Hey Everybody,
I've been getting bills paid, working on my container garden and on a few new jewelry pieces to go out on www.rubylane.com/shops/cmeicuoriginals soon.  Spring cleaning of what I call my southern cape cod home has been a little inspirational.  I am ready for the summer, and fun times on the beaches of Tybee with my nieces and nephews.  With all the spring cleaning, things are now sparkly and new again.  Over the last couple of weeks, I helped to rescue a baby bird after severe thunderstorms came through, made the discovery of some baby bunnies burrowing under tree branches piled up in the yard after trimming a few tree limbs, and came across a frog and lizard which I have not seen in the back yard for years.  Just like spring cleaning makes you feel rejuvenated, so do the baby animals that I discovered a few weeks ago.  I have my mojo back, cause I like my new bracelet and earring designs.  Photos and information about my other projects will be posted soon.  Missed writing and talking with you.  Don't want to stay away so long anymore.  See you after while.

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Slowly but Surely...

It's been a while since I have even looked at this blog, let alone updated it. Life has thrown me a few curve balls that have shaken me to my core. But I still stand. Steve Harvey and my family have held my hand, and brought me out of the darkness into the light. Time flies after becoming an introvert. I have lost both parents. My rock and foundation shook. Through prayer and drawing closer to God is the only way I made it through. Steve Harvey of the "Steve Harvey Morning Show" gave great words of wisdom, "If you have nothing else to hold onto but God, that is not a bad place to be." Old folks always said "He'll make a way out of no way." It's amazing how you hear those little pearls of wisdom all your life and they fit perfectly when you need them most.

I have so much to be thankful for. With God guiding my footsteps, I can't wait to see the results. Step by step...

Valeta

...And Still Moving

It's been a long time since I've blogged. But I've kept things rolling with my collection www.rubylane.com/shops/cmeicuoriginals. Thank you Jesus! The balancing act of maintaining a regular 9 to 5, starting a business and taking care of family has really been a tough roe to hoe in the midst of a recession. It seems that having one bread winner in the household has changed right before my eyes. Go to school, get your degree, find a good job, get married, raise a family, then retire are things of the past. That was the philosophy instilled in me by my parents. That too has past! I digress.

During the last year, business has been slow as my attention changed focus to family and work. My dad, the fighter that he is, overcame some health issues that had us worried and the job still has folks on edge, wonderng if will we have a job one day to the next. A lot of family and friends are facing the juggling act of finding a second job or starting a side business to make up for lost income or to hedge the threat of losing income. I have faith that our country will bounce back and new trailblazers will be revealed through the triumphs that come out of this recession. A change gone come.

Time Keeps On Ticking

Well, the last few months have been fast and furious. Since my last blog update on June 26,
2009, I have turned a year older, hit the ground running to set up appointments to display and
sell my collection, entered my first craft show, and set up my business online. My collection is
now available at http://www.cmeicuoriginals.rubylane.com/.

During my family vacation in Savannah, GA, I was fortunate enough to make an appointment
with gallery owner and photographer Bryan Stovall. He graciously set an appointment with me
to view my collection. He is researching the expansion of his gallery to include additional works
of art outside of photography. He, as well as some gallery visitors, admired my collection and
tried on pieces. The feedback was tremendous. The name of his beautiful gallery is Bryan
Stovall Gallery & Studio on 10 Whitaker St., Savannah, GA 31401, office phone 912.238.1877,
and website http://www.bryanstovall.com/. Stovall is extremely talented. His studio displays
wonderful digital photographs of historical landmarks throughout coastal Georgia and South
Carolina, wedding photography, children's portraits, abstracts, landscapes, and seascapes. My
favorite piece in his current collection is that of "Old Sheldon Church" near Yemassee, S.C.
From its first service in 1757 to its current serenity, "Old Sheldon Church" has followed a
tumultuous and fiery history. As kids, my dad would take us there to view the grave sites,
historical markers, and play at the water pump. It's a magical and beautiful place to me. In
2002, Mr. Stovall transitioned to an all digital studio equipped with the use of computers,
scanners, and high-quality printers. He praises the immediacy of this medium.

Should you get the chance to visit the wonderful, mysterious, and beautiful city of Savannah, GA, please visit Bryan Stovall Gallery & Studio and your breath will be taken away.

Handcrafted Jewelry
for those who love
beautiful works of art!

Valeta's

I love making handcrafted jewelry. My friend Adrianne got me into making earrings, necklaces and bracelets after I saw several of the beautiful creations that she made. What I enjoy so much when starting each piece, is the giddy feeling that comes over me, when the piece actually starts coming together. It also gives me this great focus on completing the piece that I've dreamed in my head and tried to place on paper. I'm not the best sketch artist, but I try. After completing a few of what I call dream works of art, I showed them to a few friends and co-workers. They gave great feedback and then asked that I make them a custom piece. Next, was the true litmus test. Several family members gathered at my sister Portia's gorgeous home for what we called "Grown Folks Weekend" during the Memorial Day weekend. We ate, drank, shopped and told lies all weekend long. We had a ball. While sitting at my sister's dining room table, with tools and a plethora of baubles and trinkets spread around, my cousins came in the room modeling the new outfits they purchased and started making requests of me for pieces to go with those outfits. Now these ladies can dress, and dress well they do, so the challenge was on. After that inspiring acknowledgement from my family about my work, as my family is brutally honest, I churned out some really fabulous pieces for them over the next two days. With the blessing of family and friends, I have decided to put my toe in the water and see if others like my work. I think starting out small at festivals, craft and art shows, is smart. I want to test the waters to see what other people think. Hopefully you all will enjoy the pieces of my collection as much as I enjoyed creating them. Please provide suggestions and feedback.

Thank you,
Valeta

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