New things...

I am in deep deep love with these installations by Su Blackwell. Uplifting. Swoon inducing. Can't-wrap-my-mind-around-their-very-existence-and-so-I'm-in-a-collision-with-smitten kind of stunning beauty.



And this site is equally as amazing... an artist collaborative movement that I'm way behind on: Sketch Theater. Check out Baby Tattooville Art Jam 2009 here. The time lapse video will keep your mind still with creative energy (I know, that makes no sense- but just watch it and you'll see what I'm getting at.)

Enjoy a great weekend. The sun finally came out this morning after a week of downpours (and freak tornadoes?????!!!) which is all very unlike Santa Barbara- but a good change for a while, at any rate.

because i love it...

My lovely, adorable, cute as can be sister-in-law, Kasey, at the baby shower I threw for her this past weekend.  She's the sweetness with the greatest smile in the center.  Her Mama and Grandma and Aunt and then me (in the purple and blue) giving her and baby kisses of love...

I love Miss Kasey and her family. I really do.

 

Ah yes...

The  ::SPRING 2010::  collection is here and, really, I'm belly flipping giddy about it.
One because the model, Kita, looks just stunning.
Two because Kiel Rucker snapped some beautiful images.
And three because I'm actually proud of how these designs played out. 

All are Limited Production and are now available on my website.

Have a look at a few of the new stuffs...

See?  Giddy worthy treats for Valentine's day and for floating into Spring...

Beauty into the weekend...

I've got a few things going this weekend... hosting a baby shower for my sister-in-law (first time ever... and everyone is coming from out of town or out of state- so the pressure's on to make it a beauty), freelance work and then finishing up or just starting custom orders.  Busy.  But that's another good reason to bring the calm in by staring off at these pieces of beauty and let the goodness radiate through the weekend.

Here.  I share.

(Photo links in order: Ouma, Gabrielle Kai, Jenni Penni, Up In the Air Somewhere, and Gabrielle Kai.  Click on each image to bring you to their respective shops.)

Quote of the Year/ Word of the Year 2010

Here it is.  I'm diving in and just making a go of it and I love that I'm willing to do this.  Last year was one of go go go... I took so many risks and didn't even realize it until just now.  That's a pretty flipping wonderful thing: To take risks without being so much as phased by it.

So unlike me too.  I'm a cautious person.  Not to say that I've fully relinguished that part of me (I think it's still necessary to keep me out of some trouble), but I'm moving forward- and this feels like something I have yet to find words for.  But good.  Good words, good feelings.

So my quote of the year is this:  Fortune Favors the Bold.  And to type this, to say this out loud, to dream about it... all of it feels exactly right. 

Now my word of the year is this:  Calm.  Seriously.  On the surface, it doesn't seem like the quote and the word really go together, but I'm hopeful that they can.  There's a thread going around on various blogs asking what everyone's word of the year is.  Calm popped in my head right away.  And it stuck.  Can't shake it.  Even when I try for a more interesting or fascinating or profound word... nope... Calm planted itself firmly (but calmly) in my head and my heart and my belly and even in my toes.  So Calm it is.

So maybe it's this:  Fortune favors the bold, yes.  But it's that sense of calm- an ease in motion and the day to day, a breath in between and through the chaos and disturbances and uncertainties- that help to achieve a more grounded and peaceful boldness.

And Fortune?  Well, that's all a matter of what you hold dear.
I might have this covered already, afterall.

(photos by Memrie Mare and Irene Suchocki)

Onward...

Things I've learned from 2009:
* Create with fearlessness. 
* Putting myself down does NOT lift another up.  And if it does, that's messed up. 
* Say "Yes!" to all opportunities, with no reservations, that come my way.  This has, so far, worked in my favor.
* Tea and a good book is still the best anecdote for good living... that and a hoard of materials for me to make things with.
* Good solid friendships are hard to come by, but when they do come around, they are the best thing ever.  Ever.


Things I want to BE  in 2010:
* Self aware, but not self conscious.
* Non-judgmental
* Expansive
* Calm

Things I want to DO in 2010:
* Stall no more
* Be fearless.
* Have a wonderful photographer (Kiel Rucker) unleash the color and dynamic clustering of my designs
* Be abundant.
* Continue to adore my beautifully artistic and logical and ever rational husband and lovable dog.  They make my life real and authentic.

I look forward to THIS in 2010:
* New and refreshing and revitalizing jewelry and hair adornment designs
* Working on a side project with Waxing Poetic... Such a wonderful company, with gifted people and stunning designs.  Who knew I'd be a freelance blog writer?! (<~ see third one down in Things I've Learned...)
* Expanding my business through branding
* The many opportunities to find my calm...

Enjoy a beautiful and expressive 2010♥
(photo by Courage My Love)

P.S.  Joanna, you are the winner of the December giveaway with ,"Better days ahead".  Contact me (info@ciaraobscura.com) to receive your gift...