The only way to explain sleep is with a four letter word....

I love sleep, and as I mentioned in my last blog I haven't got much of it lately.  So aside from lacking in sleep and beginning to think I am losing it, I am lacking in other necessities in my life, working out!!

I love the gym as a matter of fact the day before I had my little bambino, I switched to this wonderful new gym just down the street, haven't used it yet, but it is on my list.

So you may wonder what if she is feeling this way about those things, what is she going to do about making jewelry?  Good question!!  I don't know.  I tried to sneak away yesterday and got about 5 minutes in and then said "to heck with it" and just gave up.  We will see, as everyone says, everything happens for a reason, so maybe some great stroke of genius is coming and I need just to sit back and wait!!

Firsts in Life...

It may seem amazing, but I just had my first baby 3 weeks ago, yes 3 weeks ago.  He is a delight, adorable, cute, and very well behaved.  I waited so long and then when I finally did decide to have a child, I had to have surgery to get pregnant.  The surgery went well, obviously, I was pregnant almost immediately. And wa-la, baby Abran is here!!!

Now for all the things I tried to prepare for, there are just some that I know now, it isn't possible to prepare for...like the lack of sleep.  Oh boy, the lack of sleep and he sleeps like 3 hours at a time, last night it was 4 1/2 hours at once, most new moms would kill for that.  But this is coming from a woman who got a religious 8 hours plus a night, and you couldn't drag me from me sleep.  Now I am walking around in a haze.  Well worth it though.

You couldn't also prepare me for the number of dirty diapers, or the projectile poop that would spring from his sweet, adorable little body.  LOL, I have to laugh....what else can you do.

But the one thing you couldn't prepare me for, was how much I love this little boy.  I never in a million years could have been prepared for the fact that I will protect him to the end, that I will love him more than anything in the world and that I will do everything in my power to provide him with a happy life.

I love you, yes I do, I love you from here to the moon.
I love you, yes I do, I love you more than the stars above.

My song for him.  Makes me cry, tears of joy of course.

Memorial Day Etsy Finds...

So with Memorial Day right around the corner, you may want to buy yourself something a little different, bring in the spring/summer months.  Etsy is a great place to shop for just those things, not things from the department store, but unique pieces, you will hold on to forever.

So I went through and picked out a couple of sites that I thought you might find of interest:

1. https://www.etsy.com/shop/thestellabluegallery?ref=seller_info_count  Different jewelry and a variety with a percentage off for the Memorial Day holiday

2. https://www.etsy.com/shop/BabyTrendzz?ref=seller_info_count  Baby clothes and of course all the rage, what parent/grandparent/Aunt/Uncle doesn't want to do something for the baby in their life.

3.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/AWomansWishList?ref=seller_info_count# Some cute items that will last long past the Memorial Day holiday....bags, scarves, umbrellas all personalized

4.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/GiddyGumdrops?ref=seller_info_count Something a little different, but fun to decorate for in the backyard this coming summer

5.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Miabeanie?ref=seller_info_count Check out this cute site of bracelets, offering 10% off for Memorial Day

Happy Shopping!!!

Rose Gilley Designs can be found on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoseGilleyDesigns

Not sure what to do this Spring....

So you have some great jewelry but aren't sure what to wear it with....

1.  Consider only wearing one piece of jewelry to accentuate that designs

2.  Look to colors that are YOUR colors, consider going to Macy's or Nordstroms to get your colors done

3.  When you are ready to purchase something, make sure it is something you can't live without, not just on sale

4.  Try black and white with one pop of color

5.  Take all your bracelets and I mean all of them and stack them on your wrist, just that, with your favorite outfit

6.  And continue to layer, layers are great and can be taken off as the weather gets better

For more jewelry ideas visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoseGilleyDesigns?ref=si_shop

5 Great Reasons to Shop Etsy....

Why would you shop Etsy?  Let me tell you...

1.  Original and unique one of a kind pieces that have great value because they are handmade
2.  Support a small business, a mother working from home, a father working from home
3.  Because many times the products are green, organic, or just more durable than anything else
4.  Because we are a community, Etsy people sell online but also try to help each other out
5.  We want the buyer to be happy, if you aren't, you can most often return your item without any hassle (I can't speak for all Etsy stores, but the ones I have seen)

So next time you think about that gift you want to get for someone, or the need for something new for your baby/child, think Etsy, you will likely get something that you will treasure for a lifetime.

What's New....

One of the benefits of being my own boss is picking what I am doing, and with my lack of being able to keep from producing the same thing, there is always something new going on.  Most recently I have been making cute copper and sterling tags with different sayings on them.  For instance, the ones I am working on right now include:

Cute/Cuddly
Sweet/Sassy
Sexy/Sassy

And the list continues.  Do you have any two words that you would like to see on tags?  Let me know!!

New Pieces on Etsy....

I have been trying some different more personalized pieces to post on Etsy.  I love taking a piece of flat metal and turning into something someone loves to wear daily.  Most often for personalized pieces I use copper and a little sterling, and then hang the pieces on sterling silver chain.  Simple but great for oneself or gifts. 

The one that I have linked you to hear is "love", yes I said it "love" simple and to the point.  Now do you have to have someone in your life that you are "in love" with to wear this, of course not.  All you need is love and it will wear perfectly!!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/99782537/wooden-carved-buddha-wall-art-digital?ref=sr_gallery_15&ga_search_query=buddha&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=buddha

Pinterest Obsessed....

I have to say that there was a day a friend came to me and said, have you been on Pinterest?  I of course said "no, I am not into that" and she said, I beg to differ.  And so a few weeks later I thought, well let's see, and low and behold, obsession.

Why?  Because it is a book of creations on a constant feed.  I get inspired, I see things I want to create, and I am not referring to jewelry.  If anything I don't see jewelry at all, I see household objects, decorating tips, clothing designs, garden designs, tips for potting, planting, building, and just about everything I love to do.

It is so fun!!  Now I just need more time!!

Pressure to Post

So I have been at this "game" of posting and upkeep of all the different social media for years now.  And recently I have come to terms with the fact that I suck at it!!!  As much as I think oh I should blog today, I should list new pieces online, I should update the website, I should contact editors, etc. I don't find the time or the desire to want to follow up on that part of the business.

So for all of you out there doing businesses you know what I mean, it begins to get in the way of what you are trying to do, or started out doing, or thought you were doing.  Creating something meaningful.  So now if I don't do all those things then well I just get lost.

So a while ago I hired a PR firm, I decided I do need help, but I have found that I am the one doing the following up to get them to follow up, or I am emailing, have you heard anything, or I am the one waiting for some type of response, then when I get the responses it is, oh a sample here, pictures there, a write up here, or sometimes its just, they will put you on their list to watch.

Who knows what it all means, but I do know that someone is making money off me, but I am pretty sure it isn't me.  Now would I say today is an easier day for small businesses, yes and no.  But the reality is that it will never go back to simpler times.  We are where we are and if anything there will be more to come, more sites to update, follow up with, ways to be heard, and there will be lots of people all trying for the same thing.  To build their business because what they are doing is unique, special, and one of a kind.

So I guess in the end, I need to get on the wagon, or social media, whichever you choose!!

The Rachel Zoe Project...or maybe my project

I am a maniac for anything fashion, yes jewelry, obviously, but trends, colors, textures, design of a studio, design of a showroom, design of a living room.  I can't help myself.  I love to refurbish anything, yes furniture, clothing, and who knows anything I can get my hands on.  Sometimes I just shop to find something to refurbish.....I need a large large workroom.  My workroom right now is perfect for jewelry, but I need a lab to metalsmith, blacksmith, woodsmith, texturesmith, and fabricsmith.

Some of those may not be real words but who cares....so why the above title, when the Rachel Zoe Project show came back on the air, I was so excited!!  Her clothing, her ideas, her business strategy or lack of (which I love), her being a mother now, the way she dresses, I find it all inspirational.  But not just her show....if I find an inspiring woman of any sorts I am just impressed and taken to another level of inspiration. 

I continually talk with other women about what they are reading, who inspires them, and then of course checking out their style, their techniques in business, or there strengths in life.

Happy Easter to all those strong, inspirational women out there!!