Tears, Open House, and an Epiphany

13 days.

It's been 13 days since I've written here. Yikes. That has to been the longest break I've ever taken from my blog. How could it be? Where, on earth, have I been?

I've always said I'm Multi-Creatively Challenged - I have a hard time putting creative effort into multiple avenues at one time. I can work on a couple of 'like' projects at the same time, but throw something completely different into the mix, and I'm blubber. It doesn't work for me. The brain can't function. So trying to write a meaningful and well written blog post the past few weeks has been almost impossible. Because . . . I'm in holiday gift making mode.

I had a table at a local Holiday Bazaar last week and had a pretty successful show (yay!) Afterwards, I decided to throw a little bit more into the mix by hosting a Holiday Open House at my house . . . TODAY (at 3pm) . . . for all my friends, family members and neighbors.

There is something pretty overwhelming about opening up your art to people in your life. I found myself in a bit of a panic mode this morning ... you know, when you expose your art to people who don't really know what you are doing, it leaves you quit vulnerable. I'm feeling that way today.

But, I'm excited. And proud. And hopeful that I can make some money. And grateful to anyone who may walk into my home today.

After getting the room set up this morning, I stood back for a second and felt my eyes well up with tears. My art . . . spread all over my family room . . . open . . . raw . . . exposed.

I've worked my bootie off the past couple of months. Long nights and early days. Working, and then coming home and putting so much of myself into my art. It's been physically and emotionally exhausting. And today, I am putting it out there. To friends, to acquaintance, to people I haven't seen in years. It's scary. But oh-so good, too.

At the Holiday Bazaar last week, I had an epiphany while talking to a customer. She was asking how I came up with the stuff that I make, and without even thinking about my answer, I said, "I do it for my daughters. It's my message to them. What I want them to know when I am not by their side. What I want them to remember as they live their lives." That thought has resonated in my head over and over this past week. How could I have not articulated that before? It's EXACTLY why I do what I do. Why I create what I create. Why I believe what I believe. For them. And for others.

My epiphany.

What an awesome moment.

And today, I'm sharing it with so many more.

Wish me luck, friends. I'm off to shower and make myself all beautiful.

And I promise I'll be back soon with more.

Wishing YOU a wonderful day.

Peace.