Archive for Inspiration

Mother Memories

My mother has been gone (i.e., joined the ancestors) a little over five years. For some reason, this Mother’s Day had me missing her more than usual. I usually send Mother’s Day cards to aunts and other beloved women warriors in my life. This year, I didn’t have the energy or will to do so. I had a mental block preventing me from thinking of anyone but my mom to whom I couldn’t send a card or pick up the phone and say, “Happy Mother’s Day.”

Strange that this would be the case after five years, particularly since I thought I was long finished with the grieving process. Perhaps we never really finish grieving the loss of mothers. I’ve been exploring ways to incorporate my mother into my creative process, a way to honor her, remember her, keep her close. One of the ways I’m currently exploring is through a story collection. I’ve just begun the process, but I’ll incorporate sayings, photos and other elements of the myriad of projects my mother worked on that remind me she’s with me throughout my own creative process.

Here’s what I have thus far:

Let me know what you think. I’ll keep you apprised of my progress on this project. In the meantime, should you wish to create your own memory art pieces, check out my previous blog on Three Must Reads For Artists and Creatives.

New Bead Finds for A New Year

Happy New Year to all.

I returned to the States from Mali just in time for all of the holiday hoopla that I try very hard not to get pulled into. Luckily I have my collection of beads that I brought back to keep me occupied. As I’m putting my next collection together, I’m savoring in the moment and wondering what I’m going to make. Hmmmmmm……let’s see:

Red simple trade bead

Red simple trade bead

Horizontal Pendant Red trade bead

Horizontal Pendant Red trade bead

Trade Beads - Multi

Trade Beads - Multi

Green/Sterling top pendant Trade bead

Green/Sterling top pendant Trade bead

Blues - Trade Beads

Blues - Trade Beads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The term “trade beads” comes from how the beads (Venetian millefiori and other glass beads) arrived in Africa — they among other things – were traded for slaves and other “goods.” Since most of these “traded beads” are found in Africa, they have grown to be associated with the Continent.

In any case, were I particularly like how the craftsman added sterling silver to the beads, making them into pendants. Fabulous. I’ll keep you posted on how designs for these beads take shape. In the meantime, it’s back to the studio for me.

RAMJewels: My 2011 Retrospective

This is about the time when we all make New Year’s resolutions — whether we keep them to ourselves or declare them to the world. As I reflect on 2011, I am extremely grateful for my many blessings. Though my sales didn’t reach the level I had planned, I learned a lot through research, trial and error — and I’m continuing to learn. Here are some of my major takeways of 2011:

  1. Success takes time. What we usually perceive as the “instant success” of others is usually the culmination of hard work and time that we have not been privy to.
  2. I can’t measure my “success,” nor the time it may take me to reach it, by others’ standards.

  3. Know when to ask for help. As I struggle with the challenges of single-handedly running a creative business, I realize that I can’t do it all (design and produce handcrafted jewelry, photograph and optimize it for the Web, conduct marketing campaigns, including social marketing, take care of packaging and advertising, etc.) by myself and do it effectively. Knowing when and how to utilize external assistance will be key to improved productivity.
  4. Seeking advice from so-called “experts” is important but it is equally as important for me to follow my inner guide, my “gut,” that ultimately serves as my compass.
  5. Regardless of the challenges I’m confronted with, it’s imperative to maintain contact with, and solicit feedback from, my clients. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and hence not make time to communicate with those I’m trying to provide services to; the key here is making communication a priority.
  6. As is true of many things, less is oftentimes more. In an attempt to maximize my social network, I became a member of a number of craft directories and third-party Web sites, often duplicative in nature. But too much of a good thing is not good — particularly if it diffuses my energies. During 2012 my focus will be on minimizing the number of sites that I sell on, while optimizing my own social marketing networks.

I’d love to hear what you’ve learned over the past year and how you plan to apply what you’ve learned to your business in the coming year. Please feel free to share your comments.

Here’s wishing you all much success, peace and blessings for the coming year.

Rabihah

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