Keeping love in my heart

My sister was in a truck wreck this morning...she's alright. But it makes me pause and give thanks for all the ways the Lord has blessed my family. I wouldn't know where to begin if my sister Patricia was taken from me. She is my bestfriend here on Earth.During the comission of the wreck she did her best driving to keep the man from hitting her husband's side of the truck. I love how she thinks...I love her so much. Last night while I was overwhelmed about trying to be a successful "Etsy Seller". I looked up and saw this amazing sunset over the lake I live on. While doing well on Etsy is still important to me.... it's not as.....

Sunset on Kemah Lake

Saturday Morning Crazies...

Unmolded my vetiver and cocoa butter soap this morning. It turned out really well. It was just soft enough for me to make designs on it with my lemon zester.

Cold and rainy here, especially for a June morning. I'm working on a felted pin today, and trying to finish up a ribbon scarf ...aaa...well at least by tomorrow night. The colorway of the ribbon is Copper Penny.

I've gone nuts photographing all the hummingbirds that are showing up....more this year than any of the last 16 years I've lived on Kemah. Here's one of the radical little males that loves to be the center of attention ~~~~~

Male Hummer on my Trumpet Vine (C) J Dobbins 2010

Order that I mailed out to the ladies in my sister's office @  Big Bend Hospice in Florida....Thank you .... (C) J Dobbins 2010

There's always a first time

for everything....the first time I experienced the chemical reaction between oils and lye thrilled my soul.... the first time I washed with the soap I created.... made me so happy and to wonder. " Can this be what I was made to truly do?" Soapmaking, spinning fibers into yarns to knit, photography, felting, purse-making..on...and on....... have been me finding my identity. But.....I always seemed to put my " art" on the back burner......

I use to define myself by my career in caring for animals medically & ethically. I've always created...art, soap, beauty products, photos...it is ....I have found, who I really am.

For years I gave everything I created away. My husband, sister, and some friends would say why in the world. I always thought give it away and they'll want to buy the next time. Well, that's not how it turned out. People loved my things, but didn't want to pay for them. Bruised my ego really bad.

After I started working as a Vet Tech, some of the Drs. loved my things and would buy them. One who turned out to be my dearest friend...Dr. Sherri Valerio, was my most faithful buyer...still to this very day! Her and my sister Patricia, have nudged me along...encouraging me, and giving me valuable advice and feedback. Both being totally frank about me undercutting myself, and not thinking a piece was worth what it really was .... ( or not valuing my time either) Both have gone out into the world and promoted my art...they have been responsible for sales I would've never gone out and grabbed.

I opened my Etsy Shop almost a month ago..it will be a month on the 15th.http://www.etsy.com/shop/helewes I've always wanted to do that...I was just too frightened...guess who's not frightened anymore?

Thank-you God, Patty, Marty, Jan H., Sharon, Beth, and Sherri Lynne .