Grow (W)here You Are Planted

 I started updating all my online profiles.  The latest is on Upwork where my heading now reads "I'm Exceptional at Everything I do, No, Really." HA! I love it.  It's so much more fun to say the things in your head and do the things you think about.  It's hard but it's definitely more fun. The latest profiles that I've updated both got responses immediately after I updated them.  THIS after almost 2 years of crickets with the previous profile introductions.   I've always had this thing, I'm pretty sure it stems from being a little girl in the late 70's/ early 80's.  My world was pretty dresses to go to Buela's house and smiling for the parents' friends as requested and not running around like the crazy kid I was and making sure to keep my dress and embroidered socks with the hanging ball on them clean. Not complaining, just highlighting how much unlearning I've been working through. And don't get me wrong, my childhood was P

It gets harder to stay focused every day.  I create and create.  I photograph, edit and post.  I research SEO and trends then remember 'my people will find me' is the motto I'm working with.  My fear tries really hard to take over and make me focus on how much money I'm NOT making because NO ONE is buying what I'm selling.  I even think this post is too close to giving up. One thing I know for sure is I have been successful at finding who TF I am.  I came to Florida to be with family... my brother has known me his entire life.  He knew me before life changed me and so it is easy to just 'be' here.  There are a couple other places/people I can do this in/with but this was the cheapest to move to. No make-up, a basic uniform of clothing to wear each day, no decisions to make, clean hair and skin.  Sleep and eat as well as I can, sweat often, stretch and exercise, and feel all of it.  Affirmations in the morning and at night, face yoga, I'm still a woman. 

 So I FINALLY got into jewelry making.  I take silver sheet and wire and turn them into rings and chains.  I can also make boxes and bracelets and all manner of interesting things. I am the happiest woman in the world. Also, I am losing my mind.   Every day I design, research, clean, shape, cut, bend, solder, file, file, and file some more.  I spend a lot of time taking pictures, editing pictures, and then posting them on my socials with music so folks find themselves interested and want to go to my website (www.lolaandspike.com) and buy jewelry. Only problem in this whole process is I've only had one sale.   I am superbly thankful for that sale.   I am ready for more sales considering it is the only way I can continue this dream of mine.  This dream I've had since I was 17 years old and took my first jewelry-making class in college. It helps that, when I do feel a major panic attack coming on, I can make something and change my focus. Anyway...What I'm saying is GO CHECK O