small sweet steps

BIG NEWS!!!! I Signed with a Licensing Agency

I am so excited to share this news with you! I am now being represented by MHS Licensing! Yes, I now have an agent and am so grateful and happy.

So many thoughts and emotions went into making this decision. I went back and forth so many times thinking "I should try to get an agent" to "maybe I can do it myself". There is a new trend in the industry of designers taking it into their own hands and getting their own licensing deals, which is amazing. There was a part of me that wanted to be a part of this movement, especially since I admire deeply this group of strong, independent, brave women that I love. Women that I have watched successfully grow their businesses on their own. But, as much as I wanted to be like them I had to think about what is best for me. What do I want for my life? What are my strengths and weaknesses? What are my challenges?

While I was trying to figure all of this out, I received a response from MHS Licensing letting me know that they loved my work and would like to talk with me. For a couple of months from the time MHS contacted me until about a week before signing the agreement my mind was racing trying to figure out what was best for me. Luckily, I have some pretty wonderful friends that sat patiently and listened to me run these thoughts over and over again to them and they gave me such impactful feedback. They too were split in their opinions of how I should proceed.

Then it happened, I had a moment of clarity, a stillness in the never ending noise inside my head. This is what I heard. " I don't want licensing my art to define my whole life, I want to make space for other things too."

I am not a licensing expert, I hate contracts, negotiating, and confrontation. Every time I started thinking about that side of the business I felt my energy drop. It is not what I am supposed to be doing. I decided then and there to hand that part of the business over to the experts and the time and energy I save can be used for things that will fill me up and make me happy, not stressed. So, what are these things? Along with licensing my art, I would love to write an inspirational book, get more involved with the blogging/design community, I would love to be involved in some outreach programs and someday start a NPO. Ultimately, I want to help inspire and heal others through my art. I'm not sure how or when or what any of this is yet but, I know it is what I am meant to do.

Signing with MHS Licesning marks a huge turning point in my small sweet steps journey. I am honored that such a knowledgeable and respected agency would want to partner with me. I am so grateful that I already have some licensing deals in the works and so humbled everyday for the twists and turns that have gotten me to this point in my long journey.  The ride is really starting to get interesting.

 

The Brave Girls Club

Have you heard of the Brave Girls Club? It is an amazing community created by Melody Ross and her sister Kathy Wilkens.

Brave Girls Club is a worldwide community of women who want to live the best, happiest, most productive and fabulously brave life they can possibly live…and that means something different to every single one of us.

Brave Girls Club is an online community, a portal for amazing connections, a news source for everyday heroes, a resource for great ideas, amazing endeavors, everyday problem solving, realistic recipes and unforgettable get-togethers. Brave Girls Club is a place to feel free, to feel peace, and to feel brave. Brave Girls Club is not an exclusive club…every woman is invited. Brave Girls Club is life-changing fun, life-changing truths, and life-changing friendships…read more here.

Art by Stephanie Ryan

I am so inspired by this community. What an amazing accomplishment!

I have been thinking a lot about this space that I have created here, my sweet blog that has helped me in so many ways. Blogging has opened so many doors for me, it has helped me to connected with amazing women around the world that I love and cherish. It has given me wings to follow my heart and be brave. I made the decision early on that I was going to be very open here in this space and share my deepest emotions, fears, and dreams. This blog has made me more open and confident as an artist and a stronger person. It has also helped me to figure out my purpose here.

Up to this point my blog has been about my journey. The small sweet steps I have taken to get to this point in my career, the healing of my body and nurturing of my soul. Lately, I haven't been blogging. I haven't been thinking about it either, which is very strange. Granted, I have been so busy with work and recovering from my treatment (yes, still recovering) that I am a bit distracted but, I have always made time for my blog in the past. What has changed?

I think it is time to reach outside of my life. It needs to be more about us and you. I'm not sure how I will make this happen. I guess the best place to start is as easy as a shift in my thinking.

This will happen organically. It can't be a burden, it has to feel good and not be stressful. I will start by making this intention:

This year my blog will be more about inspiration, encouragement and the nurturing of our souls, one small sweet step at a time!

This excerpt was taken from The Brave Girls Club Daily Truth. A wonderful daily email that is sent to it's members. I love how it is so personal, like it is being spoken just to me.

So great, isn't it? Head over to the Brave Girls Club and become a member with me!

I would love for this space to have more meaning... I am putting this out to the universe. YAY!

Wishes, Dreams, Life and Living in the Present. My Hopes for the New Year.

I love the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. It is the perfect time to reflect on the year that is leaving you and make plans and dream of new dreams for the coming year and beyond.

This past year was filled with highs and lows, challenges and dreams come true. I left my full-time job last November and started my freelance business, my non-compete contract expired and I started my licensing business!!! I spent three months getting treated with IV antibiotics for my 12 year battle with Lyme disease, I'm still not sure if it worked and it was by far one of the hardest things I have ever done.

Since then, I have been trying to get my life back in order and it has been challenging but, it has also been filled with so many amazing things as far as my career is concerned! I have great news to share with you about licensing my art. I have to wait until I have the details all worked out. I am also talking with some licensing agents about representing me and my brand. After a decade of wishing, I finally made the leap and will be showing my work at Surtex this year. I still can't believe I am finally doing it! Oh gosh, what else?

I sent this package with my pattern design off to my top pick in the quilting fabric industry.

The creative director called me last week with some amazing news!!!! I will share all of the details with you as soon as I have a signed contract.

I am absolutely amazed over this last year. There has been so much to be grateful for, even the challenges because of the lessons and insights I have gained from them. So grateful!

I live a very simple life. I am married with two dogs, no kids because of my health challenges. We live in a little house in the country, not too far away from the city. I have amazing friends and family that I love so much. I honestly, never dreamed that amazing things like fabric deals, my own dinnerware collection and getting my art out to the world could ever happen to me. This past year as opened my eyes to the reality that great things can happen, I am worthy! Which leads me to this coming year.

This next year is going to be about nurturing my spirit and my physical body. I need to release the feelings of being less than and embrace who I am and love myself more. This may sound very self-serving but, it is a necessary step on the road of recovery. There are so many people out there that don't value themselves, that don't believe they can make a difference. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all believed in our divinity? I am always telling other people how amazing and powerful they are, if only I could believe that for myself. Well, I am starting to see it, I am starting to feel it.

It is my dream for this coming year to be fully present with myself. To nurture and heal my wounded soul and to practice self-love in all it's forms. In doing so, I will open up the world of possibility in my own life and be able to share those lessons with others through encouragment, nurturing and inspiration. Small sweet steps to healing and helping others to heal as well. That sounds like a pretty good goal to me.

I would also like to thank all of my friends out there in the art/design/blogging world. It is through your belief in yourselves, your inspiring art and thoughtful words that have inspired me to keep pushing myself. I don't know where I would be without your beautiful lights shining and illuminating the path before me. Thanks, dear friends.

Happy New Year!

Hello Soul, Hello Business!

I was so excited yesterday when I received this gift in the mail from the lovely Kelly Rae Roberts, and Beth Nicholls of Do What You Love for participating in their e-course, Hello Soul, Hello Business! Thanks ladies! What a nice gift, I love it!

I can't wait for the e-course to start on January 16th. Are you participating? Please, please, consider it. I would love to see you there.

Here is a small taste of what is being offered. This excerpt was taken from the Hello Soul, Hello Business website.

AND! There's more!

Go to the Hello Soul, Hello Business Website and see for yourself all of the great contributors )the list is amazing!) and content!!!! Treat yourself for the Holidays! Go for it!

 

Hello, Friend. It's been awhile.

It is the crazy season and time for an update! Life has been very full these last couple of weeks. Work has been busy, I have a few licensing deals in the works and I am hoping to sign with a licensing agent soon. I still keep pinching myself and hope this good energy continues to move forward. My health seems to be steadily improving, I am able to get a lot more accomplished these days and I am incredibly grateful for that. I also sent out a package with my pattern designs out to some fabric companies for licensing, keeping my fingers crossed there!I have dreamt of having my designs on fabric for so long now, what an amazing gift that would be.

Next big thing for me to start preparing for is Surtex, I am a little nervous about the amount of work that needs to get done in the next couple of months but, am looking forward to the challenge.

I am also happy to say that I finished all of my Christmas shopping in two days! YES! So, it is now my plan to enjoy my holiday. It's so weird to post about having all of these positive opportunities. For the longest time I have been ill and struggling in so many ways... it feels so strange to read this post and realize that things are going really well. I am so grateful!

Happy Holidays, my friends.

Loving Kelly Rae Roberts

I read this post today by Kelly Rae Roberts that I love. The post was written to congratulate Do What You Love's Beth Nicholls on her one year business anniversary. In the post Kelly talks about that moment in time when you sense that change is coming.

Excerpt from Kelly's post:

"I often think about a journal entry I wrote in 2005, just before discovering my passion for art:
ever have that feeling that you are just going to bust at the seems with happiness, anticipation, and inspiration? like you are on the edge of something great? like you are about to make a grand discovery. and it just might be inside of you, in your heart, in your hands, in your vision? i am feeling like that right now and i am going to pay attention to it this time."

Follow this link to read more.

Has this ever happened to you? It presents itself in different ways, sometimes it's just a sense that something is about to give birth or it can also be a feeling of angst or unrest. It is the energy changing and making room for what's next. When you start to get these feelings it means that things are about to manifest. I have had this happen to me several times over the years. I remember when I worked full-time at Lenox as their Senior Concept Designer. It was a great job, and amazing opportunity. It was a job that people would love to have! But, I got the sense that it was just a stepping stone, I wasn't meant to stay there. I remember talking to my husband about the fact that I needed to start searching for new opportunities, that I needed to take the next step and he thought I was crazy for wanting to leave such a great job. I had the feeling that I needed to start looking for something else and not long after making that decision the next opportunity presented itself and I was ready for it because I paid attention to that gentle nudging, the feelings of unrest in my chest... I am so glad I listened. This same feeling came knocking two years after that and again I listened, this time it led me to where I am now, working from home, blissfully happy because I was given the gift of freedom with my life. Something I will forever be grateful for. I am starting to get that feeling again, something is coming, I need to prepare, be open, stay quiet and listen. I wonder what it is? It's a little different this time, it's more about me physically, I think. I keep getting visions of me taking better care of myself, that I need to prepare for what's next. The flashes are quick but they are getting stronger, I feel like they are nudging me to become more empowered and take charge of my life. I think that is the only way I will be able to succeed with my new business and the life I want.

Do you have any similar stories? Have you experienced the nudging? How did it present itself to you?

 

Celebrating my Freedom

Freedom is an amazing thing, you take it for granted until it is taken away from you and then you see it's true power. As of midnight tonight, I am a free woman. I have been waiting out a contract that restricted my creative life for the last three years and it is over... wow. I don't want to get into the specifics but am glad this chapter of my life has passed and I can release the negative energy that has been within me and focus on some amazing opportunities that are coming towards me. I can't wait to follow my dreams that have been on hold for so long. I have big plans for this coming year that I can't wait to share with you. But, for now, I have a lot of work to do! Number one on my list is to send out my pattern designs to some fabric companies and see if I can make a huge dream of mine come true. Fabric!!! oh how badly I want my designs on fabric. At midnight tonight, I will be doing the happy dance just like Snoopy.

"Passages" available on my Etsy shop.

Passages

Sit. Breathe. Listen

I am trying my best these days to sit, breathe and listen to my inner guidance about my art and the life I want. I feel very lucky that my life's purpose and art are meant to walk the same path together. This seems more and more apparent to me the more immersed I become in my art and the more I ask the question, " What is my purpose in life?". I hear the whispers telling me to believe in myself, love myself, and be inspired. Only then can I pay it forward and help others to see their own lights, gifts and beauty. This blog has been an amazing gift to me. Each Small Sweet Step I have taken has gotten me closer to seeing my own light, worth, and the life I am meant to live. Thank you so much for helping me to sit, breathe, and listen.

Print is available at my Etsy Shop.

Surtex Recap

I had an amazing time at Surtex last week. I have been attending Surtex for the last 7 or 8 years for work and inspiration. I have walked the show secretly dreaming of one day exhibiting my work.

My intention this year was to help my friend Cindy Ann and to walk the show and introduce myself to some licensing reps. I want to start licensing my art but, I am waiting out a contract that is up in November. So, unfortunately, I am in a holding pattern until then except for my freelance work. I wanted to introduce myself so that when I start contacting companies in November, hopefully they will remember me.I had some positive feedback and interest which was very exciting!

The best part of being at Surtex this year was meeting some pretty amazing designers and new friends. I am so inspired by these women, not only because they are super talented, they were so open, honest and supportive of each other. They shared so much about their successes and challenges. You have no idea how refreshing it is to be with that kind of energy. It is so disheartening when you meet people who want everything for themselves and aren't willing to share. There is enough for all of us out there, the universe can be so abundant if you send out the right energy. Cindy Ann was so nice to me. This was actually the first time we have seen each other. We first "met" during Decor8's ecourse "Blogging your Way". We became friends online and started talking on the phone and finally met last week. So, here I am with this new friend that has spent a lot of money and devoted so much of herself to have this great booth at Surtex and guess what she does? She introduced me to her clients! Not only did she introduce me, she introduced me as a designer and asked me to give them my business card.  I was quite speechless at such a self-less act. Speechless and so full of gratitude to this special soul. I know in my heart, the universe will return that energy to her in amazing ways and you know what? So will I. Thanks again Cindy Ann.

So, where do I go from here? My plan was to try to find a licensing rep to work with right from the start in November but, after talking to my new friends, they convinced me to start out on my own first. At this point, I am about 85 percent sure I am going to exhibit at Surtex next year. Wow, did I just say that? This is something I have wanted to do for soooo long, the thought of making that dream come true is huge. This year is going to be full of small sweet steps. First, my health and my Lyme Disease treatments. That is going to take up most of my summer. Second, playing with my art and seeing where I can take it. I have so many ideas, I need to find the time to experiment. Third, November.... my freedom. After that, develop, market, sell, and prepare for Surtex.

I am a little bit nervous about committing too much right now because of my health, but if these treatments work and I regain my energy and life after 12 years.... nothing will stop me from reaching my dreams. Nothing!

Much love, prosperity and good health to you, my friends.

Cindy Ann Ganaden at her booth ©g design.

Some of the amazing women I was telling you about. I wish I took more pictures.

L to R- Jessica Swift, Caroline Simas, Cindy Ann Ganaden, Khristian A.Howell, and Niki Malek.

It was also great spending time with Monica Lee, and Mary Beth Freet of Pink Light Design and Megan Halsey. Check out their websites and blogs, they are amazing!

Dream a Dream of a Dream...

This reminds me of a fairytale, a sweet dream filled with magical gardens and little bunnies! I am really liking this new direction with my art! It feels like it is all coming together and I couldn't be more excited. This last year has been an amazing creative adventure for me, I have been trying to get this art out of me for years now and it is finally manifesting. Whenever I would create something in the past, I would always say, I like it but, it's just not right. I am happy to say that feeling it gone! I found the art that has been living and hiding in my heart.