Here's to my New Esthetician Career

Ahh pampered bliss, several facials every week...this is the life of an Esthetician student...ME! That's right, I've quite my job, told them adios and am now working Stick Me Designs full time and going to school to become a licensed Esthetician!

I want to recreate this picture and put it on our front porch!

I'm thinking that the two will work seamlessly together at some point. Thanks to the new government backed  VRAP(I qualify because I am a veteran...and a few other qualifying points) program I am attending school for free and running my business full time!

I cannot express how wonderful it feels to be getting up everyday and finally love what I am doing for my day! My skin is glowing and I'm feeling fabulous, I cannot wait till I get my license and can go out there and kill it!

Thank you to all of you who have encouraged me, gave me feedback and input. Now...let the happy path begin!

Career Switcher

It's time for a change..a career change that is. After I've absolutely decided to quit my job I'm looking into what I can do to supplement Stick Me Designs till it blows up (in a good way). I think I've settled on becoming a licensed Esthetician! Been researching the industry and even took a tour of a local school here in Virginia Beach and if all goes according to plan ( but what is a plan anyway?) I could be starting full time in September.

What about you have you had a facial...what was good, what could have been improved?

Stay at Home Mompreneur

Now that I'm staying home it's super important that I can prove to myself (and my husband) that when he retires from the Navy in 3 years 6 months that I can provide for our family. He's done it for over 13 years and now it's my turn. So I'll be sharing what I'm doing how I'm succeeding (hopefully) and how I'm epicly failing (hopefully not).

Choosing to Make Money at Home!

I'm not sure how it will all work out, but what does happen I'll candidly share with you. So if you care to see how it goes check back often and share with me if you're in a similar situation or circumstance. I quit my 8-5 because it was making me soo depressed that I would cry, and just be so angry.

So now I have to buck up and take the reigns and make this work, so I won't even Think about going back!

Some things I'll post will be affiliate links, and some will not. If I'm recommending it, rest assured it's because  I've used it and it works. If you have a question or input feel free to ask.

I'm going to be trying lots of things to see what is the best fit for me, if you find something that works...don't be shy. Share it. If you find something that bombed...please share that too. It's those fails that prove to educate the most.

Let's Go!

I Quit!

Well my 9-5 that is! :) I'm taking measures..as I write...today to give my resignation to my 9-5! After being on medical leave for almost 7 weeks...I cannot even begin to bring myself to go back. Not only was is sucking every last little bit of the creativity I so cherish, it was really making me an unpleasant person to be around (just ask my hubby). So with a few lifestyle modifications...I think...I'm ready to ditch it.

I cannot describe how terrified and exhilarated I am right now. I am absolutely flippin out because I don't know how I'm going pay my car payment (may have to sell my 2010 Camaro) but I'm forging forward. I'm officially on the 'hustle'.  So I'll be trying my hand at a few side full time hustles. Jewelry making, marketing for others, brand enhancement, tutorials...anything I'm doing now for my businesses that I can do for others I'll be trying to share with others for a little bit of dough. Check out some of my stuff down there...tell me whatcha think!

What about you have you recently made the hustle switch? Share your leaping into the deep end story below.

Faux Natural - jewelry

Diabetes Awareness Jewelry

Logo for Dulce Dog.com

Retail point of sale for Stick Me Designs.com

Great Father's Day Gift #5

See this is Perfect for DAD!
Brewer Shirts
$18.99

Dad's day is just around the corner, and I'm happy to report I'm almost done already. Found a few perfect tees online, thank you Think Geek.com :) and Navy Chief.com and only one to go. But what's that you say...you haven't got your fave man any deeds yet? Have no fear my friend, I'll post my top 5 greatest Father's Day Gift ideas and you can be skippin' on your merry way.

{ST} Many Failures ---> Success!

I gotta tell ya...I have tried..and continue to fail at many things. It's a tough reality and at times manages to get the best of me..
It's easy to use those failures against myself, and think I'm not worth much because look...I'm not accomplishing much. But it's that kind of self-talk that does nothing positive for me or my life. So because I've declared WAR (read my war decree HERE), I'm making a conscious effort to keep these and other self-defeating talk at bay. Because you never know what is happening behind the scenes on your behalf...in your favor. Keep your head up...as I do the same!

Crunch Time | Jewelry I Design Then Create

Cork, Silk, Crystal = Love This One!

Those Amethyst Nuggets are over 1" big!

It's hard to stop creating, and imagining when it's part of what makes you YOU. I cannot tell you how many times I have told myself... "ok self...you've bought too many whodads and widgets, beads and findings...you never DO anything with them..except stare at them to make you feel happy" Well I'm finally ready to admit I'm ok with that...but I also need to start releasing some of my creations because maybe they'll make someone else happy too. Here are a few pieces that have brought me many a-happy dances in the past. Let's see if they'll do that for someone else...tell me what pieces you create make you happy?

Love how these Turquoise coins look with the crystal and silk

DIY | Tennis Bracelets!

DIY is big...and for good reason. How cool is it to take something that is sometimes more expensive, break it down and re-do for inexpensively and do it yourself? It's Awesome, here's my first DIY tutorial on making your own tennis bracelet. Enjoy..and please share your comment love below, it makes a difference :)

Handmade Bracelets

It's quite often that I get the DIY crafting bug...more times than I'm comfortable admitting actually but let's not get technical shall we? I'm really diggin the look of mixed material bracelets right now and I'm trying to perfect the art of combining luxury with everyday items. Here are 3 of my first attempts to create mixed material bracelets..and while they look kinda cool...they're are NOT comfortable for everyday wear...back to the creatin' board :)
Do you dabble in DIY too? Share your blog or pictures!

Sometimes all you need is....

As I enjoy my medical down time, I'm reminded when I take some time in the morning to enjoy every circumstance, every situation, every single moment that you are allowed to enjoy every single day. I find it's toughest when I'm having a day that doesn't seem to be going my way. Or when a series of days doesn't seem to be going my way. Sometimes when I miss the mark from reading...a trip to the oceanfront does it...
Because sometimes all it takes is a sunrise to know...without a shadow of a doubt...that He. Hears. Me

Another Great Mother's Day Gift Idea

Betcha didn't know there were soo many talented and amazing creative crafters here in Virginia didja?
Well Ms. Lauri Murphy's, designs are simply beautiful and are sure to please any lady.

Lauri Murphy
$25

{ST: Gorgeous Jewelry}Teardrop Earrings

Teardrop Art Deco Earrings
$16.50

I can't help it. I find things that are beautiful and it seems almost not fair if I don't share it. If you're a lover of the colorful, the beautiful and the inspiring you've found another friend in me! I'm zealing over these Teardrop Earrings by Vintage and Glam a Hampton Roads Artist.

Yes I Love Elaine!

Love Elaine
$40

I first found Christen Barber of Love Elaine a few weeks back and immediately fell in love with her gorgeous handmade apron designs. Oh how I would love to wear one of her lovelies and churn out some yummy baked treats, and then get every bit of housework done before 4pm....and...then I wake up.
But at least I can still grab a Love Elaine apron...

{ST} Medical Style...Again

First it was my gestational diabetes diagnosis...and now this ugly medical shoe I'm wearing. What is a girl to do? Left with an ugly necessity...turn it into Glam Fabulousness of course! Just wanted to share what I've done to my medical shoe...feels so good looking down and not seeing a dreadfully awful black atrocity. Yay for Glam!

Great Mother's Day Gift #5

Rainbow Cake Earrings
$28

This Artist from Inedible Jewelry is Ahmazing. Her work looks good enough to eat...although I wouldn't suggest it...but wearing her goodies never goes to your hips...and well that's always wonderful! Enjoy.

3 Reasons Why Buying from Artists & Creators Rocks

I find it fascinating to go over quick facts on why we should consider buying more from artists and creators. So I thought you may want to know why this movement is so very important. Not only to your community where ever you call home, but throughout the country. Buying from small independents is a fabulous way to keep them going and sustain the local economy.

Here are some facts:

1) Throughout the United States, only about 33.6% of the revenue from national chains is reinvested into the community, which is very low compared to the 64.8% return from local businesses. (2009)

cause supporting creativity rocks!

2)  A study in Austin, Texas found that $100 spent at a local bookstore produced $45 worth of local economic activity, and $100 at the chain store Borders brought back only $13.


3) If the people of an average American city were to shift 10% of their spending from chains to local businesses, it would bring an additional $235 million per year to the community’s economy

Great Mother's Day Gift's #4

Is the Mother in your life more artistic liking? Gotcha covered, this gorgeous Mother and Baby pendant by Tom Heath is perfect!

Mother and Baby
$20

Great Mother's Day Gift Ideas #3

Another gorgeous dose of what happens when you know where to find the awesome handmade goodness VA has to offer...really? You cannot find treasures like this in Walmart fellas!

Yoonique Designs
$15

Mother's Day Gift Idea #2

Twisting Nature
$70

Isn't it fabulous when you actually have a great selection of Mother's Day Gift ideas that the Mother in your life is sure to swoon over??? Not mass produced trinkets..but handcrafted goodness that actually directly supports the artists who created it...Lovely Indeed!

They Will Say Yes...Luxury Wedding Invites

Sara Coates Designs
$6.17 each

Give your wedding invites an extra pop of luxury with these gorgeous invites from Sara Coates Designs. 

Hobby To Professional a Series of Tips

There may come a time in your crafting journey that you want to take things up a notch and maybe consider selling your work for the time you put into it. Careful creative crafter....this could ruin the passion for what you love..but it does not have to.

I'll share a series of tips to guide you and double check to see if you're 'there' yet. Shall we?

1) Getting in to Local Shops - To go for...or not
--> A great way to get exposure for your goods. Here's a great way to get into the door. Give them a call early on a Thursday morning. Introduce yourself and politely ask who you could talk to about becoming a vendor for their shop. Usually they'll happily give you a name, or if you're in luck they may be there in the shop.

 * if they agree to see your work, understand that they may want to try you out through a consignment agreement. Make sure it's fair for you and them. 40/60 is not uncommon split for you and the retail shop.

* if they buy outright, be sure to price each piece so that you're paid fairly and so they can realize a profit too. I like to break down the price into 3's. For instance if you price your handbags at : $60, $20 should cover your time, labor, materials and overhead, while you sell to them for $40 so they can realize a profit of $20 if they sell your handbag at $60.

* make sure your goods will be seen in a clean open spot...no sense of sticking them way in the dark corner where they'll never be seen.

* make sure to follow up in a couple of weeks to see how things are going..or to restock(woo hoo sales baby)

This route can be perfect if you get a great fit with a good retailer. They could possibly keep you busy and help you grow your client list.

Handmade Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Steer clear of the cookie cutter mass produced mess...and give the Mother in your life something she'll cherish and actually like...Give her Handmade this year!

Sew It Girl
$40

Whenever I find a goodie that I love, I have to share so you can love it too or pass them along to someone who might. In the 757 Made! magazine there will be a feature that I share the things that I've <3'd. Just another way to promote and share all the talent to be loved here in VA.

This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to stop by Kitsch in Ghent and found a couple of great goodies. I grabbed a belt buckle which I share in another post and a fabulous bag from Itsy's Designs. So unassuming looking, but not only can this baby hold my 17" laptop, it can hold 2 pairs of little dudes shoes  (don't ask how I know this :) and all my other stuff I seem to need in any given day.

Normally I would do all I can to point you to where you too can find them but I can't seem to find a website for her :( So if you know Itsy please tell her to share where we can buy her goodies...Of course you can buy her stuff at Kitsch too :) Enjoy!

She Troubleshoots...The Surgical Shoe & a $50 Target Gift Card For You!

Actually it's more like you....help me.... troubleshoot...
So I'm having surgery on my left foot next Wednesday...and I'll be on medical-cation (a play on vacation...Yay) for 4-8 weeks..double Yay!

But...boooo I have to wear this hideous monstrocity you see in this post. So won't you give me your suggestions on how to glamify it??  I'm usually pretty good about these things but the troubleshooter can only troubleshoot a few things (well) at a time...so I need your help!

Would you mind sharing your suggestions for me below....I do not want to rock this ugly thing...
If you could Photoshop you ideas even better! Or if you have an awesome way with words...describe what you would do.

The best suggestion wins a $50 Target Gift Card Courtesy of 757 Made! Hampton Roads, VA's magazine promoting the creative business community launching August 3, 2012, as a Big Ole Thank You!

Here's how to suggest your creative genius!

1. Join the 757 Made 2uP 2dOwN Newsletter ---> see below :-)
2. Come back and leave your suggestions below!


I'll patiently await your suggestions....and I thank you!

It's 2012...wow it's actually 1/4 of the way through right? So hard to believe...

Just got back from a short jaunt to Indiana to watch my little sister graduate was an awesome way to troubleshoot mommy burnout and focus on something other than my crazy, full life.  She's so amazing and has made such a turn around that I couldn't help but gloat.

But with a tiny break from ST, I had to come back...what an awesome outlet for me even if no one is here but me! So no long sorry as why I've been gone, but I've got a lot of ideas that I have to release...and that's what's coming!

My next project is 757 Made! and my level of excitement gets higher every day.  At its' core it will be a platform to promote and feature our community of creative creators here in Virginia, and wow can they create. If you haven't liked our Facebook page, please do...but only if you're a creator supporter. Because our creators need supporters..not spectators :)

Glad you're here, if you need something troubleshot, leave that in that comment space down there.