Year: 2018

This business kind of fell into my lap. If you read the first blog post, the first clock was made for my roommate, Mike,  after we went to Pismo Beach for vacation. It was a way to save our sand dollars from our trip and it was a nice gift for him. I made a few other gifts and that was all I intended to do. After I posted pictures on Facebook, though, I had several people ask if I would make them clocks.

At first I was selling to friends for near cost. As interest continued to grow, though, I decided it was time to figure out where else to sell. Mike and I tossed around several ideas and, at the time, consignment stores seemed like the best way for me to sell my clocks. I searched and found two in the local area, Made Local in Santa Rosa, Ca. and Stones Throw Gifts in Cotati, Ca. I met with both owners and my clocks can be found in both stores.

I also volunteered to work at Stones Throw Gifts. The majority of the merchandise in the store is made by local Sonoma County Artists. We also sell a lot of healing crystals. I didn’t know anything about crystals when I first started working at the store. I suppose I never had to learn about them if I didn’t want to, but I’m the type of person who wants to be able to answer customer’s questions and be helpful versus just standing behind the register. I started walking around the store during my shifts to familiarize myself with where everything was located. Then I began looking up different crystals that I thought were pretty in our book to see what their healing properties were. From there I searched Capricorn. Then I searched my medical problems. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with crystals. (my favorites, so far, are malachite and blue lace agate)

My first “Just Breathe” clock was made as a thought “Amongst Chaos, Find Inner Peace” entered my head. The clock itself is colorful and chaotic with a blue “peaceful” center that says “Just Breathe.” Or in another version, around Just Breathe it also says “Amongst Chaos, Find Inner Peace”

I love this clock, but the feedback from the majority of people is that the clock itself is “too busy” or “too colorful” for a “Just Breathe” clock. So, back to the drawing board.

How do people go about “breathing?” What calms people down and allows them to find true inner peace? Prayer? Writing? Meditation? What healing crystal or crystals aid in this?

If you are just getting into healing crystals, amethyst is a good one to start with as it is a very versatile. Amethyst  helps with physical ailments, emotional issues, and in Energy Healing and Chakra balancing. Most people are very attracted to the beautiful purple color, as well.

Thus, my second edition of “Just Breathe” is here. Amethyst combined with sand dollars to allow for a calm atmosphere so the owner of this clock can find inner peace.

Special Thanks to Jessy Bloom and Joseph Rotstein at Redstone Minerals for the amethyst. You can find them on Instagram at #redstonecustoms.

You can also find their crystals and some of my clocks at Stones Throw Gifts in Cotati, Ca.

In my January 11th blog post I talked about how/why I came up with my signature clock, Broken But Beautiful. I find that quote to be incredibly inspirational/empowering. Without projecting, I think I can safely assume that all of us feel “broken” at certain times in our lives. No matter what the cause is (illness, family emergency, job loss, etc.), I think it is important for us to remember who we are and that we still serve a purpose in life. I think it is important for us to remember that we are beautiful.

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine suggested that I expand my products beyond my art. At the time we were talking about different ways to expand my business / make more money, but beyond that, my goal in life and my goal for this business is to make a positive difference in people’s lives. How perfect would it be if we came up with an idea that achieved both goals?!?

My friend designed a Broken But Beautiful logo for me. Once that was done, it was time for me to decide what products I wanted to put it on. Clocks are home décor. My initial thought was to put the logo on other home décor items to match the clocks. I thought of vases, candles, picture frames, etc. I found candles/votives.

My go-to things to make me feel better are chocolate and writing. My next thought was to put the logo on items that would potentially make people feel better. I searched the internet and found coffee mugs, hot chocolate, and journals.

My last thought was inexpensive things that people buy for around the house or that I could potentially give away to promote the business. I found coozies, stickers, and Jelly Belly tins.

Eventually, when this business takes off, I would love to donate some of my profits from this line to charity. Bloggers, it’s time for you to weigh in!! What other products would you like to see this logo on? What charity would you like to see me support? If I use your idea, you will get a product for free. I look forward to reading your suggestions!!

I’ve been babysitting since I was 12. I worked in a daycare for a couple years after high school. I volunteer as a Wish Coordinator with Make A Wish. Since I’ve been in the military, I babysit for people that I work with and just charge them gas money or dinner. Moving around is hard. Finding someone you trust and can afford in a new place is even harder. I try to make moving easier. I try to give parents a date night every once in awhile to alleviate stress from being in a new place or dealing with a spouse being gone 1/2 the time.

A couple months ago I was going to babysit three boys on base. Everyone I work with knows that I enjoy going to the beach and that I make clocks. When the kids asked my co-worker what I was like, my co-worker told them that I was the lady with the sand dollars. The kids were excited to ask me all sorts of questions about the beach, sand dollars, making clocks, etc. While my co-worker was telling me about this conversation with his kids, I had an idea. Instead of me telling the kids all about these things, why not let the kids make their own?

I came over with 3 pieces of 10×10 wood, some supplies, and a few sand dollars for each of the boys. It was right before Halloween, so I suggested the boys make Halloween signs. The boys loved it. They all put the base layer of paint on their wood. We ate dinner while it dried. After dinner I gave the boys paint pens. I thought they would write their names on the wood or write “Happy Halloween” Instead, they colored the sand dollars orange, making the sand dollars pumpkins! I both cringed and was inspired at the same time.

I plugged in the hot glue gun and helped each boy glue down their sand dollars / pumpkins exactly where they wanted them. I thought that would be the end of that and then we would watch a movie before stories and bed time. But the oldest boy wanted to hang his picture up. So we took a small picture off the wall and hung his up instead. Of course, the younger boys wanted to hang theirs up after that, as well.

Since that night went so well and we all had so much fun, I decided to do it again this past weekend. This time it was two girls and a boy. Adam did not want to paint at first. He was playing with the dog and kind of watching his sisters. The girls were having a lot of fun. Emily decided to mix paint colors and create some of her own. She made a blue/green color that I wish I could have saved and used on future clocks!! It was beautiful! After awhile Adam started to feel left out and asked if he could paint a plate. I’m not sure why a plate, but I, of course, let him.

After the base layer of paint was put down and some glitter was added, we went to an arcade for awhile. Unfortunately when we got back the glitter was not completely dried, so we had to wipe some off. Then the girls used the paint pens to add a few finishing touches.

Emily decided to give her uncle her board for his birthday, which was on Sunday. I took a short video on my phone of her holding her board and telling him that it was for him to “hang on his wall” and “happy birthday” Then I sent the video to her parents and uncle. It was the most heart warming thing I have witnessed in quite some time.

I would love to start hosting an art “class” for children 4 and up on the weekends. Or just include an art option when I babysit from now on. Children are so creative and inspiring. I love watching them decide what to paint and watching their reactions when their ideas come to life!