Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Happy New Year and It's Been a While!

Happy New Year, everyone and I hope you had a lovely holiday season!

I'm betting that you probably thought that I've fallen off the edge of the earth since I haven't written or updated since August!  This is the first year where I buckled down in the spring and applied for a lot (for me) of holiday festivals to showcase and sell my jewelry.  I did one or two a month from September to January and what I didn't realize is that if I sold a lot (a good thing!) I had to very quickly create more pieces for the next show which was usually a week or so from the one I had just done.  Because I have family obligations during the day and clients a few times a week, this makes it pretty difficult, so I found myself huddled in my studio after dinner for a few hours every night.  Now Mike knows how I feel when he's getting ready for an election and I feel like a single mom!

Some smaller stocking stuffer-type pieces take maybe 30 minutes, but most others take a few hours to create from start to finish, so I just didn't have time for anything but being able to bring a good amount of pretties to each holiday show.  All of the shows except for one were packed with people, so while it was a really busy few months for me, it was completely satisfying to see my jewelry being purchased, boxed up and customers walking away happy.  Yay!

My last show for a while was last weekend, so now I'm in 2018 planning mode trying to figure out what the heck I want to fill this year up with.  :D

For those of you who are interested in my jewelry, I have 12 new pieces in the shop left over from my shows.  Go check them out!  AND, as a FaceBook follower or blog follower of mine use this secret code at checkout to get 15% off all items (ready to ship).  SECRET18.

You can have a coupon code automatically added by just clicking this link:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/barbmallonjewelry?coupon=SECRET18

I will also be adding some textiles to my shop.  I used to macrame as a kid and now that it's really popular again, I've created some pretty wall hangings and plant hangers all in white cotton rope with pieces of driftwood.  This is a new big trend now, but it's so fun to get back into, so those will be in the shop hopefully tomorrow.




Regarding mediumship sessions, I'm seriously thinking of adding a few days a month to do FaceTime sessions (not Skype).  I have a lot of clients who miss my phone sessions who live all around the country/world, so I may add this option very soon.  Please contact me if you'd be interested.  The backdrop to your sessions will not be pretty spiritual stuff, but rather my jewelry workbench and messy soldering station but if you're ok with that... :)  Please be sure to like my FaceBook page and/or follow this blog for updates!

I am still accepting clients in my Chantilly, VA office on Tuesday early evenings and Friday afternoons.  There is no wait list any longer and you can easily book yourself from my website under the Appointments tab.  Easy peasy!  

As far as classes go, as soon as I figure out my spring show schedule, I'll announce some classes for the spring and early summer.  Please let me know if you'd be interested in my Psychic Development Workshop or my Animal Communication Workshop.  Both are held in my Chantilly, VA office.

Personal/family stuff... everyone is good!  Maggie and Sammy are showing a little more grey in their muzzle but are just as silly and feisty as ever!  The Madam Bun is her same diva self and is currently shedding like crazy.  I couldn't figure out why this was until someone on a rabbit FB page said theirs did the same thing because it's warmer in the house than outside.  OH. Didn't even occur to me, so she's on something called Laxitone now to make sure her tummy doesn't get blocked up by her fur, which can be deadly for buns.  I could have already made a sweater from the amount of fur coming off of her!  She will NOT allow me to brush her or use any hair removal device, so I have to patiently and gently pluck all loose fur while making sure I do NOT stop petting her nose, otherwise she jumps right off me and... THUMPS.

The boys are good.  Two big birthdays this year... my youngest, Bren turned 18 in October and likes to bring up the fact that he doesn't need my permission for some things... um... you still live at home, dude.  :D  And Brady just turned 21 yesterday!  I can't believe all of my kids are grown, but at least I have a silly little Grandboo to FaceTime with weekly and go visit.  My daughter Sara and her husband Brad just bought a beautiful new home not too far from where they lived before.  Mike and I are looking forward to visiting soon and seeing it first-hand.  

I'm also very grateful that I recently had the very unexpected opportunity to reconnect with my family whom I hadn't been connected to in 12 years, I think.  A lot has changed, but it has been very calming and healing.  I think sometimes you just have to let the past go and try to grow and evolve in love as life is short.  It takes time, conversations and smiles, but at least that door is open now and that makes me happy.  :)  Plus, they like my jewelry so I have new models for marketing, hehe!  :D

Again, wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2018!  I'll be back in touch soon!

Barb xo

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