A new dawn, a new day, a new year, a new me!

Happy 2013!

But for serious, where did 2012 go?? 

Like I blinked and missed the whole thing.

It was a pretty good year, as far as years go.

We added a new little chunk to our family.

Our biggest little turned 4, and is like a legit person now.

We expanded our online business, and realized that our part time craft business could possibly, maybe, really be a full time business.

Which leads me to why 2013 is going to be the best, weirdest, most stressful but wonderful year.

Because I. Quit. My. Day Job!

Are you excited, because I'm super excited. But nervous. Sometimes when I think about it I want to throw up.

But I did it. I turned in my letter of resignation, and said see ya later, bitches! But not really, because I'm nice. So I told them I'll stay till they find a replacement for me (impossible, I know).

But the feeling of knowing that in a matter of weeks I will be out of the office and home, with my littlest little, focusing on the things that I love, is ah-mah-zing.

So fingers crossed that I

a) actually like/can handle being a work at home mom. I've never cussed out a baby, but then again I've never spent every waking minute with one, so....

b) Can actually pull this off. I mean, what if it was a fluke? What if everyone stops buying our stuff, and then we are poor, and then we have to sell our pets and possibly one (or more) of our children just to pay our bills?

Just kidding. 

I'm dreaming big here people!! And in celebration:

Click here to advertise
**NOTE: Offer valid until 3/31/13**

Hope you have lots to look forward to in 2013, I'll keep you posted on how my new life works out for me♥

Favorites...

In honor of Stockannette featuring me in another one of her great Etsy treasuries, I'm doing a similar themed favorites list! Her treasury is Spooky Scary Stuff (see it at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=62054 ), so here are a few of my creepy finds!

This is my Cold spider pendant that was featured in the treasury.

http://www.edmdesigns.etsy.com/

http://www.agonysdecay.etsy.com/

http://www.londonparticulars.etsy.com/

http://www.bionicunicorn.etsy.com/

http://www.lovechildboudoir.etsy.com/

Treasury!!

Thanks to Stockannette (again) for including me in another treasury! This on is called Indiana, two ways! and features sellers from the INCrowd, Indiana's street team. She choose my Around and Around Earrings, and featured them with some other great talent. See the treasury at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=57175 thru Tuesday, and be sure to check out her shop at http://www.stockannette.etsy.com/

These are few of my favorite things...

Since my day has been so dreary I decided to have a sunny theme to all my favorite items. I hope these bright yellows put a little pep in your step!

Mellow Yellow Charm Bracelet from www.tamar.etsy.com

This charm bracelet is so sweet and summery! It is made from a vintage glass bead chain and features an eclectic variety of old fashioned charms. It even comes shipped in a brown paper package tied up with string!

You Are My Sunshine from www.karenfaulknerart.etsy.com

What a perfect title for this original watercolor painting! It measures 4x6 inches and is sure to add a little sunshine to any home. Check out the rest of her work, I really love her simplicity.

Yellow Thoughts from www.dumbo.etsy.com

I just love this screen printed tot from Dumbo! It features bright yellow cotton, black and white screen printing, and hand painted rosy pink cheeks. The pale pink lining sets of the brightness of the bag, as well as adding strength. What a perfect beach bag this could be...

Terrarium Yellow CupCake from www.CharlotteCramer.etsy.com

This shop has the cutest terrariums, and even I could handle caring for this little mini garden! I cannot get over how cute this is!

Lemon-Lime Fuzzy Popcorn Scarf from www.stockannette.etsy.com

This super fluffy scarf what be the perfect pop of color for a dreary winter outfit! Plus, there are so many ways to wear it, you would get a ton of wear out of it. Be sure to check out all the hand knitted wares from Stockannette, as well as her other kitschy crafts.

Cardboard Ring Frames

I think this idea from Photojojo is so clever and cute!

What a neat way to display your photos in a circular fashion, and they are super easy to make. And they are helping the environment, since you'll be throwing out a few less paper towel rolls!

To start, just save up any different sized cardboard rolls (such as paper towels, oatmeal canisters, and wrapping paper). Mark and cut the rolls into varying thicknesses, then use the cut rolls to trace out the circles on your photos.

Cut the photos out and attach using a thin bead of glue along the rim of the cardboard. Glue some to the front, and some to the back to give a different look to your assortment of photos.

Use a few pushpins or nails to hang the rings from, and voila! Instant art!

Click this post's title to go to Photojojo's website and see all the instructions and so much more!

My favorite...

I just recently stumbled upon this piece of art I did several years ago when I was in college. This is probably my favorite piece I've done. It is a 23"x 17" oil pastel drawing on drawing paper. Its nice to look back at older work, and see how my style of art, and the subjects, have changed so much. I would love to do more work like this, but who has the time?!

Im so proud to have my jewelry sold at these awesome stores...

General Eccentric is a trendy boutique chain with stores in Louisville and Lexington, KY. The hip and trendy clients are all about unique and cool jewelry and clothes. Learn more at www.geneccentric.com

District is by far the coolest store in my town of Evansville, IN. The sell clothes and accessories that you can't find anywhere else in town. And they only carry a few of each item, so there is hardly a risk of someone wearing the same thing as you! See what they have to offer at www.districtfashionforward.com

Hoodlums is a super cool record store in Tempe, Arizona. Their college crowd clientele love anything rock or movie inspired!

Check them out at www.hoodlumsmusic.com

So much fun...Check out the new stuff Ive been working on! I can't wait to add it to my shop

First Stoic post!!!

Hello! This is Stoic first blog, how exciting!! You may be wondering...what is Stoic??? Don't worry, I will tell you!!

Stoic is..........................................
My husband and I making things we like and hoping others will enjoy them as well. We put everything we have into everything we make, so we know you will be pleased with your purchase!! We are both recent college graduates, me with a degree in advertising and art, and my hubby with a degree in graphic design. He has found a job in his field that is a stepping stone, while I'm having a tough time getting in to the real world! I have realized it is very nearly impossible to find a creative job when you live in Evansville, Indiana. On top of this, we are about to have our first child, a boy to be named Lincoln. With this in mind, I can't help but think how great it would be to quit my dead end, boring desk job, and instead spend my days raising a kick ass son and being inspired to make more and more wonderful items. Wouldn't it be nice if my full time job could be making things for you to buy and enjoy?
Alas, this may never happen, as we have bills to pay, and so far the handmade goods business has not been very financially rewarding!!
So I will continue to toil away at my day job, aimlessly filing, typing, and being a slave to my unappreciative boss. The only thing that keeps me going is the thought of coming home to my crafty sanctuary, spending my evenings watching Scrubs reruns with my baby and coming up with new items for my shop.