CYBER MONDAY 2014: FREE SHIPPING on domestic orders

FREE SHIPPING on all domestic Silentgoddess Etsy orders!

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Use code: CYBERMONDAY2014
Must use code and must place orders before the end of December, 1, 2014
Happy Shopping! Buy handmade and support small, independent artists this holiday season!

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival: Romance!

The beginning of the New Year means a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post!

This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival topic:
Valentine's Day is coming... how does romance figure into your work? What does it mean to you?

I am an absolute romantic at heart. I love a good love story, I have been known to read trashy romance novels (some maybe even twice) and, boy, do I LOVE weddings. All of this may seem funny coming from a tomboy such as myself. I have never been accused of being a princess or a "girly" girl. But I am a romantic.

Amor Vincit Omnia: Love Conquers All. These are words I live by. And I believe that with all my heart, love truly does conquer all.

As corny as it may sound, I pour my heart into every piece of jewelry I make. When creating pair of rings for someone, I think about the people who will be wearing them, how the receiver may be caught off guard by the gift of jewelry. I like to think that there may be a few (happy) tears and big hugs. And maybe someone kneeling down on one knee to ask that all important question. The one that will eventually be answered with a "I Do!" And knowing that something that I am creating will play a part in that? Oh, that makes me a happy soul.

I love the creation process and the act of handing a small piece of myself over in my work. I would like to think that something that I create will be handed down from a Mother to a Daughter or a Son and that there may be a story told about how one felt when they were given that gift. I hope that the love and energy I put into my work moves throughout the world. Little by little. The world can always use more love. I am happy to do my part in sharing it.

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival: Finding my Self in 2014

The beginning of the New Year means a new EtsyMetal Blog Carnival post!

This month's EtsyMetal Blog Carnival topic:
New Year's Resolutions What New Year's Resolutions have you made for this year? Which ones did you make last year that were successful? Do you have any advice for keeping resolutions throughout the year?

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Happy 2014 to all!

I am moving into this new year with a renewed sense of "self." That may sound a bit… err, selfish. And to be honest, it is. And I am okay with that. I am in my 4th decade of life. I will turn 43 this May. It has finally occurred to me that it is perfectly okay to focus on ME. That is something that I have not done enough of in my 40 plus years. I may have moments that I have turned inward and done things for me and only me. But this resolution is a bit different. Not so much a selfish act but a self act.

I have spent the majority of my adult life worrying about everyone else. Whether it be my friends, my family or others that I don't know but thought I needed to help. I don't regret the path, but I feel like it is time to divert off this well worn walkway and cut a new one.

I came to a revelation a few days ago about how I have always found a way (consciously or subconsciously) to prevent taking my business to the next level. Whether it was due to first needing to work full time for someone else, then to raising my son, then volunteering at his school, then volunteering for my community, I have always put what I truly want on the back burner. With the new year and my new sense of "self" I have made the conscious decision that 2014 will be about doing what I really want to do. And for me, that is pouring all of my creative energy into taking my art to the next level. I have taken some big steps in the last few days to clear my mental space as well free up my weekly calendar to allow me to take this new year head on! I can hardly wait!

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So without further delay…

Here is my short list of goals for 2014

1. Design and fabricate a weekly item using at least one thing from my current "stash" (Rx3 EtsyMetal Challenge)
2. Create one of a kind pieces for the gallery
3. Submit artwork for publication
4. Pursue additional retail outlets for my artwork
5. Be more invested with art-driven groups

This is the first year in a long time that I have really thought about yearly goals and set them. I am pretty excited to see that my year ahead will be filled with artistically driven endeavors. This, alone, should make these easy(and fun) goals to reach.

Here is to a WONDERFUL 2014!

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Want more inspiration? Keep reading about other EtsyMetal members' 2014 resolutions:

Lou
Konstanze
Laura Jane Bouton
Abella Blue
Evelyn Markasky