Thanks for the inspirational words. I feel the same as you and it is nice to know I am not alone. I am also in the food service industry and I know exactly how it can get! Just keep your eye on the prize!

Congrats! I just wrote my first article for Belle Armoire in Feb for the June 1 Issue, so I understand how nervewracking it can be. Can't wait to see your piece in the next issue!

Opps...forget to leave my name. Cindy Dean
www.cindydean.blogspot.com

Hi, thanks for your comments, I will add your blog to my page tonight, also would love to trade Atc's the theme should be 'moulin rouge '! and it doesn't have to be an Atc we could swap anything, a piece of jewellery even on that theme.....
Well done on the writing and I amso envious wish I could get my stuff in magazines or be a designer for a living I think I am going to try harder this year, maybe even start my own lttle handmade zine !
Juliet xx

This week has been one of those when the frustration has more or less taken over and it's only Wednesday! My job has been an absolute pain in the ass for a while now and I've felt that it's really difficult and stressful to work towards my goals and concentrate on what I enjoy doing. Next week I'm on vaca so I hope this feeling will pass! Maybe I'm just tired...

When I think of it more closely I do feel like I'm moving towards my goals as a jewellery artist, but it's a hellishly slow process. I wish I had more patience, computer skills and time to make my plans and work on them! I'm also having a hard time making certain decisions, which is actually the feature in my personality that I dislike the most! I fret on minor things and change my mind a thousand times. No question that slows me down as well!

Yesterday I bumped into this woman I hardly even know but who bought some jewellery from me 6 months ago. She was wearing the very pieces! This was the first time I have seen my jewellery just like that, on the street, worn by someone who is not part of my immediate "entourage". I must say that felt pretty darn good!

Congrats, dear Jes, on these new projects of yours. That's so exciting about the article and finally the book is coming out! Good to hear also that you had a nice holiday :). Spending time with the people you love is simply the best thing in the world! I'll be seeing my family next week as well, that makes me happy!

Take care! When are you coming to Finland? :)! Hugs!

Funny that you led me over here today & asked the question about goals-spent the better part of yesterday pondering that very thing and hope to have some answers soon. Keep in touch, I'll have an answer for this one of these days:)
sue

This is all wonderful Jes!!
I'm so happy for you.
Blessings,

Congrats on your writing gig with Belle Armoire! I'm in Kelly and Ruth's book, too! As a matter of fact, I think it was Kelly who turned me onto you where I got my favorite bracelet!!
(And that lovely soldered charm you gave me!)

hi sweetpea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

been working in the garden in between torrential rainfalls (we've been having an usual amount of rain here in southern cheeseland! flash floods & all that...) & i had to work in the garden when the earth is so soggy. i really will need to have to call you soon 'cuz there's so much to catch up on!!!

congrats on all your new projects! i can't wait to see you in susan's book! your jewelry art is AMAZING so i am so thrilled for you that you are finally having the chance to show the world your beautiful work!!!

i am loving reading all your posts...even tho i didn't grow up in maine, i so totally know what you mean about loving nature & how it only takes a "whiff" of pine trees & salt air to bring you back to a happy place. my heart will always be in maine...sigh....one day joe & i will be back there...it's just that things/people keep getting in our way at present.

okay, to your questions about goals...well, i think my main goal is to get myself/art out there. i have many objectives to reach this goal. here are some of them:

to set up a website, which i have. check.

to work on arty projects which i plan to submit for publication as well as add new merch for my sites. check.

to really understand the legalities of running a business, copyright laws. check (i.e., do my homework).

to get ready for a couple of flea market shows later this summer. check.

to create a self-published book or zine. this one i'm still working out the details in my head, but i have been thinking about this for quite some time.

those are the ones uppermost on my mind these days.

i will call you soon!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxo mary ann

Did I tell you how proud I am of you? I'm going to amazon right now to order your books.

I loved this post. It was very inspirational. I do feel like I've taken some major steps towards my dreams this year but it's all jusat not moving fast enough. And I'm afraid that once Awesome arrives I'll be so overwhelmed that everything else will take a big back seat.