This Is For Everyone Who Shares My Crafty Canadian Passion For Beads, Jewelry and Polymer Clay:
Here in Canada, it’s Thanksgiving… traditionally a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. But today, when most of our food is grown for us and delivered to the grocery store, we mostly look at this holiday as a time for family and reflection about all the good things in our lives.
In this Thanksgiving post, I’ll share with you some of the things that are important to me…
…my Family. I am one of those lucky people that has a good marriage, happy kids and healthy parents and siblings. Never have I been without love and support. For that I am forever grateful!
…my Country. Canada is my home. It is a beautiful and safe place to raise my family, where we are free to be and do as we choose. I often forget how lucky I am to live here. Today I am recognizing how thankful I am to be Canadian.
…my Crafty Bead Business. Although it has sometimes been a struggle, I am very grateful to have the opportunity to own and operate my own home jewelry business. It is an excellent opportunity to show my kids that they can achieve their dreams if they focus and persevere.
…my Bead Students. It is so fulfilling to have the opportunity to teach all of you how to make polymer clay beads and jewelry… helping to empower your creativity. The comments that come into this blog from around the world make me feel like I’m part of a greater community. Like what we are doing is making a difference. It is incredibly rewarding to see so many of you polymer clay newbies gain the confidence and skills to begin creating your own works of art… and then going on to sell your jewelry on Etsy. Lady Bren Landers-Smith is a good example of this. She is not only making a difference in her own life, but also bringing beauty and pleasure to others. I am proud of all of you that are learning and growing as artists!
..my Polymer Clay. I have done lots of different art mediums in my life. If you read the September 29 post << Polymer Clay Artist, Cindy Lietz >>, you will find some of them listed there. But of all the art materials I have worked with so far, polymer clay is the most versatile. A child can pick up a chunk of Fimo or Sculpey and make something wonderful with it. Check out the polymer clay crafts my 12 yr old daughter made. And an experienced artist can elevate polymer clay to the level of fine art, suitable for display in any high-end art gallery. What this means is, you can start anywhere with polymer clay and the possibilities are endless. Not many mediums can offer this kind of range.
There are really many more things I am thankful for on this Canadian Day of Thanksgiving, but I need to go finish making the turkey dinner. Please leave a comment about what you are thankful for. I think we all dwell too much on what we don’t have, instead of what we do have. With a little gratitude we can all make this a better world!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, and Happy Birthday to me (that is, after 12:00 a.m.)here. So, in a way, we are both celebrating.
I haven’t really had an opportunity to get on-line, but plan on signing onto your new Newsletter Presentations. Can I still sign on? I’m looking forward to joining, and having an opportunity to experiment. I’ve been so excited, that I ran out to find some of those drill bits, and also a french fry cutter tool. However, it was advertised as being something to cut carrots, cucumbers, and etc. with a fancy edge. It took a little looking, but I scounted them out. You would think that I didn’t have a life! Ha! Ha!
I am not quite sure at this juncture, as to whether or not you had given the website. I get alot of e-mails, and alot of ads/etc., so wasn’t sure when you even sent it out. If so, do you happen to have a date on that? In this way, I don’t have to go back a zillion pages. Ha! Ha! This is no exaggeration!!!
Your letter of “Thanksgiving” was very loving, and so touching. It was nice of you to share your customs with us. We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here (in the states), that is until the latter part of November. To me, it’s always so gracious to be able to pray a prayer of Thanksgiving, for all of our Blessings — my life (after this past September) is what I am Thankful for this year. My summer with my Grandchildren, one of whom is Autistic; the other with Attention Deficit, and my Sweetheart stuck in the middle. She is my budding artist, and we have so much in common (including working in clay). So, I do understand where you are coming from. It sounds like you have a nice life, and I’m very happy for you. I pray that this new year of celebration will grace you with another year of the best. In any event, you are a very nice lady, and kama speaks volumes.
Thank you again for the new things that you placed on hand. I just loved looking at the gold/silver/copper leaf informa- tion, and plan on doing something with it.
Hope that you have enjoyed your holiday, and enjoy many more. There is nothing like a close family. My children are all grown up now, but your sentiment flooded me with so many special memories from the past. It also reminded me of how quickly time passes, which was something my MOM always told us. I always pretended not to listen, but MOM’s have a way of helping you to listen. MINE WAS THE MOST PRECIOUS GEM!! I THINK OF HER ALOT. Enough said, Take Care and God Bless.
Sincerely,
DIANA
THE QUEEN OF BEADS
P.S. Now all I have to do is conquer the clay, and I’ll be all set! Just finished weaving a gorgeous Lauriat and Earrings. Was thinking to myself, wouldn’t this look great with one (1) of my own created clay beads attached to it (once I learn)! (I’m dreaming, but it will come to fruition!! Actually, the pendant on it can be utilized two-fold — as a brooch as well. I AM SO BLESSED, AND YOU ARE TOO!! There is never a day that I capitalize on that. It is such a wonderful feeling, and a privilege!
Thank you Diana for your lovely comment!
Regarding your question about “Newsletter Presentations”… it is not too late to “sign on”. An email with the sign up info will be sent out within the next week or so, to everyone on the Guest List. So watch for that.
You may want to read the Oct 3 post for a more info about where things are at with the launch of the members newsletter library. Click the link by my name to go straight there is you like. Make sure to read the comments too, for even more info.