A New Reality ~ Not Where I Expected To Be But Life Has New Possibilities

I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated but here I am, now 40, divorced, a full time working mother. My dreams are still as big as ever but I’ve had to make some modifications. Life is bittersweet I guess. Yes, I asked for the divorce…on my 40th birthday, no less. So, I now work full time at a job I don’t enjoy but was lucky enough to land in this economy. I never once fell behind on my bills and I’m grateful for everything I do have in my life…especially my 2 wonderful daughters!

I’m getting back on my feet, getting a foothold on my new life and setting new goals. I’ve managed to get to a day shift~goal #1 down~so I’m home for dinner in the evenings with my girls. Now, little by little, I’m making inroads to get my business running again (it was totally placed on hold for the last 6 months). I want to be able to at least go part time and supplement with my business, which will allow me to both do what I enjoy and have the flexiblity I desire with my daughters.

I DID get that studio that I sooo longed for though! I landed a large mural job last spring which provided the funds to put a studio in my home. I love it! A place of my “own” to work and create!

My story is ongoing, my life a work in progress… I am excited though, albeit a little scared at times but I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s times like this you find out who and what really matters…especially the WHO. I love the people in my life right now. My friends ROCK! And the rest of my life isn’t so bad either…on to bigger and better things!

 

Now offering Deluxe Belly Cast Kits!!

 If you are interested in making your own belly cast here is your chance. Easy to follow instructions allow you to make your own pregnancy keepsake! Offered through my Bonanza store for $38 including shipping: http://www.bonanza.com/booths/RenaissanceHome

If you’re local and would prefer to pick up the kit yourself then contact me for a discount. Also I would be more than happy to customize your finished cast any way you desire to make it truly unique!

Belly Cast Kits

Just a quick note here: I will have belly cast kits up for sale shortly! Proud Body Deluxe Belly Cast Kit. I have a vacation coming up and also need to figure the shipping cost so I will get that info out as soon as I can. In the meantime, if you are interested give me a call: 602-885-8762.

Newest Belly Cast, My Column & My Life

Here is my latest belly cast:

Blue & Bronze Metallic Belly Cast

Blue & Bronze Metallic Belly Cast

I was asked to bring in a photo album and business cards to Destination Maternity where the cast was made so I’m hoping it will bring a little more business my way ~ fingers crossed.

My latest article ~ Lots going on in the West Valley this month:

Things to do in the West Valley: Events, Festivals, and exhibitions, Nov. 2010

And for those of you following along on my personal journey:

We’re holding off until January to put the house on the market for several reasons, including the slow housing sales during the holiday season and the fact that we don’t want to be in limbo at Christmas. So, I’m moving along, getting the house ready still. If I can keep my husbands hands off the money in the savings we should be good. I’m also hoping that he doesn’t take this delay as a reason to quit…I’m feeling his resistance…and it’s wearing me down. I still have my eye on that studio…I need this to happen and I’m trying to stay positive. In the meantime, the holiday season is here and it’s time for my annual cleanup of my “space”. I need to pack up all of my art supplies and move them to a little corner in the bedroom so we have room for the tree. It’s kind of bittersweet. I love Christmas and the decorating but I absolutely HATE not having any space to work until January. Well, there’s my life in a nutshell right now.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Party Lite Sweepstakes

A friend, and Party Lite Consultant asked me to share this.:

 www.partylite.biz/joanlebigot code RRWFTX

They can play daily, but register once for the $10,000 room make over by PartyLite and Martha Stewart.

If you win, let me KNOW!!

Latest Articles…and I’m Missing My Deadline

Here are my most recent articles:

West Valley artist profile: Christopher J. Hearn

Things to do in the West Valley: Events and exhibitions, Oct.2010

“My Way” Arizona Broadway Theatre From L to R: Rhys Gilyeat, Amber Carson, Jason Paul, Danielle Estes

Photo provided by Arizona Broadway Theatre

Things to do in the West Valley: Fall events and festivals, Oct. 2010

And how am I coming along with the house? Well…the cabinets are coming along but not finished. Dining room is not done yet. Lawn is looking better and that will have to do. I still need to finish laying some pavers and do some more yard work. Started painting the trim…but still have a ways to go. 

 Add to that the fact that I will spend 3 days this week away with my daughter’s middle school and I don’t think next Saturdays deadline will be met. I’m getting there, though…THAT’S what counts. That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.

Custom artwork…what would YOU buy?

I’m sitting here with a nasty cold thinking of everything I should be doing but don’t have the energy for right now. Hopefully, I’ll be better soon but in the meantime I’ll pose a question to you ~ my readers.

I have a booth at Bonanzle where I sell custom artwork. I don’t have too much listed there yet and the main reason is because I’m getting ready to move and need to be able to pack as much away as I can.

Thinking (READ HOPING) that we’ll be in our new home by Christmas, I’m planning to start the new year off with some new offerings. I work mostly with acrylics but have learned stained glass and I used to do mosaics which I  want to pick up again. I draw also, as you can see from my portraits.

I’m asking YOU to take a look at my website and Bonanzle Booth and tell me what you think I should offer. If I could apply my artwork/ my style to any  item, what item should that be?  What do you think would sell? What would you be interested in buying? What interests you? Have you ever search for a custom piece but didn’t find it?

I’m not saying I can do ANYTHING but I am pretty versatile, so please tell me what you think. Either leave a comment or send me a note through my CONTACT page.

Thanks so much!

Birth Announcement Tile

Pet Portrait in Acrylics

Portrait in Pencil

Tips for saving money, updating with paint, things to do in the West Valley, and my upcoming move ~ Did I leave anything out??

Well, here are my latest articles. I have an artist profile I need to finish and publish also but I’ve been SO busy!

Things to do in the West Valley: upcoming and ongoing events, festivals, and exhibitions, Sept. 2010  As always, if there’s something you think I should add let me know!

Save money on art, crafts, and home improvement materials Great resources here. Some are new to me such as Habitat for Humanity Restore ~ I think that may be a great one for after our move!

10 ways to improve your home with paint Some ideas to spruce up your home using the ever versatile material ~ PAINT!

Faux finished accent wall

 The house is getting cleaned out. I’m trying to finish up my painting but I did something to my arm/elbow and have been trying to give it a rest ~ as I lay in bed at night thinking that I really have too much to do for my arm to bother me right now!

We should have the house listed around mid-October. I’m getting nervous (and excited)!

For one thing we have to sell first because we need the cash for a down payment so we will have to find a temporary rental while we look. Short term rentals are hard to come by so we have our fingers crossed.

I’ll keep you updated!

Oh, I’ve also added more items to my Bonanzle shops. Here are the links:

Renaissance Home’s Booth This one is of course my business/artwork booth.

OdzNEndz Booth This booth is for stuff I’m trying to get rid of before the move.

This and That

Well, I’ve realized that with all I have to do to get the house ready in addition to my business and the art classes I teach that I’l be lucky if I publish one or two articles a week until after the move.

Here are my articles from the last week and a half:

Things to do in the West Valley: upcoming and ongoing events, festivals, and exhibitions, Aug. 2010 ~ Any locals with more input please contact me!

Young Rembrandts: Children’s art classes ~ This is the company I teach my art classes for!

West Valley artist profile: Edward Dennis ~ Another great West Valley artist!

Now I need your help on something! I entered a photo into a contest @ Better Homes & Gardens magazine. If I win, I get $250 which I could really use. So PLEASE, PLEASE. PLEASE click the link and vote for me. It’ll just take a sec. And you can vote once a day! The contest is over on Sunday! Here is the LINK. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO VOTE!!!

Now, for those of you that have been following my adventures here, you know I’m doing everything I can to save and make a little money. Well, I found 2 great sites that I’d like to share ~ and if you click through and join I also get a bonus

The first is Ebates. It’s a site that gives you a percent back on your purchases when you buy online. It partners with most major stores including Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Office Max, etc… Every 3 months they send you a check for what you’ve accumulated…just use it for what you’d buy anyway and make money!

The second is Swagbucks. It’s basically a search engine like Google that pays you back. Just search for any word or phrase and you get paid! I’ve used it for about 2 1/2 months and have earned enough for 3 $5 Amazon.com gift cards.

Now last but certainly not least…I finished the lower cabinets in the kitchen and I’m ready to start on the top. Here’s a pic:

My Kitchen Cabinets

 

Last weeks published articles, a new belly cast, and the Grand Canyon

Well here are the TWO articles I published last week.

B. Love is a very interesting woman and a great artist; check her out:

West Valley artist profile: Barbara Sue Love Newport

This article may look familiar:

Kitchen island redo on a budget

That’s all I wrote last week. I had a last minute belly cast to do…

And…we decided to head north for a night to go camping where it’s cooler and stop by the Grand Canyon. We hadn’t been there in about 8 years and my daughters were too young to remember.  The was quite chilly and we were at the Grand Canyon for close to two hours when we got caught in a downpour! We had to run for our vehicle and ended up drenched but did get to see alot of the canyon so it was all good. Here’s a couple pics…

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon