Made it through April...

      Hello friends! Yes it has been a while...college, and keeping up with the jewelry has been a bit challenging, to say the least. April is always a hard month for me to get through, because of my dreaded birthday. Oh , I realize it is all about perspective, and I keep a positive one. Every year in April I reflect on how my life is going. I ask myself questions like, "What did I do to inspire others this past year? What can I do to do better than that?", basically I spend all of April analyzing my life. lol I am sure I am not the only one that reflects on life when birthdays rolls around. You do it too, right? I have a list of things I need to improve on, believe me it is a longggg list. I decided this year I am going to take the time to enjoy the little things ,but I have no intention of losing focus on that list. I am happy to report, I have earned 15 of the 60 credits needed to attain my goal of earning an Associates degree. Now that I know what it will take to maintain the A's, I can focus more on this blog and my jewelry. Yep, life is good my friends! My two new courses now are, Foundation of Psychology, and Critical and Creative Thinking, I am so excited to be taking them! I have a little free time now and I am coming to read your Blog, and catch up with you now, so make me some coffee please....lol  
See you soon!

Shorty Award Nomination cast your vote!

Shorty Award Nomination  I voted have you?
    The Handmade Artist Forum has been helping to promote handmade artisans grow their small businesses, and now they need our help.  Please click through and vote! Even if you are not an artist, and just like handmade unique gifts, you too can show your support by voting. Every vote counts!

Keeping that New years resolution is getting old....

 
     Keeping that New Year’s resolution is getting old already and we are not even half way through the month. Am I the only one feeling this way? I have managed to accomplish two of three promises that I had made to myself but the hardest is the third. I want to earn my purple belt this year and in order to do that I am going to have to find some motivation fast. The next karate session starts Monday and all though I told myself I would be physically conditioned by then but boy, I am in for a world of hurt. I have been slacking off now for four months so with no one to blame but myself I am going to suck it up and start this karate session with a prayer that I will be able to make it through the next three months without injuring myself. So although my new year’s resolution is causing me some stress I am going to give it my best my friends, and looking on the bright side of things I have eleven more months to go. Did you make, keep, or break a resolution?

Happy 2013!

Happy 2013!
      2012 was extraordinary for me,and I am thankful for all the Blessings I received! The last quarter of the year I was having a melt down, mid life crisis, I wasn't happy with who I had become.lol   I want to work smarter, I want to be able to help others better themselves also.  I decided to do something about it and college seemed to be the easiest remedy for me. I want to be a better writer,photographer, designer, retailer,marketer, mother, and well you get the idea. I want to take responsibility for my own happiness. Although I have only earned my first six of sixty college credits for my Associated degree in business and entrepreneurship I have already learned so much. I only regret not signing up years ago. In 2013 my blog and websites will start to reflect the new improved me, as I apply what I am learning. It is sure to be an interesting year for TamsJewelry and I can't wait to share what I learn. Promoting others is one of my focus's, I want to be more effective at promoting handmade artist's work. I am fortunate to have figured out that the biggest thing that keeps me from my success is myself. I am finally finding the balance I needed to accomplish my dreams! I am so excited about 2013 and I hope you get everything you want out of this new year as well! I hope you have a safe and happy 2013 and all your dreams come true!

Happy Thanksgiving!

      Hello My friends and family! I just wanted to tell you all, I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving! I hope that you have time to actually reflect on the reasons that you have for giving thanks. I for one have so much to be thankful for. My family is healthy and we are Blessed. I love Thanksgiving because it reminds us of the importance of giving thanks and gives us an excuse to gather with family that we do not normally get the to be with. 

       I also like to take the time especially on the holidays to give thanks for the loved ones that we do not get to spend time with for whatever reason. I love you all and I am thankful and Blessed to have you in my life even if I do not get to see you or speak to you often. I am also thankful for the love of family and friends that are no longer with us here on Earth because they helped make me the person I am.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

HAF Featured Artist Yankee Burrow

                                              Hello! Debi and Amanda are the creative mother daughter team that is better know as Yankee Burrow Creation's. The combination of their talents makes for an interesting shop full of a variety of items that make the perfect gift for any occasion. Weather it be something for your wall, your special day, or something for you, it's sure to be something special. I have enjoyed learning about this creative duo, I have met through the Handmade Artist Forum. Their HAF Shop is awesome just see for yourself. You will find this beautiful wreath and that gorgeous shadow box , jewelry and more .  To keep up with their newest additions follow their  blog .  I hope you enjoy your shopping! Thanks for stopping by!

I 'm going back to school

      I didn't want to speak to soon and jinx the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a very long time. That is why I didn't share this sooner. I enrolled at the University Of Phoenix . Now It's not that I don't feel challenged enough already trying to raise my two teenage daughters. And yes, karate is very challenging also.  I have come to a point where I needed to learn more about search engine optimization, e-marketing, marketing in general , writing, and well you get the idea. In order to keep up with the ups and downs of this economy I realized I have to learn a few things. So I did a little research then I decided The University Of Phoenix had a perfect marketing program for me, so I contacted them. If you have been considering furthering your education may I humbly suggest you contact  Lew Sykes a student adviser ,he certainly made my decision easy. I gave him a link to my Etsy Shop and he helped guide me to the perfect program for me. May I add it has been a while since I have been in school. He scheduled me for 4 weeks of work shops to prepare me and guess what? I Loved them! Yes ,not only did I learn something from them but I had fun in the process.Now that I have the workshops behind me ,I am confident I am ready to start the first two courses on Monday. I will be earning an Associates degree in business and entrepreneurship first. And hopefully I will then go on to my Bachelors. I am so excited! If you are interested in furthering your education but aren't sure where to start please contact the University Of Phoenix ecampus.phoenix.edu/ and see what they have to offer you. Never stop learning ! When you speak to Lew please tell him Tam sent you!

HAF Featured Artist Sandi iKnitQuiltSew

Have you met Sandi? I met her a couple of years ago through the Handmade Artist Forum.  She is an amazingly talented lady as her shop name suggests iKnitQuiltSew she does all well as you can see for yourself. I have shared her work a few times last was in Jan.2012. I can tell you she has been very busy since then.She had posted in July on her awesome Blog her original  pattern for knitted cowboy booties. By August she had quit an awesome collection to share and they are just adorable don't you agree? Her HAF Shop has an incredible variety of gifts. There are blankets, quilts, headbands, dolls,gift sets and more! After you complete your purchase please stop by and see what's new in some of the other HAF Shops. Go ahead get an early start on that Holiday shopping! ;)

I have Two more Talented HAF Artists to share!

 Hello!  Today I am running a double feature. ;)  There are two Handmade Artist Forum members shops I would like you to visit.There are several reasons I would like you to do this, One is they have awesome shops with great prices. Another reason Is they are both very talented hard working ladies who put a lot of love in there work! I believe you will see it!  Pam is the inspirational creator behind The Bead Thing. She has some amazing pieces in her shop! My favorite is this eye catching Wire wrapped Bracelet.    Another talent I met through HAF is Alix creator of The Alchemists Vessel. As you can see she has some gorgeous pieces as well! I certainly hope you have taken the time to view all the Items in their beautiful shops and I hope you take the time to visit some other HAF Shops as well! Enjoy!

The Handmade Artists Forum

                 Artisan, craftsman, creator, inventor, anyone that is producing a handmade Item for profit should frequent the Handmade Artist's Forum. Why The Handmade Artist's Forum? It's the perfect place to find all the essential information and ideas to help your business grow. Doesn't matter if you are small hobby or big business, there is something for all. I have shared the forum many times, last in April. The best part of the forum to me is the wonderful people that you are going to meet. The Handmade Artist Forum is the result of Andrew and Kimberly Kitchen's work! They are always promoting handmade! They are both very talented as reflected in their work. I last featured them both and their beautiful work in February. So now that I have told you a little about the Forum go ahead and click through and check it out for yourself. Please while your there, stop by and see all the beautiful shops, Enjoy!