Grace = New Inspiration

Even before Grace was born, I began dreaming up my own take of whimsical baby clothes, toys, gear, and decor.  Now that she is here, there is very little time to create such things.  Three months after she was born, I finally got around to making her ribbon mobile that hangs above her crib.  And really, I can mostly thank my mom for the hard labor she donated on the project once the design was finalized by yours truly.  

So here is my newest inspiration: baby mobiles!  The ones shown here are 6.5" in diameter and they are going to be the minis.  As you can see, it is perfect over the changing table to keep curious little eyes busy while momma refreshes baby's bottom.  


What's the location in your nursery that poses the biggest challenge for entertaining baby?

Cloudy Sky Emotions

Its overcast and dreary outside today. Days like these are usually a refreshing change compared to overly sweltering late summer temperatures. But today, the reprieve is additionally welcome because I'm in a moment of self discovery that mirrors the somber state of the weather outside.

I'll be honest.  I'm feeling cloudy and even a touch misty eyed.  It seems that life has gone and gotten the best of me this foggy Monday.  I'm pretty confused and fairly unsure of how exactly to pick myself up again right now.  And yet, a flurry of hope wells up in my heart this morning.  I won't lie; a piece of me is quite annoyed by this ever-present comfort.  For I am disappointed and I am let down.  I want, in my frustration, to ignore that peace that sets a hurt heart at rest.

But as sure as the promise of the clouds eventually parting and the sun coming back out to shine its brightness, an overwhelming part of me cannot settle into disdain, distrust, and disregard for a higher truth.  Because the sun will come back out and bits of life will make sense again.  And except for the rare occasion, it usually takes a cloudy day to have access to the crisp smelling, refreshing rain...

The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream and how you handle disappointment along the way.  ~ Robert Kiyosaki

Floating in the Clouds - 3D wall art from goshandgolly

Not so much self-help

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately and I've, just this morning, discovered a bit of intrigue that I'm just itching to write about. 

There are a zillion and one blogs out there right now.  And, there are almost just as many blogs for social media tips, tricks, and cure-alls.  Personally, I can only read so many of these before I've heard it all.  I know that technology is ever-evolving and there's always something new and game-changing on the cusp of being released.  But, I'm officially over how to make the most of Twitter marketing and how to get more fans on your Facebook Fanpage.  Of course, as of today, "fans" are no longer fans but rather people that "like" you or your product.  Either way, you know what I mean.  I'm just tired of hearing the same thing in a new way.  

On a similar note, I've also seen increasingly more and more blogs dedicated to supporting Etsy sellers and handmade advocates.  I've seen how to optimize search engines and tutorials on how to take magazine quality photos with your light box. Again, I can only read so many versions of these articles before I've squeezed out every last bit of usable information.  Suddenly and in a moment, the topic is exhausted.

That is why I'm so pleased to uncover a few new blogs that I appreciate, not because of their "how to use twitter to market your business" articles, but rather because of the honest and transparent approach to building something valuable.  Whether it be an online, handmade business or a bit of character within the depths of who a person is, some blogs just stand out because you know that the person on the other side of the computer holds a high regard for the empowerment of others.

I'm not going to name any names here, because I want to plant a seed.  As you are reading your favorite blogs, do a touch of evaluation.  Are there any links on your blogroll that challenge you as a person?  That encourage you to get past your fears of not succeeding or maybe succeeding at your business?  That move you to shift the way you think about why you do what you do?  If not, go find one.  It'll change your life.     

Change the World Ticket from AFavorite on Etsy

Some days...

Some days are just hard.  You can't necessarily explain why they are hard.  You just know that they are hard.  And today just feels hard.  Or, maybe I'm the one that feels hard and that's why everything else is hard...

I just need to go into the deep places where there is no light for a little bit.  I need to be protected and quieted and written on.  I need to visit another place where time and space do not pull rank.  I need to see the place where imagination was birthed and creativity is not a concept.  I need to hear secrets that cannot be conceived and touch things that do not exist.

I need a new perspective today...

Ylang 23

When I was an impressionable young middle schooler growing up in Dallas, the greatest thing to do was go shopping at the Galleria. Going to the Galleria was a post Christmas tradition. Going to the Galleria was the wonderfully creative location of my 13th birthday party. Going to the Galleria, to this day, warms my heart as I think about years of memories with girlfriends & giggles & good things to eat.

And even amidst all of the memories, there's something else about the Galleria that instantly transports me back to fond mother/daughter memories that, without a doubt, have set the stage for my fashion taste to this day. And that something is Ylang 23. Up until a few years ago, you might have known it as Ylang Ylang. It was a matchbox sized stand alone shop on the south side of the mall on the first floor.

My mother and I would frequent the shop as it was one of the only places in town where she could purchase her favorite perfume, Ylang Ylang Autumn. They had lots of perfume, but I remember most the jewelry. When everything else was bigger in Texas, this shop featured dainty and delicate creations. Designs were, and to this day still are, ones that are beyond elegant in their simplicity and utterly luxurious in their construction.

If, by chance, you are captivated by my obsession with the shop, you'll no longer find it where I described. It has grown tremendously and rightfully so. The world wouldn't be right if it had not. It can now be found on the 2nd floor of the Galleria overlooking the brisk and bright ice rink. The windows are now bigger and the variety is plentiful. And, in case you were wondering, the shop is as inspiring as ever.

I'll leave you with one more fond memory of what you now know as Ylang 23. The last time I wandered through the Galleria (which was about 3 years ago since I no longer reside in Dallas), I happened to be wearing one of my own Chrystalyn creations. I, as always, perused the intricately wrapped gemstone necklaces and the earthy leather stamped bracelets. While I was coveting in a flattering sort of way, the impeccably dressed saleswoman commented on my necklace. She loved the texture of my vaguely faceted raw opal chunks and round, crisply cut smoky quartz all hand knotted on silk thread.

From a shop that sets the standard on taste in my book, I am forever grateful for that kind compliment. Ylang 23, I hope you never cease to captivate me!


Cathy Waterman - Love of My Life Collection

Current designers include the breathtaking Cathy Waterman, Me & Ro, Temple St Clair, Ten Thousand Things, Good Fortune, Irene Neuwirth and more.

Jazz... How Do I Heart Thee

I used to have a CD entitled "A Jazzy Christmas". Not sure where it is now, but I'm pretty sure that it consisted of all the greatest jazzy holiday instrumentals known to man. I need to find that thing. After all, I'm already hearing holiday tunes when I'm out and about shopping for supplies for all of my new holiday themed projects. I better get with the retail program.

Jazz might be, in fact, my favorite style of music to jump start a creative crash session. Why is that, do you think? I've read all about how classical music is a great mind-exerciser and how it's ideal for creativity. And I do enjoy some classical. But jazz... how do I heart thee? Let me count the ways!

1. Jazz has layered texture that my brain translates into visual composition - When I hear jazz, I 'see' jazz in beads and stones and as a wearable design. Each instrument plays a design that I feel compelled to layer out and build on.

2. Jazz evokes moods - I remember the first time I saw Phantom of the Opera (the new one). I had my stones out ready and willing to make something lovely. I played off of the romance and grandeur of the music and came up with something utterly stunning that evening. I realize the soundtrack wasn't packed full of jazzy tunes, but my creativity reacts to jazz the same way it did to that movie. A mood rises to the surface of my consciousness and it must be translated by my fingers when I hear jazz.

3. Jazz makes me feel like the most elegant version of myself - Thus the "Epitome of Elegance Me" takes wild chances with color and texture and design techniques that she wouldn't were she not feeling so whimsical. That's the reason I was adamant about having most of the music at my wedding (only 3 months ago) be predominantly jazz... because it draws out the most glamorous me there is.

4. Jazz causes me to dream about what the past looks like redefined - Most of the jazz that I love most is from years gone by. And because I was not around when those songs were written, I'm aware that the world was another place then. But I, in this day and age along with my modern influences, have the pleasure of reinventing a bit of history in a visual context. I've thought, at times, about naming pieces based on the song that inspired them. The problem with that is there are so many different songs that may merge together to help me discover a design. Or maybe the song inspires 10 different designs over a period of a month. Should I really name each piece "When I Fall In Love 1", "When I Fall In Love 2", "When I Fall In Love 3", ect. Yeah, I didn't think so either.

So I'll ask the question again... Jazz, how do I heart thee? I guess I heart thee x four tonight. I could probably go on and on and on. But, unless you love jazz with the same intensity that I do, you may already be wishing I'd go back to musing about jewelry and gemstones and holiday shows. Oh, the creative process! It amazes me so.

Inspiration

The last few weeks, I've done a complete overhaul on the look and feel of Chrystalyn. If you've seen the website, you know what I mean. Even the blog is showcasing the results of my focused efforts.

And now, this lovely morning, new inspiration is stirring within me. Maybe it's an effect of the new logo. Or maybe it's just the crispness of an early morning where it's actually cold outside. Either way, I feel a newness and I can see it coming around the bend in my work in the near future. What will it be exactly? Your guess is as good as mine. I'm sure we'll both be pleased, though.

Until then, I think we both should go back to enjoying our coffee...