Life is funny. Sometimes it takes a little nudge to "take a leap of faith". In my life, it's that grinding voice in my head that kept kicking me and saying..."just do what you love and it will all come into place". And then there are all those amazing girlfriends who keep giving you the inspiration and faith that , yes, one more little nudge will help. You know who you are...you are the ones that give me the little tidbits of wisdom, words of support, those little nudges I have been tucking away for awhile...keeping track, keeping tabs on when it would be time. ...
But sometimes, driving 1800 miles, I mean 1800 miles, "each way" to Ki's "Junk Bonanza" in September where I was so honored to be asked to be a part of, I can honestly say was my turning point.
It really wasn't sitting in a car and driving 24 hours straight through from Washington State to the great state of Minnesota with my Mr. Souers. Or the fun facebooking I did with my Little Red Shop friend Julie who was also making the road trip trek (mind you, a "whole lot slower that we were") . Or the fact that my Mr. Souers was taking a leap of faith with me that "yes honey, this is the bomb of a show and we really should drive to it because I want to bring a killer display for our gems".
Or the fact that I had been working at the same place for 17 years and my aching to "just be an artist" was really taking over.
Or the fact that when I am at places like the Bonanza...
I get to be me.
And I get to have friends hug and support "me being me". Even if it means seeing if I "really can fit my little bootie in this washtub" (I later thought it could of been my "thinking tub", but I was laughing too hard wondering if I would ever get out)
Or friends that drive the distance and make sure to come find me to chat.
Or maybe it was to make me laugh some more as we stacked her finds super high
Or happy customers "so happy they were the one that one my "Lucky Friday" gift certificate....
Or make sure my Mr. Souers "isn't working too hard"
Or my Friend Jane.
Who continues to support me. See. My friend Jane and I met at another amazing supportive friend's show...you might know it...The Farm Chicks Show?
See my friend Jane is as wild as I am. And when we are together... oh lordy. It's part of my turning point that reminds me why I love being an artist and being me. She gets me laughing so hard I think I am going to pee my pants. Being me, usually doesn't involve incontinence, but laughter is good for the soul and sometimes, well, you know..
And then Jane brings out the Midwest treasures.
And then I get to bring them home.
At least I didn't bring this home...I'm pretty sure it wouldn't of fit... but man...I really wanted it.
But see, it could be all of this, or the customers who support the little artist in me.
At the Bonanza, a little nervous, I am "different that these midwest gals"...What would they think? And then my Mr Souers said as he tried to get back to the truck to get my missing pliers as the doors opened on Lucky Friday...
'Lisa, do you know what a Tsunami feels like?" (um...no.)
"Well, they are coming"... just like one...
And they did. All weekend long.
My turning point.
It had been the ache to become a fulltime artist for awhile... but my Mr. Souers (who still smiling after 2 hours sleep, traveling cross country, dragging him to "Hunt and Gather" in Minnesota and after a long selling weekend of one of the most amazing weekends...says....
"It's time".
His only request? In order for me to be as social as I love to be when I am not out and about doing shows, in my art studio basement, trunk shows, and more... I would have to get a part time "fun job".
So I did.
Coffee and Art. I walked into Starbucks and "asked them to hire me". I think he thought I was crazy. Mind you. I went in cold calling, with a Master's Degree, asking for 10-20 hours a week to be a Barista, not a Supervisor or Manager, just a barista so I could spend the rest of the time creating art. Looking back. Yep. I would think I was a bit "cuckoo" too...
He hired me 2 days later.
Today is my turning point. Today is my last day at my real job of 17 years. There's a party in my honor. Not thrilled about it... I hate the commotion, attention... just give me a sweet hug and let me do what I am striving to do.... People ask if I am afraid of leaving...I tell them no, I would be afraid to stay and not take the chance to be everything I hope to be.....
So there you go...
Support "your local artists" this season... (there's my one and only plug!)
