A Snow Day = Pajama Work Day

When I woke up to snow this morning (the last day of Winter), and discovered all area schools were cancelled as well as my metalsmithing class, I decided to declare a Pajama Work Day for myself.  It's one of the perks of being your own boss.  It's also something I learned about from my youngest grandgirl, who loved it when she had pajama day at preschool a couple of weeks ago.

I spent time researching and working on a few designs for my new line of Newborn Photography Photo Props.  Needless to say, I was in creative heaven.  And when you can't find a pattern on line, you make your own, don't you? Well, that's what works for me, so I assume I'm not alone.

Here are a few of the things I worked on today...

 Butterfly Barefoot Sandals which I cannot wait to see on some sweet baby's feet!

 Flower Barefoot Sandals with ribbon ties are made with Vintage Antique Mohair yarn.

The Denim Mist Newborn Boy Visor Cap is so cute, but it really needs a wooden button on the side...which I will add once it stops snowing and I can get to the store without risk of running off the road.

Besides creating these pieces, I've also been working on a photo prop baby hammock/basket liner.  As soon as it's done, I will post a picture.  June Lamson Photography will be photographing some of my props - I just can't wait for some professional pictures, since a photographer I am NOT!  By the way, go ahead and "Like" her Facebook page - June Lamson Photography - you'll love seeing her work even if you don't live in Florida.

More later...I promise!
Carole  

A Sneak Peak at Another Collection

When I was deciding on a name for my jewelry business and trying to create my logo, I was advised by a then student at Watson College of Art in Nashville, (my favorite Guy) to keep the name non-specific to jewelry so I would have room to add different "collections" to my business.  At the time, I waffled on that idea because I couldn't think of anything else I would want to do.  But, I listened, and now I am very grateful that I did so.

It was my sister, June, who inspired me to try my hand at jewelry......and it sure came in handy when, two years ago, I stopped getting into my car at 7:30 every morning to begin my day as a Manager of Direct Marketing.  I'll stop here to admit that I have not yet declared official retirement......in my own mind, I'm not old enough!

Recently, I was sitting listening to Beth Moore present a weekly Bible study from the Book of James.  She said something that hit me......hard.  Since my memory can no longer recall verbatim, the gist of her message was...sometimes our closets indicate we might be "hoarders."  I tried to dismiss the conviction, until the very next day when I went to one of my many, very full closets to find some fabric with texture for a metalsmithing project.  There I spotted four baby afghans that I had made but never gave away.  Now I'll stop again to say...I did not make these afghans for myself!  When I made them, there were a lot of young ladies in my life having babies!

The day after I had discovered the baby afghans in the much too full closet, I was working through that day's study.  My sister was heavy on my heart, so I decided I should call her.  While talking, I asked about her new venture......a photography business.  And let me just say, she's got a great eye for this type of thing!  She's creative and I love her work!  The thought came to me that maybe she could use the blankets for newborn photo shoots.  I sent her some pictures...she welcomed the idea...and then began the brainstorming for another collection - Newborn Photography Props!  (Knitted and crocheted blankets, cocoons with caps, hats with flowers, headbands, tutus of every color with a matching tutu bear, word bracelets for wrists or ankles......Oh my, it's endless.)

So......in the very near future, I will be introducing Newborn Photography Prop Sets and will add them to my Etsy page.  June Lamson Photography is my very first customer.  Two boxes were shipped to Port St Lucie, Florida on Friday and should arrive by the end of this week.  I just can't wait to see her beautiful work coupled with my work...it all seems like a match made in Heaven!

Let me just share one of her newborn photos with you so you can see what I'm talking about......(and this one makes me smile!)

And here is a picture of one of those four original baby afghans in the box soon to be photographed by June Lamson Photography...

There's so much more that I have yet to photograph......"a woman's work is never done!"  So, if you are a photographer, or you know someone who is......please contact me for some very original newborn photography props!

Carole

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friend

Yes, it's been almost nine months since my last blog entry, and as I attempted to spruce up my blog design, I panicked when I couldn't remember how to navigate templates, backgrounds, fonts, centering, photos and links, so I decided to put in a call for a helping hand.

What does one do when they are desperate for help?  Yes, you guessed it...I sent out an SOS to my friend, Tracy T.  Tracy helped me set up my blog two years ago...and since she blogs DAILY, I figured she could give me a remedial training session to get me going again!  (I can only aspire to be the Blog Queen like my friend!) She even made her blog for today about our time together this afternoon. Check out Mainely Tracy's entry...you'll get to see me at work! The picture might have been taken right after we bravely changed some HTML code.  Wow, that was a little stressful!

Not only do I now have a new look to my blog, I also have the "Blogsy" app for my iPad so I can compose a new blog from that as well.  (No excuses, huh?) Maybe I'll be brave enough to do it from there soon.

I will admit that there is a motivation for refreshing my page.  I am getting ready to launch a new "Collection" to C J Collection...we're not just jewelry anymore.  In my next blog post, I will talk about my new line...but you might already have picked up on it if you read my new blog description in the Blog Header.  I am always excited for opportunities that take me deeper into my "creative world"...I sometimes get lost, very lost (just ask my hubby)...and if I'm honest, I don't want to be found.

All-in-all, I feel very accomplished today.  Learning new technology stuff is always a stretch for me, and Tracy is so patient!  Tons of love and thanks to Tracy for getting me back on track! 

And as Pete the Cat says, "It's all good!"

Carole