Back In The Game...again

I have disappeared from blogging for quite awhile, but for many reasons. One of them is that we really picked up speed in the selling of jewelry and the whole business aspect of it. So between that and the 4 boys, time wasn't alloted for writing. Second reason was.. I was stumped at the whole aspect of what to write. I am very critical of myself, and have to double check, triple check....critque everything. I even correct my texts, which is something I am working hard not to do. But then I realized in the past few months, I might have something valuable to share. Maybe.

I have had a crazy year, for sure. We have had several shows, and doing well on Etsy and Yardsellr. Last year, a few ladies asked if I do 'home shows', and I responded with a 'no, I could never'. Over the months, I ask myself (and my fellow designers) 'Why not?'. So now we are in the works of creating trunk shows, so we can share our collections in a comfy home atmosphere. Another new journey awaits us!

This fall my oldest left for college, and it's been a big mommy struggle. Granted he is only an hour away, having him gone has been tough. Getting used to setting the table for 5, him not being here for game night, or finding his smelly socks in random spots...has been difficult. But at the same time, it's giving me a taste of the empty nest syndrome. Bad, bad taste. It is reality. Spending my whole life making this child my world, giving up everything to be there for him. I would never, ever change that, but when I see that his is doing well in college, and starting his new journey...I sit crying with an empty spot at the dinner table. I had an epiphany last week- I need to do some things for myself. Start my own journey, and realize the kids will be fine. My house is slowly becoming quieter- from 4 rambunctious boys running and wrestling...to 2 teenagers who 'disappear' into their rooms, and a spirited 5 year old.

So that's why I titled this 'Back In The Game'....I am going to get this business to where I DREAM of it being...a chance for everyone to enjoy a piece of Soulful-Lee Yours. Love-n-Peace

The Turning Of A New Leaf

Happy New Year To All!!! I hope your holidays were as wonderful as mine were. As the boys are growing older (17, 14, 12, 4) they are more appreciative of the little things the holiday brings... not what battery operated toy of the moment Santa brought. Well, Little Evan is still there, being that he is only 4.

Now is the New Year, which always gives me a tinge of excitement in my tummy. I crave for fresh starts. The start of a new journal- picking just the right one and it's clean, unwritten pages. The beginning of a desk calendar- disposing of the graffiti ridden one of the prior year. The fresh pack of crisp clean socks. Or the idea of the 'no soda-no carbs- diet I come up with every year, just to only make it until the end of January. But this year I have NEW New Year goals that will benefit not only me and my sanity, but my family. It is to be thoroughly and completely grateful for each and everyday I have. Sounds simple, right?

Do you gripe about traffic also? ( i say that I am lucky to have a vehicle) On Monday Morning do you roll over, hit the snooze and smile about having a job to go to? Well you should- especially nowadays. Grumble about your kids? There have been several kids that my boys know who have passed away this past year. My heart hurts for their parents as I get to hug my children everyday. So everyday I promise to take the time to say Hello to a new day and be thankful that I can do it.

'I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.
J. B. Priestly '

'Tis The Season

Happy Holidays To All! I am sure I am not the only one running around like a crazed lunatic, preparing for the holidays! To add to the craziness, Soulful-Lee has been preparing for Winter On Main this Friday and Saturday and another holiday fair next weekend in Fox Point. Busy little elves we are!

But I promised myself that this holiday, I will keep myself grounded and not be a part of the commercialism of Christmas. My childhood Christmas's weren't memorable, so with my children I try my best to make theirs 'magical' and everything that mine wasn't. In the past, I was succumbed to the materialism of Christmas, giving my kid's all of the gifts they could wish for. They are great kids, so they never asked for much....so it made it even easier for me to want to spoil them.

With money hardships and struggles, we have learned to live simple. Not that we have ever really lived beyond our means in the first place. But we do more family games than movies, home cooked meals than eating out. Back to basics. So this holiday, we will do just that. Hopefully.

I hope you all have a magical, and meaningful Holiday, also! Peace!

Fall For You

A few good things since my last blog I would like to share! First off, I hope everyone is having a fabulous fall! It is one of my favorite seasons! Its the pop of colors in orange, amber, yellow and burgundy. Making caramel apples with the boys, and stocking up on the hot cocoa. Switching from sandals to fuzzy socks and shoes....scurrying around for mittens and hats. Lighting my baked good candles, and putting up my Halloween decorations. What's not to love!

Soulful-Lee Yours Designs has an ad on a great mommy blog called http://www.makeovermomma.com/. Bailey does great posts on many different things from fashion to fitness. She also writes for walmart.com and many other magazines. Take a peek! She will soon be doing a review on our designs and will let you know when that will be.

We had the honor of being featured on a blog called http://dancethemoon.com/. Colleen Speed is the owner of this blog, and also makes/sells the most beautiful dream catchers.

Soulful-Lee Yours was also mentioned on another blog called http://mylittlefatshionblog.blogspot.com/. We are getting out there!

On November 6th, we will be at Fond du lac County Fairgrounds for a craft/art fair. Lucky us we have a prime spot so hopefully we will ROCK this year!!! I should probably start cracking on making pieces soon.

We are starting a little princess collection which will be up soon. It will be of cutesy bracelets, necklaces and adorable hair accessories for our littlest Soulful-Lee Yours fans. We have acquired quite a few of those lately!

Happy Birthday, Soulful-Lee Yours!

Back in 1996 in Bakersfield, Ca- my grandma, ('indian grandma' as I called her) taught me a few basic beading skills. She had such an incredible talent which amazed me, but even better was the passion she had for her art. That touched me more- and sparked my interest in jewelry. I tinkered a bit- but money held me back then.

I reconnected with my love of beading again in 2005, making pieces for myself, not exactly confident enough to share them. My pregnancy somewhat hindered by hobby after that, and didn't pick up any tools for a few more years. I remember giving away all of my supplies- with a little pain in my heart.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and my small motor skills didn't cooperate with me and realized I wouldn't be able to create anymore. I didn't have time I told myself- being a mother of four boys and running a daycare- so I didn't let it phase me. Until in 2009 ,when I went back to Bakersfield to visit indian grandma- who was very ill. Something about that visit changed me. I soon came home, bought some beads and a few tools. And that is how Soulful-Lee Yours Designs started.

We have sold a tremendous amount of pieces, are in two boutiques in Milwaukee and soon will be in a hair salon , had a chance to be a vendor at a fashion runway show at the Calatrava in Milwaukee, have almost 300 fans on our Facebook Fan Page and are listed on 8 websites. I also have 4 beautiful ladies who have joined me on this journey- who each make and create exquisite jewelry. So thank you to Teri Benz, Merry Revenaugh, Wendy Schneider, and Linda Deppert for sharing this experience with me. And thank you to so many people for making my dream come true!

DETERMINATION

This past friday we had a 75 mph storm that knocked out power to many- us being one of the 'lucky' ones. It was a test of our survival tactics in the dark. Despite the 14 year old (who whined until we agreed to let him stay somewhere else), we all passed. The 4 year old was extremely befuddled and was unable to comprehend WHY he couldn't watch The Upside Down Show (our new favorite). I showed him what 'FUN' we could have in the dark- by playing jenga , and working on his journal all by a warm glow of the lantern. He eventually fell asleep a lot earlier than normal, so I took the opportunity to work in the studio and CREATE. I am not going to lie...it was a bit inhibiting not being able to see a few inches from me...but I love a challenge. So ladies, this goes to show you how committed I am to keeping you all gorgeous, even during a 24 hour power outage!

Fall Is In The Air

I don't know about you, but I am definitely feeling that autumn rush. Perhaps it's because I have been buying the four boys school supplies for the last month (and let me add that I am not done yet) or because as I am typing this I am wearing a sweater. Brrrr. OR, it's because Teri, Wendy, Merry and myself having been working on our fall collection!

We are all incredibly stoked about our new designs and fabulous ideas we are coming up with for the new seasons. Also in the works are doing 'trunk shows' (if anyone wants to be the first, give a holler) AND we have some art fairs getting lined up.

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”