the sheri shop ??

Brrrrrr. By this time every night the cold just creeps into every room of the house. I make a habit of turning the heat down around 8 pm because we love a chilly sleeping temp! My computer is located on the second floor in our den and it gets a little icy up here sometimes. I am usually prepared with finger-less gloves but what I really need is a nose warmer and my Uggs.  (Note to self: bring Uggs upstairs and grab a scarf to tie around my face).

So maybe you have noticed some little doodles and illustrations I have been posting and adding to my blog over the past few weeks... and well, maybe you haven't. Haha. I am slowly incorporating my passion for art/graphic design into Sheribloggins. I always hoped this blog would evolve somehow but never really knew in which way. To be honest I thought I would have deleted it long ago, but the truth is that it has become a very big part of my life. A positive part. An enjoyable part. I look forward to writing and posting and get frustrated when the ideas aren't flowing. A lot of times when I have "writer's block" I look to graphic design to get that creative energy out. 2010 helped me to create quite the portfolio since I was unemployed for most of it. Hey, everything happens for a reason, right?

I have always been told that people enjoy my drawings. Whether they are  made for something special or scratched out on a napkin - friends and family seem to like them. Being somewhat drained in the self-confidence department I had always seen my talent as average... mediocre, nothing special. I just wanted so badly to DO something with my art because I loved creating it so much. I remember going to bed one night last Fall and saying to myself (or anyone listening to my thoughts), please let me wake up knowing what I should be doing. And just like that, it happened. I dreamed of Paul. In this dream I was showing him all of my new artwork. I was SO excited to teach him about digital art since he had never seen it before. He told me how wonderful everything was and how talented I am and that I shouldn't waste it, I should get out there and do something with it. When I woke up from that dream I was sad that I never did get to show him the magic of computer graphics in his lifetime but thrilled that I had gotten my validation.
   
I decided in September that I would take my chances and open an Etsy shop after the holidays. My shop would offer digital prints, some that I created long ago and lots that were yet to be designed. I worked daily on a variety of illustrations and ideas all with quite a drive. I finally felt like I was on the right track and doing just what I should be (and I felt like I had a special someone in my corner). I am still creating weekly - as many as possible - as quickly as they come to me. I am pretty excited to soon be adding my listings. My shop is in the works, it takes a decent amount of time to get everything in order - it really is a lot of work! I spend hours each day researching, shopping for supplies, writing policies, resizing images etc. I hope it will be worth the effort but no matter what happens I will have such a sense of accomplishment. I already feel a sort of pride for just keeping my focus on this ... a lot of times I get hyped up about something and the drive fades quickly. This time, my eyes haven't left the prize. 

I will keep you guys posted as things progress. Wish me luck!
p.s. my fingers and nose are solid ice.