My Five Year Plan - Merry Go Round

It's Merry-Go-Round topic blogging time! This month's topic is to answer the question..."Five years ago did you think you'd be doing what you are doing now (craft/selling)? What has surprised you the most?"

Heck, I had a good chuckle at this question.  I'm doing nothing like I thought I would be.  Five years ago I was preparing to enter my 30's with excitement and plans of traveling.  I had worked all throughout my 20's, saved up a nice nest egg and had my heart set on getting lots of international stamps in my passport.

I had tried being a jewelry designer and decided it wasn't for me.  All that packing and unpacking, selling in the rain and bad weather, explaining to people why my earring cost this amount more then the person is the booth three rows down... and on and on and on...I had enough and had exchanged having a creative life for a life of travel.

As for kids, I had all so decided being a parent wasn't for me.  After all I tried settling down, being married and planning a family...twice...both times ended in divorce so I felt I gave that option a good chance.  Now I'll live for me and if need be adopt somewhere down the line.

Yup, I was all set to enjoy my coming years. But the universe has a way of tripping you off the path you think you should be on...so you can start following another path...maybe your true life's path? I dunno...While I don't believe in destiny I can see areas in our lives where after making changes we're do something only we could have done...does that make sense?

So somewhere in those 5 years my original plan was changed drastically.  I never did travel, I became a single mom and thru motherhood renewed my need to be creative.  Who would have thought? Certainly not me...I'm curious to know what changes the next 5 years will bring.

So that's my contribution for the Merry-Go-Round project this month. Each month a group of creative folks get together, pick a topic and then blog about it at the same time...give or take a time zone =). Wonder what the other members of the Merry-Go-Round crew shared? Go take a visit and see.

Agathe @ Le Bar du Vent

Andreanna @ Glamasaurus

Charlotte @ Fancy Picnic

Fabienne @ Easterya

Jenny @ Jenny Karlsson Design

Lily @ Lily Pang Art

Marian @ Florcita

Ruth @ Birdland Creations

Sara @ Sara's Texture Crafts

Wendren @ Wren

Be Healthy, Fit and Wear Jewelry

Today I attended the EA SPORTS Active Launch in NYC. I meet with the first 12 people from across the country who have completed the 30 Day Challenge using Active. I even got a chance to try out the demo of EA SPORTS Active a day before it came out in stores. Score!

Naturally for a cool but hands on event like this the jewelry needed to be understated but still was a must. But what to wear? My outfit was preppy casual. I did wear jeans since I was going to do some of the workouts. But I wore a semi dressy top in a dusty blue. Now I wanted jewelry that was simple but funky to fit the casual jean look.

I chose to go with my silver plated goddess earrings and necklace set. You might remember I blogged about this design for my "spring interpretation" for the monthly merry-go-round assignment. I think I made a good choice.  Sadly I didn't remember to get a close up photo during the event. I guess I was too busy have a good time and meeting people.

Speaking of meeting people... I met Jessica Smith of Jessica Knows, one of the challengers and one of my twitter friends on my personal twitter ID. We struck up a very interesting conversation about fashion and styling.

This convo led her to introduce me to her personal stylist Debbie Wright of Project Closet (www.projectcloset.com), who then joined me in talking about using jewelry to enhance and dress up a simple everyday outfit. We both agreed that sometimes just adding a little touch...a pair of gold earrings or a simple chain, does wonders for an outfit and adds a pick me up feeling.

Who would have thought jewelry would be a topic at the EA SPORTS Active Launch. Goes to show you never know...

Want your own goddess earrings? 

Shop my eCrater store and receive 15% off your total now through June 18, 2009! 

Promo Code is Active2009

Free Jewelry Wednesdays : Sports Charm Bracelet

This weeks jewelry giveaway is a multi charm stretch bracelet with silver-tone beads and enamel sports charms. Made with elastic band so one size fits all. Perfect as a present or treat for yourself. 

HOW TO WIN

1) Subscribe to the Beaded Zen Designs blog via feedblitz for an automatic entry (1 entry)

2) Follow this blog publicly (1 extra entry)

3) Follow @bzdesigns on twitter (1 extra entry)

4) Tweet about this giveaway. Each tweet gets you 1 extra entry. Leave a comment with the link here so I can check and give you credit for each time =)

5) Stumble, Digg, or del.icio.us. this post. Leave me your id so I can check and give you credit.

Make sure to leave me a comment letting me know what you did!

NOW THE RULES

Winner will be selected by random.org on or shortly after Tuesday, May 12, 2009. Giveaway entry must be completed before extra entries will count.

Winner will be contacted by email and must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Open to residents of the U.S. with a valid street address. If your an international friends then we'll work something out if you win =)

LAST WEEKS FREE JEWELRY GIVEAWAY WINNER

Thanks to everyone who entered the Wire Wrapped Earrings giveaway!

The 1st winner chosen at Random and is:  #22 - Katherine

The 2nd winner chosen at Random and is:  #4 - Icefairy

The 3rd winner chosen at Random and is:  #29 - Ktquelleheure4

Congratulations! I've sent you an email. Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prize! =)

When I'm Not Making Jewelry

Over in my personal life I've been attending a lot of promotional events as a blogging mom to highlight different companies and all that cool jazz. Since this takes time away from my jewelry making and selling, I've been trying to find ways to mentally keep jewelry making on my and then hopefully in my hands.

I think I found a way! A recent comment from Anne of AL Creations said I should wear my own jewelry. Duh! Why didn't I think of that? Well, I decided to take that advice.  So when I was invited to attend the opening bell ceremony at NASDAQ with 1800Flowers I made sure to plan a complete look...jewelry included.

Bet your wondering which one of my jewelry designs I wore.  As you can see from the photo I chose to be pretty in pink.  After all this was an event to celebrate Mothers Day =).  

The jewelry of choice was.... a combination of my Chunky Rhodonite Nugget & Silver Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings set. Normally I sell each item individually but I think going forward I'll start selling as a set. They really went so nice together and photographed well during the event. I don't think I look so bad in the photos either. Ha

Like the set and want one of your own? 

Shop my eCrater store and receive 15% off your total now through June 05, 2009! 

Promo Code is MOM2009