Salon de Maria Blog

Getting My Creative Mojo Back

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 10:06:32 -0800

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.

New Camera, New Inspiration

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:41:03 -0800

With new digital camera in hand (Sony Cyber-Shot H55), I've been taking pictures like crazy.

Here's the Utah landscape taken during a recent road trip:

My Creative Mind at Work

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:01:04 -0800

This past year I’ve been so focused on my writing business that all of my other artistic endeavors have been put on the back burner. I’ve made the intention to refocus my energy on my art, photography, jewelry making, and posting to this blog more often. I was browsing through the latest Artful Blogging and was really inspired by other artists. The creative energy was oozing from that magazine.

I went to a bead show a couple weekends ago, which really got my creative juices flowing. I would love to go back to jewelry making. I think I’m more relaxed when I’m making jewelry versus writing. But then, perhaps I’ve put too much pressure on myself when writing. After all, most of the writing I do is for clients, so the perfectionist in me comes out.

Another creative endeavor I want to get back into is graphic design. I’ve abandoned my CafePress shop, so I want to re-open it and create custom t-shirts that have positive affirmations or sayings. Even funny posters would be nice to create - because the world needs laughter right now :)

The Nerd Comes Out

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:35:27 -0800

Ok, I must come clean about who I really am. I consider myself to be a nerd and I'm proud of it. In high school I played in the band, I participated in student government, and I was the one people cheated off of in Physics.

You probably would have never known that by looking at me now. Although, when I do put on my glasses, I can sense that my nerdy tendencies do come out.

I think I may have regressed back to my old nerdy ways this morning because as I was browsing through this website of funny t shirts, I couldn't help but think that this "Reading is for awesome people" shirt is just way too cute.

Yes, I am a nerd.

The Problem(?) With Being Creative

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:30:50 -0800

I believe that we're all creative individuals. Some people use their creativity more than others. I'm one of those people who is constantly creating and coming up with ideas.

The problem, if you can call it a problem, is that if you're a constant creator and serial entrepreneur like me, you can become overwhelmed with all the things you like to do and want to do. You've got all this stuff going on and you love to do all of it, but there just isn't enough time in the day to do it.

I'll give you an example from my own life...

Exciting Projects: Internet Business Coaching and BlogTalk Radio Show Comeback

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:00:48 -0800

2010 has started off with exciting ideas and projects in the works!

As an internet marketer by profession, I've decided that it's finally time to share my knowledge and connect with people to help them realize their dreams of starting an internet business.

I recently launched my internet business coaching program, so if you're interested in getting your business up and running, I'd love to help you out!

Click here to find out more about my internet business coaching program...

If you already have an internet business and just need help with marketing, I'm available to help you with that as well.

Also, I've decided to bring back my Studio 747 BlogTalk radio show for those of you who need inspiration and help with living a more successful life. Whether it be your business life or personal life, I cover various topics that hopefully will spark the fire that propels you to reach all of your goals.

So far I'm staying focused on my vision of helping people live their passion...I sometimes get overwhelmed because there are so many ideas floating around in my head! I want to do everything right now, but I'm still in the process of learning to slow down and just have fun with it all.

Listen to Studio747 on Blog Talk Radio

New Mini Works of Art

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:58:09 -0800

Last weekend I needed to decompress from working on the computer all week, so I pulled out the trusty scrapbooking materials for a change of scenery. I realize that I haven't added anything to my greeting card collection in awhile, so I got in relaxation mode and created two new mini works of art.

I found a great deal on scrapbooking paper at Big Lots (my go-to place for bargains) and was drawn to a pattern with fairies on it. And because I love flowers, naturally I came up with this handmade birthday card with a fairy and flower theme...

Here's a Thank You card in a flower theme...

Check out more of my handmade greeting cards...

This weekend I'll probably work on adding more cards. I've been inspired after browsing through the latest Somerset Memories Magazine. I've come to realize just how much I love creating art using mixed media. Art journaling is something I think I'll start doing...

Taking Business and Life To the Next Level

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:30:55 -0800

It's been a whirlwind summer. My writing business has really taken off with client projects coming in - one after another. This has been the first week in a couple months that I've actually had the time to just mellow out and catch up on blog readings and books.

Although I am very grateful for the business, I've come to realize that I prefer to have an internet business that is more automated - the kind of business that many experienced internet marketing entrepreneurs talk about. I'm aiming to create my own product and have a system set up so that I can have a stream of income that comes in without any real effort on my own part.

What To Do With Big Ideas

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:49:07 -0800

I’m currently working on a project with my best friend that, in my mind, is the “next best thing”. I’m thrilled and very excited about this project because it is very much in line with my vision in life…to bring people together in peace and unity.

That’s all I can say right now about this project as my friend and I have decided to keep it hush hush until we finalize everything and get a concrete business plan in place.

Have you ever had an idea come to you that made you jump up with electrified excitement? That’s how I felt when this idea came to me. Now, I have many ideas that come to me throughout the day, but this particular idea really sent a surge through me. It’s a BIG idea.

Right after the idea came to me, another thought came: Wow, this is big. Do you want to invest the time? It’s going to take a lot of work. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one that this has happened to. That little voice of doubt and fear creeps up.

I’ve learned, though, to counter-act those questions of doubt with one single question:

I Love San Francisco

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:52:53 -0800

I've lived in San Diego for fifteen years, and although I do love this city, there another city that's at the top of the list of favorite cities in California...

San Francisco...

Call me weird if you want, but I love San Francisco's cool, overcast weather! I love walking through China Town and finding bargains...and I love hanging out in Union Square - especially the multi-level Borders bookstore.

Here is a mosaic of pictures I took during a recent trip to the city...

Setting Priorities

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:46:03 -0800

Between spending time with my family in Lemoore, chugging away at my ebook, and working on client's projects, a month has passed and I haven't updated this blog. All I can say is that there is never a dull second in my life. But don't take this as a complaint, I am surely grateful for having a very busy and productive life. That's the lifestyle choice I made.

For the past couple weeks I've been getting my life organized, revisiting my visions and dreams, and making sure my priorities are straight. I must give a big shout-out and thank you to my business coach, Maureen Orey, for helping me stay on track. If you ever need someone to help keep you mentally focused on what needs to be done to get your business going, then you should check out Maureen's website or follow her on Twitter.

Mission: Get Out of the Rat Race

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:23:54 -0800

Being the entrepreneur that I am, my mind is non-stop when it comes to business ideas. I also have friends who are realizing the skills that I have and are asking me to help them with their businesses.

Yes, people are beginning to feel the power of the internet and social networking. What used to be thought of as frivolous activities (i.e. blogging or hanging out on Twitter and Facebook) have become opportunities to make money.

My friend told me the other day, "If I had listened to you three years ago and started my own blog, I would probably be making alot of money right now and spending more time with my kids!"

Well, it's definitely not too late to make money on the internet! If you've come across this blog looking for tips and ideas on starting an internet business, check out my online business blog.

I read about people who are losing their jobs due to the economy and it's motivating me to get my ebook finished. I know that there many people waking up to this idea of having their own internet business. If I could help even one person get away from the rat race, I will be happy. People have to stop relying on a 9-5 job for their income and start taking charge of their abundance!

The Power of Flowers

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:08 -0800

As an artist with a great deal of creative energy, I often have moments when I'm focused on my writing...then I'll switch to making jewelry or greeting cards. Recently I've started to feel a little burned out from blogging and writing, so to mix it up I've started making greeting cards again.

I took inventory of all the cards I have and realized that many of them were never added to my online greeting card shop, so I spent most of the weekend uploading cards and making new ones as well.

I still have one of the first greeting cards that ever made. I've titled it, "The Power of Flowers"...

Flowers are one of my favorite themes. Flowers really do have a great deal of power. They teach me that there is beauty in everything...and flowers bring so much happiness to people.

As the famous painter Claude Monet once said, "I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."

Less Work, More Play (And Money!)

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:49:19 -0800

That's been my mantra since the beginning of the year. I've set the intention that I'm going to work on my business versus working in my business. I'm referring to my blog network, Studio 747.

I want to take Studio 747 to the next level...and in order for me to do that, I'm going to have to get help. I love writing and blogging, but having to write on 10+ blogs does take a great deal of time! I have taken one step towards my goals and outsourced a small portion of my blog writing.

Today I came across Leo Babauta's post, Don't Have Time For Your Goals? Simplify Your Commitments. Of course, it was a timely post as I have been thinking of ways that I can cut the things that I feel obligated to. (Really? I don't have to post to my blogs every week?) I've noticed that I've been watching more TV and spending more time on Twitter than usual, so I'm going to work on spending less time on unproductive activities. Not to say that Twitter is unproductive because I think connecting with others is beneficial to my business. I'll spend 30 minutes on Twitter from now on versus 1 or 2 hours.

Making a Mark

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:16:33 -0800

Yesterday I celebrated my 35th birthday! For some women turning one year older is just horrible. They start checking out their face for wrinkles and lines...

Sure, it was a special day, but for me the "Big 35" is just another year. My life philosophy has always been to celebrate each day like it's a birthday!

The fiance treated me out to lunch and afterwards we headed to beautiful Balboa Park to check out the Museum of Man and enjoy the absolutely gorgeous weather we are currently having in San Diego. It's hard not to have a good day when you live in a city like San Diego ;)

As I was looking at the exhibits in the Museum of Man, I was awestruck by the fact that many of these pieces survived thousands of years buried underground before they were discovered by archaeologists. Just think, one day thousands of years from now people will be looking at our computers, digital cameras, and works of art as if they are foreign objects!

I started to think about the mark I wanted to make in the world. What could I leave behind that would tell people from the future about this day and age?