Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!  Thanks for all the kind comments on my birthday.  And speaking of that, Miss Molly you're the winner of my giveaway!  Let me know if you'd still like the letter "M" or would like to choose another.  Oh by the way the live production of The Grinch was so much fun.  Balboa Park was sparkling with lights, and we had a great time even though it was pouring rain.  And if you ever go, eat at the Prado and order the swordfish, it is yummy.
Here are some views of my Christmas tree.  Since we don't get snow here in sunny San Diego, I got one that came snowy-fied.  I just bought this cute ornament from Pam Garrison.
Here's a pretty paper ornament I bought at Garden Memories last year, to put on the top of my tiny feather tree.

This sweet little girl came from Pretty Petals.  I think she looks so cute.

Some vintage ornaments in a glass cloche I bought at Target.

Another purchase from Pretty Petals.

A beautiful cone made by my friend Rosemary.

A little angel I made one year out of an old quilt.

Another view of Rosemary's cone.

Thanks so very much to all the customers who so graciously purchased from me over the last year.  My business is growing quickly, and I'm very thankful!  Wishing you peace, health and joy in the coming year.  

Take care,

Martha

XOXO

My Birthday is Today, so I'm Having a Giveaway

 

Welcome!  Yippee eye aaaaa today's my birthday!  I still wake up with some of the same anticipation and excitement I had as a kid.  And since I was 10, one of the first things I do is read "Becky's Birthday"  by Tasha Tudor.  My mom used to read it to me and each page brings back such happy memories.

So to celebrate I'm giving away one of my little crystal initial charms.  You pick the letter!  Just post a comment, and mention you'd like to enter and I'll throw your name in the party hat.  

Tonight, I'm taking my family to go see the "Grinch Who Stole Christmas" at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.  It's supposed to be a great production, and I'll let you know how it is.  I can't wait to see it.  There's nothing like live theatre is there?

Well, hope you have a great day, and stay dry if you're in Southern California, and stay warm if you're in parts of the country that are chilly!  (Like you Jan, in freezing Minnesota...I'm sending you a warm hug)

Take care,

Martha

 

The Street Fair & The Wolf

The street fair in Ventura was a great success, and I got to see my two dear friends at it!  Thanks for coming out and supporting me girls!  (I'm on the far right.)  Also thanks to all my sweet customers, I really appreciate your business.  :)
Here is the sign for Garden Memories where I sell some of my goodies.  Barbara is having an amazing sale going on, so check it out if you're in the area.
The day was overcast and really beautiful.  The perfect weather for a stroll.  Here is my loyal dress form with her petticoat on, waiting to greet customers.  Here crown is always admired and was made by my friend Rosemary.
A lot of the buildings around Ventura are very old, which is why I love it there.  We even stopped by the Bella Maggiore the night before, a local haunted hotel.
Now on to the wolf.  OK, so you know how people bring their dogs to street fairs?  Well what about a wolf?  Believe it or not, I saw one at the Palm Springs Street Fair last night.  It was HUGE.  I even got to pet it. The owner of this wolf said it was 8 years old and it can live to be 30.  The photo above isn't the wolf I saw, but it did look like it.  Next time I see it I'll take its picture. 

Only in California Huh?

Well, I guess it's back to my wolves.  This photo makes them look like Siamese twins.  Anyway, I hope you have a restful weekend, and that all you holiday preparations are going well.  I suppose I better start shopping for Christmas.  Yikes.  Late again.

Take care,

Martha

Am I Still Creating?

Ever feel as an artist you've lost the spark?  What I mean is, have you started to turn your passion into purely a business enterprise?  I'm starting to feel that way.  I don't know if it's just this time of year or what, but the busyness of the season has me pondering this issue.  

I've always loved creating.  If I weren't spending my days soldering charms, I'd be knitting, cutting, photographing or painting.  Feel like you were born to create?  I sure do!  I know many of you are amazing artists.  It seems every time I venture into blogland I come across another incredible creation.  How do you keep your passion for creating alive?  One of the fears I had in doing what the magazines say "Turning your Passion into Profit"  was losing the excitement, love and just plain fun of creating.

When I first really started my business about a year ago, it was like the Honeymoon period.  Everything was fresh and new.  After getting my first online sale I freaked out, ran around the house screaming with excitement.  Someone actually liked what I made and paid for it, Alleluia!  This gave me the confidence to venture into my favorite store in Ventura, Garden Memories.  I got up the nerve to ask the owner (Barbara is now someone I can call a sweet friend)  if she'd consider selling what I made.  I tell you , that was so scary for me!  Bearing your art like that is an exposing experience.  I compare it to showing up to high school without any clothes on, like that weird dream we all seem to have.  Anyway, I thought the worst that could happen would be a "No."  But actually said yes, and my joy just blossomed!  I skipped out of her store like Dorothy entering the world of Oz for the first time.  

As they say, I think the Honeymoon is over.  Now I feel I'm into the working years.  Not that those excitements don't still come from time to time, but they are just different now.  Well, as I turn on the soldering iron, I just had to spit all this out.  I know those of you who make 100's or even 1,000's of goodies everyday can relate to what I'm saying.  At the end of the day when your back is broken, your eyes are strained and your head is sort of numb, can you still find joy in what you do?  Honestly, I do still love my growing business, but when kids are complaining that all they ever see of their mom is the back of her head, I start to wonder if I need to make some kind of change.  I've never been that great at finding a balance, but maybe now is the time I find it.

Take care,

Martha

Jenni B Giveaway

Happy Tuesday to you!  Doesn't this dessert look yummy?  Well it's not real, it's an amazing faux dessert made by Jenni B Originals, and she's having a blog giveaway to celebrate her appearance on the Martha Stewart show.  

You can check out Jenni's post here, and sign up to enter her giveaway.  Tell her Martha (not that one, I mean me) sent you!

Take care,

Martha

XOXO

Love & Joy Come to You & Free Shipping Too!

Hi there, and Happy December 1st!  

I'm glad to join the band wagon and offer free shipping for the month of December at my website MJ Ornaments.  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and have a happy day.  

Take care,

Martha