When I visit a blog, I have no set rules on what I hope to find there....
a little eye candy is nice, usually in the form of something vintage or whimsical or just slightly off-kilter.
Even more so, I truly appreciate someone who can turn a phrase well,
who can draw remarkably vivid word pictures with such clarity
that I feel as though I've known them for ages.
is just such a person.
I remember well the first time I came across her blog.
I was hooked instantly, this gal had it all!
Impeccable style, unerring grace, the uncanny ability to transform the ordinary
into something transcendant.
Yep, she had all of those attributes in spades.
But that wasn't what kept me glued to my monitor reading her posts
for the better part of an afternoon.
It was her willingness to get real, to risk vulnerability, to share her hopes, her dreams, her fears.
All the rest, the striking visuals and the lyrical prose, was just icing.
I will likely never meet Elizabeth Maxson in person, but ultimately, that matters little.
To borrow and tweak her customary sig line,
she has sent so much of herself to all of her readers, from her house to ours.
That's the sort of blogger I want to be, too.
So, in the spirit of "getting real", I have to admit that I've been
wrestling with a lot of fears and insecurities
regarding the direction I hope to take with this blog.
Nothing specific or insurmountable, just a mish-mash of irrational neuroses
forming an interior perfect storm.
I have absolutely no intention of letting these pestering doubts derail me,
but it's been a bit of a struggle of late to keep the faith.
I'll share more on this as the days progress,
but suffice it to say that today and tonight have been a low point.
No pretty pictures in this entry, save for the one of lovely Elizabeth.
Just a little peek into my noggin with the hope that the cobwebs and tumbleweeds
in there haven't scared you off!
Blah, blah, blah, wrap it up, Annie. ;-)
Goodnight, sweet friends.
~ Anne
It is wonderful to find a blog you just feel like wrapping yourself up in...Glad you found the one that makes you smile and gives you what it takes to be a better blogger, we all need that, xoxo~Kathy~ @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...
ReplyDeleteI have met Ms. Elizabeth at my last blogger party and I can tell you she is just as real and sweet as she portrays in writing her blog. She's smart and knows the market and what's going to work or not work and just has such wisdom to offer us that may at times be scared to adventure out on our own. But if you don't take risks you'll always wonder, could I have done this and would I have been a success at it and if you didn't accomplish all you may have wanted to along the way, well at least it was a journey and you hopefully learned from it. I'm often nervous too at doing what I want to do because I want it to be the best it can be. You are right on target with following your dreams.
ReplyDeleteOh how I, too, adore Elizabeth. She's one I'd definitely invite if I were having a blogger's weekend somewhere! :)
ReplyDeleteHey you! YOU WON ONE OF THE STARBUCKS CARDS! I just announced it on my blog, so I just need your address, etc.
Congrats and have a great weekend!
Ruth
Anne, I love your blog. I can identify with what your going thru right now. Leaving a secure income and a proffesional job is not an easy thing. Do you already have a location? Do you have enough inventory? Are you going to have vendors? Do you have starting cash flow? I know, so many ?. I probably sound to you like I'm about to tell you not to do it. Well, it is all the oppositte but there are a lot of more questions. Are you willing to work more than you have ever work in your life? Are you ready to love, serve and cather to your costumers? How is your faith? You will need a lot of that, actually I don't think you can make without it. You will have to pray for grace, resiliancy and every other good trait. You will have costumers that will love you and support your dream. Then there are others that will try to beat you down with their unkindness and bad attitude simply because they can. If you can develop a thick skin and grace is abundant you will make it. The retail business is not a secure income and our kind is for sure a big hunting and exploring expedition( that is the part I love the most). For a while you might not see a monetary return disregarding how much you put into. Just hang in there. I have a shop for 11 years, started the whole thing with a room worth of stuff and minus $15 after I pay all my deposits. My husband make me promise that I will never ask him to support the shop monetarily. I was to be 100% responsible for everything shop related. Scary, I cried for weeks not knowing where the money will come from. The amazing thing is that I make it. I do not worry about anyhting anymore. The shop is supporting me these days. I tell the ladies dreaming about owning their own business to stop dreaming and go for it. One detail, do not go about it naively. Be educated and knowledgeable, know your stuff. Annie, in other words, you will need God and then you. You are your best resource, the place where visions and dreams come from. I call myself unhireable, since I dream, live and breath what I do. I want to do this until the day I die. Join the group of visionares, crazy, inspiring, fierce, artistic, leaders, creators, all special women. We are out there, empowering, helping, blessing, loving, creating, inspiring, etc. Be happy to be living in this day and age, I do, I'm living my mom dreams. Fear is parallizing.NO FEAR. God bless, Marta.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne~
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via Garden Antiques. Elizabeth's picture got my attention..I have 'met' and cooresponded with her via email..and I agree with you 100%. I'm a big fan too.
Somehow you comforted me by admitting your fears of opening a shop. I'm just planning to open an online shop on 'etsy' and I'm scared to death! It's such a vulnerable feeling, isn't it?
Anyhoo~I'll be praying for you as you pursue your dream.
You have a beautiful blog!
Blessings,
Myrna
Dear Anne, I guess I'll throw my 2 cents in on this. Have you had a space at an antique mall or flea market before? You may have said, and I just don't remember, but for me that has been the test of the amount of time that it takes and a way to slowly ease into the idea of a full committment.
ReplyDeleteRecently I had some health issues that are serious, I let go of a primo spot because of the amount of time and energy I was expending on it. I know you're young, so I'm not comparing myself to your situation, other than to say that I honestly tried to quit doing this business, and soon found, as I felt better, that I had a huge hole in my life. So the question I would have you ask yourself is to imagine yourself with a full time, consuming "baby". Would your life be what you wanted, or would that "take away" from your family, relationships, and homelife?
I'm still involved in the business with a couple of smaller spaces, but I would love to have the creative outlet that I had before. My motto has had to be. "Be balanced in all things", otherwise the people you love, and yourself will suffer.
I have met Elizabeth and I agree with T, she is genuine and not afraid to tell it like it is. She ultimately let go of a fabulous store when she knew in her heart she had to focus on herself and her health! I love her to pieces and read every morsel from her.
I'll be praying that God gives you direction and makes your path clear.
Be Blessed, Anne,
Debra
Wow, y'all have met Elizabeth? Maybe it's within the realm of possibilty for me, too. Coolness!
ReplyDeleteKathy~that's exactly how I feel. I'm just sort of sad that I discovered her so late. She doesn't post much anymore.
Theresa~I'm so glad that you confirmed what I suspected about Elizabeth; that she's every bit as delightful in person as she is online. And yes, I know that if I don't follow through and at least try, I will always regret it.
Ruth~thank you, sweet friend! I'll be sending you my address jiffy pronto.
Marta~I wish I had an e-mail or a link back to you. You shared so much that resonates with me. You've given me much food for thought, and I so appreciate your advice. Yes, I am willing to sacrifice and to toil, because to me, it won't feel like work. It will be a complete joy and a fulfillment of a life-long dream.
Myrna~another gal that's met Miss E! Please, let's keep in touch, okay? I really feel that we can encourage and bolster one another as we are both dealing with similar struggles.
Debra~nope, I have never done anything like this before, hence my fears. But I am a creative gal by nature, and my spirit is fed by the creative process. I really do feel that I have something to offer, I just hope someone else out there thinks so, too. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Have a great weekend, y'all!
~ Anne
Anne, please don't think I'm trying to be a "party-pooper" or rain on your parade. You sound like an energetic, creative, focused woman. Because you have voiced some apprehension, and asked for our opinions I thought I would have you look at all sides. In the past I was involved in a store where the two owners had never had a booth, and had no business experience. They had so much talent and creativity, but ultimately they shut their door because of the demands of the business. I want you to succeed! So do what your heart is calling you to do, have fun and be blessed!
ReplyDeleteDebra
Hey Girl, that last comment I made was pretty personal, so if you choose not to publish it, don't worry. Same for this one. I think you're fabulous...so don't think I'm trying to be a downer.
ReplyDeleteDebra
Hey Debra,
ReplyDeleteI think you're fabulous, too! I really do appreciate hearing anything and everything about the business. Please, continue to be truthful with me and share it all! I meant what I said when I started this blog, I'm here to learn from YOU. So keep it coming!
Love ya!
~Anne
Anne:
ReplyDeleteThank you for including all of us in your dreams. I do not have a blog, Margo told me that makes me a lurker. I read blogs about an hour every evening. Texas have become a small town since I started reading blogs. I have managed to meet some of the ladies, and believe me they are all as nice as they seem. I have the feeling that you are probably very close, that means I will be visiting your shop someday. Let me know if I can help you, I love to share info. My email is craftymarta@yahoo.com. BLessings, Marta
What a lovely, heartfelt exchange of support and ideas. I am loving following your blog and look forward to more - I find "realness" so refreshing and have little tolerance for snobbery or a sense of superiority. Best wishes to you for a clear picture of what you should be doing and then go for it!
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI tried to post a comment, but I don't think it went through so I will try again. I feel a little funny posting, but so very honored to have read so many lovely comments. Anne, thank you so much for the encouraging words. I stumbled across this post and it made my day. It is so encouraging to read about so many creative, passionate, smart, thoughtful, caring and compassionate woman helping each other out. I am so honored to be a part of that. How I would love to have all together for a gab fest. :-)
You inspire me to continue to write and create and enjoy your time as a store owner. I have NO regrets over the years as a store owner. That season of my life was very well spent and the tons of experience and stories that resulted are priceless. I love, love, love the business and will never tire talking about shop owning. I am so very proud of you and in my book, anyone who has the guts to step out and "put it out on the line" is a success.
Congrats and I do hope we meet someday.
All my best.
Love
Elizabeth
A new year seems like the perfect time to launch a long held dream, doesn't it? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGail
The Kramer Angle