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.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

An interesting way to make art, indeed.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I love your jewlery, your photography and your attitude. I think you did great at photographing the jewlery. I love the rings and thepicture of therings.

Thanks for the inspiration! It's tough having a job that doesn't bring out our passions, but that doesn't mean we have to let it run our lives. Great message, thank you!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Thank you so much Sherri.  Hoping my new attitude sticks around :)  Keep reminding me, will you?

[Leslie and Halas]

Your creations look great! It sounds like you have a great attitude heading into the new year!

[Kathy]

I love your work!  I am new to jewelry making but I love it.  Great resolutions!  You can do whatever you set your mind to!!!

[Linda and "Toby"]

Ronna, I LOVE your jewelry and your book! (And I'm so happy to hear about your decision to stop taking people pix.) You should definitely put these on the site. And your photos are perfect just the way they are - very artistic.  

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Good for you.   Love the bracelet and altered book.  I am a scrapbooker and a card maker and have the stuff to start making altered canvas's (sp?) but just haven't had time to sit down and get messy LOL!

[Sheila & Finnley]

Love your stuff !

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ronna, your photographs and your creations are lovely.  What a gorgeous ring.

[Linda and "Toby"]

Ronna, I find myself being drawn back to this thread, over and over. I'm so in awe of your photography, jewelry, and artwork. :)

On the topic of New Year New Me, or New Year Old-Me Revisited...I have three goals that I'm revisiting - and I'm determined to achieve them this year. #1: is to put myself "out there" as an artist. #2: Finish editing several books that I've written and self-publish them. (Years ago I collaborated on a book with a teacher in  Norway, and it's being used as an English book in her elementary school.) I'm doing a ton of research on how to format books for print and for Kindle ebooks to sell on Amazon. I'm also developing strategies for marketing them via social platforms, such as FB and Pinterest. Once I've got my own books published, I plan to help other writers do the same. #3: Write and blog more. On that note, I posted a new blog today: http://bellcreativegallery.com/what-do-you-do/ :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Loved your blog....in my mind you've always been an artist and a writer....that's just how I think of you.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I love this Linda, and I agree with Jane. For me, you have always been Linda the artist, and a source of so much inspiration!