New Year New Me or New Year Old Me Re-visited

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

So..one of my many New Year's Resolutions was brought about by a comment that Linda (and Toby) made to me in the photography group and it really got me thinking.  To paraphrase, Linda said to me, "If you don't love it, please don't do it."  So......for 2013, I am taking her advice and I am NOT photographing people just because they ask me to (even if they are paying me) because I don't like it, and mostly I hate it.  I LOVE photographing pets and that is what I want to concentrate on.

I also would like to get back to doing the things that I love that I used to do all the time before I became consumed with a job that I hate. Unfortunately right now I have to keep this job and I feel lucky to have a job but it does NOT have to consume me and I will not let it.  I will use it as a financial means to do the other things in my life that I truly enjoy and love.  Of course you all know about my love and passion for animals, animal rescue and photographing animals.  But I thought I would tell you all that I also make stuff :)  More specifically, I make jewelry and altered books.  Pretty obvious I don't know how to photograph them though..LOL.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wow....I had no idea.  Do you have a website?   I totally love the bracelet....do you sell it?  Ronna, I 'm so glad that you got to the point where you know exactly what you need and have the courage to do it.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Thank you Jane!  Still working on that courage thing but I figured if I put it in writing it makes it real..LOL.  Yes, everything is for sale, I need money to buy the Mark III :)  I don't have a website for my jewelry, mainly because I have done it so infrequently in the last 2 years. The altered books take me so long to create and they are usually pretty personal so I do not sell them ( I gift them). I do have a photography website that Linda did for me but I think you already know about it.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yup....I want to buy a bracelet....I'll message you.  I love it!

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Very nice Jewellery and what a great resolution!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Ronna, I am proud of you. I am sending this blog to my DD, because much of what you said is what I tell her all the time about her photography. It sounds like you got it right :) I will message you, too, about the jewelry. Love it!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

If Ronna brings all her jewelry on the cruise and we feel John some rum and cokes we can get him to buy you all kinds of stuff, Laurie.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

That is an excellent idea Jane! And it will give me time to make things for your tiny wrists and Laurie's huge fingers (her words,not mine)  LOL.  I am so excited that you all love my jewelry.  I have to be honest and say it has been two years since I have created anything new so I will need to get myself back into the metal studio, purchase some new raw materials and then practice a bit..all things I am really excited about doing..BUT...also might take me a little time.  So, YES, I can make smaller bracelets and bigger rings......it might just take me until the cruise to get them to you..LOL.  Thank you for believing in me!

[Camilla and Darwin]

That ring is so stunning, wow is all I can say!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Ronna, Did I say huge? LOL Just kidding. Bring it all on the cruise.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, I am just seeing this....I like how you think :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ronna, the jewelry is lovely and unique. The pictures are fine. I am not sure what the altered books are about. Art display? They are interesting but a new concept to me.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Thank you F.  An altered book is basically taking an old hardcover book and turning it into something else...a piece of art, a journal, a scrap book.  Using paint, texture, found objects, what I call "found poetry" or creating a poem or story from the existing words in a book by eliminating or painting over the words you don't want to use.  The books can have secret pockets and zippers and pop-ups......whatever you can imagine.  The hard part was discovering that I could in fact rip a page out of a book.  I used to be one of those, only read new books, don't crease the spine, type of people.  With my first rip and slap of paint I was over it!  These are books that would otherwise be on their way to the landfill so it is fun to create something new and special out of them.