Wood Meets Metal Earrings

About This Piece

This pair of earrings manages to marry natural products with man-made products. The metal piece is from a broken belt, and the wood beads are strung with hemp. 

The price of this item is $18 (shipping and tax not included), and please remember that the paypal button under these earring are ONLY for these Wood Meets Metal earrings. There will be posts following with other jewelry available to purchase, and the Exo31 Art, LLC jewelry return policy is at the bottom of this post. If you are looking for other items that are for sale, please hit the for sale label on the left side of this blog. That will bring up all the items that are currently for sale.

Thought For The Day:
I'm a thrift shopper! I love Goodwill, and other thrift stores of the like. I love the thrill of finding an amazing secondhand item that I didn't pay full price for.

Today I thought about what secondhand really meant. Webster defines it as such: received form or through an intermediary; borrowed; acquired after being used by another; not new.

I thought about so many other things that we obtain secondhand besides clothing and items purchased at a thrift shop. What about personality traits, characteristics, habits, societal issues, faith, etc.? What about gaining the above mentioned things secondhand is good and/or bad? I mean I know that we are influenced by things on a daily basis. We see, hear, smell, taste, and touch things on a daily basis that allow us to make informed decisions. However, I am not really talking about the things that help to shape who we become. I am more so speaking of those things that are given to us without allowing us to have the option to personally encounter things on our own.

I'll use faith as an example. I am diving into an interesting read called "You Lost Me; Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church...And Rethinking Faith", by David Kinnaman. The research included within is eye  opening. The following quote explains: "Adults identify as Christians typically because they had formative experiences as a child or as a teenager that connected them to Christianity. But that connection is often shallow and on the surface, having more to do with cultural identification than it does with deep faith."

The book is specifically looking at the Christian faith, but we could flip that and look at anything in that light. Are we who we are (good and/or bad) because we have had an experience that makes us that way on our own or are we who we are because we have learned that particular behavior from others?

I know that this is impossible, but I wonder what a child who has had no outside influence of others would become. They would be birthed by parents, but the parents would not be around, nor would their parents DNA be a factor. They would be born in a world with the essentials (food & shelter). There would be no animals to take the child on as their own, and as they grew they would have the innate ability to care for themselves.

The scenario is so hypothetical, and I will never get the answer, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about it. Out of the box, random, and odd I know...but a thought nonetheless!

On My Work Desk:
I've started the fourth and final piece in the sunset series. It doesn't look like much at the moment, but it is shaping up quite nicely. I am a bit farther along than what is depicted here. My progress will be posted soon!

Corner of Gratitude:
A heart that seeks for truth

Pearls of Wisdom:
"My identity has everything to do with me and my instrument. It doesn't have to do with what production style I use, or how many people played on it, whether it's sparse or grandiose or whatever."
~ Liz Phair

Exo31 Art, LLC Jewelry Return Policy

If you are not satisfied with your jewelry, you may return it for an exchange or credit ONLY. Any item purchased at a retailer other than Exo31 Art, LLC cannot be returned to Exo31 Art, LLC for an exchange or credit. Please contact the retailer your items were purchased from. 

• Your exchange or credit must be requested within 7 calendar days of receiving it. Please notify us via email (exo31art@gmail.com) before the return.  Your package must be postmarked within 7 calendar days of receiving it.
• Jewelry must be its original, new, unworn, and undamaged condition to be eligible for exchange or credit. 
• All return shipping charges are the customer's responsibility and cannot be refunded. Please return jewelry in its original package. When shipping please make sure that the container is well padded and ship using UPS or USPS. Shipping insurance is not required, but recommended. Exo31 Art, LLC is not responsible for damages or loss incurred in return shipping.
• Information as to where to return items will be sent in response to your exchange or credit request email.
• Once your jewelry item has been received and examined, your original method of payment will be credited within one week, not including the original or return shipping costs. You will receive an email confirmation of your refund once it is processed.

Beaded Bracelet

About This Piece

This three strand beaded bracelet is a new design for me. It's beads are from a necklace that came from a broken lot of jewelry, and are held together by new waxed cotton cord. It is 7.5 inches long with a knotted pull through clasp.

The price of this item is $28 (shipping and tax not included), and please remember that the paypal button under the bracelet is ONLY for this 3 Gold Mix Bracelet. There will be posts following with other jewelry available to purchase, and the Exo31 Art, LLC jewelry return policy is at the bottom of this post. If you are looking for other items that are for sale, please hit the for sale label on the left side of this blog. That will bring up all the items that are currently for sale.

Thought For The Day:

This is one of those almost thoughtless days. It's not that I don't have any thoughts running around in my mind, but I am learning to put them in their respective places. They all have categories of their own, and I refuse to let the fusing of them together to take me to a place that leaves me feeling out of control. 

So good morning blog world...it's a good morning indeed!

On My Work Desk:

The third painting in my sunset series is complete! This one was a tad more tedious because of some of the line work that needed to be done, but I am pleased with the outcome. I started the fourth and final painting in this series yesterday, and look forward to sharing some photos of that with you all soon.

 The first layer of paint 

Finished bottom portion

Corner of Gratitude: 

Living in the present moment

Pearls of Wisdom:
"There are moments in life when it is all turned inside out--what is real becomes unreal, what is unreal becomes tangible, and all your levelheaded efforts to keep a tight ontological control are rendered silly and indulgent."
~Aleksander Hemon

Thanks a bunch for purchasing, reading, commenting, and following! Until next time...

Be blessed!

Exo31 Art, LLC Jewelry Return Policy

If you are not satisfied with your jewelry, you may return it for an exchange or credit ONLY. Any item purchased at a retailer other than Exo31 Art, LLC cannot be returned to Exo31 Art, LLC for an exchange or credit. Please contact the retailer your items were purchased from. 

• Your exchange or credit must be requested within 7 calendar days of receiving it. Please notify us via email (exo31art@gmail.com) before the return.  Your package must be postmarked within 7 calendar days of receiving it.
• Jewelry must be its original, new, unworn, and undamaged condition to be eligible for exchange or credit. 
• All return shipping charges are the customer's responsibility and cannot be refunded. Please return jewelry in its original package. When shipping please make sure that the container is well padded and ship using UPS or USPS. Shipping insurance is not required, but recommended. Exo31 Art, LLC is not responsible for damages or loss incurred in return shipping.
• Information as to where to return items will be sent in response to your exchange or credit request email.
• Once your jewelry item has been received and examined, your original method of payment will be credited within one week, not including the original or return shipping costs. You will receive an email confirmation of your refund once it is processed.

Procrastination

About This Piece:

I have been on a pin kick, and here is another. This one is similar to the first pin that I posted. It came from the same broken belt. I added a polka dot fabric and some hemp.  It is about an inch wide and long, and can be worn either way.

The price of this item is $20 (tax and shipping not included) and please remember that the paypal button under the pin is ONLY for this Brass Hemp Pin. There will be posts following with other jewelry available to purchase, and in the event it is needed, a return policy is at the end of this post. If you are looking for other items that are for sale, please hit the for sale label on the left side of this blog. That will bring up all the items that are currently for sale.

Thought For The Day:
The past few days have been a little rough in terms of work. There have been lots of excuses..."It's raining outside!", "It's sunny outside!", "I had a busy week last week, therefore I deserve a few relaxing days!"...on and on and on!

The reality is, I have been procrastinating something terrible. Those excuses were overtaking me and allowing me to get much of nothing done. I have been feeling super lazy, which is a huge problem. When this type of procrastination happens, it is harder than usual to bounce back.

Several months ago, I started to make to-do lists on a daily basis. It was working great for me. And then...I stopped. I stopped at the time because I thought that I could keep everything stored, compartmentalized, and prioritized in this brain of mine. It worked for a few days when I was fresh off of working with lists, inspired by my progress and still accomplishing what I needed to without one. However, when those things dwindled I was left with the dreaded P word.

I hate procrastination! I hate it with a passion! It would be the constant thorn in my flesh and perhaps a permanent resident if I allowed it to be. The good thing is I recognize procrastination for what it is, and too slick to remain in it's grasp.

I realize I must go back to my daily to-do lists. I am most productive when I do. There are no excuses from here on out!

Corner of Gratitude:
ability to be a free spirit with some organization

Pearls of Wisdom:
"Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy."
~ Wayne Gretzky

As usual...thanks for purchasing, reading, commenting, subscribing, and following! Until next post...

Exo31 Art, LLC Jewelry Return Policy

If you are not satisfied with your jewelry, you may return it for an exchange or credit ONLY. Any item purchased at a retailer other than Exo31 Art, LLC cannot be returned to Exo31 Art, LLC for an exchange or credit. Please contact the retailer your items were purchased from.

• Your exchange or credit must be requested within 7 calendar days of receiving it. Please notify us via email (exo31art@gmail.com) before the return.  Your package must be postmarked within 7 calendar days of receiving it.
• Jewelry must be its original, new, unworn, and undamaged condition to be eligible for exchange or credit. 
• All return shipping charges are the customer's responsibility and cannot be refunded. Please return jewelry in its original package. When shipping please make sure that the container is well padded and ship using UPS or USPS. Shipping insurance is not required, but recommended. Exo31 Art, LLC is not responsible for damages or loss incurred in return shipping.
• Information as to where to return items will be sent in response to your exchange or credit request email.
• Once your jewelry item has been received and examined, your original method of payment will be credited within one week, not including the original or return shipping costs. You will receive an email confirmation of your refund once it is processed.

Listening Skills

About This Piece:

Here is another pin folks. This one is quite simple and comes from a broken belt.  It is 2 inches in height or width, depending on which way you decide to wear it. 

The price of this item is $12 (tax and shipping not included) and please remember that the paypal button under the pin is ONLY for this Turquoise Pin. There will be posts following with other jewelry available to purchase, and in the event it is needed, a return policy is at the end of this post. If you are looking for other items that are for sale, please hit the for sale label on the left side of this blog. That will bring up all the items that are currently for sale.

Thought For The Day:

I have to be honest and say that listening in the past was not one of my strong suits. In a casual conversation it would appear that I was listening (there was always silence and an intense stare in the eyes), but in my mind I was formulating a response to a conversation that I couldn't possible know about because...you got it right...I WASN'T REALLY LISTENING! 

So, I've come a long way and have learned to silence the racket that tries to take over in my mind while having conversations with others. It's amazing the things that you will learn if you just take the time to listen. I've learned a lot about myself, and a lot about the one I am engaging in conversation with. My interactions then become a little more sincere as my heart lends itself to the cares of others. It's pretty powerful to say the least!

Corner of Gratitude:
The peace that comes with a still mind

Pearls of Wisdom:
"So when you are listening to somebody, completely, attentively, then you are listening not only to the words, but also to the feeling of what is being conveyed, to the whole of it, not part of it."
~ Jiddu Krishnamurti

As usual...thanks for purchasing, reading, commenting, subscribing, and following! Until next post...

Exo31 Art, LLC Jewelry Return Policy

If you are not satisfied with your jewelry, you may return it for an exchange or credit ONLY. Any item purchased at a retailer other than Exo31 Art, LLC cannot be returned to Exo31 Art, LLC for an exchange or credit. Please contact the retailer your items were purchased from.

• Your exchange or credit must be requested within 7 calendar days of receiving it. Please notify us via email (exo31art@gmail.com) before the return.  Your package must be postmarked within 7 calendar days of receiving it.
• Jewelry must be its original, new, unworn, and undamaged condition to be eligible for exchange or credit. 
• All return shipping charges are the customer's responsibility and cannot be refunded. Please return jewelry in its original package. When shipping please make sure that the container is well padded and ship using UPS or USPS. Shipping insurance is not required, but recommended. Exo31 Art, LLC is not responsible for damages or loss incurred in return shipping.
• Information as to where to return items will be sent in response to your exchange or credit request email.
• Once your jewelry item has been received and examined, your original method of payment will be credited within one week, not including the original or return shipping costs. You will receive an email confirmation of your refund once it is processed.

If For Only One!

About This Piece:

I don't make pins often, but as I told a friend...I just needed to create this. The focal point of this Cheetah Chain Pin comes from a broken belt, the chains that are hanging from it hail from a broken necklace, and the fabric was purchased. It hangs about 4 inches long. 

The price of this item is $20 (tax and shipping not included) and please remember that the paypal button under the pin is ONLY for this Cheetah Chain Pin. There will be posts following with other jewelry available to purchase, and in the event it is needed, a return policy is at the end of this post. If you are looking for other items that are for sale, please hit the for sale label on the left side of this blog. That will bring up all the items that are currently for sale.

Thought For The Day:

About two weeks ago I created what is called an info-doodle for my business and my life that contains vision and mission statements for both. I have come up with both before, but not quite like this. This go round I had the help of an awesome business group that I am so honored to be a part of. There were some edits, but I finally came up with four solid statements (two mission & two vision). 

I received some very kind words attached to this blog via an email. Come to find out my blog has been encouraging to her. It was at that point that my life mission statement came alive to me: Tene' is an integral renaissance woman committed to sharing her God given talents with the world as a vehicle to encourage people to seek a greater relationship with God.

It hit me smack in the face. If I was writing, sharing, blogging...creating to encourage only one person (even if that one person happens to be little ole' me) then it is all worth it. I will write on, share on, blog on, paint on, draw on...you get the hint! I won't stop! The one is depending on me...and according to my mission statement, I am well equipped to deliver!!!

P.S...for as much as these writings may encourage you all, I am far more encouraged when I receive kind words from readers. It really does ignite a continued pursuit to be aligned with my mission and vision, which is all tied to my purpose!!!

On My Work Desk:

Sunset piece is in construction. I did some more layering, and now the drying process. I am super excited to get some paint on here!

Corner of Gratitude:

The ability to share with others

Pearls of Wisdom:

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift."
~ Steve Prefontaine

As usual...thanks for purchasing, reading, commenting, subscribing, and following! Until next post...

Exo31 Art, LLC Jewelry Return Policy

If you are not satisfied with your jewelry, you may return it for an exchange or credit ONLY. Any item purchased at a retailer other than Exo31 Art, LLC cannot be returned to Exo31 Art, LLC for an exchange or credit. Please contact the retailer your items were purchased from.

• Your exchange or credit must be requested within 7 calendar days of receiving it. Please notify us via email (exo31art@gmail.com) before the return.  Your package must be postmarked within 7 calendar days of receiving it.
• Jewelry must be its original, new, unworn, and undamaged condition to be eligible for exchange or credit. 
• All return shipping charges are the customer's responsibility and cannot be refunded. Please return jewelry in its original package. When shipping please make sure that the container is well padded and ship using UPS or USPS. Shipping insurance is not required, but recommended. Exo31 Art, LLC is not responsible for damages or loss incurred in return shipping.
• Information as to where to return items will be sent in response to your exchange or credit request email.
• Once your jewelry item has been received and examined, your original method of payment will be credited within one week, not including the original or return shipping costs. You will receive an email confirmation of your refund once it is processed.