I Got Another Treasury!

This is getting to be a habit - and I LOVE it! I was just checking the treasuries this evening and I happened to get there when they opened up so I got one with little waiting - so wonderful. This time I was able to showcase artists from Etsy for Animals (EFA), Capital Crafters, and CASTTEAM (Christian Artists of Etsy). How exciting! Please click on the image above and visit the treasury to see these very talented artists up close.
Meghann

Today's the Day!

~She Can't Wait for Her Grand-Monna!~

So today is the day: my mom is coming over for a few days while Brennan is out of town! We are going to sew things and start our Christmas baking and watch old movies! I am so excited and so is the dog, as she knows when 'grand-monna' is around she always gets treats!
I'm so excited, it almost erases the soreness this morning - not only is it really cold outside, but I spent ALL day yesterday cleaning the house - the kitchen (including scrubbing the outside of the cupboards), dusting every nook and cranny, tidying the whole house, cleaning my office/guest room (the cleaning never seems to be done), vacuuming the floors and stairs, SCRUBBING the floors and stairs, scrubbing all the windows, cleaning my bathroom....whew I'm tired just typing it! I also decorated the house for Christmas on Saturday night, which reminds me, I need to get photos up here to show you!
I'm also expanding my sale on my Etsy store: buy 2 get one free! 1 week only!
Ok, I have to go catch my breath...and do some laundry, see you later!

It's (My) Dog's Life

~Arwen the Contortionist~

Now, normally I HATE to show my couches because of their ugliness, but of course, the day I wash them every week happens to be the day that Arwen decides to do funny, cute things on them, like the photo above, and let me photograph them. I'm not exactly sure how she gets wedged into this position, only that it takes A LOT of work! Usually napping for her involves many changes of position, a leg pointed strait up in the air for a while (see the next photo), and twisting her body until it looks like her spine is about to snap.

~Arwen Gets a Leg Up!~

What is more amazing than the fact that, apparently, this is comfortable to the point of doing it several times per day, is the fact that if someone, or something, alerts her, she will flip off the couch at lightning speed, without dislocating her spine!
She is definitely a character :)
Don't forget to check out my other blog for a monthly contest, and check out my Etsy photography and jewellery store for a SUPER SALE!
Meghann

It Gets Better!

WOO! I have decided to increase my gifts to you, my friends, by upping the ante on this phenomenal sale in my Little Studio Photography and Jewellery Etsy Store!
Starting right now, buy one item, get a second item of equal or lesser value for 50%off!!!

This cannot be combined with another offer (previous specials, sale items or custom items). If you have any questions, please let me know!
Enjoy ;-)
Meghann

Dogon Good!

~Help Me Get a Shelter Friend!~

Hello, my name is Arwen. I am a 5 and 1/4 year old mix of lab, border collie, husky and whatever else God decided to throw in the mix. I love to look cute (see above), play fetch (or keep away, whatever I decide at the time), and nap with my mom. My mom loves me very much, and I love to cuddle, play and chase her (or have her chase me) around the house. I also love to play with other dogs and cats, and I'm finding the house a little quiet since my cat-brother Gandalf went to heaven.
Mom tells everyone she is having a sale on her jewellery and photography to clear space for new items, which is true, but secretly she is doing it so she can get me a friend. You see, since mom got sick with Fibromyalgia, she hasn't been able to work, and she can't afford to get me a new friend and fence in the yard. This means that since we live far away from other people and puppies, I don't have another dog to run and play with. I really need a friend, so please go visit my mom's jewellery site for some great deals (which also benefit charities), and to help me get a new friend from a local shelter!
Little Studio Photography and Jewellery
Also, don't forget to enter the November blog contest to try and win a ring at: www.meglittlestudio.blogspot.com
Sincerely,
Your Furry Friend Arwen

SALE SALE SALE EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!

Just in time for the gift-giving season (and perfect for those trying to save a bit of money in these tighter financial times), I am trying to make room for my new creations, which means......

A HUGE SALE!!! Buy anything from my Little Studio Photography and Jewellery Etsy store and get a second item for 25% off!

Hurry - once these beautiful pieces are gone, that is it!

The nitty-gritty:
Second item must be of equal or lesser value. This is not available on custom orders at this time, and cannot be combined with another offer. The discount does not apply to shipping or taxes (if applicable). I will refund the difference after payment has been received. Shipping times may be slightly delayed due to higher sales volumes.
Don't forget to enter the contest of the month here on the jewellery blog.
Enjoy!!
Meghann

Oh the Horror!

~Soft, Cuddly and Always Purring, He's the Only One Allowed
on my Lap - Even (or Especially) When I'm in Agony~

Horror is right - my in-laws had snow all day yesterday and it's not even November yet! I am so not ready. We still need to replace our snow shovel after last year's 'Battle with the Ice', and I haven't even winterized my yard - eek!
I am in the major throws of a flare-up, and for the first time ever, my hands and fingers are hurting like I broke them. I have to admit I'm pretty scared about that. Having use of my hands even when I'm in agony is the one solace I have - even if I'm hurting something awful I can usually still manage to knit/crochet/make jewellery/play video games to take my mind off of the pain. I definitely need to get back to the rheumatologist and fast.
On a much more positive note, I have a super-duper announcement! I have started an online store to go with my Low Allergy Kitchen Blog! I started it on Etsy, called Little Low Allergy Kitchen, because of the number of people who, like me, have a ton of food allergies. Unfortunately for a lot of you, however, people just don't have the time (or inclination - that's okay, I understand!) to spend hours in the kitchen baking up a storm. This is the store for you! You'll be able to get freshly baked goods (I bake your order when you order and ship next day with priority mail to get it to you the day after it's shipped) at reasonable prices, delivered right to your door, and know that they were made with your allergies in mind. I'll be adding more items to stock my store, so keep checking back!
Have a great day,
Meghann

Last Chance to Save 20%!!

~Don't Miss Out On The Savings!~

Well, I can't believe we are on the last day of September, but there it is- and along with it is the last day of the sale for Etsy for Animals Birthday Bash! This is the LAST DAY to get 20% off everything in my Etsy store. All you have to do is use the coupon code "LITT" in the 'Notes to Seller' when you check out.
It's that simple so don't miss out!

I've got lots of goodies for you at all price ranges - how about getting your holiday shopping done early??
Go to my store here: www.littlestudiojewels.etsy.com
PLUS - Check back soon for a contest to win free goodies!
Meghann

Too Good to Last, But the Ride Was Fun

~A New Bracelet For Sale on My Etsy Store~

Well, I woke up this morning and what did I notice? The last few days of insomnia surely were a sign that I was beginning a new flare up in my Fibromyalgia. It tends to start the same way: I can't sleep, I'm even more tired than usual, I am dizzy, weak, and I get spasms in my hips, more pain in my shoulders and lower back, then it's all downhill from there.
I knew it wouldn't last. I tend to have a few really good weeks in the last hurrah of summer. Usually the end of August to mid September the weather is not too hot, not too cold, and I'm less sore, have more energy (which inevitably causes me to push myself more than I probably should), and am better able to concentrate on just about everything. Then, the weather cools, usually quickly, and I'm right back to square one.
But, I'm staying positive: at least I had a few weeks where my good days almost equalled my bad; I got out into my garden a couple of times and started pulling the long-overdue weeds and finished veggie husks from my gardens; I took my dog for some truly wonderful and inspirational walks, where we both really enjoyed the fresh air, lessened bugs, and forest is all its glory. I even got housework done on a pretty regular basis, not to mention all of the jewellery and marketing on Etsy I've been able to do.
Not bad, really. I'm focusing on the positive now, and praying a lot. I have my 20% off sale in my Etsy store until the end of the month, promoting the Etsy for Animals Charitable team, I'm still really inspired to create more jewellery (even if I'm running out of supplies and can't afford to get new ones :-s), Brennan is really, really happy in his new job, I'm still alive - hey, things can always be worse right?
I'm glad they aren't. It was too good to last, I knew that, but at least I enjoyed it!
Take care,
Meghann

Sort of Happy Birthday...

~Insert Candle Here~

Though my birthday isn't until Wednesday, my mom's was on Saturday, and my sister's was on the 29th of August, so we all went to my parents' house for our birthday celebrations on Sunday. It was a great afternoon, despite my being in a lot of pain - the sudden cold weather seems to have really hit me hard. Brennan has some viral thing going on with his sinuses, so he was not feeling his best, but he put on a happy face and enjoyed the day too (my strawberry-chocolate cupcakes helped - see my food blog for the post soon!). We all had a great afternoon and everyone got some really nice gifts. My sister got me a magazine subscription I've wanted for a long time, but never got myself, my parents gave me a WillowTree angel for my collection, and a book on learning how to sew (I know, I never have enough on my plate!), and my brother gave me a gift card so I can treat myself to things I never seem to buy for me (which was really generous considering he is in University still). There were great nibblies provided by my parents, and I, as I mentioned earlier, brought the cupcakes. I purchased a book, called, "Crazy About Cupcakes" a while back because I want to make them for my wedding dessert, and ever since, I have been absolutely crazy for cupcakes. I'd never even had them until I got this book, but WOWEE, I love them now! I do, of course, have to modify all the recipes for my allergies, but that just adds to the fun and challenge of it all. I had intended to make strawberry shortcake cupcakes for my birthday, but there weren't enough strawberries, and no chocolate at all, so I made my own version and they are AMAZING! Totally forgot I was in so much pain ;-)
That's all for now, I've had some pretty painful days and my Etsy store has been doing so well I haven't been napping (which I am not complaining about - I love my Etsy store!), so I'm pretty tired and sore.
I'll catch up with you all later, hugs for you!
Meghann

Holy Cow I Need to Breathe!

~One of the New Flower Bobby Pins~

Ok, so when I said that I need to distract myself to avoid pain from Fibromyalgia, I don't think I quite meant THIS distracted, but I am having the TIME OF MY LIFE!! I have made more sales on my Etsy store, and one of my Etsy Street Teams is having a 1 year anniversary birthday bash 20% off sale (see my jewellery blog for details and a coupon!), I am making more jewellery, trying to exercise as per the doctor's instructions, clean my house, spend time with my fiance, dog and cat, run the rest of my business, and sleep! I LOVE IT!! I am still able to nap (usually) when I need to so that is great. Oh yeah, I also have a new store on iCraft at: http://www.icraft.ca/littlestudiojewels it has different items not listed on my Etsy store so check it out!
I have to say that even though I am still in flare ups almost constantly, tired, sore and stiff, it is a real Godsend to have a supportive family and friends, and to have found Etsy. I am able to meet with other artists, and socialize from my home. I am getting more and more inspired to create more great jewellery (I'm even drawing again!) and photography. I am slowly building my reputation online so that people know they can purchase from me with confidence. I am building my own confidence! I have been so worried for so long that Fibromyalgia would take my income, social life, sense of pride, everything, that this is the greatest blessing I could have received right now. Thank you God! Thank you family! Thank you friends! I love you all and appreciate all your support.
Ok, enough with the cheeeese, I am going to make more jewellery, and hopefully go get some sleeeeeeep.....
Much love,
Meghann

Busy, Busy!

~One of My New Rings on the Etsy Store!

Well I must say that the new Etsy store is keeping me busy! I've been really tired and cruddy-feeling lately but I've been doing my best to ignore it and make myself busy on the Etsy front. Not being on any mdications means I have to get really creative in managing my disease (that or I sleep!). I've made a few new items that are for sale on the Etsy store and I have even joined a team of Etsy sellers from the Ottawa area called Capital Crafters - you can find us by going to the blog site at: http://capitalcrafters.blogspot.com/ (check out a mini-interview of yours truly!) or by going onto the Etsy site at www.etsy.com and searching for "ottawa team". I'm off to update my other blogs and make more jewellery (and maybe tidy my house - it's looking a little worse for wear, lol).
Take care,
Meghann

Stress Rains Down - and More Rain Rains Down

~My Wonderful Cat, Now in Need of Dental Surgery~

I've had a bad week. A really, really bad week. I'm sore, exhausted at nothing, and broke. Broke, broke, broke. I haven't been able to work since last November. I can't afford my medications for my fibromyalgia (not that they were doing anything anyway, but I always had hope), I can't afford my physical therapy for my fibromyalgia, and now, on top of hydro bills, phone bills, and other everyday expenses, my cat went to the vet for his annual check up and apparently needs dental surgery. $1100 of dental surgery to be exact. He is 12 years old, and has been my bud since I was 13, so I will not let him suffer. The vet says I need to do it before Christmas, but the sooner the better. I want to. I really, really want to do it now so he doesn't have to go another day with bad teeth (I can't even imagine). The obvious problem is, of course, that I don't have the money to pay the hydro bills, or get my hair cut, or replace my socks with holes in them.
I need help! Please pray for me and the cat. I don't know how we'll get the money for this - my fiance anf I haven't even been able to save anything for our wedding next year.
......And it is raining AGAIN. Jeez, will someone please turn it off for more than a day?
The good news: the dog is in perfect health, and so is the cat, apart from the dental stuff. The cat isn't in obvious pain, and still eats, though now I'm moistening his food slightly so it's easier to chew. It could be worse, I suppose.
I try to stay positive, and make more jewellery in the hopes that it will sell. I have more coming, so keep checking the jewellery blog and my website for more details (the links are on the bar at right).
Take care, I'm off to overturn my patio chairs full of rainwater.
Meghann

Rain, Rain Go Away! (And in Other News)

~An Iris From My Garden~

It's been a while since I last posted as I've been really sick and sore, but I have finally linked my web site's FibroPage to this blog so that everyone gets the same posts.
It's been raining cats and dogs the last few weeks (well we had a few really sunny, hot and humid days over the weekend where I tried to recover and get some weeding done, but now it's back to raining) and that really seems to put me under the weather. At least I sleep well during the rain, I'm just really sore before each storm rolls in. And although I'm happy not to be lugging watering cans around my yard, I would really like a break from all the storms and downpours!
It also got me thinking. As a sufferer of Fibromyalgia and as an artist, it is about darn time for me to make some Fibromyalgia Awareness jewellery and have the profits go to the Canadian Arthritis Society and other Fibromyalgia charities. I'm working on some designs and I'll get back to you all on my progress - and soon!
That's all for now, I'm really sore - and nauseous!
Take care, gentle hugs to all my fibro-people!
Meghann

A Really Bad, Hurtful Day

I work really hard to do even the simplest chores. Doing the dishes, cooking, heck, even blogging is hard work. I am sick, I am tired, and I am very shy with very little self-confidence. To have started 3 blogs, not to mention my own business making jewellery and doing photography was a miraculous event for my self-confidence and an increase to my workload, when I was trying to decrease it to help my health. I work harder than anyone can possibly know to make jewellery by hand, even when my muscles are in spasms, my stomach is nauseous, my head is foggy and dizzy and I just want to crawl into a hole and sleep for about 10 years. I also designed and created my own website, www.littlestudio.ca so, if I want to show it off, as well as the things I make, you'll have to excuse me, but I'm a teensy bit proud of that. Most completely healthy people wouldn't have been able to start doing what I do, and continue it day after day without money, sales, support, etc, but to have a serious illness, so bad that I am housebound for weeks at a time, makes my accomplishments all the more spectacular (if I do say so myself).

Back in October when I was first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, I joined an online support group based in Ottawa for people struggling (like me) with this disease. It took a lot of courage to start posting on that forum, probably people wouldn't even believe how long I spent writing my first post of only 2 or 3 sentences, but there you go. It took months to tell people on the forum about my website. When people asked, "What do you do to take your mind off the pain?" day after day, I said nothing. Finally, I spoke, and said that I craft, and try to make income from my art. I showed them my website (at their request) and said to have a look, because everyone knows it doesn't cost a thing to look, and I know how tight money can be when you can't work and are sick. I repeatedly tell people that they are free to look around, and that I understand that people can't always buy things because money is tight. I always tell people that and I mean it.

When I started these blogs, I started them to help people. I want to discuss my battles and triumphs with Fibromyalgia and share it with others who are going through the same thing and don't even know they aren't alone. I want to give free recipes for people with food allergies needing recipes. Heck, I wrote a whole darn cookbook that I could have self-published and sold on my blog and website, but I didn't. I chose to give the recipes away as a small act of kindness because I know how hard it can be to cook when you have an allergy to gluten or dairy, eggs, corn, soy, etc., or are a vegetarian/vegan. My jewellery blog is just that. I talk about how I made a piece, and if it is for sale, I tell people to see the website IF they want to buy it.

Inviting people to go to a website is just that - an invitation. They don't have to go, they don't have to buy. I mean really, if I bought stuff from all the websites I've visited, I'd have mansions full of cars, boats, Louis Vuitton, you name it. I like to look. Looking at designer clothes or someone's handcrafted art is a fun way to window shop and escape reality. I don't have to leave my house (like I could most days anyway, the pain is horrible), and I don't have to spend. I expect the same of anyone who reads my blogs or goes to my website. I don't want people going into massive debt to buy my art (it's not that expensive, but that's not the point). I want them to look at all of the delicious-looking stuff and dream and escape their pain for a little bit.

Imagine my dismay when this morning I get an email from the moderator of the Fibro support forum saying they don't want me to post because they don't want people selling things. I was hurt and insulted - I've had at least 4 people from the support forum telling me how much they enjoyed going to my site! I never told them to stop visiting unless they bought something, I was just tickled that they had even gone to look at my work. I am angry, hurt and insulted that they think I would take advantage of others. I am one of them!I tried to compose a professional retaliatory email, but I don't know how clear it was that I am not trying to sell anything to people who don't want to buy. I don't care about making money, or I wouldn't be doing art for a living! With that single email, I feel like I've been betrayed by a best friend.

Honestly, I hate this disease. It's slowly taking everything away from me that I loved. I don't even want to look at my jewellery table - it feels dirty now.

Take care,

Meghann