Salon de Maria Blog

Everyday this week I've set aside some time to make jewelry.  Instead of thinking about the marketing, taking pictures, and creating listings at my Etsy shop, I've just focused on being creative. 

I was thinking back to the days when I first started making jewelry.  My nightly ritual was to stay up and watch the TV show, The Wayans Brothers, and make jewelry.  It was just my way of relaxing and having fun and a day of work and classes.  I bought seed beads and elastic from Joann's craft store because on my student budget that's all I could afford at the time.  I would make bracelets for myself and my boyfriend.  Good times. 

Continue reading "Getting My Creative Mojo Back" »

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As someone with a great deal of creative energy flowing through me, I often find it a challenge to stay focused.  Many people have told me that I should focus on one thing, but for me that's hard because I have so many interests.  I love writing, but I also like to make jewelry and greeting cards...and I've built businesses around these interests. 

Perhaps, yes, my jewelry business would be much bigger now had I focused solely on that.  Or maybe I would have finished that ebook I've been working on for the past year had I focused just on my writing.  However, focusing on just one thing just isn't me.  I'm moody like that.  My creative moods are different from day to day. 

Continue reading "Focused on Being Happy" »

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"The Abundance Mentality...flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security.  It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody.  It results in sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making.  It opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity." -- Stephen R. Covey

The quote above comes from Covey's bestselling book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ".
I thought it would be a great quote to share - especially during this time when so much focus has been on the stock market and the economy.

I invite you to read my blog, The Good Life, to learn more about how to create an abundance mentality for yourself!

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Continue reading "Living My Childhood Dreams" »

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Creativity is the fuel for all the energy that surrounds us.  That said, as a creative individual you'll enjoy reading the posts from the Carnival of Creative Growth - which I participated in - posted at Energies of Creation.

One of the challenges that I'm currently facing is staying focused.  Because I have so many creative ideas floating around my mind, I want to act on all of them.  At the carnivale I came across Edith Yeung's post,  How to Stay Focused which has practical tips to get you in a more focused mindstate.

Hope you'll find some inspiration at the carnivale.  Check it out! 

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Continue reading "Creativity: Lessons Learned in 2007" »

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As we head into the New Year, sit back, relax, and reflect on what your dreams are. What can you do today to be one step closer to that dream? If you don't follow your dreams, then what's the point?

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As I made jewelry last night, I thought about how I could make my jewelry absolutely unique.  What can I do to make my jewelry stand out from the rest?  How could I give my jewelry business a little oomp?  A little spark of glitter and sass? 

Most fashion designers look to the past for inspiration, so I thought I would start by looking at vintage jewelry.  I found out about this company named Lang that specializes in antique and estate jewelry.  I started looking at the art nouveau jewelry and this amethyst piece pictured here definitely caught my eye.  Purple has been my favorite color since Prince's "Purple Rain" song and this necklace definitely has sparked some of the creative energy in me...

Can you believe this piece costs $10,750? Ah-mazing...I wish some of my pieces could be worth that much some day! 

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The past week was full of inspirational moments - From reading Phil Gerbyshak's book, to discovering my niche at Online Business Resources, watching Julienne Irwin sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", and creating inspirational apparel and art for my CafePress shop. 

I especially liked creating the graphics and art for my latest items in the gift shop.  Here are a couple of them...

Posted by Maria Palma at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

 
"Everyone has a story, and it in those stories we can find a thread that ties us all together. That thread is our human experience."  -- Kimberlee Morrison

A story of...
hope,
courage,
inspiration,
determination,
perseverance,
dreams,
bonding,
love,
and freedom.

Freedom Writers:  It's the universal story shared by each and every one of us.  I watched this movie for the first time today and it spoke to me on so many levels - as it probably did to everyone who has watched it. 

I first found out about the Freedom Writers movie from fellow writer over at Know More Media, Kimberlee Morrison.  Kimberlee was actually one of the students portrayed in the movie.  In celebration of Kimberlee's birthday this past week I felt it fitting to check out the movie - finally! 

"Blessed With a Burden"
Ms. Gruwell, played by Hilary Swank, was a freshman English teacher ready to take on the challenge of teaching to a group of kids who had previously attended the "School of Hard Knocks".  When she walked into class that very first day, all bright-eyed and innocent, I saw myself in her.  She was the idealist who thought that anything is possible...and that's me to the bone.  Whatever obstacle was faced could be overcome.  Ms. Gruwell was determined to make a difference and nothing would get in her way.

Continue reading "We're All Freedom Writers" »

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I logged into my Technorati account today and realized that I have 75 fans for this blog!  So, I just wanted to take some time out to thank all of you who are reading my blog! 

Being an artist can sometimes be a little lonely, so I find much comfort and inspiration in knowing that I do indeed have some fans out there!  I would have never known just by looking at my feed stats and blog stats that there are people actually read my blog.  I guess sometimes we just want a little recognition ;)

With that said, I think I will turn comments back on so that some of you fans can leave comments and we can exchange some dialogue here.  I had received quite a bit of spam comments which is why I only allowed trackbacks.  

Anyways, thanks again!   

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I love to listen to classic rock radio stations.  It keeps me in a relaxing mood as I make jewelry or greeting cards…  Well,  yesterday on one station the DJ was telling a story about a man who passed by a nursing home, but something in him decided to stop, turn around and go into the nursing home.  He asked the live receptionist for the names of a few people who never had any visitors.  After he got the names, he started sending these people gifts and such.  Pretty soon he this man became pretty popular around the nursing home and the people were so grateful for his thoughtfulness and generosity.  

I was so touched by this story that it brought tears to my eyes. It caused me to realize how precious it is to connect with another human being and to just let them know that they’re not alone in this world.  

Visit my Etsy shop and find a unique gift for the loved one in your life...

What are you doing to give back to the community?

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I think it’s so important for people to discover their own creativity - after all, we are all creative individuals.  Every time you have an idea you’re creating, right? 

As for me, I haven’t been feeling the full creative energy that I’ve been craving for.  Perhaps it is from writing all day every day.  My writing mojo could be running on empty.  However, the cure for that was to take a walk first thing today instead of hitting the keyboard ;)

I came away with some gorgeous shots from the garden and the neighbors’ gardens.  It’s something about looking at nature that is truly inspiring.  The flowers - especially the yellow daisies - are so colorful and full of energy.  It’s funny, I’ve noticed that whenever I take pictures of flowers, they always start dancing in the wind - like they’re so happy to get the attention and having their picture taken!!  Check out all of the individual photos at my Flickr album.

What is your creative passion? Have you discovered it yet?  What kinds of things do you do to get inspiration and creative energy? 

One book that has helped me discover my creative side is The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  This book will definitely challenge your beliefs and attitudes toward the creative process. 

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Continue reading "2007 Artistic Goals" »

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I made a "date" with myself yesterday and visited Balboa Park.  Nestled in the north-east corned of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is home to a myriad of museums, artist studios (Spanish Village), and the famous San Diego Zoo.

I found much inspiration in the architecture of the buildings and enjoyed the colorful flowers, lily pads, and coi fish.  Sometimes you'll see artists out drawing and painting in the park, but on this particular day it was pretty quiet.

On Tuesdays some of the museums are free, so I visited the Museum of Photographic Arts wherein is the current exhibit, "Breaking the Frame: Pioneering Women in Photojournalism".  I have much respect for these women who often leave the confines of their comfort zones to travel and capture the lives of others.  Some of their photographs were very heartbreaking and few times tears welled up in my eyes.  For instance, there was a photograph of a Muslim women praying with her little boy about three years old standing up beside her looking into the distance.  You can see the sadness and anguish experienced by the war that this toddler is facing - something a boy so young shouldn't be witnessing. 

What I like about photojournalism is the photographer's ability to tell the truth through pictures.  They often show what traditional media is not showing.  They tell stories that you can't get anywhere else. 

For more pictures of Balboa Park, visit my Flickr photo album...

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I started a new journal - and coincidentally, a new chapter in my life.  I've kept journals ever since I could remember.  When I was a young girl I remember rating each day using a star-rating system.  One star meant bad day and five stars meant good days.  Other than that, I don't remember too much about my journals because they somehow got lost between all the moving I've done over the years. 

Anyhow, I decided this time that this journal would be a very fun and visual journal....a collage journal with thoughts mixed in.  And unlike some of my past journals, I'm intending for this one to be a very happy journal.  I got inspiration from Anahata Katkin - her work is so inspiring.  I took out all my card-making stuff last night and indulged in blissful creation which is pictured here ;) I even "transgressed" back to childhood and opened up a brand new box of crayons that I forgot about!

I highly recommend collage journaling.  It's very therapeutic...

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I came upon Crossroads Dispatches today via Converstations and discovered another writer, Evelyn Rodriguez, who shares the same life values as me.  It's very interesting...the people that the Universe has guided me to. 

A particular post resonated with me: It Takes A Lifetime To Create A Masterpiece.  Maybe its because I identified with some of the experiences that Evelyn shares with us.  Maybe its because I have read Simple Abundance...or maybe its because she uses the words "art salon" to describe her events.  When people look at the name of my website, they think I own a hair or beauty salon!

In her post, Evelyn tells us about artist who hasn't shown her artwork in about twenty years.  I've come across many people who are "afraid" or too shy to show their art.  I find it interesting that many artists hide their creativity... mainly because I, too, was that type of artist until a few years ago.  

Anyhow, it's great to find other like-minded individuals who seek to make a change in this world :)

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I love to get inspiration from other jewelry designers, and one blog I subscribe to is The Jewelry Blog by Cluny Grey.  Her jewelry designs are inspiring and very unique, to say the least.  Most of her pieces shown are bracelets and sometimes bracelet and earring sets.  Check out Cluny's website...http://jewelrytrends.blogspot.com

As for me, well, I've been quite busy writing lately and not enough creating in terms of making jewelry or painting.  I did, however, pull out my greeting card stuff to make new cards to add to my greeting card website.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll take a break from writing and do some visual arts instead. 

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I just came across a blog that's in another language, but I was enticed by the colorful pictures it shared with the readers.  I'll definitely need to install some software to translate the words.  I'm assuming it's a blog about design... Truly inspiring :)

Continue reading "Appreciation of Good Design" »

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I received this via email today from the Oprah website:

"Be your own work of art. Cultivate friends, passions, a distinctive
style. Learn, dare, and grow. Beauty is the bonus of a well-lived life."

For me, art is a true passion in my life.  Not just in terms of creativity - there is the art of peace, the art of love, the art of expressing ourselves and being genuine in all our dealings.

In other news, I've added a new bracelet to my bracelet gallery.  It's made with raspberry quartz, a favorite of mine!  Today was the first really warm day in San Diego which could mean that spring is finally here.  It gave me the motivation to start getting more jewelry on the website so all you ladies have pretty accessories to wear with those cute dresses!

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