sky day, and the ocean was gently lapping at the beach in the low wind. Watching and listening to the waves, I had a realisation. Those waves were breaking in an un-broken cycle. For as long as there had been a shoreline, they had been there – ebb and flow, to and fro. They were continuing the eternal movement right there in front of me, and would continue to do so for as long as a beach continued to exist.

Whenever I have a moment like that – where I really experience the immense history and future of the planet, everything in my life gets put into perspective to me. I realise how inconsequential little annoyances are in the grand scheme of my life, and how truly insignificant I am in this massive, mostly unknown universe. As always, in moments like these, I got to thinking about my life – about what I live for. In short – the purpose of my life.

Now, I say purpose deliberately. I don’t use the word ‘meaning’ because I don’t believe there is a ‘higher meaning’ to life – except what I choose to give it. To understand where I’m coming from with that, you need to know (if you didn’t already) that I’m an atheist. This life and it’s experiences are all I live for, and all I’ll ever have.

So, I talk about a purpose. What do I live for? What keeps me going? The short, succinct answer, is that the purpose of my life is to be happy. But what does that mean? What makes me happy?

I came up with a list, which by no means captures everything, but gives me some things to aim for…

I am happy when…

• I make someone smile or laugh
• Someone makes me smile or laugh!
• I am communicating with my friends and loved ones in a positive manner
• I am creating something. A piece of jewellery, a piece of writing, some music
• Sleeping! Or, more accurately, being curled up in a warm bed, preferably with the man I love within arms length – and the cat, too
• Drinking tea
• A good walk in fine weather
• The feeling I get when I do something I don’t like for someone I care about, and they notice
• Getting lost in a good novel
• Being in the rainforest
• Looking up at the clear night sky and being amazed at the uncountable stars
• Seeing the ‘aha’ moment happen in one of my students
• Watching my cat play and go all silly
• Sending my work off to someone, and knowing that they will wear and enjoy it – such a satisfying feeling
• Getting an A on an assignment (back in school days)

I know I’ll think of ten more things once I’ve published this post, but that will do as a list for now. Basically, being happy, for me, means doing things that fulfill me and bring me pleasure. There are so many different ways to acheive this – and I’m discovering ever more as I get older, and hopefully wiser.

The Buddhists think of happiness as divorcing yourself from the highs and lows of life – of attaining peaceful equanimity. I like this idea to a point – but I would never be willing to sacrifice the highs of life in order to avoid the lows.

Each moment, day, and year of my life, I find that I am growing in happiness. I am at a place in my life where things are very, very well, and I can only hope that I am lucky enough to have that continue for a long time to come.

So, my question to you is – what makes you happy? Or, more importantly, what is the purpose of your life?

***

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I spend a lot of my time making and thinking about jewellery, but when it comes down to it, what do I treasure most of all? I love the things I make, and wear them all the time… but I have to say I . . . → Read More: My own… my Precious…]]> I was thinking tonight – what is my most precious piece of jewellery?

I spend a lot of my time making and thinking about jewellery, but when it comes down to it, what do I treasure most of all? I love the things I make, and wear them all the time… but I have to say I have had some pieces over the years that have been very dear to me – but not made by me!

My first love gave me a silver moonstone ring on our first Christmas together. I loved that ring! Unfortunately, it was a little too big – so one day it slipped off my finger, and by the time I noticed, it was already gone. I was so incredibly upset by that – it was the first ‘proper’ gift he had given me. But guess what? For our first dating anniversary he bought me exactly the same ring, in the size that fit!

I wore that ring every day from then on – until the day , almost 8 years later, that we parted, and I gave it back to him. I think that ring was a symbol of our relationship – and when it ended, I just couldn’t keep it any more. He still has it, but I think it may be returning to me soon, because I asked him to give it back to me when either he or I got married… and my wedding is only 4 months away now!

That brings me to the most precious piece of jewellery now in my life – my engagement ring. From the moment I first tried on my ring, I have absolutely adored it. But, more importantly, I have adored what it represents. 

I think of my ring like an abstract rose – it has the beautiful flower in the middle, surrounded by two sharp thorns. And believe me, they are sharp! I’ve caused Nick to curse more than once when he’s been poked by it!

I am going into this marriage with, I belive, my eyes open. I had a very long – and very emotionally tumultuous – relationship before this one. Because of all the lessons I learnt through that, I know what I need, what I don’t want, and, most importantly, I know what really matters. And I am lucky enough to have found a man that is all I could have asked for. I am sure our marriage, like my ring, will have both beauty and pain – but, also like my diamond, it will endure the test of time to shine brightly for many years to come.

And yes – here’s to hoping I don’t ever turn out like Gollum…

P.S. What’s your most precious piece of jewellery? And why? Please share in the comments

***

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I had a productive morning today! I woke up waaay too late, spent my normal hour in bed drinking tea, eating my cereal and web surfing. Yes, that is how I start every day – breakfast in bed rocks!

Then I finally . . . → Read More: Oh my god it’s HUGE…!]]> … was my first thought today when I brought my new coffee table home!

I had a productive morning today! I woke up waaay too late, spent my normal hour in bed drinking tea, eating my cereal and web surfing. Yes, that is how I start every day – breakfast in bed rocks!

Then I finally got some mojo and got going. My lovely parents gave me a $50 Loot gift voucher for my birthday after I eyed off a throw my mum had bought there. So, I went off to shop. On the way, I remembered to stop at Bunnings and get a big bag of potting mix for my poor little tomato seedlings – they’re growing way too big for their little pot!

Then I managed to find Loot and invest in a throw like my Mum’s – but in a lovely blue/brown whereas hers is purply..

And then… I decided that it was high time we had a coffee table. I’m sick of putting my tea or empty plate on the ground and being paranoid that the cat will think it is a little treat!

So, I stopped by the Lifeline secondhand store. For those of you who don’t know, Lifeline is a great charity here in Oz that runs helplines for people in need, who need to talk about things that are troubling them.

So, I wanted to buy something from a place where my money would actually go to some good use! Lucky for me, they had just the thing!

I love it! But it does seem enourmous in our little living room. It’s actually not a table, but a big wooden linen chest, have a look..

And you know the bestest part of all?? It’s hollow! So, I finally moved all of my stuff off the couch and into the chest – nice and neat! (How long that will last is another question).

How awesome is that!

Also, I made another purchase with my voucher that will quickly become dear to my heart. You see, I am a mad tea drinker. And I have no truck for those stupid little cups people seem to use. No way. I need a bloody big mug! Sadly, I smashed my mug of tea love a few weeks ago, and was managing to subsist by using Nick’s, since he’s away. But I have now rectified the situation in my muggy-cat-loving-way…

Ahh, all is now right with the world!!

Peace out, lovelies!

***

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Here I am, all lonesome in an empty house, Nick’s over in the UK, I have only my cat for company… sniff…

It’s awesome! After the wonderful madness of the last two weeks, I’m really enjoying a day at home, alone. I’m a big fan of me-time – probably originating from the fact that . . . → Read More: It’s my birthday… and I’ll craft if I want to!]]> Happy birthday to me!

Here I am, all lonesome in an empty house, Nick’s over in the UK, I have only my cat for company… sniff…

It’s awesome! After the wonderful madness of the last two weeks, I’m really enjoying a day at home, alone. I’m a big fan of me-time – probably originating from the fact that I’m an only child, and have always been happy to amuse myself.

I had pizza and a movie on Friday night with friends, and a lovely dinner with my parents last night, but today is all for me.

I woke up with a headache (boo) but now feel fine! Slept in, spent some time reading in the garden under the shade of our big Jacaranda tree, and now back inside because I got the itch to make things!

Firstly, I have received some lovely gifts. First, my AWESOME fiance bought me this gorgeous EeePC before he left…

And just to give you an idea of scale – now I have big hands, but still.

My wonderful boss bought me this lovely bouquet of flowers…

My parents got me a gift voucher to Loot – a funky homewares store after I eyed off a throw that mum bought there a few weeks ago. 

I have made myself a present, too – I finished off the bracelet I’m going to wear to my wedding! I started this ages ago, and only today felt like finally finishing it off.

I also finished off a few other pairs of earrings and photographed them… but I’ll leave those to a later post.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday!

***

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We left on Tuesday, flew over to NZ, drove down to the lovely conference venue in the countryside, and commenced our first night of drinking and socialising! Both of which played a big part in this trip!

Conference was fun, and really inspiring. It was great to meet up with all . . . → Read More: New Zealand Adventures!]]> Wow – talk about a whirlwind trip!

We left on Tuesday, flew over to NZ, drove down to the lovely conference venue in the countryside, and commenced our first night of drinking and socialising! Both of which played a big part in this trip!

Conference was fun, and really inspiring. It was great to meet up with all the others in the business and learn from their experience. Of course, the best parts were the parties at night…

The 80′s Party – What did you look like in 1984?? I was three – so here’s me on the right dressed as a cutesy kid… a bit bustier than I was back then, granted!

Liz and me...

Me and the girls - one of them dressed as her pregnant mother!

The Formal Dinner – silver and black dress theme, me in my ‘little black dress’ and some of my own silver jewellery… oh, and a bobby hat for this particular picture… 

I'm not the sherriff!!

Then, of course, we were off to gallavant around! I went travelling with my colleague Liz, and here is some of what we got up to traipsing around Tauranga and Rotarua!

On the beach at Mt Manganui

Looking out over New Zealand

I love Toi Toi grass - so beautiful...

One of many silly photos...

Rotarua stinks.. but there's a pretty rose garden!

Dr Who's?

We had an awesome time! New Zealand is a truly beautiful country, and now I want to spend more time there than ever before! On the bus trip home we passed through the town that they were based in while shooting ‘Hobbiton’ in The Lord of the Rings! I’m a LOTR geek – I’m actually re-reading it at the moment. I challenge you to watch those movies and not want to visit New Zealand!

Next on the list is going skiing on the South Island… hopefully that’s not too far away.

Work calls – and I’m heading over to a conference tomorrow morning. I’ve only ever been over there once before – for training – and that was in Auckland. I’m looking forward to seeing a little more of the country this time. Conference is Wed and Thu, and afterwards a . . . → Read More: I’m off to New Zealand!]]> But not on holiday, unfortunately

Work calls – and I’m heading over to a conference tomorrow morning. I’ve only ever been over there once before – for training – and that was in Auckland. I’m looking forward to seeing a little more of the country this time. Conference is Wed and Thu, and afterwards a colleague and I are staying with a NZ colleague for a few days near the bottom of the North Island. She’s apparently a mad-keen outdoors-woman, so we’ll hopefully be trekking around and seeing some of the wonderful scenery!

Of course, all of this means I’ll probably be silent here until next Sunday or Monday… but I’ll give you all a run-down when I return!

I’ve had an awesomely productive weekend – I’ve made so many new designs, and I’m just in love with the metalwork I’ve been doing. I’m dying to do a metalsmiths course soon – I’m thinking maybe in May – there are some courses on at the Brisbane Institute of Art, the same place I’m taking my painting lessons.

Hope you all had an awesome long weekend, and I’ll be back next week!

Recently, a very dear friend of mine and I were catching up for the first time in months. I was really surprised, and pleased, when she told me that she regularly reads this blog.

Another thing she told me really stuck. She was having a conversation with another friend, (who, apparently reads this blog too . . . → Read More: Why I don’t watch TV]]>

Don't actually...

Recently, a very dear friend of mine and I were catching up for the first time in months. I was really surprised, and pleased, when she told me that she regularly reads this blog.

Another thing she told me really stuck. She was having a conversation with another friend, (who, apparently reads this blog too – hi Kat), discussing the things I do – i.e. I play the cello (admittedly, not very well…), blog, make jewellery, work full-time, have a happy and fulfilling relationship… etc. Kat apparently commented – “where does she find the time”?

I don’t watch TV, that’s how. Now, this is both a fact and a gross over-simplification. I have a great job with short hours (I work 1pm to 7:30pm most days – longer on Fridays). I have a supportive partner who loves to geek it up on his computer as much as I do, and we spend many companionable hours side-by-side in our study, while I work online or on my jewellery, enjoying what I call our “social-anti-social-time”. I don’t go out a lot, but I do have a good – albeit small – circle of friends in the ‘real’ world.

But I very rarely watch TV. There are times when I am sucked into the pit of TV-watching, and when periods like that happen, I get very little done.  When I actually take the time to reflect on what I want to achieve, and what really brings me joy, rather than oblivion, it’s an easy choice to get up and turn off the box.

I’m not the only one to make this decision. Check out Turn Off Your TV for much more anti-TV rantings.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate TV – I just realise that it can easily turn into a distracting habit which keeps me from the things I really want to do. All things in moderation, as they say!

So, what about you and your family? How much TV do you watch, and do you ever think it’s too much?

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Word of mouth can make or break a business.

Tied up with this is the importance of repeat sales. Think about how often this occurs in your life… . . . → Read More: Why you should give consistent customer service…]]> Subscribe or ‘follow’ Epheriell Designs during July 09 and go in the draw to win a $40 gift voucher to use in my shop – Epheriell. Details here.

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Word of mouth can make or break a business.

Tied up with this is the importance of repeat sales. Think about how often this occurs in your life… perhaps you have a few favourite restaurants, or that lovely little coffee shop you tell your friends about. Or, in your business or craft, a particular store you always go to (whether online or off-line) and would recommend to anyone.

Why do you frequent these places? Chances are you have always been the recipient of great products – and, perhaps most importantly, excellent customer service.

I have been personally reminded of the importance of this over the last few weeks by two separate experiences.

The Yarn Store

There is a yarn store near where I live, and the first time I went there I was quite pleased by the selection (small but effective) and the service of the shop assistant. I subsequently went back a few times… until one day a few weeks ago, when I walked out, vowing never to return. Why? Because, as a customer, I had been made to feel like a nuisance, rather than a person of value.

I guess the shop assistant (who, I think is also the owner, because she is always in there whenever I walk past) must have been having a bad/stressful day – but that is no excuse.

I went up to her to ask about the prices of some yarn. Now, they were on a set of shelves, which were labelled – but I was looking at the shelf the yarn was resting on, expecting that to be the price… but no, as I was huffily told, the price of the yarn is on the label above it. Silly mistake to make, I know, but boy, did she make me feel like an idiot for asking the question!

I did go ahead and buy some yarn, but she did nothing to allay my feeling of discomfort as she testily scanned my items, took my money, and gave me a long-suffering smile.

I walked out of there feeling like an idiot. Do you think I’ll ever go back? Not likely. Do you think I’d recommend this shop to friends? On the contrary, here I am using it as an example of what not to do!

The Smoothie Store

Nick and I were shopping one day a while ago, and we felt like a treat. We decided to buy a smoothie each from a shop in the mall – I got banana and he got mango. They were absolutely delicious!

The next time we were at that mall, we were looking forward to going back and getting another smoothie. So, we wandered up. The assistant this time was poorly groomed, and distracted – she actually had to return to us – twice – to ask us to repeat our order because she couldn’t remember the flavour/sizes!

When we finally got our smoothies, we walked away… until I took a sip of mine. It was terrible! Watery, tasteless – and when I moved the straw around there was a big chunk of ice cream just sitting in the bottom. I turned around and took it back to the girl, explained the situation, and she took it back grumpily. She apparently did something with it – but when I got it back it was scarcely better than before! I gave up at this stage though.

Again, do you think we’ll be returning to this shop? Nope. The actions of one staff member in one moment has lost them two customers, and possibly others that we tell not to bother.

Always Give Your Best

We all have times and days where we really don’t – in the moment – care about the feelings or experiences of our customers. We are caught up in our own head, for whatever reason, but in that moment we may make a mistake that loses us a customer forever. Sure, we’re not perfect – but we should always strive to do and be our best, and keep our customers happy, so they spread the good word for us.

So – do you have a customer service story similar to mine? Share it below in the comments!

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There, I admitted it. I simply do not understand the obsession some women seem to have with shoes.

Admittedly, I have too many pairs, but that tends to stem from two things -

1. I am a pack-rat, and keep old, scuffed, sole-broken shoes loooong past when I should; and

2. I have a tendency to buy cheap . . . → Read More: I don’t get shoes – please don’t kill me!]]>

Footage...

There, I admitted it. I simply do not understand the obsession some women seem to have with shoes.

Admittedly, I have too many pairs, but that tends to stem from two things -

1. I am a pack-rat, and keep old, scuffed, sole-broken shoes loooong past when I should; and

2. I have a tendency to buy cheap shoes when I need them for something (usually work) and they are too uncomfortable/wear out too quickly, but, bringing us back to 1., I can’t bring myself to part with them.

That, and I pretty much refuse to wear heels. Oh, I own a nice pair of black heels, and a sexy red pair of shiny stilettos (which, in my defence, were bought after a traumatic breakup in an attempt to be a new, crazy woman). I also have one pair of boots with heels, which I will wear on occasion to work, as well as a pair I bought years ago because I was my best friend’s maid of honour. But that’s it. And do you know how many days a year I would wear those, altogether?

Less than my number of fingers, that’s for sure. Though, it was only in preparing that list that I realised how many pairs of heels I have, for a person who hates wearing them…

When I was a teenager, I was completely oblivious to any kind of fashion cares whatsoever. I absolutely lived in sneakers. I’m still fond of my sneakers, but I spend most of my time in plain black flat shoes for work – and as I am up and walking around for hours, comfort is my first priority! I have also become a convert to my rip-off pink crocs that I bought for $5 at a cheapie shop. They are just so darn comfy!

So – are you a shoe fashionista? Are your shoes – as a colleague of mine once said – your babies? Or are you like me and just have no idea what the big deal is?

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But everybody’s already written about the resolutions you should make – you know, like eating healthily or exercising… getting more organised…

So, I decided to take a slightly different perspective. Here’s a list of 10 New Years Resolutions . . . → Read More: 10 New Years Resolutions You Shouldn’t Keep (But Probably Will)]]> As the big ’09′ is just around the corner, I thought I should write a post about New Years Resolutions.

But everybody’s already written about the resolutions you should make – you know, like eating healthily or exercising… getting more organised…

So, I decided to take a slightly different perspective. Here’s a list of 10 New Years Resolutions that you absolutely shouldn’t keep… but, chances are, you will…

1. Get Terribly, Hideously Drunk

This is so, at 8am the next morning, when you are vomiting, you will be reminded as to why you should never get terribly, hideously drunk again. Should you?

2. Don’t dare attempt to take up that hobby you’ve been dreaming of for years

What’s the point? You’ll just spend lots of money to find out that you hate rock-climbing/fly fishing/glass-blowing/kite-flying/(insert hobby here). Oh, and you’ll meet new and interesting people and add to your life experience *shudder*. Just stay at home, nice and safe, and keep watching TV, my friend.

3. Ignore your dearest friends – and while you’re at it, your partner and kids, too!

They love you anyways, right? Why bother putting any effort into maintaining the relationship at all. If they’re really your friend they’ll be there to lend you $5000 when your uninsured car blows up and you need a new one right now!

Your wife? Eh – all the hard work is done! Just sit back and grow that beer gut, buddy! No-one needs to put any effort into keeping the other half happy once you’ve got them!

Don’t even mention the kids… they have the Internet to tell them what to do…

4. Eat whatever takes your fancy – and do it now!!

Mmmm… chocolate (please read beer if you are male). As much as you can eat. For ever. Doesn’t that sound like heaven? Of course that little piece (drink) won’t do you any harm… Diabetes happens to other people!

5. Make sure your job stresses you out!

You are so damn important that the cup of coffee you made wrong/sale you didn’t make/typo you missed will snowball and mean an end to humankind!!! The planet’s oceans will boil away! No-one will ever love/hire/smile at you again because you’re the harbinger of doom!!

Of course your mistake will still matter this time next year!!! Won’t it?

6. Watch too much TV

TV is your warm, fuzzy friend. It loves you! Never leave its side, or you might miss the Australian/American/Pop Idol finale! Or be the last to know what country Brad and Angelina get their next kid from! Shock-horror!

Of course the fact that you sit inert for hours each day, your eyes and attention mesmerised by a glowing lightbox, is healthy! This one really helps you stick to resolutions 2, 3, 4 and 8, as well, so it’s extra-important to keep!

7. Make promises you don’t keep

This goes for promises to others, and promises to yourself, as well. Let’s be frank – whenever you say “I promise”, everyone knows you don’t really mean it! And then they go and act all hurt and surprised when you don’t keep your promise! I mean, how dare they!

8. For heaven’s sake – don’t exercise!

Really,  there’s no solid evidence that it does you any good, right?

9. Buy whatever you want, whenever you want, and damn the credit card bill!

Recession? What recession? I’ll just keep spending… they money will come from somewhere! I can afford to pay my new $2000 TV off over 12 months – I only have to pay 18% interest. Oh yeah, and the $500 worth of clothes… and the new computer… um…

10. Keep making To-Do lists… and never finish them

Organisation is totally overrated. So what if you’re mobile phone is cancelled because when you got the bill you put it in the pile of already un-opened mail and forgot about it?

Just keep living on the fly, and you can look forward to endless messyness, disorganisation and frustration! Won’t that be nice

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This list, was, of course, written with tongue in cheek – but it also carries a message – especially to myself ! Some of these things I am notorious for, (number 10 in particular – ahem), and some I am lucky enough to have overcome.

So, do share! What’s the New Years Resolution that you shouldn’t keep?

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This is a question that I have long considered, especially as I’ve gotten older.

Blue eyed cuties by yo_heidi_gurl

Now, I work with kids, and I . . . → Read More: Do your children make you happier?]]> Subscribe or ‘follow’ Epheriell Designs during July 09 and go in the draw to win a $40 gift voucher to use in my shop – Epheriell. Details here.

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This is a question that I have long considered, especially as I’ve gotten older.

Blue eyed cuties by yo_heidi_gurl

Now, I work with kids, and I find that quite enjoyable. However, I have always maintained that kids are great… as long as you can give them back.

Being a parent has never been anywhere near the top of my to-do list, even though I am increasingly surrounded by family and friends who are having children of their own. When I tell people that I’m not really interested in having kids, they inevitably tell me that I’ll change my mind when I hit the magic Three-Oh.

But I wonder – will I? And even if I do, will having children make myself or Nick (my fiancé) any happier?

A number of people have written on this issue (The Happiness Project, Amelia Hill, Lorraine Ali) and have come to different conclusions based on their personal beliefs – but the research seems quite clear.

And the answer is no.

As someone with no plans to have children, this is a heartening find – though I can well imagine those of you out there who scoff at this finding, arguing that you love your kids more than anything, and can’t imagine being without them, and that *of course* they make you happier!

To be honest, though – it’s hard to miss something you’ve never had. I’ll use the analogy of siblings. I am an only child, and so have never known what it is like to have a brother or sister. But you know what? The vast majority of people that I have spoken to in my life have confided that I shouldn’t feel that I’ve missed out – because, apparently, having siblings is not all it’s cracked up to be. I take them at their word, but I’ll never know one way or another. It’s a similar thing with children. If I never have any, then all I have to go on is what I see around me, and the research and stories of others.

To be frank, most people I know who have kids (and, keep in mind I work with around 150 families) are constantly tired, frustrated, and worn out trying to run both their lives and their kids lives.

I think the one thing we can all, perhaps, agree on, is that once you have kids, your freedom is severely curtailed. You no longer have the time (or energy) that you used to, and your needs and wants go on the backburner while you take care of your child.

Call me selfish, but I love my life, and I don’t have a desire to sacrifice my current joys to parenthood – at least, not yet! I am the happiest I’ve ever been, I have a full life, and if I never have kids, I don’t think I’ll spend much time regretting it.

So, what is your take on this issue? Do your kids *really* make you happier? Or do you just want to believe they do?

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Here are a few of the sea glass pendants I’ve made people so far:

This one was for a good friend . . . → Read More: Handmade Christmas]]> Since coming over all crafty and all, I decided that it was high-time I made presents this Christmas. Obviously only for female friends and relatives, though, as I’m yet to crack the skill of making masculine jewellery!

Here are a few of the sea glass pendants I’ve made people so far:

This one was for a good friend and colleague, Liz -

This one I made for my assistant manager, Lydia, who happens to also be Liz’s sister -

And this one is for my partners, mum, Jenny. I know she reads this sometimes, so if so, hello, and I hope you like it

I’m still in the process of deciding what to make for my Mum… it’s a shame that purple sea glass is so rare, as it’s her favourite colour!

I’ve also bought a few handmade presents off Etsy, and hope to visit our local craft market this weekend to get any additional gifts. There’s something really fulfilling about buying hand made goods, and making things myself for those I love. There’s nothing like the feeling of watching someone open their gift and love it, and know it is something that you have dreamed up and created!

How many of you are making your Christmas gifts this year? Have you done this for a long time, or is it a new thing for you, as it is for me?

It hit me last night – as I lay awake at 2:30 in the morning, thinking about my jewellery designs and business – that I have found my passion.

I have never had a ‘proper hobby’ before – as in something that occupied my mind in my spare hours, that I . . . → Read More: Passion]]>

'Dark Rose' by Jessica Van Den

It hit me last night – as I lay awake at 2:30 in the morning, thinking about my jewellery designs and business – that I have found my passion.

I have never had a ‘proper hobby’ before – as in something that occupied my mind in my spare hours, that I loved to do – except perhaps reading.

I’ve always wanted to find that thing that drove me on, that I wanted to do whenever I was doing something else… and now I finally have! Part of me is hesitant to claim my craft as my passion. See, I have a terrible tendency to get really interested in something for a short time, and then forget all about it. This time, however, it seems to be sticking!

I think working across a number of different media helps. I get bored easily, and having a number of different things to work on means I always have something I want to be creating. My mind will leap ahead to what I want to learn – such as metal smithing – and will then hop onto a new earring design, before focussing on the next sea glass necklace (I sold my first sea glass necklace yesterday on Etsy – I was so stoked!)

It really increases the joy I have in my life, and starting to sell what I make – knowing that other people love it enough to pay for it!! – has its own special reward. The ‘day job’ I work in is education-related, so while I do get the satisfaction of seeing children grow and learn, I have never before made anything concrete and tangible.

Finding an online community of people who are equally passionate about what they create has opened up a whole new world for me, and I am very greatful to be a part of such a creative, friendly, and passionate group of artisans.

I’m hoping that what I create now will lead me towards bigger and brighter things, and that perhaps, one day, I could spend all of my time doing what I love.

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Visit Epheriell Designs tomorrow to read the first of a new series by guest bloggers – My Crafty Journey! Each Thursday, a new artisan will write a post outlining how they came to be living a creative life – and how they were drawn to their particular craft. Our first guest is Theresa Mink, of Classic Design, who has made the Etsy ‘Top Sellers’ list!

Here are my two, precious, pieces . . . → Read More: Lavender Sea Glass]]> Lavender is a rare colour for sea glass. It was originally white, but over time the sun reacts with Manganese used in the production of the glass! These pieces may, therefore, date back to before the 1940s! Apparently, if I leave them in the sun, the colour will intensify over time.

Here are my two, precious, pieces of lavender sea glass! I found the larger one just this weekend gone…

Lavender Sea Glass

It was great fun…

Our house-warming, November 08

Two of our good friends . . . → Read More: Housewarming and Wombling!]]> We had a lovely night last night! My partner Nick and I have been renting a lovely 3-bedroom house near the beach for a few moths, and we decided we wanted to have our family and friends to visit. So, last night was our housewarming!

It was great fun…

Our house-warming, November 08

Two of our good friends stayed the night, and we all went for a walk down to the beach this morning. It’s a windy day, but not a cloud in the sunny sky. Here’s what it looked like…

My local beach - Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia.

As always, I couldn’t help but cast my eyes to the sand! As it’s been very stormy here this week, there was lots of detritus on the beach, which, of course, equals fantastic sea glass and stone/shell/coral finding conditions. My haul was quite modest compared to what I’ve come back with some times. There were a few particularly nice bits there today – especially the awesome long, deep-green bit that Nick spotted!

What I Wombled today...

This is not my favourite collecting beach, though. I think I may have to head out this afternoon to the best beach I have found… but I’m keeping that one a secret!

I also finally got the chance to photograph some of my sea glass jewellery! I also wore one piece at the party last night (you can see it in the photo above), and it was really rewarding to have people notice and comment on it. It’s just so wonderful to create something you really love and are proud of

Hmmm, it’s almost 4pm, I think I’ll have to head down to the beach soon. It’s been such a lovely day after the crazy week of storms we’ve had here. Last night was perfect – no clouds, stars and a light breeze. We thought we might have had to postpone it, but we’re glad we didn’t! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, all!

This morning I took advantage of the good sunlight to . . . → Read More: A Fruitful Weekend…]]> It’s the end of another long week – but it’s been a fruitful one for me. After working six days this week, and fitting in little bits and bobs of my crafting when I could, it was nice to sit down this evening and get stuck in.

This morning I took advantage of the good sunlight to take photographs of some of my pieces that I will soon be putting up in my second Etsy shop – AusSea Designs. I have been squirrelling away making jewellery from sea glass, coral, shells, and sea stones… and all work of that nature will be for sale at AusSea.

After that, I spent a few hours cleaning up what had become of our study! After a trip to Bunnings, where we purchased all manner of things – and me, specifically, some more storage containers – I finished finding a place for everything! I then printed out some business cards and packaged my first two sales! Sneak peak – if you ever buy from me, this is what your package will look like…

A little Epheriell Package!

Then, just as we were eating our dinner to the sounds of the thunderstorm outside, the power went out! So, after a bit of knitting, I decided to make some earrings I had been planning for a while. This turned into two pairs of Triple Loop Crocheted Earrings, and one pair that I’m really proud of, and that took me ages – The Gypsy Rose Crocheted Earrings. Here’s a sneak peak… I’ll be photographing these and popping them on Etsy in a few days time..

New Crocheted Earrings

Finally, the power has come back on, so I was able to finish my instruction sheet for ‘how to wear your NeckWrap’, and hop on here to potter around before, hopefully, a very good sleep to prepare me for the massive week ahead!