blowing my own horn

I haven't shared much on my blog recently about my projects for my Etsy shop.  There's always another blog post to write... And I don't really like to blow my own horn.  My Etsy shop has been slow in its creation.  I opened it last September and started stocking it in October as I slowly created inventory (one piece at a time).  I've had exactly one sale, which is ok.  Sometimes it can be discouraging, but I find that overall I'm very optimistic.  That might not make sense, but I'm ok with that, too.  Chapter 2 in the Artist's Way talks about the universe (or God, if you like) cooperating with our creativity, encouraging and helping, even.  Yes, this is a hard concept for me to wrap my head around, but I've been thinking a lot about it since I read the chapter before going on vacation.  A very interesting thing happened that day.  After lunch I checked my email and I had a message from one of the Etsy administrators.  He wanted me to send one of my necklaces to a TV personality and style expert for consideration for a TV spot on crochet trends.  This happened the very same day I read about listening for encouragement from the universe.  And what was my first reaction to that email?  Fear.  I wanted to give up and not send my necklace.  I had doubts about my necklace.  I had doubts about the logistics of trying to get a package sent out last minute.  I had doubts about my packing materials.  So funny because that is the very same thing that Julia Cameron explains in the chapter.  "We've gotten brave enough to try recovery, but we don't want the universe to really pay attention.  We still feel too much like frauds to handle some success.  When it comes, we want to go," she writes.  I scribbled "YES!" in the margin and this was before I got that email.  I pushed through my fears and sent my package.  My necklace was not included in the TV spot, but that doesn't really matter so much to me.  The whole experience was encouragement from the universe.  I'm listening!

I've gotten more encouragement this morning, too.  First an email from a lovely Etsy seller and blogger letting me know that she'd featured one of my bracelets on her blog.  Her blog is beautiful and I'm really happy to have found it!

I really love the bracelet she featured, too.

And the other one I made with the same yarn in a different color:

Truthfully, I'm very proud of the creations that I've been making.  They are all my own designs and when I'm finished with each one I'm a bit surprised by it.  Each really pleases me.  Two others that I've made recently both fill me with such joy.  This bracelet:

And this necklace:

(Each piece has been featured in two treasures, too!)  So why am I not sharing the joy???

After that first message today I then had two messages about pieces of mine being featured in treasuries.

This one by the wonderful artist Ayca:

And this one by Adva Bruner a textile designer who makes amazing clothing:

Hello, universe, I'm listening!

So I'll keep creating as I have been since I opened my shop.  I'm working on some plans to develop my business (and actually make it a business instead of just this thing I do).  I'll keep you posted.  Until then, I want to thank each of you for all of the encouragement.  It really means a lot to me.