This is a picture of my gorgeous brother and his family - wife Emily and their four kids. We never tell each other how much we love each other, instead relying on calling each pet names like "Pig" (mine for him) and and "Vomit Head" (his for me). But as he is about to embark on the journey of a lifetime - of six lifetimes, really - I have to say that I am proud and nervous and excited and in awe of his fearlessness and his pursuit of true happiness and of his dream.

Chris and his wife have just sold their house and everything in it save for beloved kids' toys, and bought a magnificent red sailboat with a berth for every kid and a home theater. Always home schooled by certified elementary school teacher Em, they will now learn aboard with the world as their classroom. The kids have never been happier or more excited, and my brother seems to be himself again - a true, sweet, fabulous, interesting incarnation of him that I have only glimpsed but not seen in a very, very long time. Bad things have happened for him, and he is back from it all and pursuing his lifelong dream. His heart has been sailing for as long as I can remember, and it strikes me that while I am a nester, a writer, a crafter, having wanted a home of my own for as long as I can remember, he has been wishing just as hard for this. And yet we are so much alike, and so much a product of the youthful 60's idealism of our groovy mom who said that kindness, art, and happiness are all that need matter - a simple idealism that seems to hardly exist anymore.

I have new fabric flowers in my shop, pinned on my favorite dress and on half made purses in my studio, and am making paper terrariums in old jam jars, all unfinished as I make my living as a freelance writer and wonder when I will really finish my novel and do what I was put on earth to do, fully and completely as Chris and the crew of five do just that and prepare to set sail. I love you and I am proud of you all. Pig.

Home Sweet Artsy Home

It's snowing here in Sherman, Connecticut, and I have my cup of coffee and all day to work. I browsed through a home design magazine just now and realized that, although it used to be a favorite pass time, it held no appeal for me this morning. With every stylized room and overly perfected kitchen all I could think was, "I'd rather be in my home". What a nice feeling! Our house with a kitchen smaller than we would like, with less closet space than we could use, and higher ceilings than we can affordably heat, is where I would most like to be. Handsome husband and I built much of this home ourselves, stained and painted and hung doors and gardened and re-gardened and then sat back to enjoy before starting again. We have a lake view that's breathtaking in every season, a wood stove that makes splitting and stacking all those cords of wood worth it, and an unfinished loft that awaits bookshelves that will someday house the hundreds of books that patiently sit in the attic wanting a room of their own. And of course, the chilly basement shop/ studio where all of the art and magic of BeBox takes place. Now that's a Connecticut home I can get behind.

Next up on Etsy: Valentine's Day Boxes and Mother's Day boxes (thank you Gary from the Danbury FD for reminding me of that holiday last night as he helped to get a friend's keys out of her car). Now, off to try to make a living as a freelance writer to support my habit as a craftsperson! Have a wonderful day, wintry or not, no matter where you may be.

Happy 2010

Happy New Year! The end of 2009 found me suddenly unemployed and losing a person whom I had come to love. And yet... we visited amazing friends for Christmas, witnessed strength and family in abundance, and I made two sales on Etsy in one day on the last day of the year - cementing the belief that the Universe is telling me to get back to my true creative spirit, the only part of me that never wavers, the part that is the heart of me.

Our kind and fabulous friends Bob and Miwa let us stay with them in Philadelphia (and thanks to Gabe for giving up his room for us for a weekend) and welcomed us as warmly as they always do. Lots of much needed laughter sprung from that weekend and a new poem for me that I am holding dear as I travel forth this year. I should have been familiar with it already, but the piece that was hung on their wall spoke to me in a much needed way. So I share it with you and hope that in 2010 we all find ourselves in the places in which we were meant to be.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Christening & Birthday times 2!

All three of my recent commission boxes are finished, and I am so grateful to have spread my wings (no pun intended) a bit on these. Both birthday boxes have a new personalized curled ribbon on top and photos inside on the padded lining, swarovski crystals on the sides, and lots of happy touches, while the Christening box for baby Brooklyn has roses (her middle name!) made of pink paper that all read "Brooklyn" across the petals... as do the tails of the angel's bow. Pink swarovski crystals lay inside a few of the roses and across the front of the box. Her initials are embroidered in pink and lined with white inside on white silk dupioni (my favorite material), and beaded white silk makes the gathered skirt. A pink glass angel keeps watch over the box as doves fly above the garden made just for her. Happy Birthday and Peaceful baby wishes lay inside.

Goodbye Halloween, Hello Thanksgiving!

Halloween was a great, fun time and I enjoyed the frenzy of black and orange ribbon and spooky boxes, but now.... it's time to put away my costumes for another year (at least in public!).

Autumn is so beautiful in New England, and though the days are getting shorter and the nights a bit colder, it's a great time for me to settle into my basement studio and get crafting even more.

I recently completed similar (but not identical!) birthday boxes for a twins' 21st birthday gift, and am working on my first box to top a Christening cake. I love the process of thinking up new ideas and of trying to make each box special for it's owner. So far so good. I'm embroidering initials inside on silk, and a glass angel adorns the top. And an easy flower choice on this one: The baby's middle name is Rose! Stay tuned for photos as soon as I'm finished.

My favorite wedding cake topper was entered into the Martha Stewart Wedding Craft contest, hosted by Martha Stewart and Etsy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but there are countless beautiful wedding bitties on Etsy and I'd truly be happy to see any Etsian win!

Anyway, as always, email me if you have any questions or would like to speak with me about a handmade box. And don't forget to visit my store on Etsy (just click on the link at the top!).

All New!

Hello! Fall is here and with it many new boxes and bits on the Etsy site. Inspired by many how to sites, I will be adding a few new "How To's" of my own. Anything specific anyone wants to see? Let me know and I'll post it!

Some of the things I'll be posting:

How to:

-line a box with padded lining
-make a personalized paper flower
-use scraps for a whole new project
- incorporate a favorite photo or paper clipping into a box

I hope you like it! Let me know and I'll post anything else you've seen on my Etsy store.

Fall is around the corner

Despite the beautiful warm weather and boats still in the water here on our lake, Autumn is coming, and with it even more Christmas items to choose from on BeBox and Etsy. Please take a look and thanks for supporting handmade!