A Life, Simplified

Dear faithful reader(s),
In light of recent changes and developments, I am making drastic cutbacks in my life in the area of extra-curricular activities. The time to "buckle down" has come, and in order to maintain the equilibrium I thrive on, I have decided to no longer pursue my brooch/jewelry business.
I will continue to craft when time permits; especially now that I am moving mere blocks away from the wholesale mecca of Los Angeles(!!!). However, the time and energy that are necessary to make my one-woman-operation a successful and profitable one are no longer available.

I stand firm by my belief that the work we produce-- on any level-- is a reflection of who we are. But the end product is just one part of the equation. The process as a whole is what makes the difference.

Success in business-- and I'd even go further to say, in life-- relies on one's methodology. In today's modern world, it has never been easier to become a millionaire overnight, but the sustainability of wealth depends on a sturdy foundation and well-constructed plan, taking into account all possible problems and consequences. The quick path is not always the one that lasts, not to mention, one that is wholly fulfilling.

Maybe it's lame that I find the thrill of hard work paying off more rewarding than a quick fix with little-to-no effort. I'll never fully fit in to today's fast-paced society. Twitter's timeline literally gives me a migraine, and the plethora of information that's readily available absolutely anywhere-- don't even get me started. The lack of effort has filtered over into other areas of life, and it's a dangerous, slippery slope. We can reach anyone, anywhere, by sending a text, and we don't even have to write a sentence or complete word! It's absolutely maddening. Someday, a complete sentence, with correct grammar and punctuation, will be on the endangered species list. The journey is half the reward, but somewhere over the last decade, the "means" part got wiped out of the equation. Now it's all about the "end." This stubborn lady refuses to fully give in, even if it means riding solo.

So yes, my dears, I am revisiting a life, simplified. A time when social media didn't rule my life. A time when I relied on my brain rather than GPS and Wikipedia. A time when I wrote...and wrote...and wrote...as a way to express myself and fulfill creative curiosities brewing in my head. A time when I wasn't madly attempting to be a jack of all trades, master of none.

Without further ado...I am writing a book...3 books, actually... a trilogy. Ahhhh! It's scary. It's damn daunting. It's wicked ambitious. And I'm fucking excited. Woop! The concept is also being adapted into a screenplay. Partly because I think it will translate well, if not better, on screen, but mostly because I'm a control freak and can't bear the thought of the story not playing out the way I envision it in my head. It's allll miiiiine muahaha.

So there you have it, in a nutshell. I'll be starting a new blog shortly to focus solely on writing and post progress updates about the books. Stay tuned...xo

Put a Brooch on it!

I made the mistake of telling my parents that I'm really into animal print when they asked what I wanted for Christmas. I immediately regretted my strong choice of words on Christmas day, wishing I had instead said "kind of" or "in addition to." My love of animal print lasted exactly a month and now I'm kind of over it...notice the clever phrasing there? Thank you. Unfortunately, my closet now looks like an African safari. All that's missing is a Sombriolet sun hat and spiffy binoculars. Msisimko (that's "exciting" in Swahili, in case you wanted to know)! The parents took my "really" seriously and got me a faux fur leopard print jacket, cheetah print robe, zebra-design candles and a faux raccoon fur vest. I already have animal print luggage, so things have gotten a little out of control, to say the least. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for!
Mere days after Christmas I discovered a set of Marni resin brooches online, and then moments later discovered the color blue. I've been a fan of Marni for some time, but super fan status was achieved when I saw the below pieces of modern art-- yes, they are ART! Absolutely, unequivocally the most dynamic, 80's-rad brooches I have ever feasted my eyes on. So, I didn't make them, but man are they inspiring. And I am officially regretting my gift request choices a month a too late...Just take a little looksy...

In with the New

Happy Happy 2012! It is going to be an amazing year. I can just feel it.
Below is an excerpt from a book that has been 3 years in the making. All it needs is a pair of eyes, thorough editing and hopefully will get published...I know, I know, I have been TOTALLY off brooch and bracelet topic. Blame it on creative ADD. The way I see it-- life is short, so if you feel passionate about something, you might as well explore it. I promise to post about brooches soon...

Looking

I looked for love at the park. I saw it in the eyes of couples walking arm in arm; smiling; blushing; talking about hopes and dreams; and in the moments of silence they locked eyes, paused, as if frozen in time; hearts suspended by invisible strings; kissing tenderly; supremely happy. Precious moments I want to capture in a snow globe; shake it up and marvel at the white whirlwind flurry; but there the couples would remain; timeless; perfect; happy; forever in love.

I looked for love at the bar; found a different brand. Instinctive and sexual in nature. The kind that leaves you feeling empty and debauched in the morning. I saw it in the eyes of men. I saw it in the eyes of women. Ulterior motives hiding out in the cavernous creases of their flagrant eyes. They’re all guilty here. Batting lashes, sly smiles, well-rehearsed silver tongued lines and compliments flowing out of their mouths; fluid, babbling brooks, aware only of where they are going and how they intend to get there. I am not sure what brings them back time and time again. New faces. Same conversation. Same game. Same emptiness when they slip out in the morning because all they really want is love.

I looked for love in a movie. The plot went something like this: Boy meets Girl. Boy likes Girl, but Girl has a Boyfriend. Boyfriend is an asshole. Boyfriend breaks Girl’s heart and she realizes in a moment of firm clarity that Boy is really sweet and he’s really really really into her. But she messed up and he disappeared, so she searches the city high and low to find him, and when she does, she apologizes for being stupid and they kiss and the movie ends. What I’m always left pondering is…what happens next?

I looked for love in an ice cream cone. It’s true. Don’t laugh, because you’ve probably done it, too. This love is purely one-sided and ravenous. Cold, sweet, delicious love. Few adjectives can cover the full range of emotions that take over when you take the first lick…and then another…becoming so absorbed in the physical and emotional act; nostalgia, captive taste buds, sensual licking of lips. By lick five it’s all the same, but no less special because for the next 10 minutes you’ve got an ice cream cone in your hand and you are in love.

I looked for love in a poem. The words ebbed and flowed and sucked me in. Damn flowery words get me every time. I was lost in a vast ocean of adjectives and metaphors, searching for a way out of robust genuineness. If only such sincerity could exist in the real world. If only everyone could so eloquently express what their love feels like. Tastes like. Smells like.

Sometimes it looks like hearts suspended by invisible strings, frozen in time. Sometimes it feels empty. Sometimes it smells like a big, crowded city you’re searching through to find the one. Sometimes it tastes like ice cream. Sometimes you find it in a poem. But what I’ve discovered in my love quest is that when it’s right, it finds you, and usually when you’re not looking for it.