what i want for christmas...

a couple weeks ago my mom sent me an email with a link to a store asking me if i wanted anything from it for christmas. that made me start thinking about getting and giving presents. i am allowing myself a little indulgence by making a christmas list. of 10 things.

For christmas, I want...

1. money towards a trip to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (i was there in April for my birthday and i am dying to go back "Best Friends Blog Post") This is what I want the most!

2. a beautiful yoga mat that is a longer length (Manduka 85 inches or Jade 74 or 80 inches)

3. these beautiful over the knee boots in brown

4. these weights...hand weights and whatever this is called (i might not use these on a regular basis, but i liked using them when i would work out in that way)

5. this Mad Men inspired dress and high waist pencil skirt

6. this prayer mudra t-shirt from ETSY seller ZenThreads (forest shirt with white ink)

7. Stila Lip Rouge in Pucker, Stila 24kt Gloss in Vintage Merlot and Stila Lip Stain in Cherry Crush

8. Rose Perfume (Moroccan Rose by The Body Shop, Rose 4 Reines by L'Occitane)

9. Essential Oil from Young Living (my faves are Acceptance, Clarity, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus)

10. a new white duvet cover (like this one from Target or Ikea)

Holiday Mission Statement for my ETSY store

I am participating in the "Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp" on the ETSY website. I would like to have more success on ETSY and sell more of my jewelry and accessories and I figure that doing something like this couldn't hurt. I think I do succeed more when I am accountable to someone or thing and this feels like a fun project.

My assignment for this week is to write a mission statement for the holiday season. Here is the written description..."So your second task this week is to write out a mission statement. Why are you working your butt off this season? What is your motivation?"
I am going to list some goals I have and reminders as to why I want to be successful on ETSY. I love lists, so obviously this will be in list form!

-I want to participate in craft shows this season. At least one small one and one big one.
- I have made 60 sales on etsy (and a few outside of etsy as well) I would like to be closer to 100 after this season is over.I am shooting for 20 more sales on Etsy and 20 more sales outside of Etsy (like at the craft shows)
- I would like to make enough money from Etsy to afford another trip to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
- I want to remember how much I enjoy creating. I want to carry this joy around with me even if I do not meet all of my goals.
- I want to feel happy with everything I produce and realize that my items are worth buying!

The Holiday Bootcamp Pledge

I, Carly Suzanne Westergard Dobson, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

update...

This is what I have been doing non stop the past couple weeks...




I passed my test and I am a certified yoga instructor. I will start writing on the regular very soon!

Day 16

"Someone or something you could definitely live without"


I could live without animal cruelty. I am so affected when seeing a dead or hurt animal or when I hear a story about abuse. When the ASPCA commercials come on TV I have to change the channel because I will be in tears in 5 seconds. The last episode of True Blood had a dog fight scene and I could barely watch it. It makes my heart hurt. It makes me feel angry at people. It makes me really really want to open my own animal sanctuary.

I think it was last year when I has sort of this realization about my relationship to animals. I noticed that whenever I saw and animal (primarily cats and dogs, but it extended to most everything else) I would get this feeling come over me. I would feel it in my gut. It was warm and exciting. I finally realized that it was LOVE. I have this automatic unconditional uncontrollable love for animals.

Day 15

"Something or someone you couldn't live without because you have tried living without it"

So there are obvious things I couldn't live without like air, water, food, etc. but I have not tried living without these things.


I don't think there is a real answer to this question. I think that human beings are strong enough to live without something they love (minus basic needs.) I thought that living a "normal" life after my dad died was going to be impossible, but I figured it out. I am living without my dad being alive...its not my first choice situation, but I can do it.


This question makes me think about people that have physical disabilities. I wrote my thesis on mixed ability dance, and focused specifically on dance companies that had dancers on legs and dancers on wheels. Throughout my research I came across many people with various disabilities who loved to dance and so they did. I wonder how they felt (if they remember) when they first met with their disability? I wonder if they thought that life was not worth living without my leg/arm/etc.? It makes me realize that people can live without things and still make it through life and not just barely.


I am going to say that there is nothing and no one that I couldn't live without. Again, there are things and people that I would be extremely distraught about if I lost, but I know I could make it. My yoga teacher told a story last night and the moral seems to fit right now...Its the struggles in life that let us know how strong we really are. Peace to all who survive the struggles.

Day 14

haven't updated in a while...life sometimes gets in the way. my blog just took a backseat to all of the other things going on right now. here goes my attempt to start it back up again...


"A hero who has let you down"

Im just going to be honest. I really can't think of anyone to write about. This is part of the reason why I haven't updated in a while...this blog topic stumped me.

Of course I have heroes, but I don't feel a huge let down from them. I also have people that I admire, musicians and artists, but they are not my heroes. Death from a drug overdose is not really a heroic way to die. I have been disappointed that people have given up on life, but these people are not in my real life so its hard for me to feel let down.

Day 13

"A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days (write a letter)"

Dear Death Cab for Cutie,

Thank you for writing the song "What Sarah Said." Despite the fact that I couldn't listen to it for a long time doesn't make it any less valuable to me.
When my dad died, I didn't want to listen to any music, watch any tv, read any books or do anything for that matter. I just wanted to sit and stare. Being in the hospital with him and with my family was an extremely emotional experience that I really can't put into words. Your song "What Sarah Said" really summed up what I had been thinking and feeling while being in the hospital for my dad.
I was inspired to choreograph a dance, which ended up being my Master's Thesis piece, because of a specific line from the song. "our memories depend on a faulty camera in our minds" It really made me think about memories and how they are not perfect or accurate. It takes work to remember someone and I really try and think about my dad everyday to keep things moving and not let the memories get stale.
"you were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all" is another quote that really really resonated with me. I miss my dad so much and it hurts a lot that he is gone and that I only had him for 21 years, BUT I am so thankful for those years that I had with him. I was blessed with an amazing dad and I am fortunate to have known him. I hate that he is gone, but I love that he was here.
Thank you for writing this song. Thank you for expressing words and feelings that I couldn't. Thank you for describing the ICU perfectly. Thank you for acknowledging that we can feel selfish for breathing around someone else who is dying. Thank you for noticing that the TV is on but no one watches it.
love and peace,
Carly


"What Sarah Said"
And it came to me then that every plan is a tiny prayer to father time
As I stared at my shoes in the ICU that reeked of piss and 409
And I rationed my breaths as I said to myself that I'd already taken too much today
As each descending peak on the LCD took you a little farther away from me
Away from me

Amongst the vending machines and year-old magazines in a place where we only say goodbye
It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend on a faulty camera in our minds
But I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all
And I looked around at all the eyes on the ground as the TV entertained itself

'Cause there's no comfort in the waiting room
Just nervous pacers bracing for bad news
And then the nurse comes round and everyone will lift their heads
But I'm thinking of what Sarah said that "Love is watching someone die"

So who's going to watch you die?..

Day 12

"Something you never get compliments on"

This is weird. I am not in the habit of fining things that I like about myself but others don't seem to notice. I just feels funny and out of place.

I think that I am a funny person. I feel like I have a good sense of humor and I make jokes and do funny things a lot. I don't really ever hear someone say that I am funny.

Honestly, it doesn't matter to me. I would rather focus on the things I get complimented on and focus on complimenting myself. Staying in that place of "no one ever tells me I'm this" is not where I chose to be. It seems negative...or at least I see it as negative for me.

Day 11

So me trying to post over the weekend didn't work at all! I am picking up where I left off...

"Something people seem to compliment you the most on"

Superficial...people seem to always say something about my skin. I appreciate my skin and I try to take good care of it, but I don't think it is anything spectacular. I think it is nice, but I dont think I would compliment myself on it.

Non superficial...People tell me I am a good listener. I first remember someone telling me that when I was 13. I never really thought about it through high school, but it is now something I try to practice on a regular basis.

Day 10

"Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know"

hmmm...

I really feel like those who I need to let go are basically gone. I try not to keep toxic relationships because it is not fair to either party. I don't need to keep people in my life that are not caring and loving and compassionate and giving. Those are all things I try to be and I choose people who share similar qualities.

Day 9

"Someone you didn't want to let go, but just drifted"

I am still in contact with some of my lovely friends from grad school, but not as good of contact as I want to be. The women I met in grad school are amazing. A lot of them stayed in the bay area and some moved farther away.

I don't think this means I have to let them continue to drift. I think it's funny that I have to write this post today because yesterday I got a phone call from a grad school friend who just moved to LA. Also another grad school friend will be in Anaheim this weekend. I think its a sign telling me to not let these friends drift away

Day 8

"Someone who made your life hell or treated you like shit"

For some reason this amuses me.

I don't think there is or has been anyone in my life for any period of time that made my life hell...maybe a specific ex boyfriend, but I am trying to forgive him...haha. Maybe if I write a little about the relationship, it will help me forgive.

This specific boyfriend was such a charmer. Lots of other girls liked him and I know plenty of girls that also dated him or "hooked up" with him. We dated for probably 8 months and I only remember 1 nice thing he did for me. He made dinner reservations at a fairly nice restaurant and paid for the meal. I remember MANY other times that involved us going out and him "forgetting his wallet" or trying to pay with a personal check. I also remember getting asked for gas money on a regular basis. Of course I don't mind paying sometimes or splitting the check on a regular basis, but I don't like when it is always on one person and I remember I was always the one to pay.
There was also constant pressure to have sex. Somehow I was strong enough to never give in, but it was a miserable experience. I was made to feel bad about myself and my choices in regards to sex. It was some sort of pressure almost every time we were alone. Maybe I am exaggerating in my head and it wasn't as often as I remember, but I trained myself to cry on command whenever the pressure got to be too much and then he would lay off.
I have NO idea why we dated for so long, but it was not a good thing. I hold such a grudge because it was suck a miserable experience. Honestly I was burned for a while...it followed me through the next guy I dated and stuck around in the following relationship for a little while.

I am focusing on letting go of that experience and forgiving. He was young and silly and it was a long time ago. He could be a different person now. It's a process. It's a hard process.

Day 7

"Someone who has made your life worth living for"

Do animals count? haha, but I'm mostly serious...

This one is hard for me for a few reasons...
1) I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by not mentioning them
2) Life is worth living on its own...because it can be spectacular
3) I make my life worth living for. I know that I have in the past relied on someone else to give me happiness and confidence and a sense of self, but I see now that maybe that's not the best way. There are people in my life who make my life better. I am so blessed to have beautiful friends and family who I adore each and every day. I love the time we spend together and even if we are far apart (some of my best friends are far away) I can feel their love constantly.

I make my life worth living. I don't know if that sounds selfish or conceded or maybe it's because I don't have a husband and children. I think that having someone else make your life worth living is walking in dangerous territory. What happens if they leave and your life's worth was wrapped up in them? Maybe it's because my dad died when I was young or maybe I have walls up. Regardless, right now my answer to this question is me. I make my life worth living and everyone else that becomes involved are wonderful perks to being alive.

Day 6

"Something you hope you never have to do"

I really hope I never have to make the decision to take someone off of life support again. We did this with my dad and it was the worst decision to have to make. Completely and utterly horrible. I would never wish it on anyone and I NEVER want to have to do it again.

Day 5

"Something you hope to do in your life"

This is hard for me because there are SO many things I want to do in my life. I will make a list (because I love lists) of things I want to do...

1) Travel to India to study Yoga
2) Live in the Bay Area again
3) See Machu Pichu
4) Try Veganism
5) Do a headstand without a wall
6) Swim with a dolphin/beluga whale
7) Work with animals
8) Choreograph a evening length piece
9) Go on another cruise
10) Do a half marathon or a small triathlon
11) Go to a fancy ball
12) Open an animal sanctuary with my sister in Orange County
13) Get married
14) Have babies
15) Get a PhD in Dance

So these are just the first 15. I have so many things I would like to do or try and even if I don't get to all of these things, it's ok. I feel like its better to have lots of dreams and hopes and wishes and not accomplish every one than to have none at all for fear of failure.

Day 4

"Something you have to forgive someone for"

Let's be honest...I can hold a grudge if I want to. I don't know why I can hold a grudge so well, but I can and I do.

It may sound silly but I want to forgive all of my ex boyfriends/ ex dates for any wrong that they did towards me. I was broken up with in a lot of weird and hurtful ways. If I think about them now, some of them still sting a bit. Letting them go is what I want to do, but it is a process. It all happened so long ago and it really doesn't matter anymore. I don't need to be best friends with any of these ex's, but not focusing on what has happened in the past will make hearing about them much more tolerable.

Holding on to all of that anger does not serve me. Grudges are pointless and take up extra space inside that I could be using for something else. It's really funny to me that I decided to do this blog exercise because a LOT of these answers are things I am currently working on and changing because of my deepening yoga practice. Yoga is really about self reflection and self improvement and because I am so immersed in it right now, all of these things are on the forefront of my mind.

Day 3

"Something you need to forgive yourself for"

For some reason I have a lot of guilt about things I shouldn't. I have been working on this a lot lately and it is getting better...but I am not perfect and I realize that change takes time. Not all the things I need to forgive myself for are things I want to write on a public blog...ha!

Logically it doesn't make much sense, but I still feel bits of guilt about it here and there. I need to forgive myself for going away to school and leaving my mom and sister. They made it without me and did brilliantly, but sometimes I feel badly that I wasn't there for them. Going to Oakland was one of the best decisions I have made. It was a wonderful time in my life and I do think about moving back there. I really need to forgive myself for this and get rid of the guilt because I know it doesn't make sense! Guilt can be such a useless emotion.

Day 2

"Something You Love About Yourself"

I love my ability to be caring and comforting towards others. I can make people feel safe and comfortable and un-judged. I love the fact that people feel like they can talk to me even though I sometimes get dumped on.

I care about people's feelings and I want everyone to know that they matter and are cared about. I think I am capable of doing this so well, because I take care of myself and learn about my feelings first. I am not perfect at that, but I try really hard to listen to what I need. I think that if you don't take care of yourself first, you can't actively help others.

Day 1

"something you hate about yourself"

First of all, I dont "hate" anything about myself. Hate is too strong of a word to use against myself. There are things I don't like, but I won't say I HATE anything.

Something I dislike about myself is my lack of motivation that sometimes overtakes may desire to do things. I want to do all sorts of things...go hiking more often, go swimming, take more dance classes, do laundry, cook more, try being vegan, volunteer more often, ride my bike etc. I just let my laziness get in the way of all of that. I get stuck in my routine of doing what I need to do and then making excuses as to why I am not going the extra mile or put it off until tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong, I do what is expected of my in regards to work and the like. All of my jobs get 100% and I don't put anything off until the next day. Like I said, I do what I need to do.

I think procrastination falls under this dislike as well. I totally put things off all the time. Even really dumb things like laundry or grocery shopping. I don't know where it comes from and I have been making extra effort recently to change this. My yoga practice has really helped me and I should probably tap into this more often to do what I want to do.

30 Days of Truths

The Curious Pug is participating in this interesting challenge and I thought it would be fun and a good way to get in the habit of writing more often!! Tomorrow will be day #1!!!

Each day I will write on these topics...


Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself.

Let me know if you are going to participate as well!!

Sneak Preview

Here is what I have been working on today! Not quite sure if it is done yet...

Daily Affirmation

Since beginning my yoga journey, I have started to compile a list of quotes and affirmations that I can tell myself or tell others in class when I start teaching. These affirmations are all about loving yourself and taking care of yourself. People treat themselves horribly most of the time...internally and externally. We say things to ourselves that we would NEVER say to anyone else. Why is it supposedly not ok to be nice yourself and show yourself some compassion?

Today I told myself "The greatest gift you will ever receive is the gift of loving and believing in yourself. Guard this gift with your life. It is the only thing that will ever be truly yours." --Tiffany Loren Rowe

i have not written in a while...

Update:

I started my Yoga certification training program. It is through Cloud 9 Yoga in Huntington Beach but it is being housed at Soul at Home in Tustin, CA.

After the first meeting I felt completely confident that I was making the right choice in so many ways. This program was the right choice. The timing is right. The location is perfect. I am learning so much about Yoga and about myself. I am feeling less judgmental towards myself and others. I am feeling more connected to my body and to the world around me. It has only been a week and I feel changed. I know by the end of this lovely program, I will be changed in more ways that I can count and I will be myself , but enhanced.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

A couple weekends ago my sister and I went to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT. We first heard about the sanctuary from the TV show "Dogtown" that was on the National Geographic Channel. The trip was a celebration of my 27th birthday.

I remember trying to think of something to do to celebrate, but nothing was sounding good because I was feeling a bit down on being 27. My body feels old and I know logically that I am not old, but having danced all my life I can see a glaring contrast between what my body could do when I was 2o compared to what it can do now. At 27 I am practically unemployed yet I have a Master's degree. I live at home with my mom because I can't afford to live on my own and my loan/credit card debt are large. In short, I was a little bummed about turning 27.

Anyway, the idea of volunteering at Best Friends just popped into my head one day and I brought it up to my sister. We both almost exploded with excitement and decided to go ahead and make a roadtrip out of it. The two of us have not really gone anywhere together...just the two of us. We get along wonderfully and she is my best friend, so we were happy to be going somewhere together. We are both HUGE animal lovers and the thought of working with animals all day made us want to cry with joy and excitement.

Getting to Best Friends on the first morning was so exciting, I dont even have words to describe it.

the welcome sign

The scenery in Kanab, UT is unreal. It is so beautiful and different then what we have in So. California. The dirt and rocks are red and when the sun hits them its like they are glowing.

where we ate lunch

We worked with dogs, cats, pigs and rabbits. The sanctuary is 3000 acres and has so many animals, there is a lot of work to be done. We did everything from poop scooping to sitting with cats for 3 hours. The people who work there are really friendly and basically will let you do as much or as little as you want. They just appreciate the extra help. My sister and I were happy to do literally anything because we were so elated to be there.

the first dog i walked, Saully

Buster Blue

I wrote about Buster Blue in an earlier post. We took him for a "sleepover" at our motel. He is the best dog!

walking Sprocket

Yes, I did take a pig for a walk. It was AMAZING. I couldn't believe some of the stories these pigs have...all sorts of abuse and neglect. They are truly beautiful animals!

Little Red

For my sister's birthday I gave her a sponsorship of a dog at Best Friends. I picked Little Red for many reasons, but mainly because she reminded me of my sisters pit bull, Faith. Little Red was rescued from Michael Vick (if you don't know about that situation, please inform yourself) She was supposedly used as a bait dog and had scars, both physically and mentally. She cannot be touched by volunteers, but the sanctuary was nice enough to let us see her. She is SO beautiful and small. I can't imagine wanting to hurt an animal like her.

Best Friends rescued 22 of Michael Vick's fighting dogs and has managed to adopt out 5 of them already! They are doing some amazing rehab work for these dogs!

sitting with one of my many cat friends

This trip was probably the best thing I have ever done. It was magical and inspirational. Don't be surprised if I move there. I can't wait to go back!

What I am working on...

I still have pictures to post from my trip to Best Friends, but I am on a different tangent today!

I am trying to find ways to organize my blog so I can update everyday. I making lists of different topics to write about...like every Friday would be Feature Friday where I would feature a different ETSY seller OR Fashion Friday where I would talk about something fashion related.

I want to make my blog a habit and I have heard it takes 21 days to form a habit, which is why I need to plan plan PLAN!

Here is a little photo of what I am working on craft-wise right now. I am obsessed with making fabric flowers!

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

I just spent 3 days in Kanab, UT volunteering at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. This shelter is a 3000 acre no kill sanctuary. The animals all have lots of room and have lots of staff to take care of them. Best Friends takes a lot of animals with histories of abuse, animals with medical problems, animals from hoarding situations and any animal that is in need. They are constantly going around the country rescuing animals from bad situations and do such great work. (They rescued the majority of the Michael Vick dogs) It was the most amazing 3 days of my life and I cannot wait to go back!

I will share my own personal photos and stories throughout the week, but I really wanted to share some of the dogs I met!
This is Bronnie...

Bronnie

She is a Shepard mix and is absolutely adorable! She loves to give kisses and play or just sit on a bed and be calm. She is really a GREAT dog! We were able to take her for a sleepover at our motel. She slept with my sister for the entire night and appears to be house trained.

This is Buster Blue...

Buster Blue

He is a Blue Tick Hound and is just amazing. He lost his front right leg after being hit by a car, but he does great without it! He is such a friendly and loving dog and would do SO well in someone's home. We also had him at our motel for a sleepover and he slept in my bed for the night. I would have taken him home if I had the space for more animals!

More animals and photos to come!

More friends on ETSY

Yesterday, I wrote a bit on my friend Jenn and her new shop/blog. I enjoyed writing about my friend so much I have decided to do it again.

This time we are talking about James Keniston. James is an artist from England, who now lives in Southern California. I have seen James use a variety of different mediums in different ways, but currently he is doing pen and ink illustrations of buildings. These drawings are so detailed and small and intricate. I think they are really great and are definitely personal to James.

Copyright James Keniston

His etsy shop is www.jameskeniston.etsy.com

He also has a personal website www.jameskeniston.com and a blog www.jameskeniston.blogspot.com

Friends

My dear friend Jennifer Geisert/Kenniston has opened a new ETSY shop and started a new blog. She is amazingly talented and she inspired me to open my own ETSY shop!

Her shop is called "The Pig and Pepper"and her blog is http://www.thepigandpepper.blogspot.com

Copyright Jennifer Geisert

She also has another lovely shop called "Sweetpea Studios," which is equally as great!

I have modeled some of her jewelry on both of her ETSY shops and it s all so beautiful and creative!

The ABC's of ME

I totally stole this cute idea from Curious Pug

The ABC's of Me

A-Age: 26...almost 27

B-Bed Size: Twin. Its too small for me and my dog

C-Chore you hate: Washing the dishes...I dont have a dishwasher

D-Dog's Name: Daisy!

E-Essential start to your day: COFFEE!

F-Favorite colors: Purple, Teal, Mustard Yellow, Black

G-Gold, Silver or Platinum: White Gold for sure

H-Height: 5'9-5'10...im not really sure

I-Instruments you play: I took piano lessons from age 8-18, but I dont remember much. I played the violin my senior year in H.S. and I can play chords on the guitar.

J-Jewelry you wear everyday: My claddagh ring and my celtic ring on my thumb

K-Kids: I know I want to have children...just not right now

L-Living arrangements: Living with my mom because I am so poor from grad school and there are no jobs for me

M-Mom's name: Pam

N-Nicknames: hey you

O-Overnight Hospital Stay: I had my tonsils out in 1st grade and I stepped on a sewing needle in H.S. and had to have it removed.

P-Pet Peeves: Lateness. Rudeness. Pressure. Just plain old meanness

Q-Quote: "I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)" e.e. cummings

R-Right or Left Handed: Left Handed!!!

S-Siblings: Little sister, Kayla

T-Time you wake up: Depends on the day...Mon and Wed- 9am, Tues Fri and Sat- 7am, Thurs- 6am, Sun-whenever!

U-Underwear: yes...always

V-Vegetable you dislike: none! I cant really dislike vegetables since I am a vegetarian...it would be waaaay to limiting

W-Ways you run late: I am not late. Once and a while it will be because of traffic...I am just never late.

X-X-Rays: I have had x-rays of my back, pelvis and foot. I had an MRI of my knees.

Y-Yummy food you make: I make a good lasagna. Tonight is veggie yellow curry.

Z-Zoo Favorite: ALL OF IT! Apes, Penguins, Dolphins, Walrus, Bears, Owls...I love aminals

Treasury!

I am currently in two treasuries on ETSY. They are both LOVELY and I really appreciate the creators including me.

KisforCalligraphy is the creator of this soft pastel pretty-ness "ooo ooo laa laa"

Crazyartdolls is the creator of this delicious lemony list "Luscious Lemon"

Please give them a look! The more you comment and click on each item, the "hotter" it becomes and the better the chance of it getting on the front page of ETSY!!

Thanks!

Updates

I havent updated in a while. I feel like its partly because I am lazy, partly because I have been busy and tired and finally, partly because I am discouraged.

I participated in my first craft show a couple weekends ago. It was really really fun and I actually sold a few items. I had no idea how I would do and I was surprised by the outcome!

My Booth

Me

I met some really nice people and it was nice to put an ETSY shop to a face!

JanieXY

Penrose Designs

In My Blue Room

New Etsy Items

Here is the actual listing for the green necklace...

Green With Envy Necklace

Also, a brand new card in For You With Love...

Springtime Card

Update and preview

I hurt my back on Friday and literally could hardly walk. Sitting at a computer was basically out of the question, which is why I wan MIA. Regardless, I am doing WAAAY better now and I want to post a preview of a new necklace I just finished!



This necklace is made with green glass round faceted beads, tiny clear glass seed beads and cream colored satin ribbon. I really like the finished product. I think it is elegant, simple and classic.

New Vintage Dress

I love Vintage clothes. I love when I find great vintage clothes. Most of the time I am at a Goodwill or some other thrift store and among all the horrid 1980's prom dresses I will find some treasure that has somehow been preserved. I just love it. I have a lot of vintage items to list...some from thrift shops and some from my sister's closet!

Here is the newest listing!

Vintage Blue and White Polka Dot Dress

New Listing!

All You Need Is Love earrings!

These earrings are so pretty and simple. I really love the stone and its vibrant saturated color!

These earring have been made with silver plated ear wires and chain. At the end of the chain hands a beautiful red glass faceted teardrop bead.

Measurements-

Length- 4 inches

All You Need Is Love earrings

Butterfly card

This sweet little card can be used as a gift tag or as a card to let someone know you care!

The base of the card is a beautiful blue color. The butterfly on the front is lightly sprinkled with glitter. The ribbon on the side is a deep purple.

Measurements-

Width- 4 inches

Length- 4 inches Butterfly Card

San Francisco

I am in San Francisco until Monday! Be back then!!


xoxox,
Carly

New Item

This item is not exactly "new" to my etsy shop, but somehow I misplaced this set of earrings and I recently found them again!

Tiny Dancer Earrings

I really love these earrings and I made a pair for myself. They are like my "go-to" earrings if I am in a hurry or just want a little sparkle to my dance clothes (which are always a little grubby)

Treasury

On ETSY, members can choose other members creations and make a collection called a treasury. They are pretty hard to come by but today I got one.

The title is "All You Need Is Love" and the theme is obviously love...haha

Here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=108718

Check it out if you have a moment!

Friday

Today consisted of a rehearsal at SAC where we had to call the paramedics. The student basically slammed the side of his head on the floor. It was pretty scary but he is ok.

I went to the grocery store to help my sister get ingredients for the dinner she is making tonight. The recipe is from Vegetarian Times magazine...Spicy Thai Tofu Soup. A perfect dinner for the weather that is happening right now!

A new item that will be listed on For You With Love very very soon...



I am still working on cards. Here is a preview of a card I am in the middle of...




Have a great weekend!

My other ETSY shop...

My other Etsy shop is up and running! For You With Love

Here are a few new items from For You With Love...

True Love card


World Map coasters

Gold Leaf Vase

Mailing List

In case you didn't already know...I am creating a mailing list for my ETSY store. It is mainly for Lovely and Amazing, but I will include a little of For You With Love. I will be sending periodic updates, advance notices on sales, special offers for mailing list members and previews of new items before they get listed in the shop.

If you are at all interested, please email me at "cdlovelyandamazing@gmail.com and let me know an appropriate address I can send email to.

I am really excited about this mailing list as I think it is a great way to spread the word about my creations.

Please sign up?

Im back

A few new items in Lovely and Amazing...

Life on a Chain necklace

Orange Flower hair comb

Blue Lace necklace

Want to sign up for my mailing list? You will receive periodic updates, special previews, advance notice on sales and exclusive promotions! Email me at cdlovelyandamazing@gmail.com to sign up!