I'm back! :-)

Well - I finally got the latest bout of Fibromyalgia under control and am feeling better than ever! I plan to get back into writing my Etsy artist features beginning next week. THANKS and many hugs to all my readers! Your continued support has helped me through a difficult time...
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Artist: sweptfromthesea

Like me, Canadian jewelry artist Cheri Bourque, has Fibromyalgia. "It has been my best friend and worst enemy for 12 years," she says. "It is my best friend (when) it makes me get things done ASAP because I never know what tomorrow will bring. It is my worst enemy (when) my tomorrows are filled with pain and fatigue," she explains. Instead of giving up or giving in, she pushes through and manages to follow her heart, creating simple modern jewelry from beach glass. Much of her inspiration comes from the West Coast. "I haven't always lived in Victoria. I grew up in Northern Ontario next to Lake Superior (also very beautiful), but I always wished that I lived near the ocean." Now only half a block away from the beach, she doesn't take it for granted. "I design what I want to wear," she admits. Although she has been a crafter for quite some time, she started Swept From The Sea Designs professionally 3 years ago. "I owe my crafting addiction to my mother who introduced me to crocheting 15 years ago," she jokes. "Running an online business takes time and requires tons of patience. I find that advertising outside of Etsy the key to making progress." Please check out her shop: http://sweptfromthesea.etsy.com/ and website: http://sweptfromtheseadesigns.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Fibromyalgia Success - When Danskos Just Won't Do...

I LOVE my Dansko Margretes! I have them in black, brown, and denim - and wear them every day. They are the only shoes I can wear with my Fibromyalgia. In fact, I can even go on 12 mile hikes in them (I reserve a special pair for hikes that are in not-so-new condition). But - when Danskos just won't do, what's a girl to wear? Fear not - I have found the perfect heels: Born's Charisma. Yes - I said heels! Can you believe it? They are so comfortable it's almost like walking on air. I LOVED them so much I bought two pairs - one in black, one in brown. The best price I've found is on http://shoepeddlers.com/ -- $84.00 with FREE shipping. WOW! Fibromyalgiacs can finally have sexy heels that are comfortable, too. THANKS Born!

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: becomeinspired

Robin Bonnell lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and Durango, Colorado with her husband, 4 horses, 1 burro, 3 dogs, and "one very beautiful Ocicat." Creating and designing her inspirational jewelry is not only her full time profession, but also her passion. "After spending 20 years in corporate America as a search firm owner and worldwide executive search consultant, I took some forced personal time and began exploring my creative side that had been dormant for those 20 years," she explains. Like me, she was diagnosed with severe fibromyalgia - but also has damage to her central nervous system due to a brain injury from a motorcycle accident 15 years ago. "I had always been an overachiever and was very driven. I did not know what to do with myself," she says of her lack of energy. "Even though I felt terrible physically, my mind would not stop. I never slept. Partially because the brain injury affects my sleep mechanism and partly because I felt so lost. Frankly, I got very depressed. Then I discovered metal clay." It was then that she realized her calling, and fell in love with it right away. "I felt a new sense of purpose." She has always been very spiritual and often finds inspiration from within as well as in nature. "I started transforming feelings into jewelry," she says. Lately she has even made a few memorial pieces, "something special that...makes them feel their loved one is there with them all the time." Often times her designs are asymmetrical and she admits, "my thought is that beauty is not in a perfection of form, but how it makes you feel. If it feels good, it is beautiful." Passionate and soulful, she is, as a friend once described, a “drinker of life." Despite - or perhaps in spite of - her illness, she has led a full and happy life and feels blessed. "Etsy has been a great thing for me," she says. "I have met fantastic people all over the world and even joined the local Phoenix Etsy Street Team, The Crafty Burritos. They are a special group of people that are devoted to Etsy, art, and to each other." She joined Etsy on my Birthday - Oct 7 (2007) and as of June 15 has amassed 100 sales. "I have loyal customers that come back again and again to have custom jewelry made. I am slowly getting to know them and they all have such great stories of life." She recommends her fellow artists think outside the box. "I think having a great title for the listing makes people curious and want to look at the item." Please check out her shop: http://becomeinspired.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Coming soon...

Hi there! I'm back on track again, so I'll be posting more interviews later this week (just sent off a few Convos last night). I'll be adding a few more things to my Etsy shop as well (this weekend will be GREAT for outdoor pics). I might even start blogging about myself as well. I've had a few requests to pepper in a few stories about myself - and I'd really like to use it as an opportunity to show that life with Fibromyalgia can be just as full as anyone else's. Sometimes there's a rough patch, like the one I've had the last few weeks, but you just pick yourself up and move on. I'm not really feeling any better, but I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired - and I'm so done with sleeping my weekends away. I just decided that I'm not going to lay down and give up. Instead, I'm going to persist. There's just too much wonderful stuff to do! I'm even working on redecorating the bedroom and bathrooms to match the rest of the house (a project I've put off for quite some time). I have some cool plans to make them into a tropical Asian oasis. I may even post a few before and after pictures. HUGS to everyone!!! And THANKS for all of your support! It means a lot - and has really helped me pick myself back up and get back into the swing of things. :-)
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Fibromyalgia Success

Hi there! It's been awhile, but I'm slowly working on getting back to the blog and Etsy business. I even plan to work on a series of paintings this weekend, depicting the wonders of Bali (time and health permitting, of course). Fibromyalgia is a constant battle for me, and I've been pushing myself to hike 10-12 miles every Sunday for 6 weeks, so I've had a few set backs. I plan to keep the hikes up at least through November, though, in order to be ready for my trip to India and Nepal. I want to trek the Himalayas and enjoy momos and chai at the base of Mt. Everest (I'm being realistic here)! :-) Anyway, I've discovered a great tea from the Jasmine Pearl Tea Merchants that actually helps give me energy (I swear I couldn't do my weekly hikes without it). It's their Yoga blend - and has South African Honeybush and nettles. It tastes a lot like chai, so I'm pretty much hooked. I have a link to their website in my favorite links section (I order it in bulk now). The Power Bars also help. I swear, I'd have one foot in the grave without them. I know they've got a lot of fake sugars, but there's some research out there that says that's actually what Fibromyalgiacs need. All I know is that they work for me! I'd be interested to see if anyone else has any good tips with keeping this bugger of an ailment under control...
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Neglect

Greetings loyal readers! My apologies that I have been neglecting my blog lately. It's been a busy few weeks as my fourth anniversary approaches (hubby surprised me with a FAB getaway to a B&B at the coast), I've started selling in the gift shop at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden, my regular day job has ramped up, and my Fibromyalgia has flared up a bit. Thankfully I'm beginning to get a handle on things (even went for a 12 mile hike Wednesday). I will try to post again this weekend. Thanks for your patience...

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/