Ask and Ye Shall Receive: The Anti- Bonfire o' Dreams

So I'm taking advantage of some forced downtime to Blog... Im getting my car serviced: (has anybody been to the new Customer Center at Camelback Toyota?? It's practically a spa-resort, someone's buffing my toenails as I type... oh yeah, also has free WiFi- bonus.)

Not that there's been nothing of merit to report... far from it. Ummm- HOW ABOUT THE CHANCE TO SHOWCASE MY STUFF AT FIRST FRIDAYS?!?!? YEAH!!!!! And I literally cannot even believe how I fell into it.

You see at the recent block party (see previous blog entry for pics and info) I met a guy named Patrice who heads up a group called Arizona Urban Arts... Its a very cool group that basically promotes the Arts scene in AZ in any and every way possible. Consider them the "illustrators" of the chapter called "Arts" in the book of "Arizona" if you will. Ok so I'm sure you follow me... Moving on. So I met Patrice... great guy, who also is a fantastic artist himself. And in talking to him I told him about Suite 323 and what I was trying to do.. he ended up friending me on Facebook. And here's the part that re-enforces not being afraid to go after what you want:

I really wanted him to "Like" my page. To help me get my name out there... if nothing else. But he hadn't yet (not like the guy isn't busy... he's got simultaneous projects going on & got his hands in everything all around the Valley) so I went back and forth about it in a very junior high way- fearing rejection and looking so very, very lame. So I saw him online last Friday... And I just went for it. What's the worst he could say? No? (Initiate the cry sequence and a ceremonial bonfire in my backyard in which I burn all my furniture slash dreams to smithereens.)

He said yes. Even better than saying yes, he said "Of course! Anything for you and the community! What else can we do?" Woe.  (BTW- I've been super happy and impressed by how this community really extends itself happily to help other up & comers) I told him "Well that would be great for now... Just to help get my name out there." He then asked me "What are you doing Oct. 1st? We're hosting First Fridays and we'd love to have you. I could get you a booth. We'll have it all set up."

......................

(ahem). Yes Patrice... I, I think I- we could pull that off. I'd love to. (AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH'ing inside).

And there it was folks. Just like that.

So.... REJOICE!!! Enter our official "Big Break" (and for those that don't think it's that big of a deal- don't you hail on my parade!!) I am SUPER excited.... and I love that First Fridays in October lands on October 1st- which is also the slated day for our Grand Opening. I'm going to be working mighty hard between now and then to make it TRULY worth your time to come out and see what I've got to show you. Annnnnnd... if nothing else I'm making cupcakes with a frosting to cake ratio of 10:1. With a cherry on top. So there. Come & get it my friends!

So the moral of the story is: He that is asking shall receive. And sometimes in a big, big way. More than you were even hoping for.... So go for it! It never hurts to just ask. And if not- I'll come to your bonfire, and bring cupcakes. =)

The (happy) Tempe Starving Artists.

What a weekend. In a good way. Yesterday was the Block Party put on by the Tempe Starving Artists and hosted by Blueberry Deluxe Boutique (and FYI- Jessica is every bit as nice as everybody says she is). Met some great people, doing what they do best. Had some beer... listened to some great bands... perused the artwork of some great local artists... and just hung out. All in all- pretty awesome. But I think the best part was being with people who are actually doing, what they really do best. What a novel concept.

Ever been stuck in a rut? Yep. Me too. And when I left the block party yesterday I had this charged up feeling of... I think I'm gonna go ahead and call it excitement. I couldn't even honestly put my finger on it which sounds kinda ridiculous because it's a pretty basic human emotion. The difference is that I was excited at seeing other people going out on a limb to do what they love... to at least try for it. That. Is. Inspiring. I felt inspired. I know, I know- so cliche... I get it. But it's the truth. And I realized that this is the first time my excitement for this new endeavor actually outweighs my fear of failing in it. And let me tell ya- that fear of failure... that can be a crippling little wrench in the works of any great dream or idea.  Believe you me.

So I guess the moral of the story is .... be willing to starve a little. If it's something your good at. If it's something you love. Eventually others will take notice and the tides will turn. After all- the Artists in Tempe may be starving... but at least they're happy doing it.

Now enjoy some pics of a great event. =)

Irons in the Fire. And Turkey's in the Microwave.

And what exactly is classified as "too many"? Anybody know?

The only reason I ask is because many people have told me over the years that I put too many of these in the fire all at once. And to that I say- Pish posh! (right after I slam a quad venti something or other).

I hate to be perpetually busy, yet I always manage to make myself perpetually busy. For instance...  aside from my obsessive focus with getting my shop off the ground... we're ("the husband" and I) immersed in a kitchen remodel right now. Namely... our kitchen. Which I've affectionately termed The "Situation" Room. And boy is it ugly.

Not that I'm not ecstatic to have a brand new kitchen. I am. It's just always one of those things that seems like a great idea until you actually start undertaking it. And your standing in your kitchen trying to cook a 10 pound turkey in the microwave. (Ok this might be a mild exaggeration. More like an 8 pound turkey.)

Here's the other funny part- I don't actually want to cook until all I have to cook with is a flint stone and a pile of insulation work with. Why is that?

So anyways... here are the latest pics of our kitchen remodel. Don't worry- none of the furniture for Suite 323 was harmed in the making of these photos. =)

Won't you be my neighbor?

So typically- I'm not the type of person that has to have every single aspect of something figured out before I wade in. I'm more like the type of person that starts in on something knowing my limitations and knowing that I can figure out the rest as I go... Usually works right??

Well in technology- I've met my match. Setting up a blog... and a Facebook page... and a Twitter account for Suite 323 has been a learning experience at best. Linking them all... I'm still figuring that out. My apologies for any annoying duplicate posts of FB... that's not a brainy attempt at marketing. It's stupidity and ignorance. Ha!

I'm trying to blog this whole process of starting up a new business- mostly because its scary as heck, but also because I kinda think that it's a cathartic journey. And at age 27 I've decided (with some encouragement from my husband) to do something I can be happy at. Haven't we all been there at some point in our lives with something?? Although I think he may regret saying that now that he's got a man cave chock-full of furniture and home decor where he & Max patiently play Wii in between the legs of an upside down coffee table... It's too late. I've taken the idea and am running with it. (They really are good sports.)

I'm shooting for a launch date of October 1st to get my shop on Etsy up and running. I've almost completed shopping for the inventory for the Fall collection. I really hope you're going to like it- I know I do. If all goes well I'm really hoping to have my own store front within the next year. I even found a location in the Melrose area that I would love to be apart of... (special shout out to Blueberry Deluxe and Melrose Pharmacy). I just hope I can get this shop off the ground to make it there...

YAY FASHION WEEK!!

So my rock star sis in law aka- Misc. Funk scored tickets to Fashion week @Wrigley Mansion!! What a super cool opportunity to get Suite 323's name out there!! So excited!! Pics to come... Thanks Heidi!

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hello beautiful...

she loves me not... still not on sale. lucky that I'm a patient woman....

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I love my life...

grabbing coffee and then off to visit a vintage orange mohair couch that ive fallen hopelessly in love with... let's hope her price tag returns my sentiments! till the next episode...

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OMG- What the heck am I doing moment # 1

So creating a blog... That looks you haven't formatted it mid REM cycle. A lot more challenging than it looks.... nontheless! I'm here... And this is blog NUMERO UNO! Been working on setting up my Esty shop, Twitter account, and Blog all this morning. Now if I could just link them all...