Jewelry, Photography, Life Plans

I'm really enjoying reading all the posted quotes for my giveaway. Thanks, everyone! I also greatly appreciate all your efforts to spread the word about my shop- thanks so much! There's still time to enter if you haven't already... it ends April 19th. If you don't win this time, don't worry- there will be more!
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I am excited to report that I am working on my very first custom order for bridal jewelry! I took earring samples for the bride to see on Sunday, and she picked out some earrings she'd like for her bridesmaids. I'd like to do more jewelry for weddings, so hopefully this will be a great start.

Also... the idea of wedding photography is kicking around in my brain again. Every time I see an ad for a wedding photographer's assistant, they always want you to have your own equipment. Um, the only photography equipment I own is a tripod and a 30 year old SLR (actually, that belongs to my parents).

So, the idea remains on the fringes of my consciousness for now... but when I consider it, I think, how awesome would it be to capture some of peoples' most important memories for them, that they'll treasure forever? Besides that, I love to create beauty- and weddings are all about beauty.

Sigh... time for some philosophical meanderings...As I was driving the other day, it occurred to me that there must have been a time in my life when I thought I knew what I was all about. That is, I knew what I wanted out of life and had a plan, or thought I did. It turns out, the closest thing was in 7th grade when I was sure I wanted to do art and be a writer (practical, I know). But I never really had a plan. I just did what I was good at or what was expected of me.

After college, when faced with the Real World, I was like, uh, what do I do? (That's still how I feel most of the time). I don't think I'm the only one. Most people don't have it all figured out, and if they think they do, life probably won't happen the way they planned. You just have to take a little step in a direction that seems positive, and hope for the best. It's kind of scary, but I also think it's liberating, because those are steps (and decisions) only you can make for yourself. There's a certain satisfaction in that.

So, those are my words of wisdom for the day. I find myself thinking a lot lately about how crucial it is to be true to myself, and worrying that I'm not being "authentic." It's really important, right? The way I see it, if I can't figure out what makes me feel alive, and happy, what good will I ever be to anyone else in my life? I think the same goes for everyone. There's not enough time in life to not figure out who you are.

p.s. Spring is truly here, pictures coming soon! (That is, as soon as I can figure out a better way to upload 'em on here).