2013 was a great year of fun firsts, exciting experiences, enlightening growth and expansion. It seems like everything I did this year involved something new and different. At times, that was a little scary and stressful, but overall the experience was fun and thrilling! This was the first year that I conscientiously committed to choosing a word. I was prompted to do so as part of a
Wellness Words Jewelry Challenge posed by my friend
Tracy Statler. I love this idea, I love inspirational jewelry that holds meaningful messages and I love Tracy, so I just had to participate. :)
My word for 2013 was:
Expand
1.) to increase or grow
2.) to spread out; unfold; develop
3.) to express something more fully or in greater detail
Looking back on the year now, I'm most pleased with my 'expanded' efforts! 2013 was full of travel, new experiences, meeting new friends, connecting with artists, seeking out opportunity, creating new ways to share my jewelry knowledge and design ideas and reaching out to grow an audience for my DIY jewelry projects and tutorials.
In March, I embarked on a trip of a lifetime aboard the
Bead Cruise 2013! It was my first cruise experience and my first visit to the Caribbean. I had a total blast. The adventure began in January, getting my passport for the very first time expanding my horizons for International travel. I taught a class on the ship and met so many great ladies and new beady friends. Read more about the Bead Cruise
here and
here.
In June, I opened up my whole world again with a trip to Cleveland, Ohio to film two segments for the
Beads, Baubles and Jewels TV series. The experience was a profound one in more ways than one. It was a great time. I met host,
Katie Hacker and many other great figures in the beading and jewelry-making community.
Read more here.
In September, I traveled to the Washington, D.C. area to attend
ArtBLISS 2013. I took a
Stacie Florer metalworking class (which was awesome!) and sold
Ornamentea.com goodies at the event. Read more about artBLISS 2013
here and
here.
In October, I participated in my first professional photo shoot as a jewelry designer. I traveled to the ruins of
Madame Sherri's castle located in an enchanted forest bordering New Hampshire and Vermont. This site was the location of a passion project between two photographer friends called,
Shades of the Past. I got to play stylist, pairing my jewelry with the models and costumes.
See all the jewelry and photos here.
In November, I was interviewed about publishing jewelry designs by Bead Chat online magazine. I'm honored the editors asked me to contribute content. I'm happy to share my experiences in hopes that it can inspire others to reach their goals of getting published in beading magazines. Click the magazine above and Read the article starting on page 31!
Other things of note in 2013:
I enjoyed my first full year designing and creating jewelry projects for
Ornamentea.com
(Best job ever!)
In attempts to grow my audience, I had some of my projects featured on DIY craft websites such as:
and
2013 was one heck of a good time and a great ride.
I'm looking forward to more exciting change and good things to come in the new year.
Happy 2014!
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webinar LIVE on the Internet! I spent months preparing for this exciting new endeavor. I'm just so thrilled that I have the opportunity to share my favorite jewelry-making techniques and information in this new way! 
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