Category Archives: Creative Journey

My First Blog Anniversary

Paisley Lizard anniversary logoToday is the anniversary of my first blog post. It’s almost hard to believe a whole year has come and gone. When I look at my blog archives, I am reminded of all the fun things I’ve done this year. I decided to celebrate this milestone by doing a sort of “my year in review” retrospective. Here we go, not necessarily in chronological order. Continue reading

Moving from Weebly to WordPress

House moversIf you’re considering moving your blog from Weebly to WordPress, and you’re not a code geek, I’m here to tell you it can be scary. But, just like any kind of move, having some hired-muscle can make all the difference.

I recently transitioned my blog and the rest of my website from a Weebly platform to WordPress. I did not do it on my own. I wisely sought help from a consultant. I’ll tell you more about that in a minute. But first, let me tell you why I moved. Continue reading

On Becoming a Social [Media] Butterfly

Paisley Lizard logo with social media butterflies

Art credit: Lauren Williams/OMG designs.

I was always that kid reading a book while others played together. I prefer solitary pursuits like reading, baking, and making jewelry over going to parties, playing team sports, or otherwise hanging out in crowds. The only times I ever kept a journal were when it was a required assignment for class.

So, how is it that I now have profiles on all these social media sites, publish a blog, and am a member of an ever growing number of groups and teams? I blame Paisley (my creative alter ego and lovely model for my logo). She’s the emerging social butterfly who has lured me into all these interactive fora. Continue reading

Sending a Cup of Bead Soup to a New Friend

Coffee mug

The cup of soup I sent to my Bead Soup partner.

I am beyond excited to be participating for the first time in the Bead Soup Blog Party. This year is the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by the intrepid Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog. There are over 400 participants from across the U.S. and around the world. Each of us is partnered with another jewelry designer and will be swapping ingredients for making something marvelous, which we will then be sharing on our respective blogs later this spring. Continue reading

Celebrating My Five-Year Etsy-versary!

graphic of Paisley Lizard logo with horn

Paisley Lizard celebrates 5 years on Etsy. Art credit: Lauren Williams, OMG designs.

Five years ago today I opened a shop on Etsy. My original Etsy shop name was “Moonlighting Jewelry.”

I knew long before then that I wanted my business name to be Paisley Lizard, but making a logo that went with the name was beyond my abilities. So I went with a name even I, with my limited PhotoShop skills (and help from a more graphic savvy friend), could create a logo to represent. Continue reading

Introduction to the Paisley Lizard

Paisley Lizard logo

The Paisley Lizard logo, designed by Lauren Williams/OMG designs.

Welcome to the first blog post from Paisley Lizard, my creative alter ego. I thought I’d kick off my blogging adventure by telling you my story.

I have a career in environmental compliance that followed from an education in biology, chemistry, oceanography, and wildlife management. I create things with words: policy document, environmental impact assessments, technical reports, various and assorted emails and memoranda. It’s fulfilling to contribute, in my small way, to conservation of precious marine resources. Continue reading