Sparkle Between a Rock and a Hard Place

In everyone’s Life there are days that make us look back to see how far we have come. To look inside to see how much we have Grown. To look around and see where we are going.

Today is one of those days. It is my Birthday. I am 44 today.  How it happened that I am suddenly in my mid 40’s, I have no idea. Honestly, I would not trade it for anything-well, I might trade away waking up without all the creaks and cracks.

A lot has happened in the last 2 years that have brought to this point in my Life.  Some of them devastating at the time, but each and every event exactly what I needed to be sitting right here where I am.   In my own Store, surrounded by my Creations and New Inspiration Daily

I will start with the best.  I have to go back a little over 3 years for this one. I met my Partner-a Wonderfully Supportive person that allows me to be more than a little controlling, more than a little neurotic.  I would not have survived this well without Him.

New Home of DeAndreaDesigns and Me

Now for the two Biggies that could have destroyed me if I had not fought and looked for the Silver Lining...
In order...
First, a year and a half ago, our Home was broken into, ransacked, burglarized. Not just once, but 3 times in the space of a Month...This got us to move to Mt Washington and see potential of such a Vibrant Neighborhood. Creating a Home in an area of the City that I would never have looked at before
Secondly, I lost my job unexpectedly-it happens to everyone. I always put off opening my Store because I did not want to give up the Security of a steady paycheck.  Guess what?  I did not have one anymore.  With the help of a Friend in the Community Development Corporation of Mt Washington, I found this Perfect abandoned space and made it all my own.

I could have sat and wallowed “Woe is me” and just moved into another apartment, in a neighborhood that I was comfortable in...Nope, we made a Home again.

I could have gone and found another well paying Retail Management Job and put off my Dream until I had what I thought was enough money to open the Store...Nope, I listened to the Universe and CREATED my Dream.

Now, with a new year dawning, I have the opportunity to bring together my HomeLife and My Art. The Construction has begun on the New Home of DeAndreaDesigns and myself. A gorgeous Live/Work space perfect for the Store and Entertaining. Perfect for me to Chill, Relax, and be surrounded by all that makes me Happy.

Although I still have to wait tables at night to make ends meet, and I still cannot travel to all those Exotic Locales that you, my readers, live.  I would not change the Struggles, the Catastrophes, and ultimately the Triumphs...

I am truly able to “Sparkle Between a Rock and a Hard Place”.

Merry Christmas? Happy Holidays?

I am going to start with saying, I was brought up-and still consider myself Catholic. I have no problems with saying “Merry Christmas”.
I was brought up saying “Merry Christmas” to most and “Happy Hanukah” to those I knew to be Jewish. Only one person that I remember had an issue with “Merry Christmas”.

Happy Holidays from DeAndreaDesigns

That being said, I now say, “Happy Holidays” to most people.
BUT I will take my cue from you...If you say, “Merry Christmas” so will I.
If you say, “Happy Holidays” that is what I will respond with.
NOT because I am worried about offending someone, but because I want to encompass the ENTIRE Holiday Season.

From Halloween, to Valentine’s Day-or pushing it through to St. Patrick’s Day, and everything in between no matter what religious affiliation you are-or are not.

I Love this time of year. Not only because of the Birth of Jesus-and yes I know that with the Study of the Stars, Jesus was born in Summer-but the essence of Good Will and Celebration that permeates this time of year.
Also because the weather is changing so that I can break out my favorite sweaters, boots, and coats...
Everything is so Sparkly-the lights, the frost, the snowflakes...
People seem to remember to be pleasant to one another-whether it is genuine or not? I don’t care. It is still nice.

The Holiday Season seems to bring out the Best in most people.

So if I see you on the Street and tell you “Have a Happy Holiday” please do not be offended-or think I am too PC...I just want you to enjoy the Season completely.

From the start of this Season until the end of it.

Holiday Kick-Off

Another week is drawing to a close.

It is really remarkable how quickly these weeks go by. Before we know it Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice will be upon us.

Friday Night I am going to be taking a night off from waiting tables to Celebrate my First “Holiday Kick-Off Sale”. I chose this particular night because it is the City of Pittsburgh’s official start of the Holiday Season, celebrated with events all over the City and culminating with Fireworks. As a draw to my Event I did “spin” that a little, saying that the City was providing Fireworks after my Event...LOL...I figure it is the least that they can do, seeing how I am obligating myself to stay in Pittsburgh for at least another year.

Somedays, it takes everything I have not to run down to the Amtrak station with my Jewelry and Display stands-and only my Favorite Jeans, Sweaters, and Boots-and head anywhere West.  Then I realize that I am not 25 anymore and that I really want to make DeAndreaDesigns, the Store, a success before deciding what the next step is in my plan of World Domination-well I would settle for paying the bills without having to rely on a restaurant to help.

I think my mind is wandering again.

It will happen. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but no matter how long it is going to take I am in it for the long haul. AND I am going to Love being able to sleep all night long-or rather staying home all night, or going out because I want to not because I have to.

Citrine...A Gift from the Sun

Citrine with Button Pearls and Swarovski 

November is here already.
New Month. New Birthstone...CITRINE

This month’s Stone is a “Gift from the Sun”.  Now I came across  that reference a couple of times, but never with any explanation of it’s origins.  So I am going to make something up.

I figure that it is because of the Gorgeous Golden tones of a Citrine are so reminiscent of the Sun, and much needed on these shorter colder November afternoons.

Also know as the "Merchant Stone”, legend has it that Citrine has the ability to attract money through sales. If you are to keep a Citrine in a cash box, your wealth is sure to increase.
Guess what I keep in my cash register?
That is right, a Beautiful Golden Citrine.
I suppose it is working, as I still have my doors open.  There is no way that I am not going to risk taking it out of there.  However,  I am also still in need of waiting tables overnight.

My Mind Wanders

As I sit here in my empty Store this afternoon, looking out at the Cold Dreary Autumn Afternoon, I am wondering what this Winter has in store for me.

Pittsburghers are used to Cold and Dreary, but the first couple of days aways sends us to hibernation mode. Once we get used to it-or get our first taste of Snow, we realize it is not going to kill us. Besides if we stayed in every time the weather was a little uncooperative, we would NEVER leave our houses.

In the mean time I sit here all alone.
Wondering...
Is the construction of the new space ever going to finish so that I can move in?
Will I have to continue to wait tables overnight for an extended period of time to ensure the bills get paid on time?
Will my Internet sales pick up so that I am spending more time going back and forth to the Post Office?

Back to those bills-not such a big stack really, but big enough.
Fantasy kicks in. What will it take to allow me to stop waiting tables-can you tell that is one of my goals?

Allow me to focus completely on growing my Brand, but would either help to appreciate the Struggle of doing it on my own?

A PowerBall Win? 

A Gift from a Stranger?

Either would do it, and do it painlessly.

I have always said that if something comes too easily, you will ultimately take it for granted. So those solutions also scare me a bit.
That does not mean, however,  that I would not accept that Stranger’s Gift, or run to Harrisburg to collect my winnings.

I am just sitting here lost in the maze of my mind...

What would I do?
How do I do it?
What’s for dinner?
What is the meaning of Life-Yeah sometimes my mind takes a strange turn...LOL

You Will Reap What You Sow

“Reap what you Sow”...Those were the words that kept echoing through my dreams this evening.

I try my best to run a Business the way that I believe a Business should be run. With Customer Satisfaction as my Goal, not the bottom line-although I realize that is important as well.

I actually like when people come into the Store complete strangers, drawn for some inexplicable reason through my doors, yet leave a Friend-someone that will come back not only because they like my Jewelry and Art.  They return because they trust me, and enjoyed my company.

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians6:7-8

There are many out there that are Good, Genuine, Trustworthy, Appreciative of a Smile.   For these people, I do what I do.  

I am reminded of one lady in particular. She walked in DeAndreaDesigns a few weeks ago while on here walk, looked around. We started chatting. She stayed for 45 minutes and stops in Every Saturday, just to say “HI”.  The other day I met her Granddaughter, she did not want to leave.

This is why I do what I do.

There are people out there that are just out for themselves, and I feel sorry for them as they will always be wanting...I know they will try to take advantage of the way I run my Business, but you know what...I am going to continue to do things the way that I have been doing them.

Personal Style Part 2

Today I was talking with a friend, and she told me that I was creating a Monster-those were not the actual words that she used, but they could be considered inappropriate to some, although Funny. She said she was dressed to go out.  Looking Good.  Feeling Great.  Then she realized that she did not have a necklace to match what she was wearing.

This lead to a conversation about some of the women that come into DeAndreaDesigns and tell me that even though they LOVE my work they never wear Jewelry.  Or just plain do not have anywhere to wear something so Nice. I won’t bore you with anymore of our conversation.

Yes, I would LOVE to convert all of these women into the type of woman that has a Jewelry wardrobe that completely compliments their Clothing Wardrobe.  I do also understand that for many women that is just not an option, financially among other reasons. That is why I propose to these women that purchasing a single Signature Piece-something that defines YOU. 

Something that you will feel comfortable wearing Everyday, with Everything. 

Orange Sapphire by DeAndreaDesigns

I say start with a basic Silver Chain-and, yes, I am going to use my Jewelry as examples. Pair it with a Pendant that is Classic enough to wear with BlueJeans, yet Dressy enough to wear out with you Significant Other-or on the hunt for them. Make it the first thing you put on and the last thing that you take off. 

Doing this will give you a little more Sparkle to your personality, a little more confidence, a bit more “swagga" if you like.  You will become so accustomed to that extra bling that you will feel naked without.

And, eventually, you will want something to wear with that new blouse. Take that same Silver Chain and change the Pendant.  Simple as that.

Remember that if you cannot match the color, or do not feel comfortable with matching, choose something that is the exact OPPOSITE in color-i.e. Blue Blouse, Bright Orange Sapphire Necklace.

FineSilver Wrapped Opal Pendant

You will be amazed at how easy it is. How much FUN it is.  AND how relatively inexpensive it is.

Also, if you cannot afford a new wardrobe every year, change your earrings and necklace. This simple addition will spice up those pieces that you used to love but have grown a little weary of.  Add a Large Opal on Satin Cording to your Winter Turtlenecks.

And for all you women that say that you have nowhere to wear you Jewelry. I offer this to you little tidbit...My Mother wears Diamond Earrings-large enough to choke a horse-everyday to drive a school bus.

A PERFECT example of Signature Style.

AND I NEVER take off my WhiteTopaz Necklace-easily 5x larger than Mom’s Diamonds. 

Work, Fun, Scrubbing Toilets. All day. Everyday.