Friday 24 January 2014

Grow your blog!

Welcome blogging friends!  It’s likely you’ve arrived at this post since you also have a blog you want to share (cool me too!…wait you know that).  Ok, at this point you know the address but what the heck goes on here? That’s what I’m about to fill you in on. 

My name is Emma, I make things.  It’s the way it has always been.  In April 2012 I started this blog and here is what I pitched in that inaugural post:

“There will be handmade polymer beads and jewelry, inspiration and process. There will likely be pics of my almost 2 year old girl, since who can resist? There will be lots of me trying to learn how to use all those fabulous online tools. I've been watching everyone else growing their online businesses for so many years now from the sidelines. I love watching the success, don't get me wrong, I just really need to join in the fun. I've had a case of the "if I can't do it perfectly, I don't do it at all" - it is time to outgrow that thinking.”

As it turns out, that has been pretty accurate.  I live in beautiful Ottawa, Canada with my husband, our daughter Averleigh and three cats.  I take part in a weekly photo challenge each Saturday called Focus on Life and this has probably tipped the scales towards more and more Averleigh photos.  However, If you scroll down to last week’s focus on life you will see my (rare) photo of me.

Averleigh

Here’s Averleigh chatting with some Hissing Madagascar Cockroaches this week at our Museum of Nature.  One of the many ways I use my iPhone is as a “baby book” of sorts.  The video I took was her encouraging the “guys” not to be shy but hiss loud for her, it’s hilarious but probably only to me, so I’ll spare you that.

I also take part in a variety of other blog hops and challenges as the mood strikes.  I’ve often said that the case with polymer, when it can be almost anything and you have the whole rainbow at your disposal, it can be hard to know where to start.  That’s the joy of taking on a certain inspiration point or limiting parameter to drive the creative process.  Here’s an idea of what I’m talking about.



You can read all the nitty gritty in the full post from the 6th Bead Soup Blog Hop reveal but in essence I would have never dreamed up those floral wing like polymer pieces, nor this design, had I not been gifted such a gorgeous pendant as a starting point.  Thank you blogging!

Tomorrow, right here, will be the first post of the CC7A series.  A group of seven ladies, who have all met through blogging, and we will have jewelry to share with you!  You can have a sneak peek at my starting point for this month’s challenge right here.  I have shocked myself by already having my piece complete a full day before the deadline, now just to catch the light for some photos tomorrow and I’ll be all set.

Sometimes I use this blog to think out loud and I always welcome conversation.  Perhaps you have had the “how long does it take you to make that” question yourself – do you have an answer?

There is so much I could share but I will restrain myself today as we have all been invited to view a whole big bunch of wonderful blogs.  Many thanks to Vicki of 2 Bags Full for gathering creative souls together on this occasion for one heck of a party!

Thank YOU for stopping by today for a little taste.  I’d love to have you follow along by any way you enjoy, find all the options on the right-hand sidebar. 

17 comments:

  1. Hi there! I've been following you since the bead soup blog hop. I can't remember which one though as I've taken part in 2 of them myself.

    Nice to "meet" you :)

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  2. Good Morning Emma, Welcome to the party. I am a volunteer helping Vicki this morning. Your daughter is adorable. I love your penchant it is so pretty. I am a new follower and it is my way of traveling. I always like to see what other people are doing. Have fun at the party. Shirley@shirleystitches

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  3. Hey, girl, I've just about filled my boots of hopping for one day, but I couldn't turn in without checkin' out your awesome post. I remember that gorgeous Bead Soup design so well, I think I'd just begun blogging then. See you in the morning at CC7A!

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  4. Hello Emma! Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog and for following me.( Oskie our timeshare kitty is visiting today and says Hi to your cats!:).( What a super photo of your little girl, she's adorable!) Lovely to meet you through GYB and look forward to getting to know you
    Warm wishes
    Jules x

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  5. Hi Emma. I landed here during the GYB party then realized I already follow you since the last BSBP. Anyway is want to tell you that i enjoy your blog and that picture of your little girl is priceless, If you don't already follow me drop in to my blog for a visit.

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  6. Hi Emma - thanks for visiting my blog yesterday via GYB, it was nice to hear from someone else in Ontario! Are you getting tired of winter yet? I am! Your polymer work is awesome, I'll be back to visit again. Cheers! Elaine

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  7. found/followed you from the gyb party - I make a bit of jewelry too. love yours! hope you'll stop by and visit me as well!

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  8. Hello Emma
    It's lovely to meet you here and learn something that's new to me.
    You are so talented - I love your polymer creations.
    YES I think we all do a bit of that "thinking out loud" on our blogs - me too!!
    Your little Averleigh is gorgeous!

    Please come over and enter my Giveaway too - a vintage lace and fabric collage.

    I'm following you now and I'll be back again the party ends!
    Hugs
    Shane

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  9. Nice to meet you Emma. I found you through your CC7A posting but I probably would have found you also through the GYB hop.

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  10. Hey Emma, you have a lovely blog! I dabble in painting so I loved seeing the golden paint post. And your little armours to display jewelry are so much fun. It has been lovely getting to know you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  11. Hello, I found you from the GYB party, but I think visited before? perhaps the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop?
    anyway, I'm following you now. When you have a moment, stop over to my blog. Have a great week!

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  12. Hi, nice to meet you here. I have been following (lurking?) your site for some time and really like your work. I have just started exploring polymer and really like it. I also make jewellery. Thanks for sharing. Happy hopping!

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  13. Newest Follower from the Blog Party...beautiful things here! And Averleigh looks pretty pleased with those cockroaches...off to look around a bit more - will be certain to drop back by.

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  14. hello, nice to meet you. The party is huge, it's taking me a long time to get round!

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  15. It's awesome that your daughter was encouraging the cockroaches to not be shy. Would make a good children's book!

    Nice to meet you through GYB. I hope you have had as much fun as me visiting all the great blogs. (Mine is about embroidery.)

    aprilsongstress

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  16. Hello from Yukon, Canada! I'm still working on the GLB and I'm glad I found you ♥

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I'd love to hear what you think, thanks for taking the time to join in the conversation