Working on some things :)

So my New Year's resolution is still going strong.  I'm still working on me and getting back to the me that I want to be.  So far so good. 

One of the biggest parts of that is making changes in me to make me happier.  I'm letting go of somethings and embracing others.  Letting go for me is kind of hard.  I've learned to hold on to angers of the past as reminders of what I don't want in my life.  But I think by holding on to those reminders I've held myself back.  Kept myself in a constant source of pain even though I never really thought about it that way before.  So I'm letting go.  And it feels good.

I'm working on some things here at the house.  Cleaning out and clearing out...slowly.  Working on things with Gracie...trying to get her on a more regimented schedule with time limits to hopefully help with her ADHD and making new friends.  And I'm working on new pieces of jewelry and working on clearing out some old inventory.  I'm doing a silent auction on Facebook...ends tonight...to help with that.  Here is the link to that album:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/87995055/sale-30-off-new-life-oceans-keeper

So I just keep on working on things...and so far, I'm liking the results.  :)
(Here is one piece I just finished...not listed yet)

Out with the old, in with the new

All the decorations are down, put up till next Christmas.  It always seems so bleak the day after taking down the tree.  Some decorations went out as we didn't use them this year, making their way out as donations. 

Keeping with my back to me theme I set up a massage yesterday for a couple weeks from now and I'm really looking forward to it.  Pretty excited about the fact that this Friday I'll be getting my first facial in probably 5-6 years (thank you dad for that awesome Christmas gift!).  And I set up for 2/1 my first ever microdermabrasion (thank you hubby for the amazing Christmas gift...this and the massage).  And I bought a new scale yesterday...that I have yet to venture upon...gulp! 

I'm getting ready to weed out my clothes yet again and get rid of some of the old stuff.  And go through kitchen stuff and my desk and do the same.  I always feel in that mood in the first of the year.  Out with the old.  :)

Same goes for my shop on Etsy.  I'm trying to clear out some of my older stuff so I can make some room for new.  I have some big sales going on, including 4 items I just put on 50% off sale last night:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85479123/50-off-sale-captured-love-untraditional
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84890261/50-off-sale-enrapture-loving-gift
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88457395/50-off-new-life-lifes-celebration
http://www.etsy.com/listing/87010340/50-off-adorned-flutter-genuine-green
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88296987/50-off-sale-lush-baubles-stunning-round

And I just sent out my first news letter yesterday for DirtyGirlDiamonds.  It is a once a month email news letter that I'm putting together.  I think it turned out pretty well.  And of course, if anyone reading this would like to get on the list just shoot me an email at dirtygirldiamonds@yahoo.com
I have special promotions, event updates, whats new in the world of DirtyGirlDiamonds, and more in it.

I was pretty slack and missed my Monday and Tuesday blog (gonna have to set a reminder lol) so I missed posting my Shout out Saturday from Facebook.  Something I am doing every Saturday to showcase businesses that I like be it from Etsy or elsewhere.  Here was this past Saturday's shout out:
Hoku Gallery
If you love beautiful handmade jewelry (which face it, you do or you wouldn’t be here lol), you really need to check out what is being made by Diane Gerbert-Ballum. Diane has a shop on Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/shop/hokugallery, where she has some of the most beautiful creations. My personal favorite is Teal Rainbows (check it out, AMAZING). From NH, she lived in HI for 18 years but moved back to home 3 years ago to be closer to family. She is married with a step son and has 3 grandsons. She started making jewelry back in 1990 and has just started teaching herself chainmaille…check it out, it absolutely amazes me! She buys only the best components she can for making her jewelry, and takes pride in doing the best work she can. Don’t forget to find her page here on FB and like it (let her know you saw her Shout Out on here): http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoku-Gallery/218473754830433
 
I'm also getting ready for the silent auction that I am doing on Facebook next Tuesday.  (I'll talk about it more tomorrow)  So I better get off here and get to work on those items as I still have 2 to finish.  :) 

And I just finished up a custom piece.  I LOVE the way it turned out!!

Holidaze and the recovery

Christmas and New Years seemed to fly by.  Partially because of things that never should have been, but also because of great times with family.  I was able to make a few things of those days, but even more since.  That was all thanks to lots of deliveries made to me during that time.  But for the most part...all of that time is now a daze.

I have several new things I am working on...a silent auction that will be on facebook sometime before the end of January to help my favorite pet rescue group, Shout Out Saturday where I will be doing special shout outs to businesses on FB that I personally like, Facebook Fan 50% off Friday sales, and special sales each month on hand picked items on Etsy...plus finding shows so I can get out there more. 

And then there are my New Years resolutions.  I decided to do things a bit different this year with my resolutions.  I made just one biggie....to get back to the me I was and want to be again.  For me that is so much more than the normal loose weight, get fit, get organized, etc...that is to get back to the me that I liked best.  The me that was more outgoing, stood my ground and put up a fight if necessary, didn't take sh*t from anyone unless I deserved it me.  I will not allow myself to fall into a passive quiet shadow that I was falling into...I'm going to be the stand up for myself woman that I had been.  And anyone that doesn't appreciate me being me can, well, get over it.

So I'm working on that...and it is a slow process.  When you tell yourself so long that you aren't that person anymore because you don't see that person in the mirror any longer, it takes a while to get back there.  Work in progress, work in progress, work in progress...my mantra LOL

But I will do it.  Just as I've rediscovered my love for making jewelry, I am going to rediscover myself.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday time and that you are finding the New Year bringing you all that you long for.

A new piece just added today...well actually...6 :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85488116/captured-love-key-to-heaven-open-cage