Kelly Rae Roberts's Blog, page 62

lauging True and thoughts on 17 months!

True is 17 months. 17 months! He is hilarious, super wordy, sweet, and all things joyous. Sometimes when we're falling asleep or out to dinner or anywhere without him, we'll get out our iphones and re-watch recent videos of him. We are totally in love, in like, and just so proud.

I was re-reading an old Somerset Life magazine a few weeks ago (months ago, maybe?) and I clipped a specific article by Pixie Campbell. Oh how I just adore her writing and having met her briefly just once (in a bathroom - years ago!), I know without a doubt that she's got a lot of soul and wisdom to offer as a mama (I got all of that at the bathroom sink!). Since meeting her I've become a mother and I often think of her, what advice she would give, how she's doing, how she's handling the spiritual journey of parenting.

There is a section of her article that leapt out to met:

"The deep nature of being a new mother lacks a name or a specific job description. There is no satisfying expression for what feels like watching shooting stars overfill the night sky as we struggle to imprint the beauty and breathlessness of each of them into our memories. Being an artist already fells like the volume is turned up on every encounter, and, for me, being a mother intesifies things even more."

Yes, yes, YES. This is exactly it. Every now and again, I stumble upon a string of words that describe this motherhood experience perfectly. And Pixie has done is beautifully. She is right. It's like watching shooting stars fill the sky and trying to capture them all only to realize that what makes them so beautiful and breathless and amazing is that they weren't meant to be captured. They were meant to be seen, and felt.

Reminds me of that quote that says we don't remember days or specific moments, but rather how we felt. That's what I'm trying to capture everyday with True. I know the shooting star moments will come and go - I can't remember and capture them all - but I want to always remember how this time feels. It feels full, bright, tender, and like Christmas Morning magic every day.

NEW Sponsor Spotlights: Jessica Swift, Eye Wonder Workshop, Spark + Andrea Schroeder

I like to think of my sponsorship program as a way of playing matchmaker. These weekly sponsor spotlight posts allow me to do just that - play matchmaker between you and some really amazing people who are providing unique and well crafted offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!
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I believe we each deserve to be exquisitely happy.I believe we are meant to think big, to be bold and brave in our lives, and to give ourselves permission live our wildest dreams.I believe color affects our moods in big ways and that surrounding yourself with objects, colors, and patterns that you find beautiful will enhance your life in deeply joyful ways.
With these beliefs in mind, I created my first ever line of rain boots. They are much more than just another pair of pretty patterned boots-- they hold secret messages on the inside! Messages to inspire you... to empower you... to make you happy... and to remind you that your wildest dreams are available to you!

The boots are available now at jessicaswift.com-- not only will they brighten the gloomiest of days but the gloomiest of moods as well. I invite you to step into your own joyful life and splash around- because you deserve to be exquisitely happy and to look cute doing it!

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{eye} wonder :: intuitive photography for everyday people ::
Come open your eyes . . . to a whole new photo experience!
This class will teach you how to capture the beautiful images your inner-creative has been dreaming of – to document your life, share on your blog, and show off your etsy products. You'll get insight into taking pictures that tell a story while learning an amazing intuitive photography process through weekly lessons, videos and creative homework assignments. Oh – and there will be a bit of self-exploration just for good measure!
So much juicy-goodness has been poured into this class – you won't want to miss it!
April 2nd to May 4th, 2012 :: Register
Now at www.eyewonderworkshops.com
This {eye} wonder workshop will be taught by Eileen Nishi – who has been described as . . . "a global waker in the making, inspiring and enlivening those around her through her many roles as insightful photographer + writer, loyal friend and devoted baseball mama."
She blogs at www.westofwhimsy.com.

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You are passionate, courageous, and creative. Even with all that energy, sometimes your creativity gets blocked and your passion doesn't flow. Inspired by Kelly Rae Robert's Flying Lessons, Spark: the Creative Entrepreneur Retreat was created as a safe, positive, and inspiring place to recharge both you and your creativity.
At Spark, you will shine, push past your limits, and grow as a creative soul. Working with wordsmith Alexandra Franzen (trusted by powerhouses such as Danielle Laporte and Marie Forleo) and community-builder Jessika Hepburn of Oh My Handmade, you will reconnect with your creative and authentic voice. Workshops will guide you in ways to release creative blocks. There will be play, laughter, probably some tears, and lots of love!

Join us at the gorgeous Hacienda Dona Andrea, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, from May 3-7. This weekend could change your life.

We are also building a scholarship so that one woman can attend for free! If you want to show your support for female creative entrepreneurs, check out the fundraising campaign, and spread the love!

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What if you could express the GREATEST PARTS of who YOU are...
...in the way you walk, the clothes you wear, the career you design, and the magic you bring to the world? I'm Andrea Schroeder, and I believe that living CREATIVELY has little-to-nothing to do with painting murals or selling sculptures, and everything to do with self-expression, playfulness, freedom + JOY. When you awaken your Creative Spirit — that spark that makes you bounce out of bed, brimming with brilliant ideas only you could dream up — everything becomes possible.

As a Creative Dream Incubator + Activator of Creative Magic, I help people make their DREAMS come true. Big dreams. Little dreams. Frisky, forgotten, ferocious and FABULOUS dreams.

How do I do it? With a not-so-secret formula of CREATIVITY + MEDITATION, brought together with sparks of magic.

Want to play with POSSIBILITY? I'm positively BURSTING to guide the way.
Regular doses of Creative Magic are available on my Creative Magic Academy blog.

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Big thanks to my sponsors! It takes a lot of courage to create a business from dreams, and I'm honored to highlight their bravery + and their offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

worthy.

Just a quick note to say that the online shop is back up and running after a 10 week break. It's stocked with new prints, including the one above (a new favorite), and greeting cards. It's been awhile since I announced my big news of scaling back the shop, so please be sure to head over here if you're wondering where all the products went. I like this new shop. I like the simplicity. I like just selling prints, originals, and cards. It feels perfect.

Of course, my licenced gift and home products are still available in retail stores nationwide, for which I am so grateful - these shops are so much better at retailing than I am! For those of you who would like to know where to get all the new home+gift products (and the older ones, too!), I am working on a nice long post for you so that you can find them in your area or online. Hang tight...that's coming soon.

Thanks everyone for the emails you sent about my last post. You make me feel brave (and worthy).

XO,
Kelly Rae

faith and courage, I'm calling you.

Truth. My life is totally nuts at the moment. Truth. It's sort of embarassing.

You know how the small moments in life sort of mimic the bigger picture so that when your life is out of sorts, all the tiny moments throughout the day are also out of sorts, screaming at you to take heed and pay attention? Yes, that's me. Raising my hand over here. Lost keys. Expired urls (oh no!). Canceled appointments. Forgotten appointments. Parking tickets. Unorganized inbox. Missed meetings. Apologies galore for running late, running behind, forgetting that, or missing that. Stranded at airports with broken phones and no idea where to go, or what to do. Forgotten showers, teeth brushing. Crazy house with toys and stuff everywhere. So tired, insomnia kicks in and officially makes the sleep deprivation torture. And on and on. I'm hoping it passes soon.

That me, photo by Mati RosePrior to becoming a mom, I was proud of my capacity to do, do, do. I could hammer out big projects. I could meet deadlines, even if it meant pulling all nighters. I was way more dependable to those who depended on me. I didn't think it at the time, but I had plenty of balance, plenty of time to breathe, plenty of time to create, plenty of time to shower. And when I got off track with doing too much, I could course correct so much faster, easier into a place of simply being present

But now (more specifically, the last couple of months). Ay yi yi. The course correction takes forever, and the chaos is a little much. I had a moment earlier this week where I felt like I was failing as a mom, as a wife, as a friend, daughter, business owner, business partner, an artist, etc etc. because none of those precious things has my full attention or my focused attention. Feeling pulled in a million directions, I caved. I'm also aware that the feeling pulled in a million directions might be a story I'm telling myself, and not the real truth. The tears came as did a sweet conversation with my guy. Sometimes I wonder if this adjustment to being a mom, with a thriving creative full business will settle? I'm also adjusting to not seeing True as much I usually do now that I no longer work from home. That's a big emotional component for me. I miss him. A lot. And the guilt is here, too.

New print, available in my shop. It reads, "Whatever you may be celebrating or grieving, may you practice courage every day and let it nurture your spirit however weary or uplifted it may be. There is hope in our celebrations, and strength in our brokenness. May you embrace your own sweet surrender with faith and courage along the way."
I know this is a part of it. We all struggle with holding it all together from time to time. I am reminded of the painting above with words that call out to me today to surrender, surrender, surrender. As a woman, I'm also realizing just how much we hold. We hold a lot. A lot. A lot. Sometimes we have to let it all drop and trust that faith and courage will pick up the pieces ever so gently and carry them beside us until we are ready again.

Hoping to pause for a bit every day this week and recenter. That is the goal, friends. Sending you the same wish.
XO

Sponsor Spotlights: The Word Cellar, Sleep and Her Sisters, Illuminating Words + The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design

I like to think of my sponsorship program as a way of playing matchmaker. These weekly sponsor spotlight posts allow me to do just that - play matchmaker between you and some really amazing people who are providing unique and well crafted offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!
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Alchemy: The Art and Craft of Writing is a six-week online course to help you take your writing to the next level. Next session: April 2 – May 11.
Learn writing techniques to create beautiful, meaningful stories that connect with readers.
Discover tips and tricks to overcome your writing challenges.
Embrace the creative life and enliven your writing.
Connect with other writers in a private community.

Alchemy is packed with writing lessons and exercises, fabulous guests, oodles of inspiration, and community. You'll learn techniques to deepen and w i d e n your writing. Each week we'll focus on a particular craft topic and how to apply it. You'll choose the kind of writing you want to do – blog posts, essays, articles, poetry, maybe even a book! It's up to you. Bring whatever stories are clamoring to be told. I'll also provide prompts and nudges to help you find topics and embrace inspiration if you need some guidance. Learn more here, and save 10% on registration with code KELLYRAE.

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My name is Katherine Quinn and I am the New Zealand artist behind Sleep And Her Sisters. I sell my original works to 9 galleries around New Zealand and have three online shops where I also sell originals, prints and other goodies. I live with my two children, 18 year old Hannah, 6 year old Ben and our 11 year old cat... Holly. I work from my kitchen table at our home in the sunny Hawke's Bay where I love to create with paint, chalk pastels, graphite, paper and also dabble in making a little bit of jewellery. At the moment I am working on a project to create 7 sisters... characters that I hope will one day feature in a book. I also love to collect things. My favourite colour is a soft, pale, antique sort of blue.
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I am Helen Lewis, the artist and owner of Illuminating Words. I bring my love of letters and words -- both the visual aspect of their shape, and the beauty and impact of their meaning -- to my calligraphy, mixed-media collage, encaustic, and design work. I am fascinated with the curve of an E, the elegance of old script, the crisp look of type marching across a page. I love the stirring in my heart as I read a meaningful quotation or line from a poem.
In my pieces, I combine my own lettering and painting with various ephemera, including snippets from old books and dusty hymnals, treasured correspondence from earlier centuries, pieces of vintage sheet music or wallpaper, and character-filled faces from old photographs. Recently, I am particularly focused on the luminous qualities that the encaustic medium brings to the surface as these elements are layered and fused together.
Please stop by my shop or my blog to see samples of my artwork. Email me to inquire about commissioned pieces incorporating your favorite quotes or family photos.
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The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael TaylorModule 3: Monetising your designs
If you have ever dreamt of seeing your designs on stationery, fabric, homewares or other products, sharing your art through pattern, and monetising your designs this groundbreaking course is for you! 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design' is the definitive guide to becoming a surface pattern designer.

In this module you will learn everything you need to know to monetise your designs including:
How to identify multiple streams of income for your designs
How to sell and license your designs
The ins and outs of freelancing
How to get into manufacturing your own product

plus
How to create a pattern portfolio to show to potential clients
How to apply patterns to mock up product templates and room sets
How to turn a placement print into a technical repeat for wallpaper or fabric

and
A little black book of industry contacts!

Class begins April 16. Find out more and register here

**************Big thanks to my sponsors! It takes a lot of courage to create a business from dreams, and I'm honored to highlight their bravery + and their offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

Just tears.

I can be a hard nut to crack sometimes. But this video had me sobbing, SOBBING.



The full story is here. Huge thanks to Lise, the talented woman who gifted this song to me. I am without words. Just tears.

Lise's full story is a testament to the powerful ways in which art heals. And it's a testament to the truth that you just never know the impact your story will have on another. The circle is wide - the giving of our stories, and the receiving of healing and truth that we get from the stories of others. I have been incredibly impacted by the stories, talents, wisdom, and art of others. But I don't often allow myself to see how my particular story or my art matters. I know it matters, but I don't often get a glimpse into its impact until something like this arrives in my inbox. It's humbling. It's eye opening. And it causes the breaking open of a small particular crack that holds such tenderness toward myself. Oh, I do make a difference. What I'm doing does matter.

I am so grateful.

studio move in progress!

Holy smokes. I am moving my studio + office this week. I'm really doing it. It's taking forever. I'm having some who do I think I am gremlins. I'm totally stressed as crucial deadlines are due in the midst of all of this chaos. But I am doing it. A little in disbelief, but this place is just amazing. Location is amazing. And it turns out that this building houses a ton of self care businesses (yoga, therapy, spa, salon, massage, naturopaths, etc) so now I really have zero excuse to not take better care. I think this space/building/location will do wonders for my work, my body, my mind. OMG!

Here's a peek at what's going on:


Blank canvas.

Moved in.

Chaos.

Meet my newest studio assistant: my mom! That's her desk area behind her (still unpacking) and she will be taking Dani's place (current assistant). I will miss Dani HUGELY (she's doing her own thing now - so happy for her!), but incredibly glad to have my mom on board. Isn't she a cute employee?

Getting there. My dad built my farm table desk (to the right, buried underneath stuff) and the studio/painting area is on the far right.

This will be the main painting table - it's an old door I bought for $5. The bed spring above will be super useful...

Unpacking a studio is serious detail work. My head is spinning with how to put it all together - the paints, the paper, the markers....so much stuff.  Today, the drill and I had a few mishaps. I had to take a walk around the block to blow off some steam - mean drill. 
As soon as we settle in, the shop will reopen (likely next week). Stay tuned...can't wait to share finished photos of the space when it all comes together. 

Come Join me + Andrea Scher for Delicious Food and Conversation

(me + Andrea Scher)
One of the things I most love to do is sit around with other women, talk about life and business and creativity, tell stories, and get inspired by all the chatter - all while eating delicious food under a beautiful setting of surroundings. Andrea Scher (a dear dear friend, creative soul, business owner, and fellow mama) and I often talk about how wonderful it would be to host gatherings like these with other women - not necessarily formal "workshops" but rather casual gatherings of women, hosted by the two of us, but with the knowing that the gathering would be a co-creation, a unique experience created because of the special constellation of folks that attend.

So, when Teahouse Studio presented the idea that they could host such an event, we jumped at the opportunity! Please join Andrea and I for a truly unique experience this May. All the details can be found here. We promise it will be lovely, inspiring, engaging, and that life long connections will be made with those who attend.

I visited Teahouse Studio last week in Berkeley, CA. It's gorgeous, gorgeous and will provide the perfect setting to our gathering. I'm SO EXCITED! It's not very often that I host workshops these days but this idea of a gathering, hosted with my friend Andrea, speaks so strongly to my soul that I can hardly wait for May 13th to arrive.

Come join us. We can only host 20 people, maximum. This event will sell out quickly, so please register early. By the way, this gathering will be held on Mother's Day, so make it a special treat to yourselves if you're a mama! We will spoil you rotten. Promise.

XO.

Sponsor Spotlights: Andrea Scher, Leah Creates + Sacred Cake

I like to think of my sponsorship program as a way of playing matchmaker. These weekly sponsor spotlight posts allow me to do just that - play matchmaker between you and some really amazing people who are providing unique and well crafted offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

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Join Andrea Scher for the brand new course Elevate the Ordinary which begins Tuesday, February 21st!
Photography is more than a hobby — it's a way of seeing the world. And it's not about technical skill, or having the latest lenses + gadgets — it's about chasing light, capturing delight, and shifting our perspectives — literally and artistically.

What I Believe
I believe that there is an opportunity to create extraordinary images right outside your door. I believe that you don't need fancy equipment or advanced technical skills to create gorgeous work. I believe that creativity is an access point to personal growth and that by exploring our creativity we become more brave, more intuitive and more alive. I believe that when we do it together, it's way more fun.Please join me for a brand new course,  Elevate the Ordinary begins on Tuesday, February 21st REGISTER TODAY with the coupon code ELEV104U and you will get $10 off!
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I make websites for creative entrepreneurs (artists, yoga teachers, coaches, etc). My designs are clean and professional, with a whimsical edge. I pride myself in making my clients' personalities truly shine in their web presence. I currently have three website offerings, ranging in price from $750 to $2,950. All are built on the Wordpress platform so that you can manage your content (including a blog!) on your own. I also specialize in e-shops built in Shopify. Additionally, I offer web presence consulting and content strategy so we can make your existing site truly work for you and your business. Come on over and say hello. Mention that you saw this ad on Kelly Rae's site for 10% off a consulting package or Starter Site. Visit me at leahcreates.com.
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Assemblage Jewelry by Jennifer Valentine of Sacred Cake
You want the jewelry you wear to be meaningful and expressive. Not the latest fad. Not mass produced. Affordable. You want your jewelry to be like you…timeless and memorable. One of a kind.
How about something a bit different? Something with a history. Something with a special story…jewelry with a past, yet relevant to the present.
At Sacred Cake you will find affordable heirloom quality vintage assemblage jewelry combined with timeless appeal. Whether it is for your wedding, graduation, promotion, a gift, or for your everyday victories; look to me for personal service that you can always rely on to exceed your expectations and make you feel as special and as singular as you are.
There is only one you. There is only one Sacred Cake. Every piece tells a story. What will your story be?
*Kelly Rae readers receive free shipping & a special gift. Visit my etsy shop and enter the code "ONEOFAKIND" to receive your free shipping and your gift.  I'd love for you to visit my blog for more simple projects, stories and inspiration. 
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Big thanks to my sponsors! It takes a lot of courage to create a business from dreams, and I'm honored to highlight their bravery + and their offerings. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor (includes your ad on the sidebar + ongoing spotlights), please send me an email at kellyraeroberts@gmail.com for further information!

tube socked loveliness

 Mati is one of my bff's, for sure. But she is also one of my favorite artists. Her tube socked creatures make me swoon. I would be so delighted to decorate True's entire room with her tube socked animals! I found the above piece in her studio along with the sweet you are beautiful message - had to share. 
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Also wanted to share the following quote that I happened upon recently because it speaks volumes into the notion that we really are so much more powerful than our situations, our circumstances, the stories we sometimes tell ourselves. 
"Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside of them was superior to circumstance."  ~Bruce Barton
More soon. I'm moving studios tomorrow and can't wait to get unpacking and decorating!