It's bee a long time - here's some catch up!

It has been too long since I've posted on here. I'd like to remedy that - I've been catching up on a few blogs that I read, and realized how much I miss this outlet.

Originally I had wanted this blog to be focused only on my craft/art projects, but I am not good at keeping my life compartmentalized, and everything bleeds into everything. That being said - there are some things happening in my life that I want to write about!

I scrolled down a little bit, and it looks like the last time I did a real update was about a year ago. I had a list of goals - I thought I'd start there!

THESIS
As of a few months ago, my thesis is done done done! Paid for, bound, and on my bookshelf! It ended up being just about 100 pages, full of impressive looking charts and graphs, and an overwhelming amount of information. Since then I have done a research colloquium at CSULB, won 2nd place in a research competition, and submitted to the APA conference in Florida (which I did not win.) I have also taken this beast and turned it into an hour talk, which I presented at the Homeschool Association of California's annual conference early this august. It was really something for me - this is the community that helped me get my 1052 participants, and I loved being able to share it. I also conducted a round-table discussion about mental health and homeschoolers, which will play into my next steps: creating a private practice where homeschoolers are my main client base, and writing more articles.

CSULB
I am DONE!!!!! I graduated!!!!!!! Woooohoooooooooo!!! 4.0 and a Masters of Science in Counseling baby!

PRACTICUM

I carry a caseload of about 10 individual clients and 1 group, in addition to training, supervision, advocacy and note writing hours. I also do outreach for this agency. Just finished up a year as a trainee, and since my degree posted...yesterday..I am considered Intern status. I also just reached about 1000 hours of experience, and only need approximately 2000 more before I can take my licensure exam. So you know - just about 2 more years...

WORK

I do outreach at my agency a few (paid) hours a week, but...yes. This is on my list because at some point here I'll have to figure it out...

EXERCISE

I have been doing water aerobics in my parents pool most days. There is a spring triathlon in February that my sisters, husband and I intend to compete in. Just gotta train...

HEALTHY LIVING

Right now what this means to me is - sleeping enough, drinking enough water, eating 80% "good", exercising most days, writing or collaging several times a week, spending time with my family, and doing purposeful relaxation at least once a day.

HUSBAND

Grateful for a guy who supported me through school, and glad to have some time now to give to him. Like i said -I went to the HSC conference recently and it was a joy to talk to people about relationships and marriage and come home even more grateful for him.

COUSINS

Last time I wrote I had cousins from Spain out here - this time I have two cousins' weddings! My younger cousin B is getting married in December -I'm one of her bridesmaids. My older cousin A just got engaged. Looking forward to both celebrations, and loving our expanding family.

MAKING THINGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE

Still owe my Aunt some painted furniture -so we have a date this week to go get more paint. Then I am setting a real time line so I can get it done in the next few weeks. I have a few other smaller commissioned items to get out the door as well.

BABY BABY BABY

Ok here's the real reason I want to write again - I am 31 weeks pregnant with my first baby! Obviously that's taking up a lot of my time and energy right now :) We had our baby shower last week and I was overwhelmed with the support, love and presents from our family and friends. I've been making tons of baby stuff... I'll take some pictures and post soon. :)

Contest time!

CONTEST TIME! Here's how it works: 1. Head over to facebook.com/royaboya and "like" that page, if you haven't already 2. Answer the survey posted on royaboya's wall about what your favorite item for sale is! 3. Sit back and cross your fingers! The winner will be contacted via facebook! The winner will get a free pair of earrings or bird decoration - depending on what they voted for! YAY!

And if you win, you will smile thiiiiiissss biiiiggg!

rosie my earring model

My awesome little sister came over yesterday with her brand new haircut and let me use her as an earring model! Thank you Rosie!!! I love these pictures... you'll find a bunch of new postings at royaboya.etsy.com and more still to come!

earring backdrops

So about 5 years ago, when I was still living at home with my family, our garage caught on fire. It took over a year to get most of the stuff back - they delivered all of it in boxes and we put it in the garage. There are SO many boxes. So many. My dad is still in the process of going through them. So every once in a while, he sends me home with another box from my old room that he has uncovered. It's very time-capsule-y, since I haven't seen most of the items for at least 5 years! There are a lot of things I didn't remember I'd forgotten about. So this week my dad sends me home with a box that includes old mix tapes (score), a CSULB trash can (how fitting, since I am back there for my Master's), my rotary cutter and matt (YES!), about 15 jars of acrylics that had gone very very bad (tossed those, sigh), and a bunch of small boards that I had painted and collaged on. I vaguely remember making them, but I do not remember if there was a purpose to them then. I hate throwing that kind of thing away, but really - what would I do with these random painted boards? Then - brilliance! I will use them for my earrings!!! Setting up a booth to sell items is an art in and of itself. I'm not good at it, I have to say. I always have so much stuff and not enough space, and I also have to keep my set-up small enough that I can pack it into my little Yaris. So... here's hoping that using these painted boards as backdrops for some of my earrings will add some much needed pop and attention-getting to my booth!

Patchwork Indie info + new products from yours truly!

I have been making some new earrings/rings this week...can't stay away from the hearts! They are so fun to make. I've been playing around with a lot of different yarns - my favorite hearts are being made out of cotton (like the picture of me wearing giant heart earrings) - they are large, but still really, really light. I love cotton.

I've also been using some handspun silk - which are pretty, but definitely more delicate and can pill up a little bit. I've used hemp - leftover from a scarf I made my cousin yeeears ago. The hemp ones are awesome - especially combined with the chain that makes them dangle. I also splurged on new yarn (gasp) (nobody's really shocked) that's acrylic but feels like a silk/wool blend - and is awesomely jewel-toned and gives an almost tie-dyed effect. Those are great too - sturdy and purty. I'm putting them on chain, and am loving the effect.

I hope folks at Patchwork do too!

Speaking of Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival... I will be at ALL THREE events this November!

LONG BEACH: nov 6th 2011 * 11-5pm the physical address for the marine stadium where the show is: 5255 paoli way * long beach * ca * 90803 BUT the actual loaction is on the corner of bayshore & appian @ the lot with launch ramps for boats (just follow the signs)

directions from the 405 south: exit at studebaker, turn right on 2nd st, take 2nd st to bayshore ave, bayshore takes you right to the lot

directions from 405 north: 405 to 710 south, exit on broadway, take broadway to bayshore ave and turn left, again bayshore will take you right to the lot

CULVER CITY: ov 13th 2011 * 11-5pm at the helms bakery between washington blvd & venice blvd @ national

From Downtown or 110 Frwy

Take the 10 Frwy (West)

Exit Venice Blvd and turn left, continue past La Cienega Blvd. heading west.

Off the 405 interchange

Take the 10 Frwy (East) Exit Robertson Blvd. Stay in second lane to the left, merge on to Venice Blvd. and veer left onto Venice heading east, cross National Blvd. and proceed to Helms Ave.

SANTA ANA: nov 27th 11-5pm 11-5pm 2202 north main street * santa ana * ca * 92706 this event takes place on buffalo street @ main street & in the harvey’s parking lot in the middle of the street

I can't wait!!!

good vibrations

Hi there folks,

I am sitting in my school library, about 2 hours early from class due to weird scheduling, wishing I had brought more crocheting to do. I thought I'd take this chance to update you on my crafty endeavors over the last week!

Last weekend I headed down to San Diego for the Good Vibrations Unschooling Conference. There is oh so much to be said about the wonderfulenss that is GV. I love the philosophy, the location, the people especially... but I was NOT prepared for how much love they had for ME! I showed up pretty late on Saturday, and decided not to set out my wares. I was saying hi to folks I haven't seen in a long time, and I was just plain tired. I enjoyed the evening, especially singing loud and boisterous girl scout songs all night.

The next day I set up my table - I had carted with me all sorts of random hand made odds and ends: earrings of course,
and magnets,
ceramics,
some beanies, bags, coin purses, bird decorations and my new rings! (and probably more, I just can't think of what). I had a pretty full table inside - and was amazed by how I hadn't even finished setting stuff up yet when I had my first customers!

Unschoolers are definitly my best customers, by the way. My favorite thing of all time is having kids come over with a few dollars and buy them and their friends semi-matching things. I was selling my rings for $1.00, so that was very popular with the younger crowd (although the older folks liked them too!) I ran out of rings and was making them on demand right there!

Amy Steinberg, an amazing and inspiring musician was playing a concert for us at the hotel. I decided to set up my stuff in an outdoor table so I could watch the show AND keep selling! I am so, so, so glad I did. Amy is fantastic, beautiful voice, and every song has a wonderful message. There were people dancing and hula-hooping like crazy, and it was some of the most fun ever. I was supposed to leave that night, and people kept buying so I kept selling...probably til 11pm or so.

The unschoolers wiped me out! I came home and had to buy a bunch of ring making stuff, and am working on more birds and earrings!

Patchwork Indie is coming up in November, and there are a few smaller boutiques in October that I am going to - so I need to get cracking.

I'll leave you with this fun photo:


Look closely, one of my birds is in there somewhere!!!

contest time!!!

I am feeling the urge to give away a free pair of earrings! Today I want to really thank the folks who have already bought some of my handmade items, so this contest is specifically for you.

Here's what you have to do to win....


1. If you haven't already, go to facebook.com/royaboya and "like" the page

2. Submit a photograph of you or someone you know wearing or using one of royaboya's items. Put the photo on royaboya's facebook wall, with a comment about who is wearing it, why they like it, or some other little bit of info.

3. Do this by September 27th.

4. I will take all the folks who have posted photos, and randomly draw one to win a pair of earrings!

Let me know if you have any questions!!!