FEATURED ARTIST: RACHEL STECK

I love to feature Artists on my blog. If you would like to be featured on my wonderful blog, please feel free to contact me with your shop info, links, pictures, and a story about your inspiration and how you got started in your business. Please send all submissions to: Studio11Charms@gmail.com.

My name is Rachel Steck I have been making Hemp jewelry since I was in high school. It all started with people wanting the hemp jewelry I made myself. It has stuck with me through the years and now I run 3 shops here on etsy where I sell my hemp jewelry and Hand knit items. I like to use hemp for so many different reasons. Hemp is environmentally friendly, it is very versatile fiber and is a unique way to accessorize.

Hemp is an affordable alternative to the mainstream trend which typically changes every couple of months. Hemp is Biodegradable which means less trash in the landfills. Hemp is also a sustainable resource. It is one of the fastest growing biomasses known and it was one of the first domesticated plants. My first year at university I studied environmental sciences so I try to be as eco friendly as possible.

Hemp Jewelry has been popular since the 60’s and is a timeless fashion and very retro. Hemp is a very versatile material because it can be braided in many different ways, used with any type of bead, charm or pendant and hemp comes in many different colors. It is also very strong and has been used for plant holders, dog collars, belts and clothing as well as many food products. As far as jewelry goes it can be worn casually everyday or mixed with beautiful pendants and worn to an elegant evening affair. Over the past 10 years I have only seen a miniscule amount of people wear this very fashionable accessory. I think hemp gets a bad wrap because people think hemp is the same as marijuana, but it isn’t. Hemp is made from the Cannibis Sativa Plant which is different from Cannibis Indica which is used for recreational and medical use. There is also a miniscule amount of THC in Cannibis Sativa compared to Cannibis Indica which can have up to a 20% level of THC.

Hemp jewelry is not only for hippies and skater teenagers but is perfect for everyone of all ages. I have been running an online business www.rachinator87.etsy.com in which I sell a variety of crafts where I sell handmade hemp accessories.

NEW ARRIVALS: STEAMPUNK CABOCHON CAMEOS

REDEFINING SUCCESS

When I was much younger (like in high school and college), I had a set idea about what success should be. I have always thought that success means that you have a high paying job (like being an executive in corporate America making a lot of money (over 6 figure is a lot of money to me). A lot of it had to do with the fact that my parents had very high expectations for me. Growing up I have always wanted to please my parents. Whatever they wanted me to do, I better make sure that I do it with 200%.

Looking back, I was extremely depressed and miserable. Because everything that I did, was not to make me happy, but it was to appease someone else. I have jumped from career to career, climbing the corporate ladder, trying to get ahead. I was so extremely unhappy, and grew more and more depressed. I started to develop heart problems and later found that I had 2 tumors in one of my breast (and I was still in my early twenties). All due to stress and anxiety.

So after I was clear of the tumors (thank goodness they were benign), I started to take a break from my "normally stressful" lifestyle. And focus more on the things that matters to me. Because who knows, if I were to continue on the same path, I might have developed a more serious illness. So I had to change my lifestyle and my perspective on life.

It was extremely hard in the beginning because I was used to making a certain amount of money, buying what I want to buy, and doing what I wanted to do. But then now I couldn't do that anymore because I didn't have the same lifestyle, job, or make the same type of money.

It took me four years (yes 4 years) to figure this out. But along the four years journey (looking back now), I used to beat myself up everyday because I thought that I was a "loser" for not making the same amount of money that I used to make. Even though I was much happier in life and I have a lot less stress. But it took a very long time for me to be able to let go of attaching a dollar sign to my happiness. Because I used to relate the meaning to success to a dollar amount. And my happiness used to depend on my level of "success," that was flawed. I am sure a lot of you do this to yourself too. Especially with the way the economy is right now, I am sure that some of you have had to down-size your lifestyle as well.

I have always been very independent, making my own money, never had to rely on anyone, and was a very successful career women. Never in a million years did I ever think that I was going to down size that status and position in life, to be working at home more often and possibly be a full time mom. I don't have any kids yet, but if I do, I would want to stay at home full time.

And then I thought of all of the mothers that are out there. Who made the choice to stay at home with their children. And I have had many of my brilliant and successful friends who have made the decision to be a full-time mom. And they don't feel like that they are unaccomplished; in fact, they feel more satisfied with their life. And almost all of them are a lot happier.

So that got me to thinking that maybe I got this thing all wrong. And now I am realizing that success is ALL in our heads. There is NO defined definition of what success really is. Because success differs per person. What is successful to you, might not mean success to me, and vice versa. I think I just had a "eureka" moment! And now I don't feel guilty for not having the career that my parents expect me to have. Now I can finally feel comfortable in my own skin. I can feel happy that I would want to stay at home to take care of my children (my husband and I are planning to have kids sometimes soon).

Because the truth is, I think that if most women, if they can have the choice, to either stay at home with their kids or having to go to work, that they would choose their family over their career. I would think that most women would rather stay at home and glad to do it. Of course, if you were at a job that you LOVE, no one said that you have to quit. And if you don't quit, that does NOT make you a bad mother in anyway. You do not and should not have to sacrifice your own happiness when you have kids. But my point here is for those women who are not climbing the corporate ladder and making millions, to know that success is not defined by a position or dollar amount. Success is what makes you feel fulfilled and satisfied with your life. That is true success.

I feel so free. I feel like I don't have to beat myself up anymore. Because I didn't have a career or position that someone else wants me to have. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am in control. I don't have to answer to anyone else but myself. For the first time in my life I am happy in my own skin. And for the first time in my life, when someone ask me what I do for a living, I don't have to be shy about it (because I feel inadequate and insecure). For the first time in my life, I can proudly answer that "I am doing what I LOVE." And that I don't care what anyone say or think of me or what I do. Because I think what I do is something really special and I am very happy doing it.

Please share with me, what success means to you!

DAILY 5 FAVORITES: JUNE 8, 2011

There are so many great handmade artists with their mouth-watering creations that I couldn't help but share them here with you. Everyday I will be posting 5 of my favorite shops, sellers, and items. So check back often for more great finds. If you would like your shop to be submitted for my Daily 5 Favorites, please "follow" my Blog and on Facebook and email me. Or if you know of any great findings, shops, and sellers, please let me know as well. Write to: Studio11Charms@gmail.com.

ONE: Longtime Lover Necklace...Cloisonne...Vermeil...Sterling Silver By MeSheDesigns
Where to buy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61559355/longtime-lover

TWO: In your arms is my favorite place to be (card w/ envelope) By RedLetterPaperCo
Where to buy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/66830628/in-your-arms-is-my-favorite-place-to-be



THREE: Vintage Kimono Top Floral One Size 60s 70s By WearTheCanvas
Where to buy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/67631392/vintage-kimono-top-floral-one-size-60s


FOUR: Custom-pinwheel pink and cream handknit baby booties & hat By LeebWeeb
Where to buy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/71882046/custom-pinwheel-pink-and-cream-handknit


FIVE: 3 Spring Flower Magnetic Fasheners By Classy Chica
Where to buy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/72210513/3-spring-flower-magnetic-fasheners

NEW ARRIVALS: SAVE TIME AND MONEY

Save TIME and MONEY with these beautiful Cameo Cabochons Charms. All you have to do is glue it to anything to make beautiful one-of-a-kind artwork, crafts, jewelry, scrapbooking, and lots more.

From Studio11Charms.com

You get 6 pieces (if you need more, please let me know). And I have so many different designs for you to choose from.
Measurements: 40x30mm oval
These are flat backs so that you can glue it to anything.

Save yourself money and time. I've already done all of the hard work for you...so all you have to do is play with your imagination. Glue this to any settings, frames, or just add a bail on the back, and you are done. Simple, easy, and fast. Time is money honey!

Super easy and fun to use: Just glue it to anything! finish projects in no time with these! And they look like you spent hours on your finish products (but I won't tell anyone your secrets!) :)

For more designs, visit: http://www.Studio11Charms.com

From Studio11Charms

From Studio11Charms

From Studio11Charms

From Studio11Charms

For more designs, visit: http://www.Studio11Charms.com

NEW ARRIVALS! MOLDS!!! MOLDS!!! MOLDS!!!!

MOLDS!!! MOLDS!!! MOLDS!!!!
THEY ARE FINALLY HERE!!
Through many many months of hardwork, I finally have the time to list these.
I have hundreds more trinkets, charms, and molds that I will be listing this week and the coming weeks. New designs every week! So check them out and let me know what you think! Any suggestions and feedbacks will be greatly appreciated. I am always looking for new ways to improve my craft, shop, and customer service.

click on the image for more pictures and info

click on the image for more pictures and info

click on the image for more pictures and info

click on the image for more pictures and info

"HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS"

This is just a little post that I would like to write to document my own journey with trying to pursue an "artful" lifes. This is for my own documentations and of course, for your reading pleasures!

So I started this wonderful journey a few times before in my life (ever since I was 16 years old). But it has been off and on because I had a lot of other distractions in my life. Plus I was very young and when you are young you tend to change your mind a lot about what you want to do, who you want to be, and where you see your life heading when you get older.

I had my heart being a fashion designer, but my parents (very conservative) obviously said "NO."
Fashion school would have cost them $80,000+ a year (estimated by the school counselor, from the school that I wanted to go to). Obviously the cost includes tuition, room and board, and living expenses....but that is a whole lot of $$$. So I decided that I was going to go the back door route...Business School.

Okay, long story short, I never forgot the little whispers in my heart and my love for anything artsy. So a few Bachelors degrees later (I couldn't decide on just 1 major because my heart was yearning for something more, but I didn't realized at the time that I was very unhappy). I wasn't doing what I wanted to do and I was doing what my parents wanted me to do...very BIG mistake. You should never try to please someone else by doing something that would put you in a situation that would make you miserable. And No, that is not being selfish, that is called loving yourself. God has 2 rules for us to live by for a perfect world; and that to "love thy neighbors, and love thy self." So why aren't we listening to the truth?

Okay, so fast forward a few years and a few different careers later, I am really unhappy and so stressed out because I feel like I was cheating myself out of being happy. All of the different careers that I have try doing, just left me more and more unhappy because it was not fulfilling to my soul. Plus, I hated the corporate world because people were so mean and cut throat. People who I though were my friends and had my back, ended up back stabbing me and selling me out.

So to make a long story short and fast forward a few more years again...I got married to a wonderful man who loves me unconditionally. I am such a lucky girl. It wasn't until this point in my life that I started to dig deeper and ask myself the very simple, yet difficult question...What is it that makes me happy? I have been traveling around the world, dabling in so many different careers trying to find myself...when truthfully, the answer has always been in my heart. I felt like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz with my ruby red slippers and clicking my heels, repeating "there is no place like home," "there is no place like home." And "Home is where the Heart is."

YES!!!! I felt like I won the lottery when one night, out of a dream I felt like I finally found the answer to what my heart has been waiting for...no not true love (I already got that, remember????), my dream job. Finally I figured it out...here is the secret to finding your dream job, which is the same process that has taken me years and years to finally realized it:
1. What is it that makes you happy
Think back to a time in your childhood...the part that you remember being the happiest.
2. What did you use to do a lot of when you were a kid that makes you happy.
3. Understand your personality trait. Do not lie to yourself. Dig very deep, and the answer may not be very apparent at first, but if you really listen to your heart, you will find the answer within.
4. Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert, or Both?
Introverts don't really like to be around other people, so home businesses might be best for you. But they are also not always self motivators, so running a biz by yourself might not be ideal. So you might want to partner up with a trusted friend/family.
Extroverts are usually self motivators and they love to be around other people...so maybe a home business is not the best idea for you because you need to be around other colleagues. But maybe you could partner up with an Introverted person and run the sales part while they do the business and paperwork part...hmmm...this is a thought!!
If you are both an introvert and an extrovert, then you have the best of both worlds...but sometimes the dual personality can conflict one another. Plus you don't always control which personality is more dominant at a certain time.

5. What are you good at?
6. What do you enjoy doing (with your free time)?
7. What do you enjoy doing that you don't consider to be a chore?
8. Is what you do special, can everybody do what you do?
9. Do you deserve to be happy?

These are some of the questions that I used to constantly contemplate to get to where I am today. Just remember, you can ANYTHING that you put your heart and head to! That is the secret to success. Never doubt yourself! Don't just believe you can do something...but know that you can make it happen (if you want it bad enough).