Weekly Inspiration Photo..Be Wild! Be Crazy!

As each day passes and my son gets older (he's 19 months now!) I find that not only am I teaching him things, he is teaching me as well. My most prized masterpiece to date, he's truly become one of my greatest inspirations.

He is a willful and spirited child who is sometimes too smart for his (or my) own good! But he has a real knack for being goofy and his fits of uncontrollable laughter make for some great therapy. It is, afterall, the best medicine :)

He teaches me daily that it's okay to let loose, roll around on the floor, and laugh so hard your sides hurt. This is living and it rocks!

Featured Artist Spotlight...CraftsByChris!!!

Chris Dembinski is a woman of many talents. Not only does she make incredible polymer clay beads, she designs fabulous jewelry, AND creates original pieces of art. Check out her second Etsy shop BCArtwerks.There you will find a collection of ACEOs, acrylics, watercolors, digital artworks, and photography prints. Her work has been featured in Polymer Cafe...check out the cover :)



I *met* Chris on eBay a few years ago through some jewelry and bead groups and I've been a huge fan of her work since. I use a lot of her beads in my own creations! Now we are both on Etsy and belong to the Etsy Angels Team where we help to raise funds for various charities and causes. Chris is a truly gifted person with a huge heart. I feel very lucky to have her as a friend.

Okay...now here is more information about Chris. I asked, she answered!

MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
CD: It seems like I've always done some kind of craft. My grandmother taught me to crochet and embroidery. My mom had a ceramic shop in our basement when I was a kid. I started out 13 years ago making shirts with sewed fabric designs along with other assorted crafty items. I also made earrings and other jewelry to match. I still do some jewelry designing, but mainly make polymer clay beads now.

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
CD: My inspiration to create comes in many forms. Nature is a big source of inspiration, but it also comes from just about everything around me, colors, fabrics, shapes, patterns, textures. I've always been the type to see something and say to myself, I can do that.

My greatest motivation to succeed is my children. I like being able to be home to get my kids off to school and to be here when they come home. There is also a need to create, it's just a part of who I am.


MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
CD: Laundry. It's a never ending job. When I'm not working on my craft or doing laundry, I like to spend time with my hubby and kids. We like to go camping and swimming in the summer.

MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
CD: Yes, I belong to Etsy Angels (EANGTEAM), The Bead Hive(BHV TEAM) and Tranquil Beading Oasis (TBO TEAM).

MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
CD: More beads! There are some new tutorials in the works and maybe a bead show or two. I am also working on website to help promote Indie Artists.







Check out Chris' Etsy Shop.... CraftsByChris

Weekly Inspiration Photo!

Wow! I can't believe it's been a week since I've updated Merkaba's Musings. We were out of town over Memorial Day Weekend for a much-needed break. Completely unplugged. No television, no computer, just relaxation! Now I'm back and, of course, behind in my normal routine. But that's okay.

This week's inspiration is *a watched pot never boils.* The above photo is of a beautiful peony that finally bloomed while away. For weeks we waited in anticipation as the buds formed on the plant. And waited, and waited, and waited! Any day now, we thought.

It was so nice to see them in bloom when we arrived home. Definitely worth the wait and a little lesson in patience!

Have a great week!

Weekly Inspiration Photo! Hope.

Today's inspiration is about HOPE. I can't and won't tell you what to hope for. Only you can decide that. I, personally, hope for a lot of things :)

Until recently I had no idea that a columbine was a thing...a flower to be precise. I think many readers will understand when I say that I always think of tragedy when I hear the word columbine. So, how can it mean something so entirely different?

The above photograph shows a yellow columbine that was planted in my flower bed last summer. Actually, several varieties were planted...pink, yellow, maroon, white, etc. It is a gorgeous flower and the real beauty is that it comes back year after year.

While the tragic event will never be lost in my memory, I am happy that these flowers now conjure new emotions. Feelings of hope.