Time to share the wealth:

I'm sharing some of my TBEC (Tampa Bay Etsy Crew) members' blogs in July but decided to start a little early.

 

My friend and fellow team member, Tara, is going to be sharing our members links on her blog (cuz she's just awesome like that) which is why I decided to do the same and start with hers first. No product pics this time, just some links to perk things up this summer!

So if you'd be so kind as to join, comment on and share her blog, and others that you see her or there, with your friends, it would be very much appreciated! 
Cheers!

 

http://www.randomgoodsvintage.blogspot.com/

Well, here it is, nearing the end of June and still no full time job.  Resumes sent out every day, for months, applications have been put in, phone interviews done, one call back but the sadly, pay isn't what I can live on.  
Another resume sent out today and I've turned in my app at the school board for a different job so, fingers, toes and eyes are crossed for something to break loose...any day now!  The universe has been pretty darned good to me lately so I'm hoping this is a good sign that good things are on the horizon, just waiting for the right time.  But I'm ready now, Universe!  
Living at my sister's house in Tampa has been quite an experience for these last 4 weeks or so.  I'm swimming; a lot, eating raw, organic, smoothies, etc. and loving it.  Losing weight, albeit a tiny bit, it's a start.  First thing I want when I get a job and an apt, is a heavy duty blender!  Vitamix is out of my budget range but there are a lot that aren't and man, you can do so much with them!  
I'm also teaching a long distance friend about dieting for health, weight but mostly for living better and longer. Sessions include:

• Say goodbye to sugar, slowly, Oh yes you can
• Just say no to second helpings
• Portion control for God's sake!
• Smoothies aren't just about fruit
• See, I told you that you can't taste the kale
• Broiler ovens are your friend
• Get up and move!
• Just give it two weeks...you'll see

and finally:

• You're Welcome!  

So far he's purchased a blender and has a starter recipe, with options, to use every morning.  A few virtual butt kicks and he's off!  Hopefully the weight too and the diabetes will be under control or gone.  Not just small changes but major ones for him, but it can be done when you're willing and able. Very proud of my friend and cohort in hockey passion.  
Have a great rest of June ya'll, see you next month for an update.  

I'll be taking a bit more of a break....

My job at the school is over, I made a lot of new friends and enjoyed my time there so much.  Bittersweet day today leaving such great people but I know I'll see them again and I hope I left them with the same feelings as they left me with.

Thanks for everything, Perkins Elementary Family; from the "good morning" greetings every day, the daily visits to my office from so many staffers, lunch buddies in "the nook", PTA lunches and even inside jokes, to the last hugs good bye and choking back tears.  After only 2 months I felt a part of their family.

Now for the break part.  I'm moving to Tampa on a temp basis at least and possibly permanent if a job comes along.  I am hoping something will come up in Pinellas so that I can stay on this side of the bay but hoping doesn't pay the bills...so I'm applying all over to find the right fit.
Also, I had an accident last week, the guy behind me rammed into my car and it's been totaled.  I'm fine, but I wasn't exactly in the position for my car to be gone and under pressure to replace it at this point in my life.  No job, getting divorced, moving in with family to help with expenses and now car shopping!  But, I hope that will be taken care of this weekend so that I can check it off the list and move forward.

Just too many things all happening at once so I'm taking some time off of my blogging and my shops.  I will still keep the jewelry open but my photo shop will be on hold until I can concentrate on it as I should.

Stay well, peace and love,
Kari 

Saying good bye to March

So long March and thanks for the memories...but don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.  
It has been a hell of a year so far; some good, some bad but I'll take both.  How we handle and learn from mistakes, bad choices, wrong turns, and missed opportunities can speak volumes about our character and teach us so much about ourselves, if we choose to listen and continue to grow from all of those experiences.  
Recently I spent some time in Charleston to accompany my bestie while she went through the grieving process for her mom; the wake, the burial and the aftermath.
She did quite well considering all the other factors going on in her world and after I came home she had time to be alone and cry.  I know I'll feel the same when I'm faced with the same process; be strong, hold up those who are visibly having a hard time, endless handshaking and hugs...which are always wonderful and well received, but it's the emotions that we have for our family, that's the most guarded and the hardest to get to and for a good reason.  Those are very deep inside of us, safe and sound where no one can see them.  They come to the surface in times like this, in waves, sometimes for weeks on end.  Thankfully, in my opinion.
Coming home gave me a new appreciation and perspective of what I have, my family, my values and the tiny little place in world that I love and protect with all my might.  

It's now April and I feel happy, fortunate and blessed.  More on that when I'm free to expound but for now, it's the best I've ever felt.

Job Hunting and dreaming

Not that there's anything wrong with settling into something that feels comfortable but I was really hoping something awesome would just come along and sweep me away.  A new adventure, new career maybe, new locale.  Alas, I'm getting back into employment with the school board and I'm going to be happy in this.  I will be happy in this.  Rinse and repeat.
I know it's not the most exciting opportunity in the universe, but it's a job and there are far worse things out there (trust me on this, although some of you know all too well).  
Getting a full time job is my next step as this first one is just a foot firmly wedged in the door as a sub position until I can find a better paying more permanent position in the county.  Fingerprinting is done, paperwork is filled out..."processing" begins on Friday at 8 a.m. and then...the dreaded "typing test"! (which I aced) Lol.  "Piece o' cake", she said.  "No problema", she boasted.  Well, this girl isn't going to go in thinking like that darn it all, I'm practicing all week to get my typing mojo back since it's been a while since I've had the need for speed, or accuracy for that matter. 
Seriously, how does anyone type 75wpm filling in a computer screen?  Letters, maybe, but when's the last time you've banged out a letter like we used to write in high school typing class?   Yes, I do mean old school typewriter typing!  It's been 40 years and lots of carbon paper and white out ago but I still remember what was drilled into my head. every. single. day.  asdf asdf asdf, the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.  And on and on.   
But I digress.  
The foot in the door will open up a few more opportunities to apply for jobs within the system rather than from outside the system, so there really is a method to my madness.  Seriously, there always is.  Doing what I have to do now, to get to where I want to be one day. One day soon.
Maybe that "one day" I'll have that little art gallery, a comfy hangout spot/have a cuppa/art consignment/artist space/bring the kids/bring the dogs/bring a book and hang out all day/listen to music.  But not today, or tomorrow...but one day.  
Namaste 

As a side note, I do have a job as a sub at a school, doing what I used to do so.  It's coming back slowly but surely but still a challenge after 4 years of being away from it all! 
 

One thousand sales...here we come.

I'm nearly there, four more online sales to go!  
It's been a long 8 years on Etsy and many of those early  years we weren't really encouraged by Etsy to do a lot of shop promoting, giveaways, I didn't have a clue what SEO was, nor did we need to, right?  
But times change and we have had to roll with those changes and learn new business skills along the way, like SEO, Google settings, marketing and promotions.  Those changes and additions plus doing in person shows as I can manage them now and joining great teams have been a huge boost to my online presence and success over the past few years especially.  
My sincere thanks go out to my many customers around the globe, loyal followers on my Facebook pages and the shops and my fabulous team members for their support.  TBEC (Tampa Bay Etsy Crew) is the best most giving and supportive team of artisans and craftspeople I've ever worked with. 
Thank you for the cross-promos, online and in person support, sense of humor (and boy do I mean that) in the tough times and just about every aspect of doing business with life challenges packed in between.
Here's to the next 1,000 sales, the next learned skill, the next show, then next new friend, many more years doing what I love. 
 

Upcoming Holidays

St. Patrick's day is coming up soon!  It's my favorite holiday next to Christmas and definitely a celebration of my Celtic heritage.
Being a proud lass of U.K. and Irish descent, I've add some Celtic jewelry to the shop, so please stop by the shop and take a look! 
Here's a quick link to the Holidays section: 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/
MaravillosaJewelry?section_id=16739805&ref=
shopsection_leftnav_10

The next holiday will be Easter and then Mom's Day! Be sure to check out the shop again for some new things coming!  

Of course, shopping early is always encouraged, as we all know how fast time flies, right?!
www.maravillosajewelry.etsy.com