Our Dogs are like our children……. July 9, 2009

Well, what can I say…….we have the best two dogs on the planet. Both of which came from the dog shelter. First we got Cassie or Cassadaga. She is a pitbull mix that was in poor shape. She was scared of everything…..and I mean everything. She wouldn”t walk up stairs, she threw-up every time she went for a ride in the truck, and she trusted no one. I don’t know what I was thinking getting this skinny, scared, non-friendly dog but I saw something in her. Now she is my best friend!! She sleeps with us….snoring like an old man. She loves to go swimming, she loves to play and she loves everyone. She even smiles when she sticks her head out the window when we are on our way to the dog park. And she is a great guard. Having a pitbull barking at your front door doesn’t hurt. But everyone that knows Cassie loves her and thinks she is the greatest. I would honestly take a bullet for her……she is the best dog in the world.
And then we got Pickle……again he was a pitiful sight. He was small, shivering, and had the worst case of kennel cough I have ever heard. I picked him up, he melted into my arms and I was sold. I was not leaving without this dog. My fiance was not convinced. We just bought a new house and he didn’t want a new dog tearing it up. So I begged…..and begged……and pleaded, and he finally gave in. (I knew he would eventually!!) The shelter was going to put him down that evening because he was so sick and they didn’t have the resources to treat him. The next day we picked up Pickle from the vets office. And for the next two months we endured countless steam showers and sleepless nights with Pickle coughing his brains out. I really thought he was going to die. But he pulled through. And now he is the spunkiest, cutest, most loyal dog around. And him and Cassie are best friends. Pickle also sleeps with us…thank God for king size beds!! Our life wouldn’t be the same without our two mutt dogs and I will forever be thankful that we have them in our lives. They are like our children….our hairy, smelly, playful, loving children.

** Please adopt from shelters…..these animals need homes!!

Nesting……… June 24, 2009

So, I’m 7 months pregnant and going crazy…..in a good way. We are painting the walls bright new colors. We have bought new couches. We even planted flowers in our yard!! All in anticipation for our little girl. I want the house to be perfect for her. I’m organizing, deep-cleaning, scrubbing, and washing everything. Who new base boards could be so clean?? But during all this preparation for her arrival I have to stop and remind myself that kids won’t remember a new couch, a freshly painted wall, or clean base boards. What they will remember is how much love you gave them, how many kisses you showered on them, and how many times you stopped everything just to be with them. I can’t wait till the end of August so I can show this little girl just how much she is loved.

Does being pregnant spark creativity?? May 27, 2009

Since becoming pregnant I’ve become more creative!!  Once the morning sickness passed I’ve been designing like crazy.  So that’s why I posed the question, “Does being pregnant spark creativity?”  I was having a design block and then over night…..Boom……I have more ideas than I know what to do with.  Great, right??  Being pregnant might have been the best thing for my jewelry line!  Thanks Baby!!  I think my daughter will be a creative little soul because she is already inspiring me to be more creative.  Maybe its the kicking in my belly or my craving for all things fruity either way I’m happy to be designing and flexing my creative muscle.  Life is Good!!

Elizabeth Gilbert speaks on Creative Genius at TED February 12, 2009

Elizabeth Gilbert (author of “Eat, Pray, Love”) gives an amazing speech  at the Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference.Video provided by TED.com

Elizabeth provided a truly inspirational speech. She starts with the thought that her best success may be behind her now, and questions her way of coping with this thought as she continues to create in the future. She explores ancient thoughts about coping with the emotional risks of creativity.

In  the past Creativity was believed to not lay within the human body, but to be a divine spirit that came to human beings from an unknown place for unkown reasons. It has gone by many names…The Greeks  called the spirits Daemons, Socrates was believed to have had a Daemon. Romans called the spririt a genius and believed that it lived in the artists home and helped the artist creat his work.

As the ages past by the Genius changed from being a spirit, to being a part of the human psyche, and a part of the person.  Elizabeth elaborates that this may be why so much pressure and madness falls on those who choose to seek out and follow that creative voice.

She ends her speech with a plea to keep exploring and expanding and searching for everything that you believe in. And offers an OLE to everyone who continues on their journey with the creative spirit.

In my mind the Creative Genius is called the Inner Voice. It speaks to us in many different ways, and doesn’t always tell us what we want to hear. It pushes us past our boundaries and preconcieved notions of what life should be like. It opens our eyes to the thought that we truly can accomplish anything in this life, in this world of limitless possibilites. Once intuned with this Inner Voice you can see past the inconsequential, and tap into this “consciousness” or “awareness”  where life is not merely a series of repetitious days, but a truly amazing journey into the unknown.

Whatever you may call it, or however you feel about it, OLE to you, and good luck on your journey.

If you would like to see where my journey has taken me, or would like a daily reminder of the journey that you are on,  please take a look at my spiritual jewelry.

Chakras – Spiritual Jewelry – Inner Voice Designs February 8, 2009

Hello everyone. Major updates today. I have just added a new line of Chakra Jewelry Pendants

I would like to thank Anodea Judith, Ph.D. for her descriptions of the Chakras. You can visit her website at http://www.sacredcenters.com/

Click on any of the links below to be taken to the individual chakra page or go to Inner Voice Designs Chakra Jewelry Pendants to see a complete list

	Chakra Seven -  Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra Thought, Universal identity, oriented to self-knowledge This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss *see top for reference The Inner Voice Designs “Sahasrara: The Crown Chakra Pendant” should be worn to align to your inner wisdom and be open to your higher consciousness. This chakra is where one can find true wisdom and the nature of all understanding can be experienced. This is the energy point at which true enlightenment and a form of self-realization can occur. Once opened you expand your awareness to more than your body. You expand your perspective to everyone and everything, everywhere at all times. You are fully human and fully divine at the same time! .
	Chakra Six – Ajna: The Third Eye Chakra Light, Archetypal identity, oriented to self-reflection This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye center. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us “see the big picture.”*see top for reference The Inner Voice Designs “Ajna: The Third Eye Chakra Pendant” should be worn to center your spiritual awareness and refine your perceptions. This energy point is considered to be the point at which the conscious and the unconscious knowledge come together to open up our psychic and intuitive abilities. It deals with your inner vision, intuition and intellect. You can perceive profound insights from even marginal success at opening the third eye.
	Chakra Five -  Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra Sound, Creative identity, oriented to self-expression This is the chakra located in the throat and is thus related to communication and creativity. Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language.*see top for reference The Inner Voice Designs “Vishuddha: The Throat Chakra ” should be worn to feel connected to your truth, and be empowered to express it. This energy point is located at the base of the skull and is mainly associated with our ability to express what we think, feel, desire, and detest. Once opened this chakra will help you communicate effectively.
	Chakra Four – Anahata: The Heart Chakra Air, Social identity, oriented to self-acceptance This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven. It is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, have a deep sense of peace and centeredness.*see top for reference The Inner Voice Designs “Anahata: The Heart Chakra Pendant” should be worn to nurture your spirituality and provide the ability to love unconditionally. It is located at the heart center. This chakra deals with love, courage, touch and intimacy. Once opened this chakra can open up your heart to the true undeniable beauty in the universe as it is used to connect the body, mind, and spirit.
	Chakra Three -  Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra Fire, Ego identity, oriented to self-definition This chakra is known as the power chakra, located in the solar plexus. It rules our personal power, will, and autonomy, as well as our metabolism. When healthy, this chakra brings us energy, effectiveness, spontaneity, and non-dominating power. *see top for reference The Inner Voice Designs “Manipura: The Solar Plexus Chakra Pendant” should be worn to inspire self confidence, courage, and personal power. This Chakra is known as the “Power Center”. It stores our judgments, opinions and beliefs that we have gathered throughout our lives; about ourselves and the world we live in. Once opened this Chakra will bring tremendous power and can be used to summon great strength.
	Chakra Two – Svadhisthana: The Sacral Chakra Water, Emotional identity, oriented to self-gratification The second chakra, located in the abdomen, lower back, and sexual organs, is related to the element water, and to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change.*see top for reference The Inner Voice Designs “Svadhisthana: The Sacral Chakra Pendant” should be worn to be in touch with your true feelings and develop trust in relationshps. This Chakra is located just under the navel. It is home to our feelings and creativity. Once opened energy will flow freely and bring about a positive energy in our lives.
	Chakra One – Muladhara: The Root Chakra Earth, Physical identity, oriented to self-preservation Located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. It represents the element earth, and is therefore related to our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence. *see top for reference The Inner Voice Designs “Muladhara: The Root Chakra Pendant” should be worn to feel grounded and centered in your personal life. It is located at the base of the spine and deals with making a commitment towards yourself and to others. It gives us the stability we need to endure the trials of our everyday lives. Once opened this Chakra will open us up to the beauty and wondrous opportunities that life has to offer.

New Spiritual Jewelry Line – Mayan Astrology Pendants February 8, 2009

Ive just added a new line of spiritual jewelry…Mayan Astrology Pendants.

The Mayan Calendar  encompasses much more  than just another way to keep track of time. The Mayan Calendar has been created to provide a better understanding of the past, and give us insight into what the future may hold.
Many believe that the the Mayan Calendar is predicting the end of the world in 2012, but others believe this is just a new era, a rebirth, a new beginning.

Whatever you may believe, we can all agree that the Mayans have provided us with much more than just another means to standardize time, but increased our awareness to the knowledge of the past, and the possibilities of the future.

Find your Mayan Astrology Pendant and wear it as a reminder of all that you are and all that you are intended to be.

Do what you love and the money will follow…… September 18, 2008

Do what you love and the money will follow……..That’s every artist goal.  I’ve never been one to do a nine to five job and I don’t think I ever will.  Life should be lived to its fullest.  And iving life to its fullest means to do what you love.  That’s why I design jewelry!!  Do I make a ton of money??  No.  And making a ton of money has never and will never be my goal.  I just want to live my life the best way I know how.  I want be the happiest I can be.  And I want to be the best person possible.    And I want to know that when I’m old and grey that my life was great.  That I loved and was loved.  That I was daring and different and lived life to its fullest.   Life is Good…..no matter how much money you have in the bank.  Just be happy, do what you love to do, and the money you need will follow.

I’m finally settled……Tennessee September 8, 2008

So, we moved to Mufreesboro about 2 months ago.  It’s been crazy and overwhelming……but mostly crazy!!  I’ve lived in California my whole life (except for a a year in Mt. Shasta to live with my Mom) so the idea of moving across country was scary.  I’m loud…..I’m sarcastic…….I’m tattooed!!  Would all these “home town” people like me??  As far as they are concerned I live in sin with my boyfriend!!  Don’t forget it is the Bible belt!!  What the hell was I thinking?  We bought a house (it’s really cute), adopted a new puppy for Tyler and started our new life.  I have to say that it is going really well.  My neighbors are really cool.  I’m still designing  my jewelry.  And life has picked up right where I left off in California.  LIfe is Good and it’s only getting beter!!

Kelly Defernez
Inner Voice Designs