It came about during the holiday season when I felt a bit like a puppet in my own show.  2011 was perhaps the craziest year of my life…wilder than awkward teenage years, more intense than 18 hour graduate school days, and more overwhelming than starting betsy & iya. We didn’t sleep this summer when we were building the new brick & mortar shop, and we didn’t sleep during the holiday season.  Translation: we haven’t slept since June.  Okay, okay, okay, maybe that’s a bit hyperbolic, but I think the actual amount of days we took off from work (vacusiness not included) in 2011 could be counted on my fingers and toes.

Throughout the crazy year, things really started piling up—emails, friend get-togethers, floor clothes, paper, dishes, random work tasks, resolving conflicts–you name it, chances are, it got piled up.  Around October when the piles really started peaking out, I decided something had to be done about it.  The thought of how to even begin diminishing the piles was so daunting that I started building piles of piles.  The only thing that could be done was to stop adding to the piles.  And then it just popped into my head like a giant scrolling marquee in Times Square:  DO IT NOW.

So simple, yet so smart and clever.  I can’t say that I haven’t slipped back into a pile here and there; but, when I see something that needs to be done and I start slipping, the phrase pops in and it’s like music to my ears.  It FEELS SO GOOD.  DOING IT NOW FEELS SO GOOD.

Here’s one very graspable example:

I finish eating a snack out of a cute little ramekin.  I begin to set the empty ramekin on the table in front of me.  ERR ERR EERR (insert: flashing red lights) ERRR ERRR ERRR (this is supposed to be the sound of a serious alarm going off). Brain pops in the phrase in modern black letters (imagine an old school optometrist’s light box, someone’s just turned it on): DO IT NOW.  I swiftly turn my direction to the kitchen where I begin to set the ramekin on the counter (I mean, I have sooo many other things to do that are sooooo much more important than washing my dish immediately, right? I mean, RIIIGHT!?!).  There is a sharp brain slap on my guilty hand, the phrase pops back in, and I quickly rinse the ramekin and place it in the dishwasher.  done.  DO IT NOW.

done.

And you know what’s so awesome about that!?  It’s done!  I don’t have to sift through my brain files later to make sure everything’s done.  It’s gone!  It’s over!

Another quick example: the inevitable email pile.  UGH!  This is the do-it-now rule that I’m still perfecting.  Under no circumstances am I permitted to check my email unless I have the time to respond right away.  Checking email involves two actions now: checking it and then doing something about it (replying, archiving, deleting, etc) immediately. I am no longer allowed to brain file emails.  Sometimes I wonder if I enjoy torturing myself…constantly anxious about whether or not I’ve replied, taken care of whatever it was, etc.  No MORE!  I’m DOING IT NOW.

(It’s also super fun to say).  (try it).  (do it now).

This blog post is a part of it all—man, I’ve missed you guys!

xo (big time)~ betsy

(seriously, do it now. it’s gonna feel soooo good).

***Song of the Moment: The Color of Industry, by Radiation City***

I’m home now.

Today was a really good day.  We had one big reorder from an awesome store in Buffalo, NY and a new order from a longtime favorite designer who recently opened up a flagship shop in Ashland, OR (I cannot even tell you how excited I am by this).  Brand new designs are well underway, lots of new spring-inspired pieces to sell at the big Crafty Wonderland sale on Saturday, really really editing the current shop to make way for new designs, and the day-to-day customers who make our days.  PLUS…a few new top secret things that I can’t tell you yet, but that (if they happen) will be stupid good and ridiculous cool.

But still…I found myself in the studio at the end of the day, staring at website after website, stores, designers, etc…wondering why I couldn’t be that good.

pitiful. nasty.  NASTY.

I don’t even know how I got there.  I was so excited about the new account in Ashland, so how did I get there?  And why was I looking at this amazing stuff wondering why I’m not that good?  Why can’t I look at it and think—simply—-that is so inspiringly amazing.   It was a wormhole of self demise, while it could have been a wormhole of burgeoning inspiration, blossoming ideas, colors bursting, celebrating others, YAH! POW! BANG!  So, in an effort to alleviate myself of this ridiculous waste of energy and time, I’m spending this post looking for things that I simply find—unstoppable.  It’s an exercise in kindness.  to you and to myself.

Here is what I found.  Please click the pictures to see more of their beautiful work:

Anja Verdugo for Collette Patterns (all awesome Portland folks).

Alyson Fox

Anna Joyce.

Lauren Manoogian (I mean, with a name like that...)

Shipping Container Box Office ....just, wow.

Sulu Design's amazing Original Intent Project.

...and the earrings she designed from the photo she took.

Gretchen Jones. New collection. (I'm such a sucker for jumpsuits.)

Jen LaMastra. genius.

Just a tiny glimpse into the things and people and moments that inspire me.  There is so much more where that came from.

Let’s take Thursday and be good to ourselves, no?

xo~betsy

***Song of the Moment:  To Be Still, by Alela Diane***

I love me a pink sunset…on my mama’s birthday.

***Song of the Moment: The Art Teacher, by Rufus Wainwright***

OSBORN.

I love these shoes.

I can’t remember what blog I first saw these on, maybe one of my faves, Modish or Creature Comforts, but I feel like I’ve seen them on lots of great blogs that I read.  Anyways, they would pop up here and there—teasing me.   In this whole saving money phase of my life, I wasn’t sure when or if I would ever be able to obtain a pair for my very own.

Needless to say, I was astonished when I opened a present from my parents-in-law, with this pair inside:

They weren’t sure which pair I wanted, W had just send a link to the whole site, saying that I was obsessed.  When I opened them, I wanted to do back flips.  Weird, I know—for shoes. I couldn’t believe how well made they were.  I thought they looked great in the pictures, but in person, in person…they blew me away. There was a return slip inside so I could pick the pair I really wanted.  When I went on their site again, though, I was reminded that I pretty much want every pair.  I chose to keep this one—aaaaand start a new collection.  I hope to own a bootie type pair by 2012.  Ah, goals…they’re GREAT!

I can’t say enough good about this independent company from Brooklyn.  Their handmade shoes are so divine.

***Song of the Moment:  Deep Blue, by Arcade Fire***

This is what met us for…weeeeell, pretty much the ENTIRE ride up to Chicago:

That’s right folks.  Like 10 hours of rain.  Torrential rain.  Rain that overpowered the sound of the radio as it wailed down on our trusty steed.  Lots and lots of rain.  I can’t say that I hated it (of course, I also can’t say that I drove during any of it either…thanks, huzzy!).  I’ve always loved the rush I get from lightening, the burst of energy, the striking scene…gorgeous. I miss it in the Pacific NW.  I sat for a good 30 minutes with my camera set to catch one of those darn things… never did.  Lightning is fast, people.  That’s why they say “Fast as lightning.”

***Song of the Moment: Crash Years, by The New Pornographers***

Here are some behind the scenes shots!

Mohawk Making

Linda in Waiting

Claudine Ebel working it

Jen Lamastra working it

Huzzy "working" it.

We made our models sit on the ground in a parking lot.

That's right... on the ground. In a parking lot. Thanks, girls!

Mohawk Mmmmmm!

Are you joking!? Amazing.

Linda wearing Jen's mini-blind hat

I can’t wait to show you what these girls wore… the recycled fashions Jen made were incredible.  The makeup by Claudine looked wonderful; Kellie Kane, our photographer, was a delight to work with; of course the jewelry by yours truly was stunning, and the models were so patient, generous, bold, and beautiful.  But guess what!  I was so excited down at the beach that I completely forgot to take any shots.

I know.  I’ve let you down.  I’ve let myself down.  See why I need more sloshing room upstairs!??!  Stay tuned for the stunning reveal….

***Song of the Moment, Seaweed, by Fruit Bats.***

This morning, as I was toweling off, W hollered from the living room “Cross! You have to see this!”  And then he totally opened the bathroom door without knocking and I was like OMG, W!  Wut r U doing?!?!

Ok, that last part isn’t true.  But he did pop the bubble of my steamy post-shower sanctuary (maybe my favorite part about a shower) gripping his iPhone and grinning.  ”Look,” he said.  And this is what he showed me:

For the uninitiated, this is a screen shot from the Apple App Store.  It is an Etsy app.  And THAT’S ME in the Etsy App!  How cool is that?!  26OliveStreet has 4554 people who have hearted them and I just happen to be frozen in digital ice time?  How the?!

And that was my Friday morning!  Before coffee even.

***Song of the moment: Sleepyhead, by Passion Pit***

1) It’s the second time (that I know of) betsy & iya can be seen on national television.  (!!!!!!!!)

homemade cupcake brought to me by my shop building's maintenance guy. so sweet.

2) It’s the huzzy’s (not to be mistaken for ‘hussy’) birthday today.  This is the only month out of the year when we’re the same age.  And for some reason, I love that.  It’s like we’re playmates, like we’re meant to go out barefoot, hopping the rocks in creeks and skipping them in rivers, building drip castles in the sand and messing up each other’s hair, tickling the other to tears and laughing until we have wrinkles beside our eyes.

Then I remember…we do that all the time.

W pretending (slash: making fun) like he was being photographed for his own Outfit of The Day.

I don’t think one day has gone by since we’ve been together when he hasn’t told me I’m beautiful.  Even when I’m really not feelin’ it.

W, there is not a day that goes by when I don’t feel lucky to be your girl.

3)  Today marks ONE WEEK until this guy…

betsy & iya Vice Pres???

…packs up over at corporate America to join this little machine.  That’s right folks, W is crossing over to the light side and I. can’t. wait.  (details coming soon).

I couldn’t have dreamed up a better life than this.

Happy Monday to everyone and Happy Birthday to you, sweet William!

xo~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Today’s Undertaking, by M. Ward***

lots of love.

***Song of the Moment: undertaker, by M. Ward***

I’m POOPED, to say the least, but I can’t take any days off and here’s why:

You know that AWESOME book I keep rapping about, well…

on THURSDAY, JUNE 17TH, starting at 7 pm, there will be a book signing for the AUTHOR of The Handmade Marketplace, Kari Chapin.  I am sooo excited to have her in my shop and for the opportunity for you all to meet her.  If this is the first time you are hearing about the book, I shout—GET IT!  It is one of the most useful books that has ever come out for us crafter entrepreneurs.  I am so honored her publisher wanted to do the signing at my studio and even more honored that I’m a small blip in the book.

Please come by on Thursday and say hello to us!!

1722 NW Raleigh St.,  Suite #101 (on the corner)

Can’t wait to see/meet you again!

xo~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Ladies on Parade, by Benji Hughes***