work. life. time.

work has been zapping all my energy so i have little left to do anything post work. my work isn't all that stressful or energy consuming - i guess it's just the natural 'getting back into the swing of things' feeling i'm experiencing.

working in a hospital has been interesting. i find myself washing my hands SO OFTEN which i know is good and important but i also find myself getting a bit anal. worried about catching germs. i certainly don't want to bring anything viral back home so i guess being anal about this is okay.

aside from work, the hubby and i went to governor's island last sat. it was fun to trek out to a new land - via a free ferry and explore the grounds. i was too tired so i rested on a chair while the hubby ran around looking at barricks and the such. boys will always be boys. :)

on monday night, the hubby and i went out to flushing for our annual trip to the US Open. i don't go to many sporting events (whose got the money to these days?) but i do so love the US Open. it's filled with energy and life and the night session matches are exciting. this year was the first time we left a bit early because i am now a working gal and needed to get my rest.

starting next monday, i start my other PT job at the private school. i'm teaching 2 classes - one with crochet, sewing and jewelry making and the other with sock monkeys. fun right? :) i'm a bit worried at how i'll manage everything but i'm hoping that i can do it once i get myself organized. 

i've been praying a lot more which has been really nice. i have a 1 hr commute to work and instead of sleeping the whole way, i've been reading the Bible and then writing in my prayer journal. it's been so nice to have a moment to spend with God and try to hear Him more. it's been a long while since i've been consistent in my time with Him and i'm really glad that i have the 'excuse' of a long commute. i hope to experience and hear God more as i try to dedicate each morning with Him. 

hopefully more jewelry to come - but seriously, i'm so pooped these days. it's been really hard to get myself motivated to do more 'work' post work. 

good night everyone! time for this one to sleep...

{new items!}

this week starts my tues-sat schedule. it's sad that i need to work on sat's but i did so enjoy this first monday off. being productive on a free day makes me feel so great! today i did laundry in the a.m. and then went to work making jewelry. making jewelry absolutely frees my mind and spirit but it does take quite some time. i was only able to make 2 pieces but 2 is still more than none! so i'm happy. take a look here and if you want to see more -- head to my shop! feel free to use link to the right. :D

autumn petals . necklace $46

rain drops on roses . earrings $28

{a walk in the park}

i haven't been feeling very creative these days since i've been somewhat overwhelmed and exhausted with a new job. this afternoon, the hubby and i took a walk in central park. such beautiful things before us. 

{time is precious}

so sorry i've neglected you. my friends. time is indeed so precious and suddenly i find myself with so much less of it. can you believe i haven't touched my jewelry creating in almost 3 weeks??? craziness!

it has been a very busy time. i got a job. then the husband and i went to cabo for a last minute trip before i started work. cabo was beautiful. :) it was lovely and relaxing. my very first time at an all inclusive resort. ah. :) such a simple and easy life. wake up. have a buffet breakfast. put sunblock on. go to the pool. read. sleep. sit. sweat. go in the pool. swim around. play. put more sunblock on. :) ah... quite the life.

i started my job this past monday. it's been filled with learning and new things and challenges... a little scary but important for me to just throw myself into it. and so i've tried to do just that. my coworkers are nice so that's quite the blessing.

btw... the winner of the rebeccabeersmiller handknit bracelet was selected at random. congrat's cindy! rebecca has been notified and if she hasn't already, will contact you shortly.

more to come, hopefully sooner than later. drop me a line so i know you're still here with me. :) blessings!

{worthy wednesday} giveaway!

in this etsy community of known screen names and unknown faces, it's extra special for me to feature my "real life" dear friend, Rebecca. rebecca and i went to graduate school together to study the fine inklings and skills of art therapy. she was always one of those super friendly easy to talk to gals and we hit it off rather quickly. it wasn't until Christmas break of our final year though did we make an even deeper connection. whilst sitting in the barnes and nobles by NYU, she shared with me that she had chosen to re-dedicate her life to Christ. to this day, i still remember bursting with joy from within.

not only is rebecca awesomely sweet, kind and energetic - but she is truly an artist. in every sense of the word. she exudes 'art'. if you knew her, you'd know what i mean!

after opening up my etsy shop in jan '09 and loving & sharing "all things etsy", i'm so happy that my talented friend has opened up her etsy shop, rebeccabeersmiller, as well. she is very new to Etsy, so please show her some wonderful love and take a look around. if you love what you see, spread the word. or better yet, buy something! :D

a little bit about...
"I am a 32 year old artist, art therapist, art educator and clinician, as well as wife to a wonderful man and poet, David and cat mom to Nala. I have many, many interests and passions in life. High up there is my love for art, which has always been a defining part of my life and which I truly believe is a gift from God not to be underestimated. And because I believe that God is just, I believe strongly in working for justice, and that art, with its incredible power to move, inspire and heal, can be a great part of that."

"Currently, I work as an art therapist with teens with emotional and psychiatric disturbances, but really that's just a label. These are kids who have had bad- even horrific- things happen to them and now, rightly so, they're extremely angry and are acting out against the system and worldly authorities that failed to protect them. Jesus spoke passionately about the importance of society caring for and protecting its most vulnerable members, and so, in this way, I like to think about what I do as radical Kingdom work. As an artist and therapist, I hope that my passion and companioning will translate to them and help provide an outlet for self-expression and healing."

"I have to credit New York City, a place I love dearly and have called home for the last 10 years, for my latest venture into jewelry design. If it were not for my long commutes in this vast metropolis, I probably would not have the time to dream up and create my jewelry pieces!"

"My current jewelry work is rooted in my experiences as a knitter. Over time, I have challenged myself with different materials, which led to my current obsession with wire. The interesting thing about wire as media is that, though it can be bent, it essentially maintains a fixed tubular shape. However, in conjunction with more of itself it becomes a pliable form. It also has properties that make it hard to control and, in this way, working with this media is like an exercise in learning to let go."

"I started my Etsy site just a few months ago after friends and strangers on the train began commenting on my pieces and requesting to see more. I consider each of my jewelry creations as mini art pieces."

"Because another one of my passions is working towards justice and freedom for victims of sex abuse and trafficking, I donate a portion of my proceeds to Restore, a New York City non-profit that helps women escape enslavement from the sex trade. You can learn more about Restore's crucial work at Restore NYC.

{giveaway} Lady Chloe Bracelet

this beautiful bracelet is made with a thick gauge of brass, making it very sturdy, and tiny tortoise shell glass beads with celadon/black and itsy bitsy purple metallic seed beads. it attaches with a fancy gold plated triple barrel slide clasp. measures approximately 7" in circumference (which, how perfect!, is the average wrist size of a woman).

to enter:
for one entry, take a look in rebeccabeersmiller's shop and my shop. leave a comment telling us your favorite item from each shop. leave your contact info as you'll definitely want to be contacted if you're the winner!

for additional entries, follow my blog, become a fan of my FaceBook page (where you will be the first to learn of special discounts and updates), post about this giveaway on your blog, twitter about this giveaway or buy something from either of our shops. :) the last gains you 5 extra entries! make sure to leave a separate comment for each. there is no limit so enter as often as you wish!

since i will be away from 7/24-7/31 {in los cabos!!!!}, this giveaway will run til friday july 31st at 11.59pm (EST). that means more time for all of you! :) wonderful news, indeed.

{the winner} of the amazing Paco+Lupe bag chosen at random by random.org is k.ro! :) congrat's! i've informed the featured artist and she should be contacting you shortly. you are one lucky gal!

{production}

bohemian summer . earrings $36.oo
pacific dusk . earrings $30.oo
sea flora . bracelet $28.oo
heavenly bliss . earrings $28.oo
joie de vivre . earrings $28.oo
summer breeze . necklace $30.oo

{giveaway} paco+lupe

i am so excited to share this week's giveaway with all my readers that i've decided to begin it a few days earlier. :P {on a general whole, i was thinking it'd be nice to provide a longer giveaway duration - so these hump day giveaways may be here to stay!}

one day whilst etsy stalking, i came upon paco+lupe. i thought their handbags were the sweetest most wonderful things so i asked if she would let me feature her and provide a giveaway on her behalf. lucky for me {and you!}, she agreed. below is a look at some products and "the face" behind paco+lupe.

A little bit about…

Hi, my name is Celia. I live in the suburbs just west of Montreal with my very supportive husband, Csaba, and my darling cat, Joya. I started Paco+Lupe back in June 2007 so it’s been just a little over two years since its start. I specialize in home décor (pillows, quilts) and handbags. I design and make my own bag patterns. Putting pieces together, that’s the best part of designing. Picking out which fabric to use, that’s the self-indulgent part of my job. I confess, I am a fabric-freak. But before all this began, I worked for a big IT company as a senior consultant for almost 13 years where I was doing management and “techie”, “geekie” stuff. Yes, I am a geek as well. Why the big change? Even though I enjoyed that career, it eventually reached a dead-end. I was no longer growing from it. After thinking very hard, I changed my life drastically…as well as my husband’s. I could not do this without him AND the support of my friends, who are my biggest fans. So, why not go towards something that will make you happy? Yes, it is a lot of hard work owning my own business but it is rewarding.

Q: What is the passion on your heart or your burden for this world?

Oh my, this is a really tough question. I can not choose just one passion. Living to love my family and friends.

However, there is one thing for me that is both a passion and a burden. How to have more compassion in this world? My paternal grandmother used to say to me: Do to others what you would have them do to you. I think this is called the “Golden Rule”. If we just remember this rule and learn to apply it everyday…can you imagine?


{giveaway} Fields of Joy (Java) bag.


to enter:
take a look in Paco+Lupe's shop and in my shop. comment on what your favorite item from each shop is. that's one entry! :)

for additional entries, follow my blog, become a fan of my Facebook page (where you will be the first to learn of special discounts and updates), post about this giveaway on your blog, twitter about this giveaway or buy something from either of our shops. :) the last gains you 5 extra entries! make sure to leave a comment with what you've done. there is no limit so leave as many comments as you wish! also, leave your contact info as you'll definitely want to be contacted if you're the winner!

giveaway runs til tuesday july 21st at 11.59pm (EST).

{winner} of last week's giveaway by random.org is beth. congrat's!!! :) the featured artist and giveaway provider has been informed and will contact you shortly.