What I do when I'm not physically reminding myself to breathe

Upon arriving back to my house last weekend... I looked around.  

• I saw laundry that could be done - but it could wait.
• I saw emails that could be read - but they could wait.
• I saw bills that could be paid - those most definitely waited.

I had a feeling of Christmas - that needed action - massive, immediate action.

I busted out some Christmas music, did about 483 stair laps bring up tubs and tubs, a faux tree, carrying down the regular decor and all the empty tubs to turn my living room into a mini snow globe (without the snow.)  It was the first time I've felt the Christmas spirit this year and figured I better darn well harness it before it scooted out the window without my permission.

I put up our little tree (it's all I could carry up the stairs by myself) decorated it with many of my ornaments given to me throughout my life.  I have always had a fetish with glass... ever since I was a girl.  When my mom would take us ornament shopping to pick out our ornament for the year, I always wanted the most fragile, blown glass pieces.  They looked like icicles, bubbles, mystical orbs... the more fragile the more they called my name.

Crazy Kaleidoscope Lens on the Ipad - imagine the jewelry...

Today my little tree has white lights and all those glass ornaments (and a few wonky, hand-made ones that are still around from when I made them in 8th grade with Mrs. Pappa - and they still smell like gingerbread when I take them out of the box!) all these together made my tree even more special this year.  It was my moment celebrating bits and pieces of what makes up me!

Now I still covet glass... in the form of beads.  I guess it's in my veins!

So here's to finding Christmas Spirit despite the challenging moments and creating Christmas memories that will last forever! 

{Hugs!}
Dawn

Busy.... very Busy.

Am I the only one running 10 million miles per hour and my "To Do" list keeps on growing?  My family celebrates Christmas starting this Saturday with my Mom's whole side of the family, then continues next weekend with Chris' family and my immediate family.  Celebrate Early & Celebrate Often!

So while I finish up the gifty gifts for friends and family, and put the mistle in mistletoe... I'll be humming carols and steam will be coming from my sneakers - because I'll be moving VERY quickly right about NOW!

Sending you Joy and Peace!

Beaded Ornaments - Not Just for Christmas!

I've been quiet this week... not resting or sleeping... just not typing or spending much time on the computer.   
Why?

Because I've been in Bead Heaven!  Yes, I've been playing with a few styles of ornaments that I want to make available in my store.

The Inspiration
When my mom & I used to go Christmas shopping together (when I was a little girl) I relished the thought of not only the 1-on-1 time with Mom, but also going store to store, up and down the aisles finding the "perfect" ornaments for each of my siblings.  It was a tradition every year my parents got each of us a special ornament... whether it was a gold foiled golf ball (for me), or a Camaro ornament (for my brother), or a puppy or a handblown bubble, choosing from so many ornaments was always so much fun!

My favorite Christmas Ornaments and the ones that always caught my eye were either A. really delicate or B. SUPER detailed.  We would browse in the "fancy" garden centers at the artisan crafted ornaments and I'd drool over all those beads... they were just dripping for those beautiful glass balls.  They were also a gazillion $ and not something I would get as a kid.

But now... as an adult... and an artisan in my own life, I've decided that I could make something similar.  A beaded ornament that is stunning and detailed and could be passed down through the generations to become an heirloom.  I dream of a Designs by Dawn Marie beaded ornament adorning the tops of pianos, or curio cabinets or fireplace mantles hanging on beautiful ornament stands and cherished all year long!

Ahhhh, to dream!  It's what keeps the bounce in our step and the inspiration in our creativity!
What are some of your favorite holiday memories?  I'd love to hear!

Have a wonderful afternoon!
{Hugs!}
Dawn