skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I’m afraid to admit that it has been ONE OF THOSE WEEKS. The kind where I succumb to the lure of a general malaise and put off everything I need to do.
And after a particularly unproductive Thursday involving a Hulu binge and some unadvised quantities of guacamole, I found myself lying in my office in the dark wondering where the day had gone, and why it has been so difficult to find the appropriate energy lately.
After some intense soul-searching over a can of root beer, I identified the culprit. No, it was not the grayish weather we had this week, although that certainly didn’t help. Rather, it is my social isolation. You see, I work from home, and as such, I spend a lot of time alone planning and writing and creating, etc. etc. Which means that I don’t always spend much time out and about. 
It’s a trend, I’ve concluded, that I need to remedy. So, to jump start the process, I thought I would search for some inspiration on Etsy this morning. More specifically, I wanted to see what other local sellers in my region were crafting and listing. I reasoned that perhaps I might be able to siphon off some of their energy, and maybe even have a chance to meet some likeminded creative-types who could rub off on me.
And pull me out of my home office.
The truth is that we all need a little outside help to pull us forward from time to time. Because often our dreams and plans get trapped inside our heads or on the pages of our journals or never make it outside of the three people we really share our lives with.This, naturally, leads to loneliness and stagnation.
Fortunately I already feel better. Just looking at these beautiful items, and knowing that their creators live in my town takes away some of that loneliness. And their example of innovative and fresh enterprise refreshes my excitement about resourcefulness and entrepreneurism. They’re putting their skills “out there” just like me. And frankly doing a fine job of it at that!
So, if like me, you're currently struggling with a little malaise yourself, perhaps the prescription is to reach out. Because we can't accomplish our goals and dreams all by ourselves, no matter how disciplined and focused we are. Trust me--Hulu and guacamole are powerful distractions...
Take a minute to visit the shops of these wonderful local sellers to Northern Colorado, or perhaps visit Etsy and search for shops in your region!
And have a great Friday!
--steph
Glossary of handmade sellers:
1. rouched bamboo cream longsleeve top by mnemosyne
2. ginseng wristlet by chick bags
3. czech glass fire polished beads blue turquoise faceted donuts by bead soup beads
4. peppermint sugar scrub by all things mint
5. small size--one pendant custom silhouette necklace by lucky me beads
6. chenille and flannel baby blanket in apples and oranges by the red pistachio
Last week I wrote about practicing the art of graciously receiving compliments. And again yesterday I brought up the subject of manners (or, rather, another blogger brought it up). And so today I thought I would continue the theme by mentioning a pearl of wisdom that I was recently taught.
The wisdom is this: “place yourself in a position to receive niceties, and you will find them.” 
What niceties am I referring to, you ask? Well, let me tell you. They’re the little things, like when a stranger picks up something you’ve dropped, or if someone offers to hold the door open for you when you have your arms full. You know--the little polite gestures that help make the day go smoother and restores our confidence in humanity. 
Now, what do I mean by “placing yourself in a position to receive them”? To be truthful, it is a tad difficult to explain, but let me try by illustrating my point with a story:
When I was younger I had the privilege of being accepted into an academic fellowship in Washington D.C. Now there was this young man who was also in the fellowship, and he had this habit that I thought was sooo annoying. 
His habit was this: when we would walk together in a group, he would intentionally walk between us ladies and the street. It used to drive me crazy. His reasons were obvious--he was trying to be a gentleman. If a car were to slosh mud up onto the sidewalk, he was willing to be the one who bore the brunt of the sludge. Or if a car door swung open unexpectedly, he wanted to be hit rather than us. It was a kind gesture. 
It also got under my feminist nerves. I’d walked down tougher streets than downtown DC, I figured, and had handled myself just fine. Why did I need him to protect me from the possibility of unexpected threats? 
Now, granted, he was a bit over-the-top in his chivalry. Perhaps I would not have even noticed his gestures had he performed them with a little more subtlety. But he was young and I was young and...well...young people make mistakes. My point is that in spite of his overzealous efforts, I could have a) recognized that perhaps it really would benefit me to be shielded from sludge and injury, and b) moved to the inside of the sidewalk to help him out. 
In other words, I could have put myself in a position that made it easier for him to be polite. And maybe if I started looking for more politeness, practicing it myself and expecting it from others, I might start seeing more of it blossom in my town and in stores and among family.
To close, I'd like to thank my friend, Ramona, for pointing out this little pearl of wisdom. She certainly knows her manners.What is your favorite act of chivalry? Share by posting your comment here!Glossary of lovely ivory images, courtesy of handmade sellers on Etsy.com:
1. all about a bow clutch--ivory lustrous duchess by davie and chiyo
2. pretty pearls by pretty things by meg
3. chocolate brown felt flower hat by mojo spa style
4. vintage - 18 inches square pillow cover in satin ivory ruffles by the home centric
5. vintage ruffles - 16 inch round silk pillow cover with ruffles also by the home centric
6. made to order ivory tulle and pearl bridal shrug by holly stalder
7. white day dress (free shipping) by magnolija dress
This week's newsletter raffle winner is Jessica!
Host: tell her what she's won!
Announcer: well, Bob, she's won a spanking new handmade Buttercup Bag!Host: and how did she win?
Announcer: well, Bob, it's easy! She signed up for Stephanie Hillberry's newsletter and entered the weekly raffle by answering a simple question.
Host: and how can readers enter to win next time?
Announcer: well, Bob, they can simply enter their email address in the sign-up form in the above right corner, wait for the following Monday to receive their first newsletter, and enter to win!
Host: It's just that simple?
Announcer: Yes, Bob. It's just that simple.
Note: Okay--so perhaps there really isn't a "Bob" per se, or an "Announcer," but the weekly raffle is real. Sign up today to receive next Monday's email and enter to win! For more information on the newsletter, click here.Missed some of this week's Recessionista posts? Catch up below:But I'm not Crafty, and other misconceptions about being an entrepreneurCan I Get a Pulse? --checking your financial vital signsThrift Store Design Day! (an event coming soon!)Creative M-E-S-SIn the Land of Small: why Big isn't always BetterOh Cruel Coupons: a soliloquy
I made a promise earlier this week that creativity would be a Big part of this Recessionista series, and that I would be posting plenty of DIY projects and before & after makeovers during the coming weeks. Because pie charts, after all, are boring, whereas super cute handbags are not.
Weekly Project:
Thus my project for the week, or at least the only one I've actually finished, is this bag. I've seen this Buttercup bag from Made by Rae all over the web this month, and decided that I had to join the crowd and make one myself. This is the first bag project I've undertaken, and other than a few self-induced roadblocks, it was fun and easy to make.
Bags are Great!
One of the great things about bags is that they require so little fabric. I had plenty of options from my stash of scraps (you might recognize the trim as the same fabric I used for my coverlet in my newly redesigned bedroom), saving me time and money. My favorite part, I think, are the buttons. They were the last thing I added, and just seemed to be the perfect finishing touch.
Teaser:Perhaps I can tempt you a bit by hinting that my first prize of the Recessionista series will be a buttercup bag. But you have to be an insider to join in the raffle. Curious? Click here to learn more about signing up!
Stick around for more tomorrow. I'll be continuing my introduction of Recessionistas by writing about the value of friendships.
I’m afraid to admit that it has been ONE OF THOSE WEEKS. The kind where I succumb to the lure of a general malaise and put off everything I need to do.
After some intense soul-searching over a can of root beer, I identified the culprit. No, it was not the grayish weather we had this week, although that certainly didn’t help. Rather, it is my social isolation. You see, I work from home, and as such, I spend a lot of time alone planning and writing and creating, etc. etc. Which means that I don’t always spend much time out and about. 
It’s a trend, I’ve concluded, that I need to remedy. So, to jump start the process, I thought I would search for some inspiration on Etsy this morning. More specifically, I wanted to see what other local sellers in my region were crafting and listing. I reasoned that perhaps I might be able to siphon off some of their energy, and maybe even have a chance to meet some likeminded creative-types who could rub off on me.
The truth is that we all need a little outside help to pull us forward from time to time. Because often our dreams and plans get trapped inside our heads or on the pages of our journals or never make it outside of the three people we really share our lives with.
Fortunately I already feel better. Just looking at these beautiful items, and knowing that their creators live in my town takes away some of that loneliness. And their example of innovative and fresh enterprise refreshes my excitement about resourcefulness and entrepreneurism. They’re putting their skills “out there” just like me. And frankly doing a fine job of it at that!
So, if like me, you're currently struggling with a little malaise yourself, perhaps the prescription is to reach out. Because we can't accomplish our goals and dreams all by ourselves, no matter how disciplined and focused we are. Trust me--Hulu and guacamole are powerful distractions...
