Rose of Sharon Jewelry

Today is International Women’s Day! Since 1911, women have been standing up on March 8th for themselves. Are you using your power as a women to help other women? Yes, I mean YOU!

Within every women is a power so great that violence, degradation, starvation, humiliation and discrimination cannot stop it. As a woman of  the 60s, I learned to stand up for what I believed in and I believe that every single woman can make a difference.

I know you’re busy raising a family, paying the bills, making dinner and keeping up with the demands of a job. But I want to encourage you to find some time on a regular basis to make a difference. Here are a few ideas and resources you might explore to help other women.

Start Young

Become a Big Sister – The Big Brother, Big Sister organization matches you with a girl at risk. Extend a helping hand to a young girl and you’ll be able to positively impact generations! My daughter-in-law Dawn is a “Big”. Her “Little” is an adorable 9-year-old from an at risk family. I can tell you that Dawn probably gets as much from the pairing and sharing as her “Little” does. Contact Big Brother, Big Sister online to locate your local chapter.

Stop Violence

Answer a phone – Women’s Hotlines around the nation need people to answer their phones and assist women and children in crisis. You will be required to undergo training but imagine the power of helping women escaping violence. Contact your local police department to find active organizations within your community.

Support Women Entrepreneurs

Build financial security – Many problems women face around the world center on a lack of financial security. War has devastated many countries leaving women with little resources to fend for themselves. As little as a $50 loan can help a woman launch her own business or the donation of a goat can create a cottage industry where milk is sold, goat hair is used in resalable crafts and the meat can eliminate starvation. Heifer International concentrates on self-sufficiency through farming. WorldVision Microloans help women start businesses.

 

Whatever you find that suits your schedule, talents and interests will reward you beyond what you commit to it. I guarantee it!

I’d love to hear how you support women and encourage others to do likewise!

 

Other Resources

• Women for Women International
• Kiva - microloans
• National Organization for Women
• Foster Grandparents – find your state program here
• Accion – microloans

Share your valuable resources for supporting women worldwide by leaving a comment below.

Thanks for stopping by again. Don’t forget to check out the newest releases in the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store.

 

A critical key to happiness is gratitude. A recent post on the  Nurturing Creativity blog discusses creating your own gratitude list. What are you grateful for? Here’s my partial list – look forward to reading yours.

 

1. A devoted husband of 30+ years who works hard to protect and provide.
2. A Mother who is always caring for others (including me and my broken ankle).
3. A son who shares our passion for progressive politics with his 12-year-old.
4. A loving daughter-in-law equally dedicated to her family and her education
5. Grandson  Hunter (12) who shares his wisdom and loves to stay up late watching my favorite B movies like Jason and the Argonauts.
6. Kael and Orion (3 1/2) – who love coming to Grandma’s house. Kael is the “big” brother and scolds me for reprimanding Orion and let’s me play with his train. Orion is the snuggly one with a devilish personality who loves to chase me with the water hose.
7. A warm, safe and comfy home (thanks Arden) where I can work, create, laugh and share all the goodness that comes from my family.
8. My passion for learning – always challenges me and keeps me entertained.
9. My writing talent is a source of pride and enjoyment.

Leave a comment today and tell us what you are grateful for.

 

Hunter before his first Kart race this past October in Sonoma, CA.

I've gotten some lovely replies to my passing the One Lovely Blog award on to others. It has been a wonderful experience that is repaying me in ways that I never anticipated. It has been a real joy to meet so many great talents and wonderful women through this award.

Throughout your day - whatever you are facing - look for the open door. Opportunities are all around us. It's just that we often misidentify them as a wall. Perhaps you'll need to put on some boots and nudge away obstacles. What does your door look like?

I know this will be an ironic post - bitching about computers while using one! I've been spending all my free time working on promoting the Rose of Sharon Jewelry web site, fine-tuning this blog, building a new Etsy store to promote a new product line, uploading pictures and researching SEO for all our online efforts. Since I have a strong computer background (which is good and bad), I often take on learning new things and doing all the minor revisions and tweaks myself.I'm tired of all of it. Computers are personal energy zappers!

If you suffer from computer fatigue - finish this post and log-off now. Hug your dog, pet your kid, read a book or bead a necklace.

Spending so much time on the computer has trigger more back pain so I am going to take Saturday off - no email, no Twitter, nothing resembling a keyboard. Laptop in the bag!

Speaking of computers - I've been participating in a Web conversation regarding "online ignorance". While I don't suffer from that condition, I do know that the emphasis on Web 2.0 is out of kilter with reality. Under Online Ignorance LOL at Home-Jewelry-Business-Success-Tips by Rena Klingenberg. I think this is an interesting concern for artists in all mediums - so I need to be online and what do I do if I suffer from "online ignorance"?  I thought I'd share my comments here so help others. Visit the conversation here.

Would love to hear about what you do INSTEAD of spending time online.

Creativity comes from a deep place within ourselves. It wells up inside us needing to be expressed. But there are many forces within and without that act like a cork keeping our creativity inside us. Busy families, demanding bosses, insecurities, lack of support, financial fears - whatever stops you from feeding your creative spirit - forget about it for a few minutes and ponder 5 Great Ways to Free Your Creativity.

Need a mood enhancer? Does the world seem so heavy lately? Help may be as close as your jewelry box. Even if financial woes aren't a constant in your life - buying a new handcrafted necklace may feel like a "betrayal" of others. But I believe that all of us deserve to be lifted up daily. A bold purple necklace or a golden yellow bracelet can be a good antidote for negative moods.

Having a positive outlook has been scientifically proven to increase your stamina, help you cope and improve your health - all things we need more of. Handmade artisan jewelry combines multiple mood enhancing features into a single, easy to use, natural solution.

• Color - look for jewelry pieces with gemstone beads, pearls and hand-polished glass beads that add a pop of color to your wardrobe.
• Reflection - necklaces and earrings featuring Swarovski crystals, precious metals and pearls reflect the light and brighten your complexion and spirits.
• Feel - jewelry isn't just a visual medium. Use your sense of touch to fully experience the coolness, heft and  movement of a treasured necklace. Touching a pearl, feeling the silver, caressing a pendant are all ways of soothing yourself.
• Sound - the faint tinkle of a charm bracelet or swinging earrings can be a Zen-like reminder to "be in the moment."
• Texture - organic, freeform stones and handcrafted jewelry designs create a grounded feeling.
• Creativity - unlike department store jewelry, one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry shouts creativity. Even a single strand of beads is a reflection of the artist's vision and soul.

Why not take a few minutes to stop by the Rose of Sharon Jewelry store to find a great new mood enhancing necklace? We'll ship it out immediately so you too can experience the joy of owning beautiful handcrafted jewelry. You'll be glad you did!

To learn more about how handmade jewelry enhances your life, don't forget to bookmark my blog or better yet - use the RSS feed (top right column) to never miss a single post!