Jacqstar - a month in the life (part one)

The lovely Jess from Create and Thrive  has organised an Instagram challenge for handcrafters called 'A Month in the Life' in which we post a picture each day of our businesses based on a different theme each day: 

Create and thrive a month in the life

So I thought I'd share my photos and my stories behind them. 

Day 1: Workspace 

Secret Lair (very messy)

                                      

This is the Spare Room. Also known as Jacqstar's secret Lair (I've always wanted a lair- it sounds so cool!), the Creative Cave, or most recently the junk room :)  At the moment, there's stuff everywhere, as I'm in the middle if several projects and working my way through Leonie Dawson's Double your Biz programme. 

Double Your Biz Programme

Day 2: Hands

                           

I didn't have someone Handy (see what I did there???) to take pictures of my hands in action so I improvised. I suppose wool is my first passion, followed closely by paint. If truth be told, I care less abou the medium and more about the colours. Oh how I love colours! 

Day 3: Work in Progress. 

One of my many works in progress

Wow. I started this over a year ago, and it still hasn't progressed much further than what you see here. I have no idea what it's going to be- I don't think it has decided yet. 

Day 4: Raw Materials. 

some of my raw materials

As I've said, the medium is secondary to the colours and textures, but I do love shiny glittery things. I love to feel the softness of the wool. I'm very sensory so as long as it appeals to a couple of senses I'm in love with it! 

Day 5: Sketchbook

a few of my musings on paper

I had forgotten what was in my sketchbook- it's been so long since I've even opened them. Looking at my ideas has inspired me to get back into sketching and getting all the pictures in my head out onto paper. 

Day 6: Action

but she had wings...

I don't have any shots of me in Action. But this is my Action plan. My dream board reminds me of what I want from my business and where I need to go. It's my who what when were and why -  It keeps me moving in the right direction. 

Day 7: Packaging 

brown paper packages tied up with string...

I use old knitting and crochet patterns and wrap them up with scraps of wool that are too short to do much else with. Mum taught me to waste not want not, so I'm the ultimate recycler :) 

That's the end of the first week. See you same time next week for week 2

P.S. follow me on Instagram http://instagram.com/jacqstarcreations/

Love, 

Jacqui xx

How to achieve your goals

Hello my Lovelies,

 

I've always believed that if you truly want to achieve something, you write it down, and share it with the world. Make it public and it will happen.

 

It's true, try it. Even if it's so big you don't dare to believe it.

 

Even if it's so tiny you think it's not worth putting down on paper or telling anyone about it.

 

Even if you're a bit scared to share it in case someone thinks it's silly (if it's your dream it can't be silly now can it?)

 

Last year I shared my 100 dreams (part 2) (here's part 1 in case you missed it) and number 34 was to learn Burlesque dancing. I had every intention to get around to doing it (one day) but life got in the way and it didn't happen this year.

GUESS WHAT??????????

For Christmas I got this:

A totally unexpected (well, it shouldn't have been unexpected because I wrote it down and made it public and told the Universe that's what I wanted) gift from my boyfriend's Lovely Sister. She did some research and looked at my blog and decided she wanted to give me the Burlesque lessons I wanted.

Thank you
                                Thank you

THANK YOU!

 

It goes to show that you need to write your goals down. You don't have to do a blog and tell the world - put a picture of what you want on your fridge (new car/ cruise/ new dress - whatever) and if you (or others) see it every day there's far more chance of it happening.

 

Don't hide your dreams, put them out on display. It'll happen :)

 

 

all my love,

Jacqui xx

I Believe...

 I believe in old fashioned creativity.

 I believe in getting your hands dirty- gardening, cooking, finger painting.

 I believe that giving hand-made gifts means so much more than just  
   buying  them at the shops even if the quality isn't as good).

 I believe that growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

 I believe in manners.

 I believe that everyone is creative and contributes something wonderful     to the world.

 I believe in miracles.

 I believe in singing and laughing and dancing (sometimes all at once).

 I believe in unicorns.

 I believe that if you believe in it and want it badly enough it will happen.

 I believe in bright colours.

 I believe in releasing my inner child as often as I can.

 I believe in just giving it a go, even if it's a total failure (failures aren't   
   failures, they're lessons).

 I believe in sitting on the floor.

 I believe in stretching.

 I believe in hugs.

 I believe in YOU


 What do you believe in? I'd really like to know.

My 100 Dreams Part Two

Hello fabulous people,

I can't believe it's the end of July already. The nights are long, the days short and the clothing warm and fabulous. I love hats and scarves, and knee length coats. All in an effort to stay warm though, as I HATE being cold. Nothing a nice hot chocolate can't remedy  :)

Time for me to share with  you my next 20 dreams. I must say it's hard for me to get to 100. I'm ok at big huge wonderous goals, but the little achievable ones are more difficult. That's because it's easy to say 'I want to go to Paris and speak fluent French' and write it down on my list because I know that's something that won't be happening this year - it's a long term goal that I can put off for a little while, but all the little things are far more achievable. I've got no excuse to put them off, and that makes them scary. 

If I put the idea to paper (or blog) for the world to see, I'm accountable for achieving as many of these dreams as possible.

 

WHICH IS THE IDEA FOR DOING THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE

 HOLD ME TO IT!!!!!!!

21. Dance in the rain

22. Get my face painted

23. Go to the Science Centre

24. Have my Tarot cards read - done already yayyyyyyyyyyy!

25. Go on random drives with no set idea where I'm going - I may or may not have done this under the guise of being totally lost!

26. Learn to make pottery

27. Learn to paint with oil paint

28. Wear more green

29. Publish a book

30. Sell a painting before the end of this year

31. Go to hot yoga

32. Go on a wine tour to a vineyard

33. Do a wine appreciation tour???

34. Learn burlesque dancing

35. Sing in an open mike night

36. Climb a mountain

37. Sing every day - I pretty much do this already, but it's a habit I want to keep through the rest of my life :)

38. Appreciate what I have each and every day - I try to do this but I need to be reminded sometimes

39. Do aqua aerobics

40. Stretch every day


I'm working on these and the rest of my goals, and it's making for an interesting and varied life. Last year I couldn't plan for the week ahead let alone the year. I had no goals, and no real dreams for my life. It's amazing what a difference it can make to you if you think about all the little (and big) things you'd like to do. Places to go, things to see, stuff to learn. There's so much out there in the world, let's get out there and experience some of it :)

My100 Dreams part one recap

Hello wondrous Readers, remember this?

 

my 100 dreams part-one

 

If you've been wondering how I've been going with these goals and what my next instalment of dreams will be, never fear. Part two will hit the cyber presses soonish, but I thought I'd do a follow up on the first instalment to see how I've been going, what I've been doing and what I haven't been doing to achieve my goals, both big and not so big. This is my way of keeping myself honest by sharing how slack I've been in some respects and how amazing I am in others ;)

So, without further ado here's part one recap:

1. Go to the Melbourne Cup - I've been to Melbourne lots of times, but never for the   

            Cup! Still planning it but money's very tight so we'll see how big my tax return is this year!

2. Go back to painting lessons  not yet, but still planning on doing a day class here and there

 

 3. Say Yes! (I'm more of a say no then regret it later kind of person)  - YES, I've said yes to positive things more than I've said no, and good things are happening, (including getting back together with my ex boyfriend :) )

 4. Go to Meditation lessons -YES, have been going on and off for the last few months and I love it! Its helped me still my overworked brain, and to think and feel a bit more clearly about things. I'm trying to meditate at home, but find it harder to do as there are too many distractions. Something to work on.

5. Keep eating healthy - yes and no. I've slipped back into some bad habits (ie coffee, sweets), but for the most parts, I'm eating well and making much better food choices.

6. Be involved with three market stalls to sell my products YES. This one is done and dusted - I've had a stall at 2 of the Springwood Creative Markets and one at the Mother's Day Mt Gravatt one. I'm considering doing more markets but I need to find somewhere suitable as the 3 I've done haven't been all that successful. It's all a learning experience, and I'm having so much fun along the way.

7. Get my car loan to under $10,000 (have already made a start to this one and have

         increased my weekly car repayment) I'll know how I'm going next month when I get my statement

8.  Get Jacqstar Creations to 200 likers - If you haven't stopped over and had a look at my Facebook page yet please do and help me achieve this goal :)

Here's the link:  Jacqstar Creations  - I've gone from about 90 in January to 142, so I'm well on my way :)

9. Sing jazz in a jazz club WOOT this is going to happen on Sunday night. OK, it's not in a smoky basement jazz club, but I'm singing Etta James' 'At Last' in my choir concert and it's a jazz concert and I'll be wearing black, and long gloves and it'll be all cool and atmospheric!

10. Visit all the Australian capitals (so far I've only been to Brisbane Sydney

        and Melbourne) - no updates on this one but it's a long term goal so I'm not worried about it

11.  Take drawing lessons - not yet -  I must look into this

12. Go to a wine tasting tour around the vineyards somewhere - if I can work it into my Melbourne trip I will, if not it's still on my to-do list for later this year or next year

13. Release my inner bohemian - I've noticed that the clothes I choose are brighter in colour than usual, and instead of being dressed almost exclusively by Target and K-Mart, I've bought some skirts at the Southbank markets. My inner butterfly is starting to uncurl her wings.

14. Go to G.O.M.A three times this year and see the latest exhibits - have been once so far, two more to go. (if you've never been, it's amazing)

15. Travel to Egypt - long term goal, will start saving once my car is paid off

16. Learn to speak Fluent French - long term but I'm putting it down for something next year to start a tafe beginner's French course

17. Travel to France and live there for a while and really learn the language

        and soak up the culture - long term

18. Paint my nails in bright crazy colours - I'm painting them blue for my choir concert - that counts as done!

19. Go to the Planetarium. - When I added this to my list the Planetarium was closed for upgrading, so now I've got no excuse, I'll organise something soon.

20. Do the Bridge to Brisbane again this year. - it's on the 1st of September and I'm registering this week and have organised the day off work so it's practically done :)

my 100 dreams :) Part one

I've been inspired.

The wonderous Leonie Dawson, is teaching me how to be my own Creative Goddess. She's eight shades of crazy in a magical glittery rainbow fairy dust kind of way, but I like that.

(I think I might want to be her when I grow up).

Anyway...

One of the many things I'm doing this year is goal setting. Big ones, small ones, mundane ones like writing down fabric softener on my shopping list so I don't forget it - MAKING the shopping list so I don't forget the fabric softener and only come home with chocolate biscuits. There are so many things I want to do with my life and I've come to realise that if I don't write them down I'll either forget about it or keep pushing things to the background and never get them done, then get totally frustrated that I didn't achieve anything this year AGAIN!

If you write things down you give them importance. It's tangible and if it's somewhere you can see them on a daily basis it becomes a priority. It's constantly on your mind, you're thinking about it, wondering how you'll do it, when you'll do it, in what way you'll do it. And magically, you'll start making plans to actually do it!

SO, one of Leonie's suggestions is to list 100 things you want to do this year. Small, medium, and incredibly huge dreams. Some so crazy you think there's no point putting them in writing cause they'll never come true. Some just  take a bit of planning, or putting on your daily to-do (or grocery) list. Now, 100 is a lot, and I'll let you in on a secret - I'm only up to number 34 so far. I've got a ways to go, but hey, it's only March and I've got the whole year to add more things and cross a whole heap off the list too.

 

What I've decided to do is let you in on my list and share 20 with you every couple of months. I'll also update you on how the last 20 are progressing.

MY FIRST 20 DREAMS FOR 2013 ARE:

 

1. Go to the Melbourne Cup - I've been to Melbourne lots of times, but never for the   

            Cup!

2. Go back to painting lessons

3. Say Yes! (I'm more of a say no then regret it later kind of person)

4. Go to Meditation lessons

5. Keep eating healthy

6. Be involved with three market stalls to sell my products

7. Get my car loan to under $10,000 (have already made a start to this one and have

         increased my weekly car repayment)

8.  Get Jacqstar Creations to 200 likers - If you haven't stopped over and had a look

        at my Facebook page yet please do and help me achieve this goal :)

9. Sing jazz in a jazz club

10. Visit all the Australian capitals (so far I've only been to Brisbane Sydney

        and Melbourne)

11.  Take drawing lessons

12. Go to a wine tasting tour around the vineyards somewhere

13. Release my inner bohemian

14. Go to G.O.M.A three times this year and see the latest exhibits

15. Travel to Egypt

16. Learn to speak Fluent French

17. Travel to France and live there for a while and really learn the language

        and soak up the culture

18. Paint my nails in bright crazy colours

19. Go to the Planetarium.

20. Do the Bridge to Brisbane again this year.

Now, as you can tell, I'm not going to get all of this done this year. Some, like the moving to France are lofty plans, but it's one of my dreams and it if doesn't happen this year it's going on my list of dreams each year until it does come true.

Here's where audience participation comes in. I'd love for you to share some of your goals/wishes/dreams for the year with me. If I can help in any way I will. AND... if you can help me achieve any of mine please let me know.

Now it's your turn...

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