Happy New Year! New Changes for the New Year...

{Portland, Oregon Spring 2012 Loretta Fontaine}

A New Year!

I'm thinking of some changes here at APPLESandRUBIES, namely a name and focus change.

When I started blogging in 2010, APPLESandRUBIES was a great name, as my life was a balance of my jewelry design business (the rubies) and everyday happenings (the apples!).

{Portland, Oregon Spring 2012 Loretta Fontaine}

Now in 2013 with ALL three kids in school, (Son H is in first grade), I have more time to pursue some goals that I've always been kicking around in my head.

I've written a book on Eco-friendly living, (Eco-Happy: Three Steps Towards an Eco-Friendly Life) and am developing new products (not just jewelry anymore!) in my studio that are earth-friendly.

{Portland, Oregon Spring 2012 Loretta Fontaine}

I'm in the final stages of editing my book: photo selection and placement, page layout... I realize this could take forever and need to give myself a good firm deadline to just get it done so the book can get into people's hands! (That is the goal, right?)

...and I've already developed and finished a new eco-friendly product - recycled paper notecards that feature photography from my book. I had them printed last October and brought them to the local craft and farmer's markets here in Albany, New York. The new recycled notecards came out beautifully and... Sold Out! I will be ordering more, soon and hope to do a recycled paper notecard giveaway on my blog as soon as I get them!

It was SO much fun to develop a new product, and I have lots more eco-friendly products in my head.

{Portland, Oregon Spring 2012 Loretta Fontaine}

So where does that leave APPLESand RUBIES? Okay, I LOVE the name, but think it's time to change the name of the blog to relate to what I'm doing NOW. I reserved a "new" blog name on both Wordpress and Blogspot and am going to work to get a new blog up on both platforms and choose my favorite.

Meanwhile, I'll keep writing on APPLESandRUBIES until the new blog is ready for a big unveil.

Do you have big changes for the New Year?

Loretta

p.s. Do you have a preference for a Blogspot or Wordpress Blog? I think Maria of Colour Me Happy and Camilia of Effortless Style switched to Wordpress. I would love some advice here...

Resolutions for 2011

After reading Maria Killam's 2011 resolution post on her blog Colour Me Happy, I'm compelled to write a list myself.  Nothing like a little blog peer pressure to hold my feet to the fire! Here goes:

{Can you recommend a good paint to cover tiles?}

1. Paint over the crocus tiles in my kitchen. We bought our home less than three years ago, and I cannot look at these tiles for another year. So much to remodel in this house, but I'll make my resolution manageable!

2. Revamp my Loretta Fontaine Jewelry business logo, blog and website. The logo and website looked good five years ago, and now look a bit dated. And this four month old blog APPLESandRUBIES? - time to give it a more professional shine!

3. Do a dive off the board and swim the four strokes decently -Front Crawl, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly for 25 yards each, with a proper turn at the wall between each stroke. I'm heading to my fourth Intro to Competitive Swimming Class next Tuesday. Please wish me luck on this one - My flutter kick is not fluttering.

{Penciled in dreams: a peek into my sketchbook}

4. I'm really thrilled on how amazing 2010 turned out for my business, but for 2011, a dozen new jewelry designs, including a bracelet (I'm asked every year!)

{inspiration board of designer Barbara Barry}

5. Put up a beautiful inspiration board in my jewelry studio.

May I guest blog for YOU?

6. Be asked to be a guest blogger on three blogs in 2011,  I'm ready and willing! Any topic you can dream up! Email me!!!

Wish me luck! My seventh and last  resolution would be a bit open-ended: look for bliss and balance. Balance between family (yes, I have a husband and three kids) and business, and bliss in exploring new opportunities with an open heart!

Loretta

Do you have any resolutions you'd like to share? Add them in the comments below!