Christmas is a time
when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present
remembered. What I don't like about office Christmas
parties is looking for a job the next day.
~ Phyllis Diller
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Server Upgrade Scheduled
We will have a tiny, wee server outage
on Monday, December 15, at about 9 a.m. eastern time. Please
do not be alarmed if you notice you're not receiving your
mail or your site is down. It shouldn't take more than
15 minutes for this upgrade and when it's complete, we'll
all notice improved server performance! Thanks for your
patience and please let me know if you have any concerns/questions.
Holidays
I'm going to try something new this year --- from December
24 - January 3, I will be working limited hours. This
means I'll be here, but I will not be chained to my desk
and email as per usual. All this means is that I may not
respond to your email requests immediately. If you have a
rush job or emergency, please call me. I plan to reorganize
my office/studio and that's a major excavation!
I'll be back to work full-time, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,
on Monday, January 5. Expect some new and exciting promotions
in 2009!
Shopping Tip!
One of the best things you can do during this season of
giving is to think outside the box when choosing gifts for
your family and loved ones. Remember,
this is supposed to be fun and a way to show the people we
love (and work with and who help us all year) how much we
appreciate them. This
is truly a joy and not a burden, but somehow society has
made us think that it should be some kind of miserable trial
in life. Well, I say we should buck that trend. Here's some
of the stuff I'm doing this year to ease the stress:
 Whenever
you can, shop locally. Support
those cute little gift shops and other mom and pop stores
that desperately rely on your holiday dollars in order to
stay open this year. The service in these shops is usually
great and you will find the most unique ideas for gifts!
Plus, you will be helping your neighbor.
Another idea is to buy handmade. There's
a whole world of artisans, crafters and artists out there
(yours truly included) who make anything and everything and
offer them for sale on their websites and in online malls
such as Etsy. A few of my favorites are:
- Fran Saperstein, a.k.a. ArtsyFran, is a dear friend and
a client. She does beautiful mixed media work, as well
as quilted dolls and totes. Her quilted cell phone pouches
are a big hit! Visit her Etsy
site or her blog.
- Kathy
Jeffords paints lovely and whimsical girls with
big eyes, which I think represent her big heart. I do not
know this gal, but I follow her on Twitter and I love her
artwork. Her prints are extremely reasonable and would
be great for a little girl's room...or the room of a big
girl who's little at heart.
- Linda
Woods, along with her sister Karen, is one
of my favorite authors on the topic of art journaling.
Her great artwork is featured on her Etsy shop. Her blog
is entertaining, but not always for the faint of heart!
This is a girl who makes NO apologies!
- My pal Leighanna
Light takes found objects and turns
them into something gorgeous. She's got shrines and jewelry
and all kinds of neato keen things she whips up in her
magical cottage in Albuquerque. Her home is completely
filled with art...there is not one spare spot to hang one
more peice of work -- no lie! Help her make some space
and buy her art!
- Last, but not least, Leah
Piken inspires me with her
Creative Every Day challenge and her soulful paintings.
I am the lucky owner of one of her prints, Waiting
for Spring, and it brings me joy every day.
Lastly, if you're truly stumped for that person who has
everything, please consider a donation
to your favorite charity.
My favorites are St.
Jude Children's Research Hospital, Avon
Walk for Breast Cancer via my friend Lisa Spodak who is very committed to
the cause, Animal
House,
Thank You!
2008 marks 10 years since I started my business. I want
to thank all of you for your support and business over the
years. I truly appreciate you because you're helping me to
live my dream of self-employment. It's never easy, and sometimes
it's not fun, but it's very satisfying and fulfilling. Please,
if there's anything you're looking for in 2009 to help grow
your business online, let me know. I'm bubbling with ideas!
May your holidays be bright and stress-free...may your cocoa
be hot and creamy and may 2009 finally be the year of joy
we're all hoping for. |
