Thursday, August 23, 2012

Craft For A Cure!

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This is a little make and take I will be donating to the Craft for a Cure event. Many of you know that I am a cancer survivor and this is a cause near and dear to me. In fact, I am willing to bet each of you has had a friend or loved one with cancer or you are a survivor! My friend and fellow artist has found a fun and meaningful way to raise money for breast cancer research. This one day event brings together many artists who donate their time, profits, and supplies to raise money. The event is held at a private home and each guest is pampered with a delicious lunch and amazing projects. This year the event will be held In Rancho Cucamonga  on Sunday October 14th.

Two of my favorite ladies will be joining us this year and sharing really special projects. Jenny Hernandez will be helping us create one of her darling birds! I just love all her characters, plus she is one of my favorite people!  Jenny puts a bit of herself in every whimsical piece. You will fall in love with her art and begin collecting her pieces as so many of us have.




The delightful and devilishly funny Karen Aguirre will be helping us create on of her paper cake decorations. She is an amazing artist and such a smart and funny gal. You will love her guaranteed! Her blog- Creative Chaos is also one of my favorites.





Seating is limited so please reserve your spot as soon as possible. Denise Hahn is the creator and curator of this event so please visit her blog, In My Blue Room, and look at the other beautiful projects and sign up.

Here is the link:


Thank you in advance,
Tara





Thursday, August 16, 2012

Out of Chaos Comes Clarity



The past 8 months have been a roller coaster in so many ways. Despite a few health woes in the recent month, the chaos has been banished. I have reclaimed my studio and created a nice workspace for making jewelry. After six months of Murphy's law ruling the day I was really ready for change. It is interesting to look back and see that emotional clutter turned into actual clutter. My stash of treasures became unorganized and seemed to take over my work space. 

As I have moved through all life could throw at me I have grown in so many ways. I have been nesting for the last two months. Organizing my treasures and supplies, getting rid of clutter, creating a beautiful and inspiring studio, redecorating all of my living spaces. I have learned to let go. I am a control freak by nature and admitting that there are things I cannot control is hard. Letting go is also freeing. I feel a sense of calm in our home now. The spaces reflect my husband and I and the things that are important to us. 

The change has definitely freed me creatively as well. For the moment, in the shine of the zen, I am not feeling the need to add grunge and patina to everything. For the moment I just want everything to shine. We cannot control the bad things that happen in our lives but we can control our response. We turn to many things for comfort in our lives, food, wine, mementos, objects from the past that have no place in our now, weight and clutter. All of these things just get in the way.  Love yourself, live healthy, create a space that is calming and free of clutter and enjoy all the wonderful things life has to offer. You deserve it!

Next step, making more time for friendships. It is the people that we surround ourselves with that make life so rich. I am treating myself to the Winter Wonderland Affair. A long weekend of  amazing and inspiring women, art, swaps and laughter. I cannot think of a better Christmas present! If you have not been to a Kim Caldwell event perhaps this spring you can treat yourself and begin your journey!