If there is one thing that I have learned from reading all sort of blogs over the years is that, “sharing the love” is a good thing. I guess you could consider it paying it forward. Maybe it is virtual karma to some. However you look at it, I think it is a good thing. I mean, no one who starts a blog does so without being inspired by at least one blogger (in my world I think there must be hundreds), so why not pass along the uplifting praise and mojo – wouldn’t it eventually come back to you? Even if it doesn’t…it’s just a nice thing to do.
All that to say, today I want to “show the love” to someone in my world that is just getting started online, much like me. Alicea, over at Owl and The Monkey, has hit the ground running.
I met Alicea through one of the Project Managers I work with. Her fiancé, Lin, and she moved from Rhode Island out here to Tucson a year ago (along with their sweet pup, Melo). Alicea is a very talented cook and creative soul. When she moved out here to support Lin I can only imagine what a difference it must have been: from green to brown desert: from cool and humid to scorching and dry; from family and friends, to starting over with new relationships. Over the past year the two of them have pondered how best to move forward while staying inspired, and gainfully employed (not always an easy feat). I’m thrilled that I get to work every day with Lin (he’s adorable and makes me smile…not everyone can bring a smile to your face even when you are both stressed to the max and busier than body should be!), but I also wanted Alicea to find her happy out here as well. I’m pretty sure they have figured it out, and I have all of my fingers and toes crossed for their success.
Alicea is now using her wonderful knack of junking, antiquing, and re-purposing to create a life and business around her passions. Recently she and Lin took a trip back home and went on a big buying spree at all sorts of antique places on the Northeast coast. Every time I visit her shop on Etsy I find myself drooling and dreaming as I peruse her fabulous finds. They were so sweet to bring me back his amazing canister of buttons for my future creations. Not only did it inspire many ideas in my crafty head, it brought back so many memories of sitting in my Grandmother’s sewing room with her jars and containers of buttons. I hope I'm not the only one who slips back in to great childhood moments when sifting through buttons. I feel like those jars of buttons were the beginning of the development of my creative spirit.
I hope you will take a moment to hop over to Owl and The Monkey and see the wonderful vintage items they have. I am certain that her finds will inspire you…maybe send you to Pinterest (you can follow ME and ALICEA) to look for ideas to use and incorporate your purchases from this amazing lady!
(FYI – I did not receive any bribes, cajoling, under the table payment or even delicious cups of coffee to endorse this shop…I’m doing it because I just plain like her and I want to!)