FEAR! the upside

Hello Beautiful,

Has fear ever stopped you from doing something? Is there anything that really, really scares you?

I have made more than a few choices in my life based on fear and I have to tell you that ultimately (and in hindsight, which is always a much better view) they have never turned out to be in my best interest. I could beat myself up and live with a whole lot of regrets, OR I could try to face my fears and push myself forward, in the direction of my dreams. That sounds a bit better don’t you think?

Overcoming a particular fear is how I got the bright idea of signing myself up for a triathlon. I wanted to do the mini one, the Sprint, but being the procrastinator that I am, by the time I went to sign up the Sprint was already sold out and only the Olympic triathlon was still available. (That requires a one mile ocean swim, yikes!)

Well I had already told everyone and their brother that I was doing a triathlon. I find this a helpful way to hold myself accountable and force myself into actually doing what I plan… So not signing up was not an option. Now I’m all signed up for the Malibu Nautica Triathlon. Exciting!

I have always considered myself a strong swimmer, I grew up on an island for pete sake. As it turns out I’m not as good of a swimmer as I had thought. I think that when I was younger I was just more fearless and when you believe you can do a thing, of course you can. Well I am no longer fearless, and after nearly drowning in the ocean last year I have developed a particularly intense fear of being too far from shore.

This has definitely hindered my surfing and my overall enjoyment of being in the ocean.

I have been running, riding my bike and working out since January but had yet to actually get into the water. That is until yesterday. As fate would have it I met a fabulous woman at the beach last weekend who is a triathlete and she offered to swim with me. (Bow to the ground in gratitude to you Rosalie:)

Yesterday was my first day swimming. I showed up at the beach, put on my wetsuit and headed for the surf. Luckily the waves weren’t too big, so swimming out was not a problem; that is until I made it past the break and looked at the Oh so distant shore! Panic. Overcome with that primal, irrational fear. I say irrational because I was actually fine. And yet I felt afraid, really afraid and I said so. I was hoping that I wouldn’t freak my new swimming friend out too much, but I was scared and I just had to say so out loud. Rosalie being the goddess that she is was so nurturing. She said “let’s swim ten strokes then check in, ten strokes and check in”. That seemed manageable and sure enough I went a decent distance and made it back to shore without drowning.

I could have stopped there, but then again I would not have really overcome my fear so today we got in again, this time join by another fabulous woman.

Today it wasn’t as scary and I’m betting tomorrow will be even better, and by the time September rolls around and I have to swim for a mile with a bunch of crazy triathletes I will rock it.

Is there anything that you’ve wanted to do but haven’t because you’ve been afraid? I’m thinking that when we shine a little light into our dark corners they don’t seem so scary AND it feels really good to be understood and encouraged to move through our fears.

I would love to hear from you so please do share by leaving a comment.

Spilling open

Or my dark night of the soul…

Hello beautiful,

I struggled with whether or not I should share my dark hour here at ‘The Inspired Life’. There’s a part of me that still feels anything dark in me is like dirty laundry and must be kept private, that struggling is a weakness and I must at least look strong and happy, keep up appearances so to speak. Hmmm… I’m still trying to figure out where that comes from. Perhaps it doesn’t matter from whence it comes, only how I move through my struggles and pain to emerge a little stronger, a little wiser, a little bit more compassionate with myself and those around me?…

I’m feeling much better now but I must confess it still feels like it could all come crashing down at any minute, that I have to be extra vigilant with the practices that keep me on sure emotional footing – reading, yoga, hiking, art, girlfriends a.k.a. soulsistas. I recently heard the term ‘Radical Self Care’, I think I read about it in The Fire Started Sessions, and I thought YES, that’s what is needed right now, some Frick’in RADICAL SELF CARE! (BTW if you haven’t gotten Danielle LaPorte’s book yet do it NOW! It’s been a powerful catalyst in my journey out of the dark).

It all began when I had to get a real J-O-B earlier this year to pay for my daughter’s very expensive private school, which frankly I cannot actually afford. Why send her to a spendy private school you may wonder?… Well that’s a whole other story. In any case the above mentioned  J-O-B took me out of the studio and straight into corporate america (fortunately through a side door).

Add to that remodeling our house, a crazy program we signed our kids up for that requires five hours of driving every Sunday and a couple hours a day of reading, watching videos and listening to podcasts, house hunting, bla, bla, bla! I hit a tipping point and it all turned crazy from there.

What I’ve learned beyond a shadow of a doubt is that if I’m not in the active pursuit of my dream, making a little time each day to move in that direction, I am not happy. All joy fades and life becomes one BIG GRIND. At the end of the day I have nothing to give my lover, my kids, myself or my community.

SoooOOOoo! I’m embracing the idea of radical self care. Making time for my art, for my community (that means you because YES you bring me joy). I found a way to keep my job AND move forward with my art.

This past week I’ve been able to be in the studio every day. I took the opportunity to give it a BIG spring clean and have internet installed so that even when the J-O-B gets busy again I will now be able to do some work from the studio.

Where there’s a will there’s a way. AND it’s much easier to see when you shine a little light on the darkness.

It really is amazing that when you get yourself in the right frame of mind it is so much easier to make good things happen, the doors just seem to open up. I’m looking forward to sharing and shining some light your way in the coming weeks.

I would also like to take this opportunity to jump back into the Wishcasting Wednesday circle (Hello Ladies:). Jamie’s prompt: What do you wish for your home? couldn’t be more perfect as we are in crazy house hunting mode.

We have twice found ‘our perfect’ house only to be out bid. At first I was heart broken but then I on a hike I decided to say the affirmation: “We are now finding the perfect house for us, perfect in every way” So that is my wish for my home. I would be filled with gratitude if you would wish with me:)

Much love and gratitude to you,

Tia

How-To make beautiful resin pendants

Hello friend,

What a week! (I mean 8 plus weeks…) In February I was forced to get a ‘real’ J-O-B. Yes it’s true, sadly I was not making enough money through my art to pay for all that needs paying. Fortunately/Happily my true love was able to provide me with the said J-O-B, which definitely made things easier than having to pound the payment.

So for the past few months I’ve been employed as a video producer working on 46 corporate videos. I knew there was a reason I’ve never had a corporate job (hehe). Along with a new full time job we decided to under take some remodeling of our townhouse and mid-way through that TL decided now’s the perfect time to buy a new house. Very exciting indeed and yet YIKES! How much can one gal put on her plate.

Needless to say between all of that and being a full time mama I got very off track from my big dream, which is being a full time ARTIST!!!  After much melencholy and boohooing I realized I simply cannot live a happy life if I’m not pursuing my dreams. So I’m back. Yay!!!! It feels so good.

I will keep the job and juggle all the other stuff while rededicating myself to my art.

One way I’m doing this is by teaching. I love the beautiful energy of creating with other women, so magical.

This Sunday, May 5th I will be teaching an Ice Resin Jewelry class at The Urban Craft Center.

In this two part class you will learn how to create your own beautiful, resin coated collage pendant necklace.

In part 1 (May 5), you’ll experiment with mixed media supplies like; paint, rubber stamps, vintage images and ephemera to create a background collage for your pendant and learn to work with jeweler’s resin .

In part 2 (May 13), you will design your necklace and turn your collage centerpiece into a finished pendant necklace.

This class us perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters.

To sign up CALL: 310.392.0139

Two session class, all materials included but feel free to bring ephemera and images for your collages.
$85 non-member, 10%-15% discount for members

For all the detail go HERE

Coptic Binding How To

Hello Lovely,

I am so grateful to the ladies who joined me last Sunday at the Urban Craft Center for the Mixed Media Book Binding class. Thank YOU!

I promised that I would post instructions so here they are. Mind you I didn’t make this video but why reinvent the wheel? I’m a busy gal and this is a very good video.

I hope you find this helpful AND please feel free to contact me if you have any question or want an in person refresher. 

Hello!!! I’ve missed YOU!

Hello Lovely,

Perhaps you’ve noticed that I have been missing in action from the blogosphere – and it hasn’t been pretty! (More on that later I promise)

Well I’m back and excited to be taking it out of the studio to the wider world. I’m teaching my first class at The Urban Craft Center this Sunday  11am – 2:30 Mixed Media Book Binding.

To sign up CALL: 310.392.0139

As I’m sure you know coming together to create is a magical experience, one I hope to have with you.

If you live in the LA area PLEASE join me this Sunday. Also I would be most grateful if you’ll share this with your friends.

Learn the ancient technique of Coptic binding and mixed media collage with local artist Tia Tuenge in a fun and inspiring environment. Together we will each create a hand bound journal and a beautiful box cover, which you will decorate using a wide variety of mediums and techniques. You will play with a multitude of supplies including; decorative paper, images, paints, rubber stamps, glitter and other ephemera, learning how to create a pleasing collage composition. Leave this class with a beautiful journal with a box case and the know how to make as many hand bound books as you are inspired to make. (They make wonderful gifts – all your friends will want one:)

One session class, materials included but feel free to bring ephemera and images for your collages.
$65 non-member, 10%-15% discount for members

What do you Wish to Attract?

is Jamie Ridler’s prompt for today’s Wishcasting Wednesday.

Hello Beautiful Dreamers,

I’ve missed you all and missed connecting here in our cyber world.

I’m feeling pretty darn good right now, things are moving along at a manageable clip, although I am finding it a bit difficult to find time to post here.

I set some goals and intentions for 2012 and I’m trying to stick to them. How about you? Did you end up choosing a 2012 word? Is the year shaping up as you imagined?

This year I chose two words: Focus and Brave and so far I’m staying fairly focused and pushing myself out into the world a little more.

A few of my intentions for 2012, and what I wish to attract are:

Focus on my art and to be brave about putting it and myself out into the world.

I wish to attract
venues to show my work and collectors to buy it. I wish to attract positive, creative, supportive people into my life who can help me.
I’d really, really love to attract a mentor.

Focus on my relationship and my family

I wish to attract
love, understanding, fun and adventure.

Focus a portion of my time raising money and awareness for the causes that are important to me. I am passionate about supporting women, girls and Pit Bulls. (I recently adopted the sweetest Pit Bull from my local dog pound)

I wish to attract
opportunities to support these causes.

Focus on my health and wellbeing and my physical fitness, eating clean and green and exercising daily. Where I intend to be BRAVE is by committing to my first ever triathlon in 2012. LOL

I wish to attract
lots of self discipline:) and like minded, fun people
to train and partner with.

Finally I wish to attract
meaningful, lasting friendships into my life.

*          *          *

Although I’ve been a bit absent from here I have been keeping busy.

Here are a few of the things that are happening so far:

• I’ve been looking for venues to show my art, restaurants, coffee shops and the like.
• Currently my work is displayed for the month of February at G-Bike at 2502 Main Street in Santa Monica. So if you live in the Santa Monica area come on by and check it out:)
• I’ve submitted and been accepted to teach three different workshops at The Urban Craft Center, I’m really looking forward to this opportunity. 
• And I’m starting After Effects school this month. 

New resin coated empowerment collage pendant necklaces. I will be teaching this class at UCC

And the winner is…

Hello Lovely,

Congratulation to Cindi. She’s the winner of my first ever give away.
I used Random Generator.

She has her choice of one of these lovely journals.

I’ve been very busy this month with Misty Mawn’s workshop. There’s so much information I’m not really keeping up. Luckily she is keeping the site up for the whole year so I will be able to keep going at my own pace. (I just love online workshops:)

Also I’ve been loving getting to know our new doggie LuluBell. We’ve been having so much fun with her, running on the beach, hiking, snuggling, not to mention she’s great company at the studio. She’s been a big motivator to keep me exercising daily. Just an added bonus:)

As you may know my word for this year is FOCUS and I have indeed been focused on getting myself and my art out into the world.

This month I worked on samples to propose a few workshops at The Urban Craft Center and I am happy to report that I will be teaching three classes this spring (VERY exciting!)  I have also been going around town looking for venues to hang my art. Venue No. 1: G-Bike, a very cool electric scooter shop on Main Street in Santa Monica. Some of my paintings will be hanging through the month of February so I hope all my coffee drinking friends will stop by and take a look:) It’s right across from my local Peet’s Coffee.

I would love to here whether or not your word has born any fruit yet. Have you noticed anything different? Are you feeling optimistic? Please do share by leaving a comment.

XOXO

New work: