Studio Tunes : Old Skool Classic, The Fugees

Kickin' it old skool in the studio this week! The Fugees radio on Pandora is my go-to get motivated station.



Dancing in my desk chair? You know it!

Studio Tunes : Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

A bit of what I've been listening to in the studio....



Enjoy!

Studio Tunes : The Devil Makes Three

Definitely been listening to The Devil Makes Three.  You know I love me some good pickin' tunes!

Happy Monday!

Studio Tunes : Yarn

This is how we do Monday mornings.....  

I've been listening to Yarn for a little over a year now and I'm excited to say that they are finally coming to Cleveland! Gavin got tickets for his birthday to their show at the Beachland Ballroom, so if he chooses to take me (eh-hem) it oughta be a great high energy pickin' show.... just the way I like it!

Yarn : Tennesee

Studio Tunes : Shovels and Rope

I just have to share.... I've been hardcore JAMMIN' to Shovels and Rope the past few weeks.  In the studio, in the car, in my head - I've been taking them everywhere and they are just a rockin duo.  They are on the fast track and I highly suggest giving these two a listen.  They will BLOW.YOU.AWAY!!!  

The whole album is fantastic - Birmingham in the first song you'll grow to love:

And then you'll be hooked on their energy, their insight, their sound and Cary Ann's "Joplin-esque" voice.

Here's a nice 19min clip that's a solid preview of their album. If you have time to let this play in the background while you work (or facebook), you should.  Simple as that.

Oh, Momma.....

As some of you know, things have been a little scary around here.  My mom had a stroke back in January. By the grace of God and the good lovin' Universe the side effects were so minimal that she was back up and running within several weeks. Her recovery was amazing and we are so blessed all things considered.

However, her doctors were determined to find the cause seeing as she's in perfectly good health and all tests they ran came back leaving a huge question mark ? on the problem.  The final test they ran was an angiogram. An angiogram is an X-ray test that uses a special dye and camera to take pictures of the blood flow in an artery or a vein. The angiogram found a cluster of abnormal veins in her brain that connected parts of her blood flow to another artery therefore redirecting blood to other places within her brain. These veins were also collected blood in certain spots which as bound to cause to an aneurysm if not taken care of NOW.

A blast from the past! Mom and I circa '04 at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

They scheduled a procedure called a cerebral embolization. In embolization procedures, physicians use image guidance to fill AVMs with liquid embolic agents (similar to fast-sealing glue), thereby treating the presenting symptoms, and preventing new ones.

Here's a great website that tells more: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=dc-embol

The complications and risks were huge - everything from blindness to paralysis to another stoke right on the table. And if they weren't able to block the flow of blood, brain surgery would've been required... of course, leading to a million other incredibly scary outcomes.

It's important to have faith and trust in the Universe. 

Everything about this issue, all the bits and pieces leading up to this moment all fell in line, right down to moving to Cleveland years ago and having access to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the most prestigious hospitals in the world. Had we not already lived here, we probably would've travelled to Cleveland for the procedure.

It was a long and grueling day in the waiting room.  My emotions were like a roller coaster.  My mother is not only my best friend but she raised me as a single mother and I'm her only child.  We are all we've ever had and all we've ever been able to depend on.  I'm so lucky and so fortunate to not only know this woman but to be a product of her.  She is the strongest most beautiful woman I've ever known.

Anyway, long story short, the procedure worked and she's going to be ok!  

No side effects other than a splitting head ache and few follow ups with the doctor. The entire neurology team was on this case, they were prepared with several back up plans and what if scenarios. But none of it was needed. Plan A worked and she's going to back her life with no long term disabilities or health concerns. Un-fucking-believe!!! 

Here's the before (left) and after (right) images of the blood flow in her brain at the spot of concern. 

You can see on the left were all the excess blood flow was happening and then here you can see on the right were they were able to insert the epoxy like material and stop the blood from routing into those dangerous veins. Hats off to the neurology team at the Cleveland Clinic. They performed what I perceive to be a miracle and they saved my mom.

Much love to the Universe!!! Thank you for taking care of the most important woman in my life and giving us many many more years to make memories and share in this life together.

I love you, Mom.

Studio Tunes : Avett Brothers NPR Tiny Desk Sessions

Working on a Sunday.... kind of how I like to start my week.  Here's what I'm listening to today!

New web store inspiration

Now that things have finally slowed down from that huge Us Weekly rush I'm able to put some of my energies into other aspects of my business - like my own online store!  I'm soooo excited!  I've wanted to do this for a while now and after reading about Lisa's Etsy suspension over on Handmadeology (and the comments from others who this has happened to as well) I decided it was time to plan a little further if I'm going to keep on keepin' on.

I did some research on a few e-commerce sites; Indiemade, Retailr and Shopify were the contenders. I settled on Shopify because they seemed to offer the most intuitive interface while allowing me the flexibility of the design of my shop. As you can imagine being a designer, that's super important to me.  Now I'm in shopify and working on the develop of my store, I can tell you that, if you can install and setup a Wordpress site, you can use Shopify.

Anyway, once I had a platform selected I hopped on Pinterest for some web design inspirations.  Here's a few of my favorites:

It'll still be a week or so before I get the shop up and running but so far so good!  I'm really excited and I can't wait to launch it!!  Of course I'll keep you posted. till then.... xoxo

I discovered a new artist today. Fatoumata Diawara from Mali. Love her earthiness and energy. She has a little India Arie vibe. :) Check her out.

Happy Monday!! Let's do this!

Overload < Balance

As some of you know I took a week "off" - off from my Etsy shop but not off from the studio.  I had a really long list of pretty lofty goals that I wanted to complete this past week.

• Catch up on remaining 100+ open orders
• Setup my Stitch account
• Checkout Shop Marketing Helper
• I have several printers I wanted to list on craigslist to sell
• New blog posts to write
• Release a few new designs
• Put together Framing Instructions
• Put together a Color choice chart to help explain colors to all y'all can make informed color decisions
• Needed to take care of some banking and legal business stuff
• and my taxes....

When I read my list to Gavin his response was, "Don't set yourself up for disappointment because you'll only get 10% of it done."  He wasn't being facetious, he was being real.  But me!  Oh I'm the dreamer of the bunch.  I'm like "nah!  I'll get at least 50% done!  Just you watch!"

Wanna know what I got done?  Barely the first on the list!  Geez....

Lesson learned this time but I'm sure I won't roll it over to the next time.  I tend to pile, pile and pile goals and dreams and requests and ideas upon one another with such good intentions and such excitement and enthusiasm that the weight of it all makes me crumble.

So, instead of another week with too little sleep I spent much time on the couch, much time with my daughter and went out bar hopping for St. Patty's day with Gavin (I live right off of this really great street in town with all kinds of shops, restaurants, cafe's bakery's and bars right in walking distance).  It was a much needed break even if I only got caught up on orders... which by the way, is always #1.

So, I start this Monday and ask myself to remember just one simple thing, Rome wasn't built in a day.









Oh! and here's my new studio tune.  It's from a band called Salt for Salt and they are touring with Yonder this spring. Great jam!

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson

Short and sweet: here's my most recent studio jam - Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson - Relator

Going for simple today. A slight scare in the family has left me feeling very appreciative for the ones I love.  I dedicate this music monday to mom.  Mom, I love you.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers

Gavin and I got tickets last week to Delfest (score for earlybird tickets!) in Cumberland Maryland. We'll be joining my beloved fest family - which includes my festival lovin' mother of course! Words cannot express how excited I am to see friends who I've considered my family for the last 11 years AND to spend 4 days twinging, twanging and boot stompin' to bluegrass. xoxo  

So on facebook I said that I might make Music Monday's all about Delfest because I'm just so excited to be going! But on second thought, I won't do that to you every Monday between now and Memorial Day. Truthfully, I'm not even sure I like bluegrass that much - and I certainly like my bluegrass.

However, because I'm in the mood, I'd like to post a clip of Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers as I am genuinely looking forward to seeing these guys.

Enjoy!

Hey ya'll!  Sorry this post is so late on Monday! This is the first I've seen or heard of Polina but she's a local Cleveland girl with a souful set of pipes!  When you get a chance please head over to http://www.bigbigshow.com/video.cfm?id=1424 and cast your votes in her favor. 


Please give it up for this very soulful singer/songwriter...and thanks!

Finding my balance

I think I’m on a never ending quest to find balance! Balance between work and life are always difficult and I know I'm not the only one who struggles with that (I am getting better at it though) but balance within my working time as well.

For me it’s all about scheduling, understanding at what time I do different tasks better and in being flexible.  If a new idea comes up it’s important to at the very least take time out to jot down some notes and sketches in a journal so that I can explore it later. If I’m really inspired and some other tasks can be put off for a little bit, I’ll continue going with that creative flow and see where it takes me. In an ideal world I also have some creative play time scheduled in weekly, though in reality I have to pull some pretty late nights if I'm going to explore a new idea.


However, in the studio, I have to keep both feet on the ground and handle all those business and admin tasks that actually help make the money.

It's hard to run your own business when you're a creative type because the urge to create is quite often greater than the urge to... balance your books?  ha!  You can say that again!  So, in order to overcome this, I try to schedule my time so that I work on business and admin tasks in the morning when I’m feeling less creative - email, reply to Etsy convo's, bookkeeping and back accounts - which leaves me time in the late afternoon and into the night to get create and fill orders or work on new design ideas. My post-it notes (god I love post-its) and to-do lists are my best friends. I know there are many online time management tools out there, but I love the process of handwriting and crossing off my lists. Same with my calendar - I have to write it down.  Entering into iCal don't register - maybe because I'm right brained.  Besides, what would doodle on if I didn't use post-it's and a real calendar?

All in all, as each day happens I grow, change, learn and find just a bit better balance than I did the day before.  I guess that's kind of the point.  Life isn't always going to give me the same situation each day so I have to adapt , be flexible and evolve with my business and my designs.

All this leads right into this weeks Music Monday selection: Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and Old Crow Medicine show - The Weight.  I can't help but feel serenity when I hear this collection of fantastic musicians bellow.

Happy Monday!!

Its all about the Hustle

Gavin and I frequently refer to our life - making art, designing and the task of selling - as the hustle.  It's just a crazy busy lifestyle with a lot of ups and downs {which is exactly why we love it}.  I lucked out to find someone who not only understands why I love being a self-representing independent artist/designer but I found someone who runs the hustle with his own work, right by my side.  

Anyway, I dedicate this year to BIG dreams and lots of hustlin'.  :)  

Feature, 12 Moments to Remember and a little Tom Waits

Happy November!  This is my favorite month of year!  Wanna know why?  Well, for purely personsal reasons it's my birthday month (and I take every opportunity to remind my friends of family of that! yes, I'm that girl) and for not-so personal reasons, although I suppose I reap the benefits as well, it's time to start your holiday shopping!

This year I'm really looking to support my local artists and shop from Etsy.  Being an avid Etsy seller, and not the 1%, that is something I feel very strongly about.  20 Best Twenty, a curated marketplace featuring the best undiscovered indie artists and designers, is featuring my work this month on their website and blog.  This is a HUGE honor as they really do take their time and provide a unique and well crafted collection of beautiful and high quality work from around the globe.  I'm humbled and ecstatic to be included!

Anyway, they, as well as lots of other resource in the community, are running a Handmade for the Holidays campaign stressing the importance of business handmade this holiday season. I completely encourage you to jump on board!

So, with that said, you're going to need a few stocking stuffers right? :)  You know I've got just the thing!  My 2012 Calendar is officially released and I'm super excited about what I've come up with.  Here's what's up:

12 Moments to Remember & Other Dates Not to Forget : A 2012 Desktop Calendar 

Sometimes we need reminders to enjoy the little things throughout life. Personalize your calendar and give as a gift or keep for yourself - there's plenty of moments to go around! 

Choose 12 of life's little moments from the illustrations I've developed (highly inspired by 1000awesomethings.com) and then as an added bonus you get to let me know some specific dates throughout the year you want a heart placed instead of the actual date!  Brilliant! (if I'm allowed to say so)

Now, you can personalize a 2012 calendar for anyone in your life!  Can't you just see the holiday gift giving possibilities?! The chances of your friends and family connecting to a few of these little moments are huge! Choose from any of the 36 designs representing the "little things in life" and then personalize your calendar by adding a ♥ to any special days through the year. Mark your anniversary, birthdays or children's birthdays with a heart! Make it even more special and mark the date you met or the day you bought your house - get creative with those dates! The more you remember the more your loved one will love this calendar each and every month all year long!

And lastly, here's my November song. Gotta love some Tom Waits when the air starts to chill... :)

I wish you all a fantastic November!

Music Monday : Keller Williams

In light of my excitement for this years 2011 All Good Festival (to which I happen to have a snazzy shiny ticket) I thought I'd post this tune.  Enjoy!

music monday : mama kin

Oh my goodness!  I almost forgot... It's Monday!  Guess I didn't have a case of the "Monday's" today, huh?  You know why?  Because I've been jamming to Mama Kin aaaaallll day.

In case you haven't heard Mama Kin, her website quotes:

Mama Kin’s bittersweet melodies soar with stomping piano and swampy beats, all the while traversing the riotous, the raw and the intimate. Mama Kin is equal parts raconteur and soulstress: a sassy femme fatale who draws on her experiences of love, life and heartache.

Check it out for yourself.  This song is sure to get your head bobbin and foot stompin! :)  Happy Monday!

 

music monday : patty griffin

It's music monday!  On the heels of mother's day I'd like to dedicate this song to my mother.

Mom,

Thank you for always being there and trying to understand where I’m coming from. Thank you for listening to me without judgment and allowing me to make mistakes and helping me deal with the consequences. Thank you for teaching me to tell the truth even when the consequences may seem more than I can handle.

You taught me to be kind, loving, generous and polite. You taught me to be respectful towards others while standing up for what I believe in and staying true to myself.  I've learned to question things and to solve problems on my own and realize that happiness is a choice.

If I do say so myself, you did a good job! :) This one's for you:


 

Music Monday : The Waifs

To know me at all is to know that I love music.  In addition to Eleven Pinwheels I'm also the designer and illustrator behind JukeboxArt - art inspired by music.  So naturally, Eleven Pinwheels will have a soundtrack as I go through the process of creating, constructing and sharing my pinwheel project.

I will be posting bits of what I'm currently loving each Monday.  Enjoy!