following my heart..

Hello again...it's been awhile. 2011 ended with construction & chaos in our home amidst the holiday season. The contractors finally left a few days before Christmas. Then we quickly found a tree and hung our decorations and stockings up just before Santa arrived. 

Now a new year, a fresh calendar, another birthday and a strong urge to revisit my old dreams that I had set on the back burner for awhile while we began our little family. Now is the time to follow those almost forgotten dreams. I'm going back to school! My youngest will begin kindergarten next fall and I should have a bit more time to study and hopefully continue to paint & create. Graduate school with children, I can only imagine, be challenging. But so worth it when I finally become a teacher in a field that I'm very passionate about. Art Education. 

But with changes and fresh starts, there is a clearing and simplifying that occurs, because I know I don't want to do it all. So, I've made the decision to cease making dolls and toys indefinitely, and close up my bumblebird shop. I still have quite a collection of toys remaining, so I will keep the shop open for the next few months. Every item has been reduced in price up to 50 percent. I need to make room for the books...

I'm so incredibly thankful to my customers and friends for their support and encouragement as I took on this amazing journey during a chapter of my life when I needed to carve out a little creative time for myself while raising my babes. Thank you. 

I'm still painting & making things I love and will be sharing new creations from time to time in my other shop.  

I wish you all much love and good fortune in 2012!

xoxo

Comments

[Elma]

Oh I am sorry that you are going to close shop but happy that you are doing what you need to:) Best of luck with everything in2012:)

[Momo]

Happy New Year! Good luck with your new endeavours!!

[margaret]

That's exciting, though your dolls were absolutely amazing. We will treasure our elf even more!! Good luck with your schooling and your future endeavors!

[kellie]

Glad I was able to snag a doll when I had a chance. You will be missed but following dreams is what life is for. Raising little ones is hard work, and making, and being and trying to stay sane through it all. I teach Art to Children and I LOVE it. It's the most rewarding job I have other than being a mother.

Art touches in ways that people can't understand and the right teacher can make a big impact. Being an artist and a Mom, you will catch things others may have missed , but you will know and your students will know. It will all be worth it.

Best of luck to you.

[Sue Borton]

So glad I got to "know" you through your blog and your etsy shop. I love the prints and the stuffed toy I got from Bumblebird! I have enjoyed so much reading your posts and seeing what new things you have created. I learned the
whole new world of Etsy through Bumblebird and even though I have not had time to open my own shop, I hope to someday. Not sure what I will put in mine yet, but it is so
fun to see what so many talented people are creating. I hope that you do publish the children's book someday, that you spoke of in your blog. You are an incredibly interesting writer. I wish you all the best of luck with your education. It will be so worth all the hard work when you are finished. My daughters have continued on with theirs while raising little ones. It is hard, but so rewarding. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us! PS We have sunshine in Oregon today!

[Alya]

Have a happy life! I will cherish my Hallowe'en kitty while wishing you luck in your future at school.

[mindy t]

SO HAPPY that we have several of your creations living with us. Good luck with everything!