Hazelnut Cottage

Studio Feature on Paper-n-Stitch

I have been trying out the fit over at the Paper-n-Stitch website for a bit, and through it, was able to meet Brittni, the founder and creative heart behind this indie venue. THANK YOU BRITTNI for the interview and studio feature on Hazelnut Cottage! It is a boost for the week that is much appreciated! :) To see pictures of my clean studio ! and to read the interview (along with a whole bunch of the coolest indies around...I don’t know how they let me in!), hop on over to the Paper-n-Stich blog! Yay!

Changes and Leaps: On Etsy, Life and More

{somewhere on the north shore of oahu, winter 2009}

“The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.” ~Agnes de Mille

Do you ever find that the longer you are gone, the longer you lay something down, the harder it is to come back? I feel as if I’ve been away from this blog (until recently such a beloved little space that I couldn't wait to get to...) for so long, all of this seems worlds away and I wonder if this little blog has outrun its usefulness, lost its sense of purpose?

These past few months have been rough, emotionally. The family is fine (so deeply grateful). However, my Etsy sales were down compared to last year and honestly, it makes me sad. Truthfully tho', I think my sales are simply a reflection of my divided heart...(more on this, below). Thankfully, my wholesale accounts were very busy indeed. Artwise, workwise, this year has been one of uncertainty and I am beginning to wonder if this is simply how I am built, wonder if I will ever walk around with the deep knowingness of finding work that feels completely “right”. I don’t know. Long story short, I am contemplating big changes over at my Etsy shop for 2010 and attempting to do so thoughtfully, mindfully...oh, just for so many reasons.

It isn’t so much that I’ve lost interest in what I do (handstamped jewelry) exactly. It is more a feeling that this was much needed beginning for me and that I am ready for the next step in the journey, tho' I can’t really say what that is yet.

Fears about success, choosing the 'right' venture, fears about failure, all of that has me feeling quite low these days. I have better moments to be sure, when I’m not focusing on my vocation, my calling and instead, focus on my little ones, my dear, sweet family and friends—then I’m okay. When I remember, “Oh yah! God is with me and He has a plan”, then I’m okay, but how quickly I falter.

My church family is also undergoing some painful trials, but I also see so much goodness, love and growth everywhere I turn. I am so grateful for my dear church family, I am so moved by people’s acts of generosity, tenderheartedness, meekness, and vulnerability. I am finding Jesus’ heart in the most unexpected circumstances and places. In the past few weeks, I have had some of the most authentic and heartfelt conversations of my Christian life with many people I had only known superficially until now. The love I have felt from my brothers and sisters in Christ has been palpable. Sometimes God has to refine us…oh, to keep my eyes on Him.

So, I’m still here. Still taking one step at a time, but at a much slower pace. And soon, more to share with you for sure.

Quiet Time

Can’t remember the last time I had the house all to myself. Quiet. Time to think. A leisurely shower with just Christmas lights for illumination. I must’ve stayed in there almost an hour, I thinks.

 

This time of year, for the last 3 years, I am always so blessed to be busy filling orders, and yet I struggle to maintain some semblance of balance and wish that I had unadulterated time just to simply enjoy this season, to celebrate advent mindfully, thoughtfully, slowly. And just like with taxes, every year I vow to “do better next year”, but somehow seem to repeat the same mistakes I made just the year before; underestimating inventory stocks, ordering supplies a bit too late, and all of the other very non-arty things that go along with running an etsy shop.

But all this pales into a petty little puddle when I consider the world and all its sorrows, its insanity and pain.

During this season—as busy as it’s been—God is creating in me a new heart. One that is more open to His nudgings, more willing to hug, more willing to risk saying that word of encouragement or gentle rebuke or words of love and appreciation. We are all such fragile beings, we are, us humans. Let us all remember this truth about ourselves, about others and may truth abound alongside grace and mercy, with love spreading its wings to the outer edges of our lives and those we profess to love.