Create Your Dreams Workshop 2016

Do you want to create your best year yet?  Come have fun crafting your 2016 vision board with local artist and dream coach Michelle Spaulding at Blue Pelican Gallery and Gifts from 10:00am-1:00pm on Saturday, January 16, 2016.  Cost is $20 includes all materials.  To sign up email:  Craftydivacottage@gmail.com

Lesson: Struggle into Success!

 Success:  today was a success!  I started over using my friend  Dalis' handpainted wool @dancingleaffarms.  Within  5 minutes I had a felted ball and I finished these in less than an hour.  So glad I didn't let yesterday's struggle get me down.  If I hadn't experienced yesterday's disappointment, I would  not have experienced today 's 'Joy!'

For my students:  Yesterday, I had a project fail .  I was trying to make felted beads for a necklace.  Felting is not my expertise, but I'm always up for something new.  My friend and Gallery owner Jenn @obxbluepelican braved her wool allergy to help me out.  We tried for over an hour and it didn't work.  These balls just wouldn't felt!!  When I got home I saw I had been using super wash wool which is designed not to felt!  Oh, well there really are no mistakes.  I'll just repurpose them into another project.  The lesson? When crafting there are successes and struggles.  The key is to turn the struggles into successes.

Final Update!  What a difference a day makes.

Empowering Girls

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the Dare County League of Women's Voters 'Girl Power' presentation.  The purpose was to provide information to assist parents and grandparents in empowering girls in 4th - 8th grade.  I was part of a panel of six professional women who spoke on different techniques and strategies for assisting girls in navigating the present and preparing for their future success.  

My presentation was on empowering your daughters at a young age to become whomever they dreamed of becoming.  Parents lead by example so, I encouraged the parents to bring their daughters to work.  Allow them to participate in the household and support their dreams, goals and desires.  I also, spoke about bullying and how to transcend the negative side and allow the bullying to become a challenge to over come that foretells future success in navigating life's ups and downs.  I also discussed my 'Create Your Dreams with the Crafty Diva's' girls leadership, team building and empowerment program that I have designed and developed.

 My focus is using creativity and the arts to empower girls to identify, create and manifest their dreams into reality.  The other participants were a school nurse, physician, therapist, retired teacher and college professor. I enjoyed participating in this event and hope that I was able to empower the parents to then go out and empower their girls.  'Girl Power'!

Spring Dreams Workshop

Come join me for the Spring Dreams Workshop this April!

Spring Dreams 2015

Cone join me for our Spring Dreams Workshop!

Dream Circle Workshop

Yesterday, I had the pleasure to work with two local women business owners.  They were interested in making Dream Boards, a visual collage activity.  This process assists the creator in tapping into their own unique inner eye and bringing those visions or dreams, goals and desires into the physical world.  Once you see your hearts desire on the boards it gives your dreams more clarity and enables you to focus on things and feelings that you want to manifest in your life.  It's also a form of active meditation and can be very soothing and empowering.  The boards reveal a lot about our selves and I thoroughly enjoy facilitating this technique.  We had fun playing with the art materials and of course sprinkling the fairy dust around the table.  I look forward to working further with these women on their creative journey towards personal and professional success.

This was my piece that I worked on after the workshop.  I have not painted something like this before.  It was nice to just make 'art for art's' sake.  Of course, I had to take advantage of the art table.

Dream Business Coaching

Yesterday was a great day!  I was able to facilitate a Team Building exercise for my friend's small business, Mad Mad World a creative lifestyle company which specializes in art-to-wear clothing.  (www.Arttowearhouse.com)  I had previously coached Suzanne through the process of closing her store a few years ago and pursuing new business avenues.  Which led to expansion and the opening of many opportunities.  This year Suzanne wants to take her team and her business to new levels.  I have been coaching her on different organizational and strategic planning strategies that would take her there.  But, first we wanted to empower her team and allow them as a group to develop a new company mission statement.  I lead them through a process of self-discovery by facilitating my dream board workshop. We also redefined the teams individual roles within the company and then created a new mission statement.  This was a fun, upleveling  and empowering session.  It's so enjoyable to see how using creativity and art-making can enhance the development of left brain structured business processes.  My intent is to continue to facilitate this process with this team as they continue to create their dream business.

As you know most great business decisions are made around the kitchen table.  Here we are creating in my kitchen around my kitchen table.  It's exciting to be able to interject a touch of whimsy to such a heavy subject.

It takes a village

As most of you know I am a certified Dream Coach.  What does that mean?  It means I assist, encourage and inspire people who request the assistance in identifying, pursuing and manifesting their 

Dreams, goals and desires.  In order to be a champion of others dreams, you might ask how I have achieved my own dreams?  Well it takes inspiration, desire, design, mindfulness, creativity, faith and the assistance of a village.   What does a village mean in this day and time?  Well for me it means my community, friends, family, unknown supporters and the Angels (both in Heaven and on Earth).  I have manifested and am living out one of my long term dreams.  Living in a colorful beach cottage filled with handmade and artisan furnishings and accessories.  Today I am sending out a heartfelt THANK YOU to Laurell and Mitch James of  'This little Cottage.'  Laurell a kindred Spirit and her husband helped me walk out my creative dreams in my little beach cottage.  I would not have been able to realize this dream without them.  They helped me renovate the house, make the furniture and accessories, maintain the space and oversaw the transformation.  

I was suffering through a very debilitating illness at the time and it took a couple of years for me to really enjoy my 'Dream Cottage.'  While I was recovering and wading through the pain and confusion they along with the rest of my village helped 'hold the vision' for me.  For this I am forever grateful.

So, I advise and encourage you to remember it's not just 'You' who creates your dreams alone, but also the support of your village.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year may all of your Dreams come true!

First fiber arts open studio

Today we had our first Fiber Arts Open Studio at Blue Pelican Gallery in Hatteras.  The rain and flooded roads didn't dampen our spirits.  A few women braved the water and came down to meet us and sit and knit.  We had a great time meting new people and talking to customers who are vacationing on Hatteras Island.  You never know who you might meet.

Suzanne, learned how to increase (knit 1, Yarnover) for her triangle shawl.

Regena is learning the knit stitch and the purl stitch to make a hat.

Jenn (owner of Blue Pelican Gallery)  learned to weave in her loose ends to complete her projects.  Plus, her lovely cowl neck scarf sold today.  Same time, same place, next week join us from 10:00am - 1:00pm at Blue Pelican Gallery.  I will reveal our Studio project for October.

Upleveling process

I got home a few days ago from a wonderful Upleveling experience with Christine Kane.  I went to get new business ideas, let go of old negative mind sets and refresh my entrepreneurial Spirit.  I experienced all of these and more.  I met some awesome 'kickass' women and men who are having the courage to step out of the old business box and into a new Upleveling business model.  For me personally, it was a Soulful event disguised as a business event.  Definitely food for my soul.  I came out of my four year semi-retirement (healing) to began pursuing new and more heartfelt business opportunities.  Right before I left for the event I submitted a proposal to facilitate my creative arts workshops this summer.  I am now trying to reintegrate myself into my environment back home.  It's a challenge since I just moved to The Triangle area in Sept and I don't know my way around yet.  So, I found my own creative way to process all the new energies.  Here it is a granny poncho!  What? How is crocheting a granny poncho an Upleveling experience.  Well, for one the colors are very sophisticated not my citrus color ways; Two it's made from silk and mohair (definitely up leveled from wool).; and Three it has a bright sheen (light) to it that the photo does not show.  Plus, I feel a lot of love energy as I am crafting it.   I can't wait to find more Upleveling metaphors as this project progresses.

Uplevel Live 2014 Conference

Here I am at the  Uplevel Your Business conference.  I'm so grateful that I was able to make it and walk through the physical pain and discomfort.  This was just what the doctor ordered.  Connecting with new business owners and re-establishing old relationships.  Changing out dated business 

Paradigms and upleveling my mindset to new ideas for creating a business that's more in alignment with my goals, dreams and desires.  It's also giving me the courage to not let my physical limitations limit the quality of my life and my role as a Creative Arts Coach and business owner.

Coffee, cookies and crocheting

First gathering at the beach this summer.  Crafting with the ladies, drinking coffee, eating cookies and crocheting.  Had a great time teaching the ladies to crochet water bottle and cup cozys.  Thanks Suzanne for holding the gathering.

Flow living

I've been going with the flow this month.  April is flying by fast and furious.  The outside world seems unsafe and violent.  I'm choosing to pay attention to my inside world.  I've been creating and updating my coaching packages; taking care of personal day-to-day business; and crafting a neon orange cable throw.  I've been branching out in my new environment meeting new people and exploring different parts of town.  Most of all I've been putting out lots and lots of Love energy out to the universe.  Why, because Love heals all wounds.

Self-Care

I have not totally recovered from my wonderful trip and training and week long visit from my best friend.  I have a list of to do's, but no energy.  I have decided to change my mind set and not beat myself up for not getting back into a routine.  Self-care is more important right now.  I realized that my energy has been scattered all over the place and that in order to be the most productive I needed RnR.  Free from guilt RnR.  I have never allowed myself the freedom to just rest and relax.  My past behavior was always on high alert, anxious and waiting for the next crisis.  Now I realize that in order to be successful I need to take time out to rest, relax and conserve my energy.  Then I will be prepared for the next adventure that is coming my way.

Uplevel Your Business Event

I am so very grateful to have participated in the Uplevel Your Business Event this past Wednesday. I left my comfort zone to be in attendance and was very impressed with the kindness and support that I received from the other UYB and GOLD members. Christine was awesome and so focused on up leveling us on our dreams with the Becoming 360 Blueprint training. After a wonderful day of site seeing and experiencing Asheville I am now ready to go home. I have my task sheet and am ready to embark on my new vision for my business and my life. Thank you Christine and Team for allowing me to attend this empowering experience.

Past vs. Present

Hey everyone! It's been a struggle this week. Part of my negative past bled into my positive upbeat future. I have had a legal issue ongoing for 12 years now that stems from my previous very successful business. This issue has been a thorn in my side and I allowed it to cloud my life these past several years. This week it came to a head. I realized that This issue came to life because I did not honor my own power. I gave my power and trust away to my legal team. They did not have my best interest at heart. At that time in my life I trusted authority figures and respected people in powerful positions. I learned the hard way that by giving my trust away to people who were undeserving dis-empowered me and caused me a great deal of pain and heartache. I shut myself off and began isolating. This January I made the decision to start expanding myself and took steps to stop isolating and step out into my power. This is why I joined Uplevel Your Business. Now that I have stepped into this new paradigm of up leveling I can look at the past with different eyes. I'm ready to slay the dragon because by up leveling my life and business I realize that I have the power, the knowledge and the control over my life.

I didn't get to work on module 2 this week. It will be a challenge to catch up, but I did face the greatest block that I have had to my future success and I'm ready to walk out the details. It's hard to admit that I let something else get in the way of my UYB work this week. Any suggestions on how to get back on track? Do I rush through module 2 for the next 3days and get back on track with module 3 next week or do I follow the theme of 'progress not perfection' because as I learned this week, all of the answers are inside of me.