This week I met 2 new people that are dealing with hard things and searching for peace or a new path. I know this issue well and have been a ‘searcher’ for most of my life. You can tell by my huge book collection!
I have recommended many books over time but ‘The Artist Way’, by Julia Cameron was my common standard for many years. Now her book ‘Its never too Late to Begin Again’ is a new favorite because it focuses on helping you find a way to find your way later in life.
As with so many people with goals, I have given up on one already …I have postponed trying to make my Etsy show up here, and it is still January. : ( I will try again later. I decided that there are some things that should be done first. Make more listings for http://www.Etsy.com/shop/MindfulGlass. Fix the listings with better SEO, better pictures, the list is long…… I have been learning from Amy Eaton, Snap Sell Succeed, and have switched from FotoFuz.com for a white background to Light Room. Now to learn the steps again. I used to teach kids how to use the darkroom and take pictures with a SLR. So much is different now. DSLR (D means Digital!), and the adjusting is on the computer. (Where Was the picture and where did it Go?) I taught the kids to never shoot ‘bullseye’ and have your subject in the rule of thirds. Now bullseye is right for a product and you shouldn’t have part of the product out of the frame. Glass tools to help you mindfully mind yourself and your environment . FaceBook Group/ Mindful Minders..Mindfully mind yourself and the environment. Join me in the group to connect with others on the meditation – environmental journey. What are you thinking would be small things that we could do that would add up. Which reminds me of the book I am reading ‘Atomic Habits” by James Clear..Small changes, or small improvements will compound over time. Mindful Glass specializes in handmade glass pieces that can be used to set intentions and practice mindfulness throughout the day. They are made by melting soda-lime glass on a metal rod over an open flame. The molten glass flows and can be shaped by hand movements and tools. Each piece of Mindful Glass is unique. …
It takes time to remember to meditate and then to sit still for more then 4 minutes! I am working up to eight minutes. From the beginning of this goal I would try to meditate in the morning or before bed…and sometimes I forgot. Since I was logging in my journal I knew that I was missing days. It is so hard to start new intentions. I have been wearing a Mindful Glass talisman/token around my neck and chanced to touch it this morning. I was sooo frustrated with the computer and passwords and thought that ‘my new goal’ would be to meditate when I was overwhelmed or frustrated. Maybe that’s an OH Duh! to you, but for me it was a Big awareness! After 5 min of meditation, I was able to start again with a more clear head. In the past during meditation, I was continually wondering if I could stop yet. My goal so far is to use an app so that I can pick the number of minutes. I tried setting the timer but it was a shock to hear it. So I guess I could try a quieter timer! To be notified when there is a new blog post or to hear the latest news, please sign up for the newsletter. Email sign up and coupon code: http://eepurl.com/drs3Vb
For me, I am recharged by water, in any form really. Kayaking on the river, time at the beach or even the bath! My second favorite is green for a walk in the woods or spending time in the garden. What is your favorite place? Or what color would remind you to take time to be calm? Maybe you need a reminder for an intention. Mindful Glass specializes in handmade glass pieces that can be used to set intentions and practice mindfulness throughout the day. They are made by melting soda-lime glass on a metal rod over an open flame. The molten glass flows and can be shaped by hand movements and tools. Each piece of Mindful Glass is unique. Different color palettes can be selected for different intentions. Like prayer beads, talismans, and other mindfulness tools, Mindful Glass can be held to focus on the present moment, remember a loved one, transition to healthy habits, or support an environmentally responsible practice. The goal is to support personal growth and wellbeing and help create a better world. Mindful Glass donates to Beads of Courage, a nonprofit that serves children living with serious illness. SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave
Life Challenges In the past I thought my main life challenges were always about relationships and being a public school art teacher. This past year I retired, planned a house, built it, substitute taught high school art for six weeks, then moved a 100 miles south from where I raised my kids. It felt right but it was a bit much for one year. My revised big shift was smashing my radius, a bone in my left wrist. After three weeks I then had surgery because it was not in proper position. What a mind shift to not be able to even touch the fingers on that hand to steady anything at all. My art was always two hands, things like metals, clay, sewing, gardening, knitting and of course glass. The surgery extends the recovery time and I have been thinking of this time as mindfulness training. I have been reading about meditation and trying to meditate. My daughter says that is what it is about, trying. So I do that. Lampworking My medium is melting glass, known as lampworking. A two handed activity with a propane and oxygen torch. I also design and wire the beads. Previously I did art shows and had a lampwork teaching studio and gallery. Now I am working on making meditation tokens or reminders to keep your mindful intentions front of mind. The larger lentil shaped glass can be held as you contemplate and the smaller ones could be clipped to a bag or a water bottle as reminders of your intention. Starting Over Since the move I am taking classes from Renae Christine to learn about marketing for a product based online business. There are many YouTube videos by Art By Starla Moore and many others. Now that I am on hold with melting glass, I …
