Artist Johnny Petros

Artist Johnny Petros

 There was a small vintage print of a girl my mother had on her wall. I used to take it down once in a while and just stare at it. I was captivated by it wondering how someone could make something so beautiful.

Recognizing that beauty, during my youth is what fueled my passion to want to create something. I spent my young childhood drawing faces and figures. 

 After High School I had various jobs and began doing commissioned portraits on the side. I remember how I would work an 8 hour shift and come home and paint for hours. I believe when you're doing something you love there is an endless supply of energy that comes with it.

 I worked for 30 years and did commissioned artwork on the side, wishing and dreaming of the day when I could just paint.  Now I have my own site Salone Di Petros where I have my art gallery to showcase my original work. I sell my paintings through Ebay commerce. 

 At Fine Art America I am able to offer my prints as well as cards. I am currently working on Zazzle products- T-shirts, stationary and many items designed with my artwork, and in the process of working on an online store. 

 I didn't take art classes in high school or go to college I merely had an incredible passion to want to create, and to finally at 48 to be able to solely do what I love is an incredible experience. If there is one thing I believe is anyone, whatever their passion may be, they should try to make room for it in their life. To me a person's passion is what keeps their heart forever young. To believe in yourself and follow your heart with determination, any dream can become a reality and any passion can be turned into a business.

To contact Johnny visit: http://artgallerypetros.blogspot.com/

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~ 

XO Sharon

Launch Your Creativity II

Launch Your Creativity II

Sharon Hughes Creator of Launch Your Creativity

Do you have an idea for a product or service and

wonder how to start a business?


Launch Your Creativity is a seminar to teach women how to start a business.

A place to be Inspired, Encouraged and Learn how to start a business from the very beginning steps. From producing a product, finding a product rep or starting a service industry business we equip women with the basics so they can move forward.

Offering "Words of Wisdom" from those who have traveled the road of  launching their dream business, you will laugh, you will cry and you will see how you too can start the business of your dreams.

An amazing group of women will

inspire you
encourage you
teach you

Join us on this exciting journey to discover how you can

Launch Your Creativity!

Saturday, October 1st, 2011
  *The Launch Your Creativity seminar is $65.
Includes breakfast or lunch
 depending on which seating you attend
 *5 guest speakers including a
special appearance by Jenny Doh,
 *Meet and Greet with the editors of Romantic Homes, Victorian Homes, Cottages & Bungalows
*Pitch your product or home to the editors
 *gift bag, educational materials and door prizes
Buy tickets here

Jenelle Van de Mortel, Artist and  Designer 

Lydia Reza, author, Product Rep and Coach

Jenny Doh, Author, Editor, Life Coach and Founder of Cresendoh

Connie Gayhart, Business owner, philanthropist, Maven of Organization

Cheryl Turner, Owner Paris In A Cup

Jacqueline deMontravel Editor of Romantic Homes Magazine 

This is an amazing opportunity:

Meet and Greet with the editors of Romantic Homes, Victorian Homes, Cottages & Bungalows
Pitch your product or home to the editors.

I hope you will join us for this wonderful event!

Meet Sugar Pink Boutique

 Jennifer Patterson owner Sugar Pink Boutique

I love decorating and designing and I studied Interior Design in high school and college. I started rearranging furniture and picking out colors for my room at the age of three.

I decorate family members homes when they ask me.  I just can't resist, it's so much fun. I really enjoy working with fabrics and trims. I love traditional style and that is how I designed our home when we built it a few years ago. I do have a girlie frou frou room and that's my studio with pinks, blues and candy color designs.

 I worked at my Dad's bookstore for over 20 years and decided I wanted to do something different. I knew I wanted to work from home so I could have time to do my favorite things cook, garden, clean the house and decorate. I wanted to do something I really enjoyed. I have always loved crafting ever since I was a child. I hand painted furniture, made pillows, aprons and did a lot of scrapbooking, but being an Interior Design major my favorite thing was fabric. I love the touch and feel of fabrics, trims, ribbons and things. 

My dear husband encouraged me to open my own website and after lots of prayer and what ifs later I finally did. I gave it to the Lord and put Him in charge of my business. I prayed before every move and He guided me down a successful path. I had no idea what He had planned for me.  If I new then what I know now I would have started this business a long time ago. 

This business has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing women and do things I never thought possible from being in magazines and television to discovering I had a talent for photography. At some point in ones life I feel it's important to use the gifts the Lord gave you. Don't just say "Oh I could never do that and stay in your comfort zone." 
I love the famous quote  
"As we grow older, it's not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do."

For baubles and  beautiful bits of bliss visit www.sugarpinkboutique.com

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~

XO~Sharon

Sprinkles of Magic

The idea for Sprinkles of Magic, LLC started pretty much by accident when Owner and President, Kim Nelson was sitting in her young son’s bedroom opening Christmas cards.  Kim was settling in for the night, reading stories with her son and had Christmas cards with her to open.  It was the late 80’s and confetti was very popular to include in greeting cards and some Santa confetti from one of the cards fell to the floor.  The next morning he discovered the “magic Santa Dust” and proclaimed that Santa had indeed visited in the night and had left a little bit of magic to let him know that he had been a good boy.

Kim says that at that moment she was inspired by his imagination and creativity and continued the tradition…Santa Dust has been part of the Christmas tradition in the Nelson home ever since…and the magic didn’t stop there.  With any and every opportunity, little moments were celebrated.  The tooth fairy just couldn’t leave just money, there was also a trail of Tooth Fairy Dust from the bed to the window sill where the tooth fairy had departed.  Bedtime stories were greeted with Sweet Dreams Dust and birthday celebrations always included sparkly confetti.

Kim would make magic confetti potions for friends and family.  Her Santa Dust idea was then published in First Magazine in December 2005  and decided to launch Sprinkles of Magic in January 2006 featuring Santa Dust, Tooth Fairy Dust, Sweet Dreams Dust and Fairy Dust. “I contacted a sales rep firm and they were delighted and enthusiastic to represent my product” says Kim “and Sprinkles of Magic has grown and is sold in over forty toys and gift shops across the United States.   “The first trade show was intimidating” admits Kim, “this product comes from my heart and is very personal-I wanted it to sell out of love”.

This year was big for Sprinkles as they celebrated their fifth year in business and introduced “Digits”, hand made felted finger puppets.   There are four different sing-a-long sets that were designed to allow parents to just sit and enjoy the pure magic of being with their children.   Kim says, “I realized raising my children is magical…I think that I have been tapping into my children’s  ability to find the magic of the little moments and making it my own…it’s pretty simple!”

 To view Kim's product line and for ordering information visit her website:www.SprinklesOfMagic.com

I hope you've been inspired by Kim's story. She is a dear friend of mine and is proof again that you can make your business dream happen.

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~
Sharon

Meet Cindy Adkins

Cindy Adkins of Whimsical Musings

Cindy Adkins is a New Orleans-based artist known for her extensive mixed media work.  “I love working with texture, whether it is with vintage images, soy silk, layered paper, fibers, or embroidery.  Every day presents an opportunity to incorporate new materials and that adds to the excitement of this process.  In addition, I enjoy up-cycling and repurposing.”

Following Hurricane Katrina, Adkins gained attention for her 6-month project that is a tribute to the people of the New Orleans area who have gone through the recovery process.  “The survivors have risen from the ashes and I wanted to make individual pieces to honor their resilience and celebrate the human spirit.  When the project was completed, my work was featured in 2 one-woman art exhibits.  Now the pieces are displayed across the community at various sites.  They are my  gift to the community to help in the healing process.”  

“Since I completed that pivotal project, my subsequent work went into art galleries and I opened an online store.  Everything I do is with a great deal of enthusiasm and that is what I feel is essential for success in any endeavor, “ she said.

“I have met the nicest people during this journey.  Whatever work someone is pursuing, I think it is essential to connect with others and not work in isolation. If people are shy, it’s important to nudge themselves out of their comfort zone because I honestly believe that everyone likes being helpful.  They never know who might be willing to help them.   Each day brings greater awareness, knowledge, and contacts.” 

Adkins holds a Master’s Degree in Humanities.  She is on 3 design teams, including one that is connected to the United Nations.  She feels that her background in the field of humanities gives her a broader outlook that she brings to her own work.  “Often, those aspects of  classic and modern art, music, and literature are encapsulated in various pieces and it is always with a touch of  whimsy.”

“We each have different gifts to share.  I honestly believe that when you are aligned with your life’s purpose, everything falls into place.”

Thank you so much!

Cindy

My blog: www.cindyadkinswhimsicalmusings.blogspot.com

My Etsy store: www.etsy.com/shop/herwhimsicalmusings

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~ 

 Sharon

Meet Vintage Susie

Susie Hibdon is a child of the 50's & all that implies. She is nostalgic, sentimental & a keeper of the past. A Southern California native, Susie has a wonderful husband, a beautiful daughter & a grand-son who fills her with joy. She went to college for Interior Design & has put that knowledge to work in the many passions of her life. She previously owned Lambs & Ivy Boutique in Crestline, CA, an antique/baby boutique that she ran for 6 years, has an on-line Graphic Design business, vintagesusie Custom Design, specializing in blog design, magazine ads & print work.  

She has recently launched a new line of Handmade Vintage Spoon Jewelry called 'SPOONIN' and was published in the 2011 Summer issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

Her tag-line for her blog is 'Let's Fly', wanting to inspire & be inspired by all her friends & followers to learn to be fearless, to learn how to live an authentic, creative life & to ultimately be brave enough to follow their passion & make all their dreams come true.

Follow Susie's blog or contact her for custom blog design at: VintageSusieandWings.blogspot.com

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~ Sharon

Terry Grahl of Enchanted Makeovers

Terry Grahl- CEO 

It is with great pleasure that I share the story of Enchanted Makeovers with you. Terry has done something so beautiful and it all began with her following her heart. As you can imagine living in a shelter would present many challenges and Terry and her team have made life in a shelter more comfortable, more cozy and more cheerful for dozens of women and children. Let's help her continue improving the lives of our neighbors. You can make donations at www.enchantedmakeovers.org

Terry founded Enchanted Makeovers (EM) in 2007, and has been on an extraordinary journey ever since.  She creates the vision for the organization, and pours her heart and soul into every last detail, from makeovers to programs to events to strategic planning. Terry is an award-winning decorator who's creativity, child-like innocence, and whimsy is reflected throughout the mission. Terry was named People Magazine and MLB's "All-Star Among Us" in 2010 out of 7,500 nominations nationwide. Within a week she was standing on the Los Angeles Angels Baseball field watching as celebrity Sheryl Crow presented a video on her non-profit at the MLB All-Star game in California.

She's been featured in dozens of outlets both online, in print and television, such as Woman's World, Better Homes and Gardens Quilts & More, Martha Stewart, Country Almanac, Paint Magic, People Magazine, Cottages & Bungalows, Ladies Home Journal and Oprah Winfrey Show. Most importantly, she's a wife, mother to four wonderful children, and a passionate woman on a mission to inspire people to dream while they are awake, follow their heart, and to see each other truly as an extension of one's self. www.enchantedmakeovers.org

 

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~ 

Sharon

Dream BIG!

Dream BIG! 

And why shouldn't You? 

The sky's the limit really isnt a cliche. 

Your dreams define you, Be you!

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~ 

XO~Sharon

Truth from a fortune cookie!

 This fortune has been pinned on my inspiration board for months

if not a year or two and I just realized that its 

YOUR FORTUNE TOO!

I know you have dreams and I know you have doubts. 

We all have doubts, but we also have within us the ability to overcome obstacles.

Don't let the doubts crowd out your dreams. 

Believe in Yourself.

I Believe in YOU.

Please share what you are dreaming about, I'd love to hear from you.

~Follow Your Creative BLISS~

Sharon

I'm Ashley from The Shine Project, and I need you to help me CHANGE the world.

Yes, I said it, we CAN change the world!

I started my blog The Shine Project at the beginning of the year to motivate everyone to go after their DREAMS.

I wanted a place where people could come to feel supported, inspired, and encouraged.

I wanted to see how much good we could do in the lives of those around us, and see changes.

To do this, I started doing weekly SHINE CHALLENGES.

Each Monday, I post a challenge that pushes us out of our comfort zones.

From doing something you've never done, to writing a note to a teacher who's influenced you,

the goal is to get us to STOP procrastinating, and do these things NOW!

I also set up service projects so we can all SHINE in our communities. YOU all have the opportunity to be a SHINE service leader in your city! 3 weeks ago we did a clothing drive for a domestic violence shelter in downtown Phoenix,and spent a few hours organizing their donation center. It was AMAZING to team up with people around Arizona who wanted to spread their light to those who needed to be helped out of darkness.

This is what YOU have the potential of doing.

The Shine Project is coming to SAN DIEGO, June 11th for a big beach clean up!

JUNE 11th is the day for us ALL to help clean our communities, whether you can make it to Mission Beach or not!

(email me at ashley.theshineproject@gmail.com for details)

I believe that all of us can use our talents to influence the world for GOOD.

As a daily reminder, I created SHINE necklaces to motivate us.

$1 from each one sold goes to The Shine Project Scholarship Fund which will give a scholarship

to an inner city highschool student in January 2012. SHINE t-shirts are also available.

Raise your hand if you've ever had a dream that you've put on the shelf. Raise it higher...I'm right there with you! Could you imagine what would happen if we all lived up to our potential?

Let's make the world SHINE.

Come join me! 

www.ashlemieux.blogspot.com

If that didn't inspire you, I don't know what will! Get involved, SHINE!!!

Creatively~
Sharon