From the Desk of Ms. Ruin

Wow, I can’t believe that 2012 is over!  Did you make resolutions?  I did not.  I decided that I did not want to set myself up for failure so early in the year by making new year’s resolutions.  I reserve the right to wake up any day of the year and make an effort to find resolve for that which ails me or to change that which is in my power to amend.  Yes, there are some feats I would like to accomplish this year, but I refuse to obsess about them and beat myself up over timelines, deadlines, etc.

With that said, I would like to quickly reflect on 2011.  Not so much on the personal level because well, that’s a whole other blog.  But more so regarding my artistic journey.  I have had an influx of clients this year when it comes to my photography.  That excites me.  I did some work I am proud of on the design team for The Crafty Scrapper and I look forward to working with those gals again.  I laid the groundwork for my art program and although it hasn’t taken off like I intended it too, I have all of the supplies necessary to start full throttle.  Hopefully we will make our official launch in the first quarter of 2012.

There’s so much more I can say but to sum it all up…THANK YOU.  Thank you for all of the kind words and encouragement throughout the year.  I am happy to share so much of myself with all of you here on my blog and on Through These Eyes.  I’m a little beat down on this New Year’s Eve –I busted my tail at a wedding today, but it was worth it to shoot on a holiday for my dear friend Melissa who tied the knot today!  Congrats, Melly Bean.  ;)  Here’s to 2012 –may God keep my head spinning, my legs running, and my heart beating because sitting on my behind twiddling my thumbs is not really my style. 

Peace, love, and the Mayan Calendar…

Ms. Ruin     

Art for the Heart Update

Art for the Heart is headed to Jonathan’s Place (JP)!  Yep, we have found our first facility to implement my art program.  JP is an emergency shelter for abused/neglected children.  The facility currently has an art room but no supplies so that is where I come in!

Orientation to the facility is October 3 and I’m hoping that the week following orientation we will be able to begin piloting the program.  I will be working with two different groups of children at JP and I am currently looking for volunteers to assist with the youngest group that ranges from 4-7 years of age.  My plan is to visit with this group twice a month and I will need one volunteer for each session.

Below is the Art for the Heart volunteer description.  If you or someone you know meets the criteria and would like to donate two hours per month, please let me know ASAP.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Volunteer must be a loving, patient and compassionate individual that works well with children undergoing life transitions or crisis.  Volunteer should be accepting and prepared to relate to children of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.  Volunteer should be a positive role model for children.

There will also be opportunities to help prepare supplies for each class, however no orientation is required for that.  Please message me at artfortheheartdallas@gmail.com if you or someone you know would like to assist with program or if you would like to make a supply donation.

I can’t tell you how very excited I am that this is finally taking off.  I have been pretty emotional the past couple of days.  I am so blessed and so anxious to spend time with children in need.  There is no price tag for distracting these kids from whatever obstacles they are facing, even if just for a few hours per month. 

Art for the Heart Update

Art for the Heart is about to shift from the marketing stage to kick-off.  I have my first class lined up for the month of September as I hit a few snags in August.  Boo!  But as Wayne and Garth say “Game on!”  So game on it is for this art program that I have started to serve underprivileged children in Dallas via outreach and community centers. 

But I’m not doing this alone, I have received a bunch of donations and honestly, I have more than I know what to do with at the moment.  All I could do as I sorted through all of the donations last weekend was smile and smile HUGE!  What a blessing to know so many people with big hearts.  Thank you, friends –thank you for all of the donations.  And a TEXAS SIZED THANK YOU to Caroline and the folks at Maya Road for an abundance of paper, ribbon, and so many other supplies.  I am really out of ways to say thank you but I truly am grateful for their generosity.  They have ALWAYS been one of my favorite scrapbooking companies and now they are very near and dear to my heart and to the lifeline of Art for the Heart.

As I mentioned, I spent last weekend sorting supplies –lots of work but so much fun too!  Here is a preview of just some of the stuff.  I still have an x-large crate in the garage of products that I am donating to my own program –lol! 

Much more to come!

Open for business!

Someone once said that my works were Etsyworthy.  Maybe he was on to something.  I've wanted to open up an Etsy shop for years so I have really been working hard at making it happen.  I have offically posted the first round of "playthings" --there are still many more to come!  All money will be used to fund my Art for the Heart Program so I hope I'm able to sell, sell, sell! 

You will find awesome playthings like this Queen Been Bottle Cap Necklace:

Or this Live Your Dreams vintage key and pendant:

Well, don't just sit there, click on my shop's banner to see the first round of necklaces available for sale NOW!  :)

Necklace Frenzy

A while back I purchased a few items to make necklaces.  I'm not sure why I thought I wanted to make necklaces, it was just one of those impulsive buys.  You know me!  Well, one thing led to another and I have been making necklaces like a madwoman.  But yanno, it all works out because I am using the money to fund my Art for the Heart!  That makes me happy and I am also so excited that people love my necklaces.  I REALLY need to open my Etsy shop already!  What is wrong with me?!?!?!  Anyway, here are the necklaces that I made last weekend: