Terri Conrad Designs

After the Mart

2012-01-22T11:00:09-08:00

I am finally getting to my iphone and uploading some picks from my trip to the Atlanta Mart. So many things to tend to on the biz side of things, and most importantly reconnecting with family upon my return and stepping into my highest calling - momma.

While at the show, sooooooo much caught my eye and captivated my creative senses - but here are a few pics to share with you -

pretty pillows all in a row -

I really must find some time to make some pillows with my fabric

If my memory serves me well, I believe these two images are from the Ann Gish showroom (but don't quote me on this . . .) in High Design.

How I would

L O V E

to have bedding included in my portfolio - someday.

The best part of attending show, however, is connecting with other artists. There are so many wonderful & warm people in this business, connecting with them and meeting & talking with our creative partners is what fills me up.

Here's a wider preview of my Home for the Holidays line with Creative Co-Op. Their product application and execution is by far the best in the industry - when I walk through their showroom I literally want to move right in. In many ways I have, as my own home is decorated with many, many pieces from not only my own licensed pieces with them, but their furnishings as well. It makes, I must say, for a beautifully decorated home.

This line is hand painted all the way and I love the whimsical quality - I had such fun creating it!

It's been a worldwind of a week upon returning, having new deadlnes to meet, my girls returning to school after a long winter break, freshman frustration with commencement of a new semester starting and unwanted teachers/classes (but she got it all figured out and resolved on her own even tho she requested I come in to meet with the Vice Principal). I cannot believe I only have 3 and a half years left with my little snickerdoodle until she leaves for college. Thank goodness, Katelyn, my younger daughter will be hanging around for another 6 and a half years.

Wishing you each a beautiful, blessed day -

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shop here for your sweet self or a Valentine

(Answered) Prayers From a Woman's Heart

2012-01-10T14:18:46-08:00

I am humbled to have had gifted author Stormie Omartian choose my artwork for her newest book, Prayers from a Woman's Heart being released this month.

I will be at Harvest House showroom (GM1319 Gib Carson Showroom) for a signing on Friday, January 13th from 2:30-3:30 and look forward to meeting you there.

I wish I could be sitting in a room full of women right now, feeling one another's energy, looking into one another's eyes and conveying to you the transformational power prayer has had in my life.

Our single greatest human asset is awareness, particularly self-awareness. For some, this can also be the most painful gut-wrenching journey to take - but, as I reminded you in this post, God hasn't given us a spirit of fear; but one of power, and of love, and of a sound mind and He yearns to help us, to give us the courage, the strength and the conviction we need to overcome, to move from surviving to thriving, to gain self-confidence, and to experience a place of belonging, hope and a purpose.

If this doesn't create a bloomin' beautiful life, I don't know what does -

I am so excited about this show, this year and all the possibilities that exist for you and for me -

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Turning Points filled with Glee - Another Creative Co-Op/Terri Conrad Designs Sneak Peek

2012-01-07T12:00:23-08:00

There are so many turning points in my life right now, both personally and professionally and yet I feel more grounded and self-assured (and confident!) than I think I may have ever felt before. For some, these attributes come so easily, yet, for others - me - I've had to reach deep to access the true source of grounding, self-assuredness and confidence. Eureka! I think, ahem, I know I have struck gold!

I know my source - do you know yours? To what, to whom do you turn to, to lead you through the valley, for validation, for gounding, self-assuredness and confidence?

Having just read an article authored by Eric Grimm, he asks, "How do you find a sound mind, power and love to get through the valley?" and reminds us, "to not be stalled by fear but rather inspired by what could be and go for it. Fear cripples, and Paul told us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God hasn't given us a spirit of fear; but one of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" and with that, we can . . . . . . . . . . . . "slay giants."

I have slayed my giants my friends (the crowd cheers - hurrah). We all have them, and they come in many shapes, size, and color. In response to my previous post, I received a heartfelt email from my friend and remarkably talented artist, Sherri Blum Schuchart, owner of Jack and Jill Interiors, giving us the opportunity to dialog about this. I shared with her that "it is faith in Jesus Christ as my savior (literally) that is my saving grace, my source."

As I begin to publicly open up and flutter the pages to my story this year with you, I hope my life lessons will reveal to and resonate with you,

“God created me, therefore I am . . .enough!”

There will always be someone, or some situation or circumstance that will come along and seek to convince us otherwise – BUT – when we can keep coming back to the truth, to the real and very solid foundation and precious belief, that,

“God created me, therefore I am . . .enough!”

we will be living our life from our authentic self.

This, what I've just shared is more of why I do what I do -

I create!

I create a safe, loving home for my daughters

I create space for them to have a voice, to be heard, to be seen, to be valued

simply for who God created them to be

I create loving friendships

I create as warm and comfortable and inviting a home as I am able to with what I have

I create art

to inspire, encourage, and nurture the unique beauty, beloved spirit, and unlimited possibility in you and in me!

That, is (part of) my story, and I'm claiming it!

With that, here, sweet spirits, is another sneak peek of what's coming to market next week -

When I created this collection, I felt so free in my spirit - this collection is very, very different from anything you've seen from me before, and this excites me, because I have been given the opportunity to share with you another layer of who I am and the stirrings of my creative mind . . .I affectionately named the collection:

"GLEE": exultant high-spirited joy : merriment

Just the sound of the word glee makes me feel good, as I hope it does you too. I think we all can use a dose of glee every now and again, do you agree? The collection is licensed to and manufactured by the passionate gift & home dec manufacturer, Creative Co-Op under its Turn of the Century line:

Bright & Bold with a bit of whimsy! One of my sentiments read: "Happy bloomed where ever she went."

I LOVE THIS LINE!

What do you think? I can so see this gracing the decor of a family media room, teen loft, studio space or home office.

I drink from the coffee mugs every morning.

Look at this chair!

This baby, upon its arrival, is going in my studio as my special reading spot to snuggle into.

I echo your sentiments, Diane, "Isn't it wonderful that we get to do our hearts' work. We are so blessed to have been given our gifts and talents." I will add too, that I am grateful to be given the opportunity to share them with you to bring a touch of beauty to your home, meaning to your heart, and possibly, hopefully elicit a bit of joy (in this collection's case, Glee) in your life, well, I am humbled and filled to the tippy-top and overflowing with grace and gratitude.

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Market Sneak Peek - Do What You Love

2012-01-05T17:03:52-08:00

It's that time of year again, Market, market, off to market we go . . .and I have a few new lines launching with some fabulous companies. These lines are the result of collective talent, effort and synergy on the part of not only the artist's creative expression, but an entire team of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring to fruition what once came from a creative seed in the artist's imagination.

So often we are asked, "What do you do?" referring to one's line of work. But how often do we hear, "Why do you do what you do?" I'm interested in the why, because that's the heart part - the story. My answer to that question is as deep and layered as the art I create:

"to love what you do and feel that it matters is a beautiful life."

There is much to be said about creating a life we love. As with any authentic, purpose filled creation, there's also a tremendous amount of work that goes into creating a life you love.

Much like a garden, healthy soil is needed, choice seeds are planted, then we need to weed out the stuff that doesn't work & nurture and feed what does so flowers are able to bloom.

I believe our life is a testimony of who we are and that each of us comes to life with a promise, a gift, a passion and a deep heartfelt desire. As we become aware of what each of these elements represent for us, life then becomes a quest to bring our self into alignment with these experiences that will ultimately lead to self-realization.

In my quest, as I became aware of what each element represents in both my personal and professional life, everything began to organically fall into place for me.

My life's work is my joy.

My work is a creative expression of my promise. I count it a blessing each day that I am given the opportunity to earn my income enjoying my life's work (my gift) and that I have remarkable opportunity to share my gift with you.

What a blessing to have discovered my gift and that I get to live each and every day creatively expressing myself first as a mom, nurturing the spirit in my two beautiful daughters, and in my art work, nurturing your spirit and mine.

It is by divine design then, that my mission - my promise for Terri Conrad Designs is an honest, heartfelt expression and gift from my spirit - "to encourage, nurture & inspire the unique beauty, beloved spirit and unlimited possibility in each of us."

This company was at the tip-top of my wish list when I decided to go into art licensing. For Creative Co-Op, passion is at the heart of what it does - passion for product, passion for quality, and passion for customer success. It is this passion that grew the company founded only 10 years ago into the dynamic, trend-setter that it is today. What amazingly beautiful things come from combined passions when you do what you love.

Would you like to see more sneak peeks? I'd love to hear your thoughts about doing what you love . . .do you already, are you wondering where to begin? Share your thoughts with me -

til then,

hey! come on over and like our new biz page on facebook where you'll receive other great news, can post pics of how you create vignettes with my products and

Bloom With all Possibility!

2012-01-03T16:58:20-08:00

Happy 2012!

I am tending to my garden, planting faith-filled seeds that shall bloom full with possibility - Welcome 2012!

May miracles bloom in your garden this year too.

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Merry Christmas

2011-12-12T19:55:29-08:00

As I shift my focus to the finishing touches on a couple new collections, and family celebration during this wonderful season of hope, this will be my final post of 2011 -

wishing you all a blessed and Merry Christmas

warmest wishes,

The Perfect Christmas . . .requires courage

2011-12-09T09:15:18-08:00

but offers the gift of grace for imperfect circumstances.

In my line of work,

beauty

the perfect image, and

perception

are valued.

I suppose each is subjective in the eyes of the beholder.

I wonder tho, what it is about perfection that we are drawn to? Is there some kind of false security waiting for us there?

Far less than perfect circumstances challenged a very pregnant Mary and Joseph as they traveled by foot in the dark cold of the night to meet their obligation for the census count. I cannot help but wonder how challenging this was for them and the courage required to make this fateful journey.

So many families right now are faced with their own set of less than perfect circumstances as we usher in this Christmas season, and I wonder how each is fairing and from what source each is drawing their courage for the journey.

This beautiful image conveys a perfectly appointed home decked out and dressed up for the Christmas holiday. I love it, I am drawn to it, I want to walk though the door and I imagine you feel the same. But, like being surrounded by people at a holiday party, yet feeling alone, I wonder how safe and secure, how real it feels once inside.

This, is not my home.

This year is the very first my home is not yet decorated to celebrate the season. Not one single Christmas decoration is unboxed, unwrapped, nor hung.

We, my friends are one of the many, many families faced with less than perfect circumstances this Christmas season. While I am blessed to know reasonable success with my work, the TV/film studio my husband works for has cut back, layed off, and repeatedly reduced hours of many of its employees creating very real hardship for many, instead of entertainment. Our home will soon no longer be ours - it is just a matter of time now.

My focus, and my engergy right now are in taking on one challenge at a time, hoping, praying, and putting ALL my faith in God fulfilling His promises to me. This is, I think, my most trying test of faith in my life because it concerns not only me, by my children. I am placing myself, and my children in His hands. But unlike the human hands I’ve known, His know how, and are capable of holding me, and my girls where we need to be held.

Where will the road lead?

Much like the night Mary and Joseph embarked on their journey, they were met with most imperfect circumstances, yet they made the best of their situation, settled into a stable for the night and unexpectedtly ushered into what the world has come to know and celebrate as thee most perfect birth of God's one and only son, Jesus Christ -

giving us a most perfect gift of hope.

My hope, my prayer, my gift to you is that if you do not know this story of hope, of courage, of the gift of faith, that you make time to receive and open the gift. This gift is filled with all the grace and all the courage you will ever need to hold you as you embark on your journey.

And the angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The perfect Christmas offers the gift of grace for imperfect circumstances and hope for a future -

On behalf of Terri Conrad Designs, from my truest heart, I wish each and every one of you a blessed and Merry Christmas.

20 Days til Christmas & 20% off at Terri Conrad Designs

2011-12-05T09:58:37-08:00

YOU mean the world to us and we want to Warm Your Heart & Home this holiday season - enjoy a 20% savings on your entire purchase when you shop

Terri Conrad Designs

Your support is so appreciated - thank you to everyone who has already visited and clicked to "like" our new facebook page

For the Love of Words . . .and the Power they Hold

2011-11-30T09:01:46-08:00

I have always loved words. As a child, I spent time reading the dictionary, allowing one word and its definition to lead me to another as I traversed a path of curiosity.

Words . . .

Turning the pages of that dictionary, I discovered it was the meaning of the words, which I read, that would elicit a corresponding feeling that would resonate deeply in me.

like these via sprouting seeds

telling us it is OK to be changed. It's inevitable, really. This is good news, because change is an indication we are alive and growing.

When I read this post on being brave in sadness and brave in love, I was reminded that we are not alone in our daily challenges, big and small, life altering and life shifting, and that as we stand strong in our power and face our challenges we discover as Joyshop creatively reminds us

We need to be cognizant of the fact that happiness, even in and thru challenging times is in the seeds we plant. What seeds are you planting?

Words resonate

Words are filled with the nourishment & engergy to bear fruit

Words are the power that propel our thoughts that create our life, daily

Words can make all the difference in the world, for the greater good

What words will you think on today, accepting that

and trust His power

surrender, let go, and let God . . . knowing that all will be well.

(image via via her inspiring pinterest pages)

The Meaning of Vintage for me . . .

2011-11-29T11:11:12-08:00

With all the cooking that occurred across the county last week, I wonder how many of you experienced the "oh no, now what do I do!!??!?!" conundrum like I did. You know the one, where you slide mr. turkey-in-the-roasting-pan into the over, and that's all that fits?! Thank goodness for friends with crock pots.

Ours is an in-the-wall single oven that's much too high for my little five foot frame to access inside the oven from the front, so I am always awkwardly reaching in from the side for what's in the oven. I burn myself almost every time I cook.

If you know me, and the art I create, you know I love vintage inspired home decor. I would love, love (may I please say it again!) L O V E one of these in my kitchen - and while this blue is oh so much fun, I'ld like one in white, please (and thank you!)

and in a kitchen like this . . .(please and thank you, again!)

(photo via miss-design)

gorgeous, huh?

The range is a 1944 Elmira Stove Works with an oven spacious enough to fit a feast with room to spread those wings!

We recently had to have our washing machine repaired - at 8 years old, this was the third repair. Mr. Fix-it indicated that if it were a newer model we'd be looking at having replaced it already, and that the model we have is considered top of the line "for its time." That's pretty funny, I thought, for its time - it's designed to be dispensible. Hmmm...

This got me thinking about my love for vintage and vintage inspired home decor - why I am so drawn to all things vintage . . .because of the

timeless

classic

beauty

quality, and

craftsmanship

Then I realized it is precisely because of these attributes that I have this love affair with vintage & vintage inspired home decor. It's when we look beneath the surface of the inherent beauty in what we see, or what we desire, we can often find a meaning to the desire.

It is these qualities and attributes (among more) that matter to me. I often find too that with vintage pieces, often come some sentimental meaning for the beholder and this all adds up to feelin' good and warming my little ol' heart and my home -

When I create, it is these attributes I often have in mind when I envision my art applied to products. Much like these little ladies, (two significant reasons I do what I do)

my daughters are works of art by their Creator, and I can only hope that each day I am able to help them access the

timeless

classic

beauty

quality

craftsmanship, and

meaning in their lives.

As always, may miracles bloom in your garden today!