Lisa Souers Designs

A turning point.

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!)

 

 

The End

It's the

End of Summer.

 

I finally gave into socks.

And realized I haven't blogged for months. 

 

But I realized even though

The End of Summer is Here

 It's just been grand.

 

 

It included an amazing Barn House Show that Mr. Souers thought "loading in" was the "Cheese to his Macaroni".  Seriously simple. 

And Incredibly Fun.

with

The Most Amazing Fun Boys Ever

 

And of course I didn't take pictures because I was too busy "sweating to the oldies"

in Good ol' Portland Humidity

 

But I "borrowed a few pictures from other blogs

Tiffany and Jermonne in all their glory...they had me gut busting I tell you...

 

 

I think Jermonne took this picture of me "hard at work"...

I do like to tell the Mr. I do "work hard". 

Thank you for the proof!

 

We brought some great gems

 

Made some great new friends.

And saw some friends we hadn't seen in awhile

 that were so wonderful to reconnect with again

 

But with the end of Summer

comes the

 

End of The Tigers Era

 
 
 You can tell they were "so upset."

 

You see, it wasn't just about

'So Many Summers of Tiger Ball"

 

It was about Friendship and Fun

 

 

To me it was about Family

 

 

So the

 "End is Near"

 

But

 

The Fun is Just Beginning

in a whole new part of the Country

 

Won't you come Join Us?

 

 

An Interesting Adventure....

 

 

Every Christmas

 (minus last year where it didn't "feel like Christmas")

 

We Venture to Albuquerque.

 

We use to "drive to Albuquerque from Yakima.

 

If you Mapquest that you will see it is about  1300 miles.

 

A wee bit of a roadtrip.

 

Mr. Souer's amazing family lives there.

 

One little adventure one Christmas on our 1300 mile trek  through "Snowville" had more meaning than we care to remember.

 

We now fly to Albuquerque every Christmas.

 

This year I wanted to have more of

An Interesting Adventure that did not involve Snowville.

 

And Semi's Sliding Sideways.

 

And Me Screaming

 

"We will never drive to Albuquerque in the Winter Again."

 

"We shall search for Aliens and Adventure 754 ft below the Earth."

 

Mr. Souers thought "Marathons of College Football Bowl Games"

with his father would be oh so much more fun than that.

 

I thought a road trip with my Little Sister in Law and My Favorite Girl

Would be a blast.

 

 

 

So off we went.

 

Packed our bags

 

 

And hit the Road.

 

 

I get made fun of that I am a huge

 

"Believer of Roswell Alien History"

 

 

 

And being in Albuqerque for the holidays.

 

"We are only 3 hours away."

 

Candace has never been.

(I was shocked)

 

Hannah thought it would be a blast.

 

(Candace has always thought I was a "bit off")

 

 

First Stop

 

Roswell, New Mexico.

 

 

 

My goal.

 

 

Seek the Truth.

 

 

 

 

Okay, not really out loud.

 

But inside.

 

Maybe.

 

 

Outside.

 

Take as many pictures of Aliens as I can.

 

We started at the McDonalds.

 

I hate McDonalds , except for the salty fries.

 

 

So when their local McDonalds was created like a Spaceship, what a perfect place to start.

 

An Alien graced our presenced right outside

 

 

And the sign behind it was oh so perfect.

 

 

And the Street Lights were all Alien Heads...

 

 

I was in

"HEAVEN "

 

I could hardly contain myself...

 

And then the Motherload.

 
 

Whew....

Cover up Documentation everywhere.

:)

 

But we shall move on.

 

Next Stop

 

Carlsbad Caverns

 

 

 

754 ft down an elevator

10 football fields of the most amazing caverns

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

I don't think the Caverns are on the

Seven Wonders of The World

 

 

 

 
 

 

But They Should Be.

 

And they are still discovering more Caverns everyday.

 

After a very long 2 days and maybe too long underground.

 

I just wanted to be a

 

Ranger for the rest of the Day.

 

 

It did make for

An Interesting Adventure.

 

One I am sure My Favorite Girl will remember.

 

And my Little Sister in Law won't forget either.

 

 

An Untraditional Holiday

I've never been very traditional.

 

The whole Big Bird, cooking the entire gynormous dinner, more pies than anyone can and should eat and the fact that I don't have a gynormous family and most of the pies, and wheat and eggs and dairy makes me a wee bit ill...

 

( I do so miss my Mom's Homemade Apple Pie and Pinwheel's made from the leftover piecrust....)

 

But my bigger excuse for an untraditional holiday?

 

 

 Because we can.

 

And I like to create memories that are, a wee bit more on the "Souers Tradition."

 

A Wee Bit Untraditional.

 

Last year.

 

Tore out the Kitchen.  Literally. One year ago.  Ripped it. Gutted it.  And the week before this year. Completed it. (I truely will be showing the final product...just been a wee bit busy)

 

This year... Won a week in a Condo to the "Beach".... asked if I could trade it to somewhere else as I am "not a beach for a week kinda gal"..... me sit for a week at the beach? 

Egads..  I would chew my own leg off.

 

So since it was a time share condo.... and Vegas was on their list....

Why not?

 

 

Booked it...

 

And for our Thanksgiving this year...

 

 

 

We ate at "The Hash House".... friggin amazing!!!! 

It was the 2nd time Mr. Souers and I had ate there... the Girls arrived the night before The Big Day and had to introduce them to "portion distortion" for Thanksgiving  "Hash House" way...

 

They loved it too...

 

Then "Love" Beatles inspired Cirque du Soleil"  was on the agenda for the 4 of us...

 

 

 

Hannah brought her bestie.... 

 

 

They loved it as much as we did.

 

Then of course we played and played and played...

 

 

Hannah achieved her goal of

Meeting Elvis

 

She had to prove to her Unleashed Editor "she was there" with her article

 

 

(we don't gamble, but Vegas is a place to play)

But I did stalk the Poker Tables as I was so intrigued at learning how to play

 

 

A wrong turn...ended up at Hard Rock Cafe....they pretended they "really met KISS"

 

 

 

Many more pictures and sights...

 

I think the "other tourists thought I was a bit "different"

 

 

Yep, they were correct.

 

The girls has so many great comments

(and many that weren't quoted from the Hangover)

 

Her bestie ..."I have never had so many "firsts" before

Never rode on a plane

Or on a  roller coaster

Been to a big show

Seen so many "interesting people" before

 

 

A great "Untraditonal Holiday.

 

I attempted to cook turkey Sunday when we got home.

 

Can't Breathe....

Can't Breathe....

 

 

Is it because I shouldn't be wearing a Dress that I wore in the '80's....

 

 

 

Or Because I fly by the seat of my pants for most of my days....

 

I don't know how many times I said that at Timi's Ruffle  Ball the other night...

Or that I hadn't eaten all day just to fit into my Old Prom Dress.

 

I find any reason to Just Be Me.....

 

Everyone Should.

 

And not worry what others think of you.....

 

I seldom do....but sometimes I do....  And then I remember who I am... And get reminded of it by Mr. Souers.... That I am who I am and that is who he fell in love with oh so many years ago....

 

 

So I decided on a whim, I would make the journey to this fun whimsical show in Monroe.... ( honest Abe here.  I had "No idea" where Monroe, Washington was and by the time I got to North Bend, I had to pee so bad, I stopped at the Chevron where I always stop because I know they have a clean bathroom and don't make you feel guilty using it without buying anything...). 

I thought it would be a good time to throw on Gilda, GPS..... The iPhone one is great, but I need a talking one, or incoming traffic will not like me.

 

Gilda has not been updated in 2 years. 

 

Alot has changed in 2 years.

 

She said "take a right at the light". I do try to follow directions.  Sometimes.

 

Who knew that the town of "Carnation" and "Duval" were this way?

 

Alrighty then.  Took a Right.

 

And caught my self sightseeing and becoming "Count Dracula" counting the amazing Barns along the way....

"One Fabulous Barn".... ahh ahh ahh.

"Two Fabulous Barns"....ahh ahh ahh.

( no pictures here....just trying to catch the sites, listen to Gilda, and stay on the road I have never been on ...)

 

Better mind the road to "Duval" or I will have to explain this prom dress in the backseat to the Sheriff that is following me.

At least I didn't have it on....The explanation would be so much easier this way...

 

I really wouldn't be able to breathe if I wore it the entire way.

So.

 

Solo Journey. 

 

I am amazed that more people don't do this as I love solo journeys. 

 

Got to my room.  Dressed.  Heard that little voice....

 

"Are you serious"?  There better be other's dressing up or Timi is going to get an earful.

 

Hear a commotion in the hallway...

 

About 10 decked out women from up North ....(can't remember where....that's part of my next blog entry of "my memory issue". It goes along with...."When is the next 2nd Saturday's show?

 

Get to the Ball....

 

Amazing.

 

The vendors, the spaces, the outfits, even John and Bob were styling some great vintage tux ruffles....

 

Got some amazing treasures....swore I would not be dragging home a giant cabinet in a prom dress...

 

I didn't....just a few amazing trinkets......

 

Tippy of Tippy Stockton's Jewelry had some amazing gems for sale...

 

 

and Isabel was as hilarious as ever....

 

 

 

I have to say I got some great treasures, but the best times was laughing with friends when I could "breathe"....and thank goodness for Auntie Joy's booth... I just copped a squat on her bed/chair at the end of the show and truly couldn't get up it was so comfy, I was so tired...and she had me laughing so hard, I didn't want to leave....

 

 

 

 

Connections....

I try not to be late to the party.

But this blogging thing is a work of art.

Literally.

Who can blog every day?

In my head. Yes.

 

I blog in my head about all the amazing people, places and things I do, see, cherish, and so forth.

 

But to put it in writing on a daily basis is

 

A work of art.

 

But the connections we create with it and what we do outside of our daily life is priceless.

 

And sometimes they are right in our own neighborhood.

 

And it takes going across the country to realize it.

 

 

 

I cherished The Creative Connection Journey for many reasons.

 

The Adventure

 

The Great Stuff out there.

 

 

 

(Got a chance to race through The Junk Bonanza and drool, literally over all the Midwestern Industrial, rusty, crusty, chippy, lettery, vintage treasures I could not take home in my suitcase)

 

And see Jane from Mustard Moon's killer display that was to die for....notice the Victorian Ceiling Tin back drop... breathtaking.

 

 

Got to hang out with Heather Bullard on a couple occasions...

She is as down to earth and sweet as pie as Serena and Celeste are.

 

 

 

Then this wild and crazy Gang.

 

 

Who would of known that some of my best times at The Creative Connections would of been hanging with my West Coast Gang?

 

 

But Kecia from Lemoncholy also made it more than worth it...

 

 

Had to go far away, away from our "daily life", out of our comfort zones to connect all together,...and have a gut busting fun time together.

Build connections.

 

Just like Jo wanted us too.

 

I don't think she meant it with statues in the park.

 

 

But I think she meant for us to really reach outside of ourselves, our comfort zones to create, to connect, to do more than we thought we could do.

 

If that is what she had as a vision for her first Creative Connection event...

 

For me...

It was a Success.

 

And thank goodness Rolane lives close to home so this stink'in "S" didn't have to be crated to make it to my "Souers" home!

 
 

 

 

A Little Creative Journey

 

 

A couple weeks later life is back to it's normal crazy pace..  I don't think I would have a non-crazy pace as I wouldn't know what to do with myself, but taking a little Creative Connection Detour journey made me realize just how crazy of a pace I keep.

 

But that's another blog post...

 

This little blog post as I am sure most of you have seen the amazing photos and stories of the First Creative Connection event by Jo and Nancy and their entourage of amazing gals...

 

 

Back up a bit. 

 

A year ago, my friend Jane of Mustard Moon calls....

 

" We would really love for you to be a vendor at the Creative Connection Event in September"...Love to have you in the Handmade Market..."

 

Mind you...if you have met Jane, she is a little firecracker and saying no to one of my nicest friends is hard for me... But I do have limits.

 

Minneapolis?  Set up a display?  Seriously? 

 

I do fly by the seat of my pants on most adventures, but this one caught me off a bit.

 

How do I create a display that is not in a 10ft x 30ft space that I am use to at Serena's amazing show that would really show my jewelry line, my style, and then "get it" to Minneapolis, set up for 4 great days, and then break down and come home?

 

Yep.  Pondered Jane's plea, and didn't just fly this time.

 

Honored?  Yep, for sure.  Listening to that "Little Voice in my head that is never wrong" saying..."Whoa Nelly.....think about it before signing on the dotted line."

 

(mind you, it's one voice...not two... )

Two equals a professional assessment and medication) 

 

One is the "little voice that I always need to be listening to when making decisions, that is always connected to my "gut instinct".

 

It's never wrong.

 

Little voice.... "Whoa Nelly"... (who's Nelly in my head"?) 

 

Can you really pull this off?

 

Stronger Little Voice:  "Oh Heck Ya."  "I wing bigger things than this"

 

Alrighty Then.  "I'm in."

 

Notice the "I".... 

 

If you have seen me at Serena's show, it's never an "I". 

 

It's a Mr. Souers busting serious hauling techniques out, a darling "redhead", who is no longer a "wee one", selling up a storm, my friend Pam making sure she is in money collecting mode and feeding me. 

 

 So an "I" world?  Little Voice...."just do it and stop processing what could go wrong, just remember what you are capable of".

 

I love my Little Voice.

 

And Mr. Souers, and my Hannah for reminding me the last few months of busting to get the "I" ready for this Creative Journey,  to get out of the art studio that I do have a family life too. 

 

So Mr. Souers, the creative genius, Display Maker goes to work.

 

 

My Rules, "Display has to sit on an 8ft table, funky, industrial, all vintage, unique and never been created design and one that I can add my two cents in the production of".

 

His Rules: "Function, durability, cost factor, shipping ability and if I can't bring it back, sell it, pay it forward to someone you really want to have it, or throw it in the trash as I am building a box for it that there is no way you will be able to ship it home factors" 

 

I love my Mr. Souers.  He's so.... logical.

 

Then production of enough product for a 4 day show that I have no idea how many people will be shopping at.

 

First box...Cylinder, Can't lift alone.  Fed ex dude asks what the heck is that? How do I explain?  Weighs in at 59 lbs....Center is stuffed full of supplies, needed goods.

 

Second box...Weighing in at  68lbs...including the functionability of suitcases, vintage fabulous trays and supplies needed for a show.... I have never been so organized in my life.

 

Two boxes, shipped directly to the Hotel...arriving the day before myself..

Then I get there...and the Whoa Nelly comes back....I am not liking this voice!

 

I see this. 

 

 

Oh dear God what have I gotten myself into.... Really?  I have a "Ghetto Girl Table" compared to these Midwest Gals....

Unreal the COOLEST displays that are being transformed before my eyes.

 

 

I head back to my space, praying for an IV drip of anti anxiety medication.

 

Instead of get this text from My Hannah.

 

 

Deep breath.  Little Voice. "Remember who you are and that you beat to your own drum." I remember. 

 

I set up. And love what I have created.

 

It starts with this....

 

 

Fuzzy picture... not into photos right now... just getting my act together...

 

 

Mr. Souers, almighty display builder creates this amazing industrial rotating jewelry display that sits on a vintage stool base...

 

 
 

Add some of my vintage suitcases that were completely packed full in box # 2

 

 

My favorite little business card holder.

 

Have to create a "new sign"....... letter modification due to liquid nails exploding in the double zip lock bag to put on the glass letters upon arrival....

Adjusts and stands on a vintage music stand.

 

Add some vintage metal trays for displaying my trinkets...

 

 

 

And I think I am done... Simple, functional, shippable, and "very me".

 

In this moment I remember who I am.  I compete with myself and am very content with what is ....

 

And I was unpacking  my new industrial spinning Jewelry Display that my oh so amazing Mr. Souers created.  From my head to his hands...I knew long ago we were a great team.

 

And finally all set up.  Still searching for that IV drip at random moments wondering how this will all play out... until a lady says to me that night...

 

"I love the simplicity of your display....it's a breath of fresh air".

 

She had no idea of her timing.

 

And for me to load a 24 ft uhaul in at Serena's show... this was quite a feat for me to just be.

 

So this is part one... See I told you.  Behind. But a promise that I would share.

 

Was it amazing?  Little Voice isn't saying Whoa Nelly anymore.

 

It's saying.... Don't ever doubt what you are capable of doing, because this was an incredible event that I was so blessed to be a part of, honored to have someone think I fit into their amazing world." 

Because as I learn daily and from growing up "beating to my own drum", I don't always fit in, I really am a shy soul, I create what I love, I do what makes me happy and surround my self with those around me that accept me for who I am.

And at the end of the day and this event...

"Wow" was the little voice. 

Incredible, fullfulling, a learning experience in many ways.  A reminder of "what is" and how I have a part in creating that...

 

I'll share the rest of the adventure next...

It includes a Snarky Hell's Kitchen Bartender that you should never let choose your drink and dreaming of all the amazing treasures that Junk Bonanza had to offer that would not fit in my suitcase on the way home.

(and yes, I was willing to throw away everything in my suitcase for shopping purposes...)

 

Lisa

Heading Out Of Dodge Soon....

 

Not Sure Where "Dodge" Really is....

 

Feels like it's here Sometimes...

 

But I love Dodge...

 

But Am Really Going to Love

 

This Little Adventure...

 

 

 

Can't Wait To Share When I Return .....

 

 

 

Braggin Rights

A Very Long Weekend.

 

Started with a "Trip to Portland"

 

Spent the night in my truck.

 

Crazy Junker I know.

 

Had to get up early for the Biggest Antique Show in town.

 

Needed a Cabinet.

 

Scored this.

 

 

Won't hold dishes or be a counter space...but it will land somewhere  in our home..

 

 

And a really cool OPEN sign for our kitchen...

 

 

Then raced to the Tri Cities...about 3 1/2 hours away to make it to the State Softball Tourney to root on my Tiger Gals.

 

 

Okay they don't look like this...but my Vintage Tiger is in honor of them. 

 

 

It was only pushing 100 degrees in the desert ever day.

 

 

She was still smiling tho...

 

 

 

"3 rd place" at State.

 

 

 

Not bad for a bunch of Hot Smelly Girls.

 

 

 

Bragg'in rights.

 

 

 

 

Earned.

"Chance Encounters"

 

I truely believe that we never have "chance encounters in life". People cross our paths for a reason.  There are never just chance encounters in that every person that crosses our path, whether it be the grocery checkout person who remember to give us the right change back, or someone "you accidentially meet" on a shuttle bus , we are meant to meet.  We may not know it at the time why we held a conversation with that person, or our paths have crossed at "just that moment". .. but was it really just a chance encounter with that person....

 

But there is purpose.  And if we live with our "eyes wide open" and in that moment, just notice that chance encounter, something may come of it.

 

My friend Lucy is just that.

 

I met "Lucy", aka, Roberta on a shuttle bus a couple years ago at art classes.  We chatted.  Was it a chance encounter?  I believe our paths crossed at that moment for a reason.

 

We have been great friends ever since. 

 

Last week more than once I have been reminded of the value of true friends and what that means. 

 

So when Lucy said she would be up from California and wanted to spend a day in Seattle before heading to art classes in Port Townsend ("and had never seen Seattle!"), I jumped at a chance to see my "Chance Encounter Lucy Friend"....

 

So, how do you show someone in a few hours Seattle who has never been?

 

Why you take them on a Duck of course!

If you have never been, you must take the "cheeseiest, 2 hours, land and water tour of Seattle" 

 

 It's a great way to see a glimpse of Downtown Seattle and Lake Union...and yes, it goes in Lake Union too.

Lucy thought it was pretty cool.

 

Of course we had to see Pike Street Market as well...

The colors were in full force of Fall...

The next time you casually "meet" someone, ask yourself the question.

"Was it really by chance our paths crossed or what was the real purpose today we talked, or met? "

 

What would of happened if I played shy and didn't say hello to my Lucy Friend that day on the random shuttle bus?

 

I wouldn't  want to know.