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...