Mary Richmond Design

Namaste!

Namaste is a Sanskrit word that literally means 'I get out to you' and which is usually translated as 'I am your humble servant."It is most often said with folded hands and a bow of the head to show respect. I first heard it from a yoga instructor and have always thought it is a wonderful gesture that we should probably be using way more often than we do. Wouldn't it be nice if every encounter we had with each other began and ended with 'namaste' and a little bow of the head and our hands drawn together?

I look at a lot of blogs during the week but there are some I go back to again and again and Tameka's Tea & Honey Bread (she has other blogs you can link to from there also) has quickly become a must read for me. When she suggested a Namaste exchange, I signed right up. I have no idea how many people signed up but I painted a small watercolor to send to my exchange recipient in Austin Texas. I chose a humble plant with a humble and small butterfly as a reminder that there is beauty and worth even in that which we label weed and unimportant.

I received my gift from Charmaine Manley of High Desert Diva yesterday and it is just lovely.

This picture really doesn't do it justice at all. It is about 10" tall and I plan to hang it in my studio window where I will enjoy it every day.

  Here is a closeup of the glass piece.

and a close up of the metal....

Isn't it wonderful?

You can find more of High Desert Diva's work here. You can also find Charmaine's blog here.

Namaste!

Typepad Unresponsive

It's been about 2 days since I heard a word from the help crew at Typepad. Before that they answered emails after about 12 hours with one question each and then didn't get back to me.

I am disgusted with the service at the help department of Typepad. All I need is some help with a simple picture problem and apparently no one can help me. What's up with that? Where are you Typepad help people?

Typepad Frustrations

Generally I am very happy with Typepad. They are responsive to problems and they offer a great diversity of options and are very easy to use.

Right now, however, I feel it is taking way too long--over 24 hours--to resolve what should be a simple issue.

Sorry you have to keep looking at distorted images. Hopefully it will be taken care of soon.

Why Do You Blog?

All over the world people are blogging away, telling stories, posting pictures, sharing bits and pieces of their lives.

I started my blog to get my business on the map. Has that happenend? Not really. I have a small regular readership but not a business focused one.

Recently I was reading that if your blog is to be about your business it shouldn't be at all personal. Well, guess I blew that one.

Personally I find blogs that are all business to be boring. So do I blog as an online journal? Can a person combine business, blogging and their personal journey?

Why do you blog?

Ads on Blogs

How do you feel about ads on blogs?

I don't like them. I, in fact, don't usually return to a blog that has ads on it.

Of course many people, myself included, started their blogs to bring their work farther out into the world. I didn't think of mine as a big ad, though. I thought of it as a way to share my work, my process and my thoughts on the whole art and business thing. As I've gotten more and more involved in blog land I have to admit that blogs seem like such personal little spaces, full of personality and spirit and I guess I hate to see that cluttered and confused with blatant commerciality.

As I write this I'm thinking of all the hard core business, marketing and financial blogs there are out there and how they are jammed with ads. As you might imagine I don't visit too many of them more than once. I feel a bit overwhemed and oversold to, if you know what I mean.

One of the things I really like about blogging is that it feels more like sharing than selling. I'm tired of all the marketing, advertising and selling, selling, selling we are being bombarded with every day, aren't you?

How do you feel about ads on blogs?

A Big Thanks to Littleput Books!

I've been so busy this week playing outside with all the kids at Vacation Nature Camp that I have been remiss. Littleput Books, a fellow seller over at Etsy posted about my bunnie this week and you might want to check it out here.

If you love handmade books (and I know some of you do because I know who you are ;-) you've got to check out this shop. Her books are just amazing. Wait until you see the sets of tiny books! She also makes great jewelry.

You can read more about how the books are made and also how her line of jewelry is done on her blog here. This little shop on Etsy.com is not so little! Littleput Books has sold thousands of items through her online shop. She's also a huge mentor in the Etsy community, helping new artists and craftspeople learn the ropes with lots of great insight and marketing information.

Thanks, Littleput! I feel truly honored!

Ready, Set, Go! For Next Year, That is....

Yay! Taxes are done!

Ok, so I know some of you did your taxes ages ago. I started mine a while back....but now they are done and sailing around in cyberspace waiting to be checked out by whatever magical little tax bots there might be.

And now it's time to start thinking about next year's taxes. Like how I should be filing quarterly on my writing income! This is a good thing because it means I actually have writing income!

Woohoo!

Back in the Saddle

Sometimes a girl just needs to take a break from blogging. Nothing new or interesting, really. I've been working, daydreaming, writing, walking, reading blogs, playing on Etsy.....the usual.

One day last week my youngest daughter (who is 24) and I went to Boston to see the lizards and butterflies and the science museum. It was a beautiful sunny day, much like today and we had a wonderful time. We did absolutely nothing productive, just had fun.

Some of the comments and emails I've received lately have been about my need to take time for myself. This makes me laugh, snort and giggle.

People, I am probably the best take time for yourself person you'll ever meet. I have always taken time for myself. I read, walk, goof off and visit with friends every day. I get a lot done in a day but I also have a lot of down time, lazy time, just be with myself time....in fact sometimes I may take a little too much down time....the piles of things undone around me are a bit of an indicator of that.

Oh and the taxes. I guess I really should finish them now.

Six Word Memoir

I was tagged over at Always Forever Young to write a six word memoir about 2 weeks ago so here it is.

Saw what was, dreamed what is.

If you'd like to write your own and share it with us please post your link in the comments.

I will be posting the names and links of Etsians who donate for breast cancer research tonight!

How Much Time Do You Spend Blogging?

I thought a little bunny was a good choice for today. We're finally seeing some sun after all the wind and rain and coldness!

This past week I've been blogging and working on my Etsy Shop and posting things on Flickr and reading and commenting on other people's blogs and it occurs to me that some days I spend a bit too much time on the internet. It's fun but I really do have other things to do ;-)

How about you? How much time do you spend blogging each day or each week? Are you a disciplined blogger or are you sometimes a happy slacker like me?