secondsister suaviloquy

words with friends

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The first thing that happened was the kite got away.

The dads ran after it. But alas, it was gone. What's the saying? There is nothing quite like a crisis to bring people together.

But it turns out, we didn't really need a crisis. We clicked. Just. Like. That.

The story goes something like this:

I meet Katy online about a month ago. We chatted via Facebook, then email and then texts. Katy was coming with her family to San Diego for the weekend and so we invited them to dinner at our house. But then, the Sugar Daddy had to travel, so I asked if we could just meet up for dinner a day earlier.

Long story short. We ended up meeting them at the Hotel Del. And staying in their villa with them overnight.

Just to be clear, Ben and I don't do this sort of thing. It isn't like us. We are rather timid, cautious people. But I think maybe, it was meant to be. I think maybe there was no way we could not be friends with Katy and Paul and their two kids.

We put the littles to bed and stayed up talking and laughing.

Paul and his brother invented a little game you might have heard of called Words With Friends. It was fascinating to hear the story of how they created the game and the risks they took to make their dream come true.

Our kids played so well together. I loved seeing them have so much fun with new friends.

Thom was in heaven hanging out with a family that understands his game obsession. He had just started playing Words With Friends with his cousin a few weeks ago.

I often wonder what my life would be like without the internet. I love that I can make new friends anywhere in the world. I love that if I am having a good day or a bad day I can simply pick up my phone or sit at my computer and tell a friend about it.

Because, after all, having words with friends and family is what life is all about.

Connection.

This Katy girl is already the type of friend you can go make-up less and braless around. She could walk in my house, and open my fridge, and get herself a coke, and kick off her shoes, and plop down on my couch, and tell me a story, and it would be as if she and I had been friends since childhood.

Is it rare to find a new friend like that? I think so, but the internet helps.

Thanks Katy and Paul!

I'm working on pictures from the workshops. Hopefully I will have them up later this week.

lofty goals

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:55:00 +0000

I was feeling sorry for myself the other day.

I was looking at my friends photos taken at Surtex and the National Stationary show and feeling very sorry for myself that I wasn't there, participating. Oh poor forlorn me. Nobody likes me, my art.

And just generally feeling like my art career is super slow going and lifeless.

So I said to myself, "Self, this is it. You are setting a goal. You are going to Surtex next year."

And then I immediately got scared because I'd set such a lofty goal. And my go to thought is always, I can't do it, I'm not good enough.

But, you know, what the hell. What do I have to lose?

So now I've plastered my goal up on the world wide web for all to see, which is more than setting it in stone, because people will know if I fall short. How embarrassing.

But I think very helpful nonetheless. For instance, the fear of embarrassment will motivate me and also, if you happen to be an agent or a creative director of a company who likes my art, you might just call me up and say, let's make this happen. That would be nice.

Anyway, here's to goals and living stagnant free.

a modern vintage tea party birthday

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

It was a tea party as sophisticated as a tea party for toddlers can be.

She is three. Already. What happened? Where did my baby girl go?

We decided to forgo a birthday cake in lieu of petit fours.

And lots of other goodies.

Of course.

The guests were as sweet as the cake.

Each little girl received an apron made from a hankie with treats in the pocket.

Daddy lit the candle.

Frankie "helped" blow it out.

Yummy gooey cakes!

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl.

marrakesh by design

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:29:00 +0000

Ania in Morocco for a while

Last Saturday I went to meet up with Maryam Montague who owns Peacock Pavilions where we are hosting Casbah Creative. She has a new book out, called Marrakesh by Design, and she is currently in the states on her book tour.

If you are the kind of person who likes interior design, I highly recommend her book. It's gorgeous and full of fascinating tidbits about Moroccan style design.

Anyway, I loved meeting Maryam. She is a delightful and intriguing person. My visit with her made me so excited for our trip in October that I can hardly stand it. The Casbah Creative retreat is almost full. We have two spots left. If you are interested in joining us, please click on the retreat tab under the header and look thorough the brochure. If you have more questions, feel free to email me.

Here are some of the photos from Maryam's book to give you an idea of where the retreat will be.

little paper purse and shoe

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Friday! Friday! Friday! I have always loved Fridays. Even as a kid. The promise of the weekend is almost better than the weekend itself.

And it's Mother's Day weekend. We have a very full couple of days planned. We decided to take the kids out to Palm Springs to enjoy some heat and play in the fancy pool at the hotel. We don't want to live in the blazing heat, but we like to visit for a couple days every now and then.

I want to share an idea for a really super quick and easy last minute Mother's day gift.

I first made these super cute paper high heel shoes for a church party. I was given the pattern and we made like 70 of them. I think they make a perfect gift for a mom, and paired with my pattern for a little paper purse, they are just too cute.

Supplies needed:

12X12 sheet 80lb craft paper (paper printed on both sides is best)
Scissors
Hot glue
Embellishments (buttons, ribbon, cabochons, die cuts, etc.)

Trace template onto paper and cut out. Fold on dotted lines. Glue together. Embellish. Fill with goodies.

I think it is cute to use coordinating papers for the purse and the shoe if you are giving them as a set.

You can download the template for the shoe here.

You can download the template for the purse here.

i love you tammis keefe

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This is Tammis Keefe. She was a textile designer during the 1940's and 50's. She is one of my design heros. I love her art more than just about any other designer from the mid-century.

Have started collecting Tammis Keefe linens. I mostly have vintage handkerchiefs because they are more affordable than full table cloths and runners. I was looking at my collection yesterday and wondering how to display them. I love the idea of making them into a quilt, but I don't want to sew them because I don't want to devalue them.

I have enough other vintage hankies to make a quilt so I think I make one with those. You know, as if I could actually make a quilt. Sheesh. I really suck at making quilts and I love them soooo much. It kind of pisses me off a little. Anyone out there want to sew the quilt top for me? I will pay.

My friend Tara sent me this idea to frame the hankies and I love it. The thought of an entire wall covered with Tammis Keefe hankies makes my heart race.

source

In fact, I am now convinced that I cannot go on living without a Tammis Keefe hankie wall.

If I've piqued your interest, you can see a collection Tammis Keefe textiles on my Pintrest board.

Just don't bid against me on Ebay or I'll have to cut ya.

"Color is the most important factor

in design generally,

and in handkerchief design, specifically,

color prepares the emotions for the design itself,

as music sets the mood of the Play."

~ Tammis Keefe, 1952 Craft Horizons

artisan workshop giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:30:00 +0000

silk screening! -----image by dancing kangaroo

I met Katy online.

I meet a lot of people online, but I actually only connect with a few of them. Katy signed up to come to the workshops. I was really excited to meet her in person because she seems like my type of girl.

But life happened. Her husband had a business trip crop up during our workshop weekend. She can no longer attend the workshops.

Katy is well within the time frame to receive a full refund for the workshops but she sent me an email asking if I knew of anyone who wanted to come but couldn't afford it. She wants to gift her registration to help someone else come.

Isn't that wonderful? I wish there were more people in this world like Katy. Being generous is something I aspire to be. Not everyone can be generous with monetary items. But anyone can be generous with their time and their words.

Today I am giving away Katy's registration. I get to be generous by proxy.

If you are pinching pennies right now, but you would like to attend the workshops, please send me a private email. Explain your situation. I will be forwarding the emails to Katy and she can pick the person she feels most inspired to help.

Here's to good people. They make life beautiful.

Please send emails to secondsisterjewely@yahoo.com.

ole'!

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

It's Saturday. And I'm posting. What the?

Well it's Cinco De Mayo. Happy Independence Day to all the Mexicans I know and love!

Once upon a time I thought my children where going to be Mexican, and I decided that it behooved us to celebrate all Mexican holidays. I try to celebrate as many holidays as I can justify. Boxing Day? I'm all over that. We also adopted Chinese holidays when we thought we would have Chinese children. My kids are blond haired blue eyed. We don't really know their definitive heritage. We are calling it Danish so we have an excuse to make lots of aebleskivers.

Anywho. Cinco De Mayo is a good excuse to eat some really good fattening food. No?

Ole'!

And let us not forget Dia de los Muertos. Another good one. It's like Halloween and Memorial Day all in one.

I think American memorial day should be more about remembering our own individual ancestors. Not to take anything away from those who have served our country (both my grandpas are veterans), but I think in general we Americans need to spend more time honoring those who have gone before us. Those who have paved our way. Those grandmas and grandpas who gave us not just a crooked nose, but family names, land, recipes, beliefs and values.

I am but a mere link in this family chain. That thought makes me feel so small, but it also gives me a mantle. My grandparents are looking down the line. They are rooting for me.

It's good to know I have a team.

Memorial day is May 28th, which is a special day for me. My best friend and cousin who died when we were 18 was born on May 28th. I will be thinking of her.

i got nothin

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:43:00 +0000

I'm having one of those really odd weeks where I don't have much to say.

I mean imagine it, me, not having much to say. Freaky really.

But I wanted to check in. I want to share my artistic adventures of the week, but alas, I cannot share them yet. The powers that be need to see them first.

I want to tell you that I have a new little niece on the way and I simply can't wait to get my hands on her.

I want to connect with you in some way. Here are ten things about me. I like these lists when other people do them.

1. I like Peppa Pig and Charley and Lola but I hate- HATE, all other kid shows.

2. I eat granola, yogurt and fruit every morning.

3. I love the sound of a torch lighting.

4. Grasshoppers scare the hell out of me.

5. I am selfish with my time. I am trying to get better about this.

6. I love making friends with people very different from myself. I love diversity.

7. I'm a collector.

8. I'm not a morning person but I don't like sleeping in either.

9. I used to read all the time. Now I hardly ever read and I work on art all the time.

10. I believe that running and cycling (or any repetitive cardio activity) can put your brain into a certain meditative state where ideas flow freely and inspiration comes easier.

perfect schmerfic

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:42:00 +0000

Print available from UUPP

I thought I was going to have a nice three day break from everyday mothering and such. I thought it would be relaxing.

I was wrong.

The PMC class was intense. The projects had to be perfect. Let's just all keep in mind that I don't do anything perfect. I detest perfect.

I wanted to huck most of my projects out the window and make a dramatic exit after speaking my mind about the artistic value of imperfect.

But I passed. And now I know a whole lot more than I ever wanted to know about precious metal clay and it's properties. And I can go back to making things imperfect and flawed with a whole lot of character.

And there was the fire. I do enjoy working with torches. It's therapy really.

AND I feel ready to get back to making jewelry. Now I have more skills to make exactly what I dream up in my head.

If you want to take a class to learn how to get started with PMC, I'm your girl.

Oh and the other exciting part is I bought a full sized kiln. I've always wanted a kiln since I was little. It's just one of those things a girl like me needs.

funkified

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

To be totally honest, I'm ridiculously glad it's Friday.

It's been a long week. The babies have been very very busy. Rearranging. Destroying. General mayhem.

I haven't been as dedicated as I usually am to exercising every day. I've been weak on my healthy eating plan.

I have struggled to come up with creative ideas.

I feel funkish and out of sorts. So Friday is a good place to be.

And I'm headed off to a three day course to certify as a precious metal clay instructor. I'm excited to play with silver again for a few days. Hopefully it will be just what I need to jump start my right brain again.

Have you ever played with PMC? It's a lot of fun. Maybe I'll add a PMC class to Prospector Workshops next time around.

Speaking of the workshops, we are only a month away! Get registered. Don't wait.

what a few old papers can do...

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The Sugar Daddy had some wood left over from a project he had been working on so I asked him to cut me some squares.

I have been wanting to do this collage project for some time and I finally had the perfect canvas for it.

I'm a little bit of an ephemera nut. I mean I really like old paper. I find fun stuff all over the place. I'm not above pulling old wrappers out of the trash or picking them up off the ground. I also have a few sources I buy from that carry really great old items.

I have built up quite a collection and I wanted to share some with those of you who like this sort of stuff as well. It's great for ATC cards, scrap booking, canvas art and package embellishing.

Here are some ephemera elements for you to download and use in your art.

Download the JPG here.

Download the PNG here.

I have created more block collages and hopefully they will be available commercially soon.

I will try to scan and share some of my collection every now and then so check back often!

banded

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:02:00 +0000

I love birds. And like almost everything about my personality, I believe I inherited this from my father.

As a boy my father raised show pigeons. He took up this hobbie again in later years and he became known throughout the world as a champion bird breeder.

He has since decided that he would rather photograph wild birds than raise domesticed ones. He is an amazing photographer of wildlife. He will sit in the cold for hours to get a good shot of an eagle or a hawk.

My father is also fiercey loyal. The day he married my mother, he became a man dedicated to a life of family goals and aspirations.

When a breeder or a researcher bands a bird, they put a small metal band around their ankle which gives information about who they are, when and where the bird was banded and a number to identify that specific bird.

The Sugar Daddy and I have been married almost twenty years. It will be nineteen years this June. Holy cow. Where did the time go?

Last week I went out to my workbench and made a band.

It states the name of the person who placed the band on my finger. The location and the date.

It felt good to be back at my workbench working with silver.

I had a helper. A grubby little imp who wants to see and do everything I do.

She's my girl. My Bird. She wanted to be banded too. Hers says "My Girl". This is what we call each other.

It feels good to be banded. I have a place. Every person should have a place where they belong. Where they are loved and excepted for who they are, faults and all.

Happy Monday.

the workshops: letterpress

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Ahhhhh. Letterpress.

For a person with papyrophilla (love of paper), it's the holy grail. Ben and I bought our press a few years ago after taking a class in Los Angeles together. It is one of the hobbies we share, and we have had a lot of fun figuring out the in and outs of our machine. We have a Challenge press which was probably manufactured in the 1950's.

Each student will get a set of Crane 100% cotton, 110lb flat cards and envelops. We are talking thick, gorgeous paper. Here's an example of letterpress done on this paper:

Students will learn to mix their own ink color, properly ink a brayer and press their cards.

img source

I have designed some plates for students to use to press their cards. Here are the choices:

Okay! Who's in?

If you haven't already, register now!

me too

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This piece was inspired by the art of Magic Jelly. We share a love of anything vintage.

I have this friend name Brene Brown. You might know of her. She's become pretty well known over the last few years. She studies shame and vulnerability. Sounds morbid, but she's not at all a morbid person. Quite the opposite.

Anyway, a few months back I had somebody leave a mean comment here on the blog and it really upset me. So I tweeted some vague thing about hating being so vulnerable and hurt. Brene sent me a direct message that basically just said she hates it too.

Earlier this week somebody left a nasty comment for Brene. Really mean stuff about her appearance that had nothing to do with the message she was giving. It upset her. So I direct messaged her that, yeah, it sucks. It happens to me too.

Another really good friend sent me a text saying that her life has completely changed since she started connecting with other people through social media. She lives in a very small town. She never realized there was a whole world of women out there struggling with the same stuff she struggles with.

Social media is a double edged sword. As you read this, I'm guessing there are other things you should be doing. Chores. It's easy to waste a lot of time online. Believe me, I have internet loafing down to a science.

But I believe the good of having the internet out weighs the bad because of one big reason that tips the scales.

Connection.

I live half my life in total fear of rejection. I care. I wish I didn't. I wish I could blow off nasty comment and people who don't like me. (Bastards.)

But I can't. I care.

And it really helps me to know that other people are as scared as I am. It helps to know that other mothers worry about not being what their kids need them to be. It helps to know that other artists hold their breath when they put their art out for other people to see.

I have met so many wonderful people through the internet. I have friends from all over the globe. That thought makes me so happy. I have learned things I never would have discovered if I didn't connect via the world wide web.

For me, the real value in having this network of amazing people is that I constantly hear those precious words: me too.

I've learned to be very picky about what I expose myself to on the web. There are so many beautiful blogs out there, that look like the nuclear family living in a Pottery Barn catalog eating food made by Wolfgang Puck everyday. I'm looking for authenticity. I much prefer the blogs where the children are running around the backyard in their diapers and the mom is still in her pajamas at two in the afternoon. Because, you see, this tells me that I'm not the only freak living in a world of normal people.

This is not to say that I don't like pretty. I do. I try to surround myself with beauty. It's just that at my stage of life, beauty is peppered with dirty diapers and peanut butter on the bar stools.

So today, I just want to say to you, me too. I'm scared and vulnerable and half looney. It's not just you.

This is Brene talking about all this stuff in her second TED talk she did a few months ago. She's says it so much better than I ever could.

I decided to bump the final workshop class post in order to write about this because it's been heavy on my mind. You can learn more about Prospector Artisan Letterpress class on Friday!

creatively made

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I have a friend who designs and sells wonderful, classic clothing. I was her customer before we became friends.

Jeanne Oliver designs are prairie chic, girly, hardware vintage. That's what I call them anyway. Jeanne has created a successful business around her creative dreams and now she is ready to share with others how she did it.

Introduction to Building a Creatively Made Business from Jeanne Oliver on Vimeo.

I'm helping Jeanne a little with this online class. I am very interested in what she has to teach me. Maybe you are too.

Class starts this evening. You can register here.

cartolina and me

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I've been waiting for sooooo long to finally shout this out to the world and today is the day!

I have been working with Fiona Richards of Cartolina Cards on the latest release of cards. Fiona is a delight to work with, and I feel very fortunate to call her my friend. She continues to teach me about industry, art and design. I look forward to making more art to be used on Cartolina cards.

In case you don't already have them, you must download both of the Cartolina iPhone apps.

I use Cartolina Postale all the time to send friends and family love notes. It's so easy to just do it from your phone while you are thinking about it.

Here is a look at the full collection, with the cards I contributed artwork to, and the ones Fiona created on her own. I love the colors and richness of the entire collection together.

You can purchase Cartolina cards in various shops all over the World or online, here and here.

Cartolina cards are eco-friendly!

the workshops: screen printing

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Okay! So! Screen printing! Oh my yes. It's so much fun and satisfying. Once you learn the basic concepts, you can create all sorts of custom projects.

Jennifer Dreshler-Vu will be teaching this class. I met Jennifer when she moved to Carlsbad. She is an over-all very creative, artsy girl, but she is a master at design. Her aesthetic is very clean and graphic. Her work always reminds me that less is more.

Students are asked to bring a couple items to screen print. This can be a t-shirt, tea towel, apron, pillow sham, or just a piece of fabric. Smooth, natural fibers work best. Jennifer will also have some blank items with her students can purchase.

Don't forget your aprons! We are going to be getting messy.

You can see some of Jennifer's items for sale here.

hello

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:08:00 +0000

Well it seems I took a little impromptu blogging break last week. Sometimes that happens. Life happens.

But let me just tell you a few things that are on my mind lately.

First, the Sugar Daddy and I have decided to try to eat mainly vegetarian meals. We aren't going totally veggie. We still like a steak every now and then, but for many different reasons we want to cut out meat and eat a plant based diet.

This has proved very hard for meal planning! It is so much easier to come up with a menu when you start with a meat. If any of you out there have a fabulous recipe that is vegetarian that you'd share with me, it would make me oh so happy. One thing though. It also has to be healthy.

You see my problem? It's really hard to come up with healthy vegetarian options that my kids will eat.

Now, another thing.

The other day I watched as a boy said something mean to my Tommy Bean. His eyes welled with tears and my heart cracked and broke into a million pieces. The boy that said the mean words isn't a bully. He's just a kid that was showing off. But I started thinking about bullying and the new film that is out and the controversy surrounding it. I guess they have given the film an R rating because of language and people are up in arms about this because they want children to be able to see the movie to raise awareness about bullying.

Here's what I decided. I won't take my kid to see a movie with bad language, even if it does have a good message. I think those of us with younger kids need to do our own work in educating our kids about being cruel. In fact, I think this is part of our obligation as parents. We don't need a film to teach these principals.

So when this boy said mean things to my son, I knelt down and looked him strait in the eyes (and fought back my own tears and anger) and told him to remember exactly how it felt and to try to never make anyone else feel that way.

Also, on Wednesday I'll be giving you the inside scoop on the screen printing class from Prospector Workshops. If you are thinking about coming, please get registered soon!

If you are coming from out of town for the workshops, please feel free to leave a message on the Facebook page if you are looking for someone to share lodging or car rentals.

to thine own self: part III create

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Let me make one thing clear.

Creativity is not defined as the ability to design. This is a fallacy that our society has imposed.

Creativity is defined as the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.

Every human is creative. Alas, it is part of what makes us human. It is why we have the Golden Gate Bridge and the internet and Godiva cheesecake. Oh God bless the soul who created Godiva cheesecake!

You, sitting here, reading this! You are creative. And guess what. You should be using that creativity and I'll tell you why.

The creative energy that resides in each of us is not benign. It is energy and is has to go somewhere. Somebody figured that out a long time ago using their creativity. I think it was Newton maybe.

E_potential -> action

So you have this energy inside of you. And if it isn't being used it gets stored, like fat, in our cells. Often it will metastasize. Which isn't good. This means it mutates into something else. Something ugly.

Just what it becomes is varied. Everyone is different. But the feeling that we all get from this mutant energy is the same. It feels like anxiety. Like listlessness. Like agitation.

Remember when you were a kid and you were stuck in the back seat on a long road trip and you were unable to get out and play? Remember how you would have an overwhelming urge to tease your sibling or annoy your parents? That's the feeling I'm talking about.

People are happier when they are exercising their creativity. They are more content. Their self-esteem is higher. They are better people. Period.

Now, here is the last part of my personal happiness plan. Ready?

Be creative.

That's it. Create something. Anything. Today and tomorrow and every other day after that.

And don't worry- I've heard all the excuses about no time, no money, no ideas.

To hell with circumstances. Create opportunity. Bruce Lee said that.

It's not easy. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Usually when I am working on a project I have to stop a billion times to change a diaper, get a snack, break up a fight, answer the phone or make a meal. I can't afford to buy the top of the line supplies all the time. Sometimes I try and try and try to get something right until I am so frustrated I can hardly stand myself. It's not easy.

Sometimes you have to push boundaries. Think outside the box to make things work.

I recently saw a film that perfectly illustrates what it means to create opportunity. Here's a clip:

You were born to create. Fulfilling this potential will bring you joy. This I know for sure.

Start today.

the workshops: silver smithing

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I met Canela Lemoine a couple of years ago at Spark. We had an instant connection because a) she lives in the town where my husband grew up and b) she is also a self-taught silversmith with a love for cowboy boots and embroidery.

The thing about Canela is she is hard core. You would never know this by meeting her. She is soft spoken and cheery. But the truth is she works hard. Really hard. Her business is absolutely booming right now and she does all the work by herself, by hand. With six kids and a husband still in school.

Like I said, hard core.

I haven't been doing a whole lot of silver smithing lately and Canela is one of a very small handful of people that I know will teach silver smithing better than I ever could. She is passionate about her work. She likes sharing this passion. She is patient and practiced at teaching (six kids remember?).

Her class will rocks your socks. No doubt about it.

Students will be making a wide (10mm) band. Canela will be teaching stamping, texure, soldering and finishing. Everyone will leave with a beautiful, personalized ring.

During our lunch breaks, Canela and I will be happy to answer questions about starting an at home business and balance of work and family life.

If you are considering taking the Prospector Workshops, don't wait to register. We can only accept a limited number of students.

frankie valentine turns two

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

He's a quirky little scrap of a kid. He likes Curious George and climbing and skate boards and airplanes. Always airplanes. He is rough and tough and incredibly soft and loving all at once. He whispers my name "A-pole" into my ear when I hold him in my arms.

His birth rocked our world. He is the best thing to happen to us that we thought we didn't want.

God is great.

Happy Birthday Henry. We love you to the moon and back.

to thine own self: part the second- the satisfaction cup theory

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:10:00 +0000

Happy Friday friends.

I meant to have this message up first thing this morning but, well life happened.

First off, a big thank you to all of you who have contacted me about my post "To Thine Own Self". I have received more emails, facebook messages and phone calls about that post than anything else I have ever written. All of you are thanking me for having written it, but the truth is, I need to be thanking you for all your feedback. It has been a long journey for me and it makes my heart sing that others can also benefit.

I wrote the basic bones of what I do in my life to stay the happiest possible. There is more. I never intended to write "how to" guides on being happy. I feel like I am much more adept at writing about hot glue and paint, than self improvement. However, I also want to share the things that make my life better. I think we should all be a lot more forth coming with the things that could help other people.

So I'm writing today to share with you the theory of the "Satisfaction Cup". My father came up with this theory some years ago. Our entire family has adopted it into our lives. It goes something like this:

Everyday you wake up with an empty cup to fill. During the day, you will fill this cup with the things you do. Every person has a different recipe for what they need to fill their cups with in order to feel happy and satisfied by the end of the day. For example, I have learned that everyday, I need to have a few hours of productive work, a few hours of creativity, some quality time with my family, exercise, a little play and down time. If I can fit all these things into my day, I go to bed tired and very happy.

Like I said before, everyone is different. My best friend needs a lot of play in her day to feel satisfied. Another friend needs a little service to others to be happy. You might need reading time or religious worship or lot of time to sit and do nothing. You must get real with yourself and figure out what it is you need to feel satisfied at the end of the day.

Keep in mind that there are days that vary. For instance, if you go on vacation, your day will be very different. Sundays at my house are different from other days of the week. The satisfaction cup is a general application to your everyday routine.

You will know at the end of the day if your cup isn't full. The feeling is unmistakable. You feel hungry. Maybe literally hungry, maybe figuratively hungry. If I find myself snacking late at night it is most often because my cup didn't get filled for the day. I'm not really hungry for food, I'm just trying to satisfy. Sometimes I do other things at the end of the day like waste time on the internet shopping or channel surf on t.v. Most often the things we do when our cups hasn't been filled are negative and unproductive. Sometimes they are even destructive, like picking fights with people or gossiping.

Yesterday I filled my cup to overflowing. I got up and got the kids bathed and dressed. Took The Boy to school and then took the two babies to the doctor for check-ups (work). After the doctor we went to TJMaxx and I shopped for a birthday gift (play). Then we went home and we had a picnic outside for lunch (quality family time). Then I ran on the treadmill and did sit-ups (exercise). I cycled the wash, did a little work on the computer, did a general pick-up through my house and baked a cake for Frankie's birthday party tomorrow (work). I took The Boy to scouts and then I spent some time creating party hats and favours for the party (creativity). We had dinner together and studied spelling words and then it was time for pajamas and bed and then a little veg time holding the babies and watching kids shows (down time). At this point I was absolutely exhausted and I ended up falling asleep instead of writing this post. But it didn't matter because my cup was already full and I was satisfied.

Not everyday is this busy or this productive. But if I can squeeze in just enough of everything I need to feel happy and satisfied, in the evening I know that my overall outlook on life will be healthy and upbeat.

Everyday you empty the contents of your satisfaction cup into your "Life Satisfaction Cup". If this cup isn't kept full, you will start to feel the effects. You will have a searching feeling. You will feel unsatisfied with the life you are living. You will tend to focus on the negative things instead of the things that make you happy.

So here's what you need to do:

First, identify what it is you personally need in each day to feel happy and productive. Be honest. I wish I could say that giving service was one of the things I need. Alas, it is not. Think about how your long term goals play into this.

Second, check yourself throughout your day to make sure you are managing your time so that you will be able to get in all the things you need.

Third, know that everyday is different and be flexible. If you work like a dog one day, you might not need much work in the days that follow to feel satisfied.

As I said before, happiness is not an absolute. There are so many factors that happen in our lives that play into how we feel emotionally. But the point is to work on those things that we can control.

Working toward happiness is always much better than the alternative.

Next Friday I will share with you the last aspect of my own person happiness plan. I hope you find these things as pertinent as you did the concepts in the first post.

Now carpe the diem out of today!

Sharing pics of Frankie Valentine's second birthday on Monday!

the workshops: pop art panels

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Thank you to all of you who have already signed up for Prospector Artisan Workshops!

We are so excited to meet everyone and spend a fun couple of days together.

I will be sharing a little more about each class for the next few Wednesdays. I decided to start with mine because I know that some people will look at these paintings and feel like they need to be able to draw to participate in this project. I'm here to tell you, I did not hand sketch any of these portraits. They were made using a process of transferring different aspects of the image to the canvas.

I am really excited about these projects. I am a big fan of Shepard Fairey. I think he is the Andy Warhol of today. I developed a way to immulate his style with my own artistic twist.

This class is going to get messy, just the way I like it. Students will learn several different techniques for creating texture and "aging" their canvas. We will lightly cover topics like color theory and composition. But mostly we will be getting the paint on the canvas and probably our hands too.

I want to do these portraits of all of my children. I am looking for just the right photo of each child that shows their personality.

I'm really hoping other people love this style of art as much as I do. It is fun and light-hearted and anyone can do it.

Promise.

Register today!

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introducing: Prospector Artisan Workshops

noreply@blogger.com (April Meeker) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

If you have been a reader here for much time at all, you know I have a deep seated passion about using creativity. I also have something inside me that pushes me to share this with others.

I have been working on an idea now for some time. I wanted to put together some classes to introduce people to different mediums. I wanted to get people using their hands. Making things. I wanted to inspire creativity.

Thus, Prospector Artisan Workshop s was born. Why Prospector? Because finding what you really love, what makes you giddy and excited about life, sometimes takes a little exploration. Sometimes you have to chip away for a while before you find gold. My goal is to make the chipping a whole lot of fun.

I am nervous and excited and more than anything, proud of the workshops we have to offer. They are diverse and relevant and most of all they are super great projects. We will have four classes: letterpress, silversmithing, silk screening and pop art panels.

I hope you will consider joining me and the other Prospector teachers for a weekend of old school, hands-on arts and crafts.

Go here to register. Space is limited.