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

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures...

OK - I admit this is a weird one, but I just read an article on Yahoo about people selling their hair to wig makers and decided to give it a try. My hair is way too long anyway (my husband calls me his cave woman because he can grab me by the ponytail like a neanderthal) - and I was going to cut it anyway, so I figured - why not? I usually donate my clippings to the Locks of Love, but this year has been tough with my hours and wages cut almost 30% - and my husband being forced to take unpaid time off. TheHairTrader.com offers FREE listings - and you can set your minimum acceptance price. It's kind of like Ebay for hair. I'll keep you posted on what happens, here's my listing: http://thehairtrader.com/viewlisting.asp?lid=253257 If you want to create one of your own visit: http://thehairtrader.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/

Phase I (Paint) Complete...

Yippeeeee! I finally finished painting the bathroom, but now I'm so tired I'm afraid I'll have to wait until this weekend to decorate. OMG - I forgot how much I HATE painting, unless it's artistically, of course. I absolutely refused to tape this time, since it usually bleeds anyway. Instead I painted as close to the moulding and ceiling as I possibly could and then took an artists brush to the edges. Sadly, it took about the same time as taping. Oh well. At least it was a tad less abhorrent than taping. Anyway, check out the cool celadon green. It's leftover paint from my downstairs. I can't wait to add the bamboo to the cabinets. Stay tuned...

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.blogspot.com/

My Bathroom Makeover Project Begins...

OK - I've been saying this forever now, but this time I'm really doing it...I'm redecorating my bathroom and master bedroom. As many of you know, I love all things Asian and the bottom half of my house if fabulously decorated with my prize possessions, including gorgeous Japanese dinnerware, brass flatware with Thai Buddhas on every piece, and countless carved Buddha busts from Thailand and Tibet. However, the upstairs is a different story, no pun intended. I decided to finally redecorate the bathroom and master bedroom to look like an Asian spa/B&B suite, so here are the BEFORE pictures of the bathroom (I'll tackle the bedroom next week). I'll post pictures of the finished project soon, which will include bamboo matting on the cabinets, a new coat of paint, and lots of little details. I'm doing it all on a budget, too. Wish me luck...

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/

My work can now be seen at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden gift shop

As many of you know, the Portland Classical Chinese Garden in my sanctuary. I go there at least once a week to soak up the ambiance while having tea and noodles. It's my way of decompressing after a tough work week. It literally recharges my soul. As of yesterday I am lucky enough to be the newest artist to sell my Asian inspired wares in the gift shop - and I am so excited!!! All proceeds from gift shop sales go back to supporting this wonderful oasis of tranquility, and I am honored to be a part of it.

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/

Star Wars Party

OK - I admit it - I'm a dork! I really liked Star Wars when I was younger, so I thought it would be fun to have a party last year, complete with steaming drinks. I even made an R2-D2 beer cooler out of a garbage can, aluminum foil, and posterboard. It was a blast! That's me as Princess Leia and my wonderful husband as Han Solo.

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

My latest creation

I've been so busy it's been weeks since I've created anything, but my best friend asked me to make a necklace for her - something simple yet elegant that she could wear every day. I used beads of apatite and kyanite in her favorite shades of blue and silver spacers and chain, so she can wear it with a ring she's having made from a silver pearl she handpicked at an oyster farm in Hawaii. I used three beads in three sets to symbolize their budding family (they just had their first baby last October). What do you think?
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Simons says...American Idol

I'm not an American Idol fan, but it's hard to escape Simon Cowell. He seems to be everywhere. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but he certainly could use a little tact. I have always wanted to tell him to "talk to the hand" - and I actually got my chance in Las Vegas recently. OK - it was just a wax dummy at Madame Tussaud's - but what a blast! I don't know about you, but I count three boobs in this picture. :-) P.S. Sorry for the cleavage (which is real by the way)! You know what they say about Vegas...

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

My first Oil Portraits

Painter's Log, Star Date 2/6/08. It's been 12 years (gasp) since I've painted with my oils, so I thought I'd list my first and only portraits to kick start me into boldly going where I've never gone before: a second project. I'm a huge original Star Trek fan, so it was only natural I chose Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock as my fist subjects. What do you think? I bought a bunch of blank canvases of all sizes and hope to get my butt in gear this weekend...

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Yikes - I finally did it...

After a lot of prodding from friends I have finally decided to list custom portraits on Etsy. This marks the first time I've ever tried to do it professionally (OK, I admit it - I'm SCARED). Heck, I've hardly let anyone even see my art over the years. It is one of my true passions, though. I start with the eyes. They're a window to your soul - and if I can't capture someone's personality in their eyes I start over. Simple as that. Anyway, here's a few of my faves...

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Etsy portrait listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9313040

My Hand Painted Tibetan Cabinet

As you may know by now, I am infatuated with the cultures, faiths, and arts of Asia. I have always wanted a painted Tibetan cabinet, but am saddened by the occupation and worldwide export of Tibetan culture. I could not bring myself to purchase something that may have been taken from a family - or sold as a last resort to make it in an occupied territory. So - I decided to paint one myself...

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/