Count down 'til the New Year...

The time is coming up, where we will be going over to friends houses or family and celebrate the New Year. I hope that everyone of course will be responsible and not drink and drive, I know it can be tempting, but honestly it's not worth it. Please if you have to call a friend or call a cab. Better safe than sorry. Believe me around 10 years ago I lost my brother due to the gentleman that was driving their truck that night decided to drive and my brother being a passenger should have been driving instead...but he didn't have his license. Well needless to say. He passed away in November and there is nothing anyone can do to bring him back.
But I'm not blogging tonight to morn my brother's death. I'm hear to reflect on the year passing.

Live your life to the fullest, live life with no regrets. I maybe not bring in the big bucks, but I love what I do. Yes, I do wish I was busy 24/7 sometimes. But my children are really important to me right now and I thank God everyday that I can be there for my kids. One day God will let me live my life, it's just not right now. Don't get me wrong. God is good to us all, but I'm not a patient person and working on God's schedule is sometimes testing for me. But one day...even if I'm 80, I know I will be making my dreams come true...or will at least see what God had planned for me more clearly. LOL!

Blessings and I wish everyone to be Safe :)

Bring in the New Year!

Can you believe that 2011 is here already. Where did November go for crying out loud? I love fall - whoosh there it went. Here in the Carolinas like a lot of us, we have snow!!!! My kids were so excited CHRISTmas morning. It was really a perfect day. Besides some mishaps on misunderstood Xmas lists...it really was a beautiful morning and I truly to hope everyone around the world had a blessed time with friends and family. I know we did. It has been very low eye around here which is nice for a change. The kids don't have to go back to school until the 3rd - so we are loving the late nights together and and I'm loving the early mornings without having to hussle and bussle out the door and enjoy blogging again and getting back to what I love to do. Paint.

My New Year's resolution is to get ORGANIZED. I know...its a bad word but someone has to do it. And I know I need it. My main focus is not only getting my home organized for myself but for my family. I am notorious for placing items in a hurry somewhere and not remembering where I put it...the family hates it. Of course I think it's funny cuz everyone complains that the house is a mess but when I clean then everyone complains that they can't find anything. Ironic wouldn't you think?

It's ok though. I really need to get organized. Also my other focus is to dedicate more time to my Etsy Shop. To truly build my business as an artist and to get my work recognized...I need to reach out to other artists and get more involved in Art Shows. So I'm going to dedicate an hour to my shop every morning to send out e-mails to introduce folks to visit it, keep stuff updated. Adding new items to the shop and creating more useful products with my art to the shop.

I'm hoping also to do more door-to-door recognition. Posting my artwork in coffee shops and hoping this year or in February to have an Art Show. I'd like to work with the Middle School and the High School to now only show my work but that of the students. This now only will gain recognition of the programs that needs our help as a community but to also gain recognition as an artist. Community work...it's needed out there. Just wish I could get paid for it. :)

Well, got to get going on some chalk jars and new magnet lids. Be safe and enjoy every minute with each other. It goes fast.

Blessings!

Trying to Keep My Head Above The Economy...

Did you realize that if you support our small businesses that a large sum of that money spent goes back to the town that the small business is in. If you buy into a chain...a very small percentage goes back to the town...if you buy online nothing goes back to the town. So those of us that live in the little small town of Harrisburg we need to remember that. We alone can make a difference.

I find that even though I offer a great price for my services...it's just not needed right now in this tough economy still. I love what I do, and I will continue to re-invent my self until I can hit the market just right.

Looking into grants for a studio...and thinking about changing the name to something different. Getting with high schools and middle schools to offer a gallery crawl. To give back to the schools....my brain is going at it again.

I'm in the process of updating my etsy.com shop. Hoping I can get it in time before everyone is done with their holiday shopping. Who knows what this year is going to bring with the economy still in troubling times.

Well until next time. Save those pennies and remember that a personalized gift is the best gift this holiday season.

Newest Project for October

As of last week, I've been working on a mural in Waxhaw, NC for The Goddard School. This theme at this particular school is the first of it's kind with these schools. It is an outer space theme. With planets, starts, spaceship and astronaunt. I'm really enjoying it. Also been working on Teacher Boards with magnetic paint. Boy, has that stuff come a long way. Takes a lot of layers but once it is done it works great. It's been a blast and I'm loving painting murals again. Other projects on the schedule is The Goddard School on Back Creek Road. A couple of residential rooms and back to promoting my murals in Pedicatric Offices and Dentistry Practices. If you know of a new business that is going up and could us a little extra flare, tell them to give me a call or e-mail me (best way right now) at tstern1@carolina.rr.com

No Project Too Small...

Not only do I create many murals throughout the Carolina's. But don't forget that I do custom canvas for ANY budget. Budget $20.00, that's fine. I'll create a frame, small canvas. Anything is possible. Right now working on a baby shower gift. Canvas costing around $45.00 - 22" x 24"and small frame to match $5.00. Their budget was $100.00. Both projects will be within this clients budget, including my time/original artwork that only this client will have.

Other source to look into is our etsy.com shop.

www.decorativedecisions.etsy.com

And again remember anything can be created on any budget!

Newest Project

So - just finished up finally a huge and I mean HUGE project. I was so excited to do - for the first time in a long time excited about waking and going to my "ugh" job in the morning just knowing I was going to paint afterwards. Oh- my "ugh" job. Is in the cafeteria of a high school - I wash dishes for four hours straight. Not a flattering job, not a great job for a creative person. But I do it because we need the money. I'm so looking forward to the summer off with my kids.
Oh...back to my story.
So I painted the whole inside of Frankie & Louies Restaurant in Harrisburg, NC. It's an american menu with a cajan twist. The walls and floor. I'm waiting on photos. Once I get them I will post photos of the place. Also I'm going to put some of my own of the work in progress.
They loved it so much they are asking me to paint the outside...a possibly talking about opening up another one in South Charlotte. wow that would be nice.

So, I lied I can't stay away from the computer...

So, it's been four days off of my part-time work. Yes I had to get a part-time job because the decorative painting business has been slow. So I decide to start up these drawing/painting classes. Then out of the blue I got four calls yesturday. Figures. But, it's o.k. I'd rather be busy than not. I'm excited to get back into painting rooms again. Lettering seems to still be hot. No matter what age. What kid doesn't want to see their name big on a wall. O.k. probably not my youngest. He is still bugging me about getting rid of the dinosaurs (they are not cool anymore at the age of 11). Him and his brother want skateboarders. One of these days.
Anyways this part-time job is kicking my hiney. It's wiping me out in the afternoon. Who knew that a cafeteria worker could work so hard. I'm in the washroom and that is all I do for four hours straigtht is wash dishes. UGH! But I need the steady money...for now. I'm hoping the painting will take off again. My etsy shop will really take off (once I can get prints made) and even the art classes. Oh by the way if you are looking into the Tuesday class that now won't be getting started until March. Have a commitment with The Butter Bean Market in Huntersville to do art classes with them on Tuesday for the month of Febraury. Yeah! So, here it is again at midnight can't sleep because I come home and take a nap like my grandparents from work in the morning and then I can't sleep at night. Boy you would think I had mono or something like that. I'm so mixed up in my days. Oh another note: I have crohn's for those that don't know me. And all the physical work I do at the part-time job I have is really hard on my joints. I keep saying I have to get back into running (I've had a week off) and it's the truth, running help me get that energy I need and beside I start hurting other places then I forget about my crohn's and my hand joints. I know it doesn't make sense, but if you knew me...what does make sense that I ever say.
Well - going to finish another painting. Birds...green on this canvas sheet. I LOVE IT! More flexible than on the canvas/boards. I don't know why I never used these sheets before. And I can sell them cheaper too. Yes...on etsy!

Tuesday's Entry

I see most artist writing blogs about their work or just daily stuff. I keep meaning to do the same, but I keep stopping myself because I'm not sure what to write about.
So...here I go. Today is the second day without school, God save the children. My boys are precious but today is the last day of you're cute. Now they are just rowdy boys. Trying to get them to sleep after having four days of no school seems impossible. I keep having to yell upstairs, "Don't make me come up there!" My youngest says..."But we want you to" - well that didn't work out like I had hoped. They are still strung out on pop, cookies and no schedule...too much freedom for the little ones. Although they aren't really little anymore. 12 and 11, 13 months apart. Everyone thinks they are twins. I don't even think they look anything alike. Others do. My daughter, she is 16 going on, mom your not my friends and you bother me. Teenagers...now I know why some animals eat their young. Some days I get the fire going and the seasoning...just give me a reason.
Well today is going to be a short entry, because the boys just won't go to sleep and it's way past bed time. Duck tape here I come. Understand I'm a professional with duck tape, please don't try this at home.

Ta-ta for now!

WELCOME!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my website. I'm making some changes so please be patient as I try to update you with what new stuff is going on with Decorative Decisions.

1.I'm still painting murals all over the place, but because the economy has effect me more than I thought I've had to turn the business into a new direction.

2. This year I create a online store through etsy.com. It's been great! You can check it out here: www.decorativedecisions.etys.com

3. And finally I decided to take the plunge to have Art Classes in my home. I can't wait, I'm very excited to work with kids again. And to create new classes every six months.

Again thanks for visiting and keep checking in time to time to see what is all new!

Blessings,
Teresa