Well. The first week in December the Universe got tired of my wimbling. It pulled out a two by four and smacked me over the head about not pursuing my dreams. You see, I think the universe really wants me to succeed in Art and Design, even when I would much rather pull the blanket up over my head and hide from the world.

That two-by-four? It’s called a layoff. Suddenly I have all the time in the world to focus on the business, getting this pile of designs I have finished ready for you wonderful folks to buy and stitch and love, and the book on how to design your own needlework done…

And then the day after, my Dora-kitten got sick. (OK, she’s four. But she’s still my kitten. And she features in the design book, so she’s even more special!) Very sick. Sick like “in the hospital for three days with kidney failure” sick.  I’ve been spoon feeding her, running her to the doctor, and trying to keep her warm in a cold house ever since (they shaved her for an ultrasound). In true family fashion, they know what’s wrong, but they can’t figure out WHY.

But you know? Through it all, I’ve managed to get my butt in gear, edit another chapter of the book, almost finish the model stitching for the snowflake pattern (Which means, that if you want it at the pre-release pdf price before the model is done and in the pattern shop, you should order it now at the Snowflake Mat pattern page! It’s an instant download, and the individual snowflakes make for great quick ornaments/gift tags!)

In addition, I put several of my beaded chatelaines on Etsy for last-minute gifts. If you’re within the US and want them by Christmas, I know I can get them there if they’re ordered by Friday the 18.  I can’t guarantee  if they’re ordered by Monday, but I’m sure there’s a pretty good chance they’d still make it.

So. The Universe is calling. And I’m making an attempt to answer it. Now if it would stop throwing sick cats at me in between steps… !

Lucinda in the Rose Garden

The website for Golden Circle Designs, my needlework and art design company is now live!

I am very excited. Also very nervous. Most of these patterns had a previous life as printed charts back in 2000 when I first opened GCD. Then I went and moved cross country, got married, and life intervened – I never reopened in my new state. Until this year. It’s been a hard six months trying to get my ducks in a row to do this. But I’m very happy with the results.

Charts are all in pdf format, so if you order them, you’ll be able to download them as soon as your payment clears.  This will let me keep my costs down — and yours, too.  If you absolutely have to have a printed chart, please let me know.  I hope to add them to the site in the next couple of months (no promises, though!) The cost will be slightly higher, however, to cover printing and packaging costs.

Currently there are items for sale in the patterns and the Accessories area. I’ll be adding more over the course of the summer, although some of the charts I have on the burners are still in the process of being test-stitched, so expect more jewelry first.

And as an Independence Day/Grand Opening  present – use the code INDEPENDENCE in the checkout screen for a 10% discount on everything in your cart.  This will be in effect until July 10.

Right now there are only a few of my id/flash drive lanyards, but I’m hoping to add several bead-embroidery brooches and goldwork pendants soon. Textiles are, after all, my forte.  I feel a little silly that my first foray back into business has been strung beadwork when it really isn’t what I’m known for!

But within a week Golden Circle Designs will be back up and legal. This weekend I’m going to layout all the existing designs into a current publishing program. And I’m still playing with website design. I’d REALLY like people to be able to download the designs in pdf form immediately after payment. But I’m thinking that might not be workable right now. So I’m still doing research…

In any case! Etsy! http://RomiPaws.etsy.com