Project ONE Life: Just the Beginning!

*** I create blank books and leave them in public places.  Strangers find them, share their feelings/thoughts, and leave them for others to find.  Connecting strangers, stripping artifice away, and becoming ONE.  Follow the journey on Facebook ***

Project ONE Life is picking up steam and leaving books along the way.  The journey is just beginning and we have a long way to go but so far, it as been a blast.  Each book is left in a public place and has a theme.  I get a small rush of placing down a book and taking pictures, unnoticed.  And when I walk away, I wonder.... where will this book end up, who will read my writing, and will I see it again.  I feel anxious, giddy, and optimistic. 

So far, seven books have made it out into the world and with many more to come.  Plans are in the works to go national as well.  So... keep your eyes open and follow the journey on facebook so YOU can track down one of these one of a kind books! 

Here's a look at the books on the go so far...



Something I Never Told Anyone...
 




Before I Die I Want To...



 

 



It Might Not Be P.C But...



 

 



At This Point in My Life I Thought I'd Be...



PROJECT ONE LIFE: The First Book

Today I dropped the first Project ONE Life journal off into the world.  When I last saw it, it was sitting in a packed cafe in Chicago (Filter Cafe).  With Project ONE Life, I am asking others to open up and share.  I wouldn't ask someone to do something I wouldn't do myself. So in keeping with the idea of Read, Share, Pass it On, I wrote the first entry in the book.  I placed it down, snapped a few pictures, and walked away - leaving a piece of myself for anyone to view.  I wondered if I would ever see it again. 




I am a journal maker and believer in the healing power of words so it seemed like a natural progression to extend what I do in my everyday journal to the rest of the world.  Each book is special and made 100% with LOVE.  From cutting each sheet of paper and book board, stitching the pages together, and creating a mixed media collage cover, I put every ounce of myself into each book.  I do this all in the hope that this project will bring people together and create a safe place to express themselves. 

So this is the look at the first book... and if you see it out there, put your stamp on it, take a pic, and leave it for another to find.  Read, Share, Pass It On.



The first entry for the "Today I'm feeling" Journal



Follow the Journey at www.facebook.com/projectonelifeshareit

Project ONE Life: Share It - The GUIDELINES

Here's how Project ONE Life works! 

• It's annonymous - be open, share!

• Take a pic of the book in it's location and post on facebook so we can follow it's journey. Don't want to post with your name? Email me and I will post it without your info.

• Be RESPECTFUL & SINCERE: If you find a book but it's not for you please respect the value/worth of others words and feelings and leave it as you found it so that someone else may have the opportunity to participate. If you do participate, please make a sincere entry. Do no disrespect the nature/intention of this book by making a mockery of it.

• PASS IT ON: Write in it, then leave it in a indoor (it's paper and needs to be protected from the elements) public place, preferrably a place you think people will be receptive to this project.

• DON'T KEEP IT! Yes, it would be a cool thing for your collection but that goes against the very reason for the book!

• LAST PERSON to write in it? Drop it in the mail or Contact me! It's on you I pin most of my faith... Please RETURN this traveling book of honesty, love, inspiration, and courage HOME so I can share all the entries and truly share and connect others!

Project ONE LIFE: Share It.

The idea behind Project ONE Life: Share It is simple.  I create blank books each with a varying theme such as "a dream you want to achieve" and I leave them in various public places throughout Chicago. Then, the book lies in wait for someone to find it, and respond annonymously to the prompt.  After doing so that person leaves the book in another spot for someone else to find it and the cycle repeats until the book is filled.  The process is: find it, read it, share in it, and pass it on.  I also ask people who find the book (regardless if they write in it or not) to take a quick pic of it in it's location and post it to facebook or email it to me so that we can follow it's journey.  Once a book is complete, the finder contacts me so it can be returned home and I can share the contents with the world.  Click here for the Guidelines.

The Inspiration behind Project ONE Life: Share It. is based upon the belief that there is power in putting your feelings/thoughts down on paper and a belief that it is our feelings that bind us together as human beings. In sharing our ideas, loves, joy, and sorrows we become connected on a larger scale - you are not alone.

Project ONE Life strives to connect strangers together on a small, local scale. As books travel through the city and people share a piece of themselves for others to see, we are reminded that the strangers you pass on the street, the person who makes your coffee, the person waiting behind you in line, are just like us. The feelings and thoughts we experience on a daily basis are universal. So this project attempts to expose those similiarities. To pull back the  cleverly crafted barriers that often serve to isolate us from one another (cell phones, emails, false pleasantries,   social media, etc). The goal is to strip away artifice, to be open, to share, to feel connected. To be ONE.

Lastly, this project requires a leap of faith. Faith that people WILL share, will want to connect and most importantly that these mini books WILL find their way back home. 

Read more about the books and
Follow the Journey on Facebook!

PHOTO A DAY MAY: Day 8, 9, 10, 11

It's time for another Photo a Day May creative challange update!  The past few days have included some of my favorite photos.  The themes included a scent you adore, something you do everyday, a favorite word, and kitchen.  Now, onto the pictures and anoter glimpse into my life.

Day 8: A Scent I Adore.  These little beauties are blooming in my garden.

Day 9: Something I do everyday... read.

Day 10: A favorite word.  'Journey' written in black lipstick and then distorted (This is one of my favorite photos!!)

Day 11: Kitchen... the view from mine.

PHOTO A DAY MAY: Day 7

Day 7!!  Time to capture someone that inspires you.... what a tough one!  When I think of who inspires me I didn't think of one person on my day to day basis (sorry!) but rather I thought of characters, artists, and random strangers I've never met.  One particular artist that I often think about is Kelly Rae Roberts, a mixed media artist that is living the dream I wish I could.  Her work and life inspire me to create beauty and follow my passion.  So in honor of my idol...

Kelly Rae Roberts, inspiring me to create beauty & follow my passion!

PHOTO A DAY MAY: Day 6

The theme is YOU for day 6.  So I snapped a quick pick of moi and gave it the Corel PhotoShop treatment.  I love the distorted, cartoonish effect it has, perfect! 

Day 6: It's ME.

PHOTO A DAY MAY: Days 4-5

The theme for day four was FUN!  I love this because it can really be anything and everything.  So what's fun in Sarah's world?  Paint, ink, stamps, oils, chalks, gel medium... ANY artistic tool, style, or activity is MY idea of fun.

Tools of my favorite pasttime.


Day 5:  Birds. 

PHOTO A DAY MAY: Days 1-3

I'm taking part of a photo challange called Photo A Day MAY... and it's as  simple and fun as it sounds.  Every day there is a different theme for which you are to take a photo and share it with the world.  You can be as creative as you want and have tons of fun along the way.  If you're interested in participating click here.  Here are the pics from the first three days...

Day 1 : PEACE
Such a small word, such a big concept!

Day 2 : Skyline
Hazy Chicago Day



Day 3 : Something you wore
Starlight, Starbright, The first star I see Tonight!

MUSINGS: Inspirational Words

Source: shop.holstee.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I LOVE the sentiment of this message and I think it's something everyone can apply to any and every aspect of their life so I wanted to share it.  For myself, I will be hanging this message at my workstation as an inspiration and a reminder.  A reminder to share myself and my passion to the fullest; to create without restriction or fear.  Enjoy!

MY JOURNALING ADVENTURES: Self Portraits

When journaling, I always use pictures because an image can convey feelings, emotions, and ideas that might be hard to capture in words.   One of the most powerful images you can include in your journal are self portraits.  There is something very intimiate about using your own pictures. It really strips away any artiface because with self portraits there is no place to hide...everything is laid out for the camera to see.  And what better place to expose yourself then in your own journal? Your journal should be a sanctuary. 

 

For this particular entry, I knew I wanted to cut the picture up but I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to convey but I thought it would be a neat technique.  That is why I love art journaling, it is such a freeing experience.  In my journal, I don't have to worry about what the end result will be.  I can get an idea and just run with it.  Half the fun is not knowing exactly where I will end up.  So, once I cut and glued the picture down the old nursery rhyme, "humpty dumpty" kept running through my mind.  It matched perfectly. 



Like a puzzle almost put together, the entry has a jigsaw, fragmented feeling to it.

Overall, this is not my best work by far but I do appreciate it.  To be honest, I think cutting the picture had a Goonies Sloth effect, lol, but I do like the combination of text and the pic.  And as with everything, it's about the journey not the destination! 

Happy Journaling!

    

FRESH GOODIES: Handstamped Jewelry

Jewelry isn't exactly new for Celio Designs since we've been making jewelry for many, many years.  Long before the journals, there was the jewelry.  However, we put the jewelry on a backburner in order to give our full attention to the journals.  But the time has come now to get back to our roots!  Of course, we will still have the journals and mixed media art but I think it's time to show the jewelry a little love too.  As of now, we are working on several different styles of jewelry but here is a look at one of the directions we're moving in.  

Handstamped jewelry was kind of an obvious choice since we often will add handstamped embellishments to our journals.  It's a great way to customize a book for someone and also just add a little flair.  You know, one of the things I love about making journals is incorporating quotes, lyrics, and meaningful words.  So it just seemed like handstamped jewelry was a perfect way to incorporate those same things into our jewelry.  Here is a small sample of what we have so far. 




"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same" 
The immortal words of Ms. Emily Bronte.
No Wuthering Heights fan could forget that quote!




"Love is a temple, Love a higher law" U2




"So you can make me cum, that doesn't make you Jesus"  Tori Amos, Goddess





"There ain't no cure for LOVE" Leonard Cohen



CREATIVE COMMUNITY: SweetHeartSinner Creations

It's another glorious Etsy find and one of my favorites, SweetHeartSinner.  Need a unique gift that you can't find in a store or a cool treat for yourself?  This is the place!  SweetHeartSinner offers pill boxes, cigarette cases, necklaces, and brooches in a variety of styles.  Find pin-up girls, vintage images, steampunk, goth, or pop culture items and they are SUPER affordable! 

I've ordered several cigarette/wallet cases for myself and as gifts for friends and family and I always get tons of compliments wherever I go.  My wallet case is always so handy because it fits my credit cards, ids, and business cards so whenever I go out for the night I don't have to lug a huge wallet or purse around.  The only problem with SweetHeartSinner is that there are TOO many awesome items I want! Here are some of my favorite items. 

Edwardian Pinup Brooch

The Goblin King!

Cleopatra Egyptian

You can visit SweetHeartSinner's Etsy shop, the SweetHeartSinner website, or find her on facebook.

  

FRESH GOODIES: Custom Travel Journals

Guess what everyone?  There have been some new developments recently at Celio Designs.  We are now the sponsors of some really cool travel groups on Meetup.com.  These groups are made up of people who travel the world together, visiting far off destinations.  And what of course does every globe trekker need but a new journal of course!  Enter Celio Designs! Ha Ha.

So in March, the group is going to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.  Right away I began working on three different journals that members could choose from.  Each journal is handbound and features blue footed boobies, tortoises, and seals.  It's really cool to know our Celio Designs journals will play a role in capturing the sights, sounds, and memories of a once in a lifetime trip! 

FRESH GOODIES: New Style, New Stitch, New Size



Japanese Stab Binding

Celio Designs is branching out!!  Up until now all of our books were bound with a very lovely coptic stitch.  However, a time comes when you want to try something new.  Learning new stitches has been on my "to do" list for about...mmm, forever!  So I finally buckled down and have been working on some new books.  These not only have a new stitch, the Japanese Stab binding, but they are also a different size and style as well. 


These newer books are about 5.5"x6.5" and don't have a trace of the collage style artwork that I have come to love.  While I adore the collage style and will continue to make those types of journals, I also know that many people prefer a simplified, clean look.  I am happy to oblige.  To be honest, it is pretty exciting because now I get to use paper and fabric in a whole new way.  Though the newer books ARE simplified, they definitely AREN'T boring!!  I am looking for paper and fabric that is graphically striking and bold.  So here are the very first two of the trial run of the new style.  ... and keep your eyes open because I will be learning more stitches as I go along.   

MUSINGS: The Beauty of Creative Risks

Risks.   We’re always faced with risks, personally and creatively.   No matter what the situation is when you take a risk there may also be an underlying fear.  There is fear to be uncomfortable, vulnerable, or simply not being accepted.  It’s the same when you create something from your soul. It requires you to be vulnerable...to take a risk. To stand naked and hope for acceptance and understanding...and with art many times we are asking to be judged. How terrifying!

Now, of course I can make a journal that requires very little thought...very little of myself and of course...very little risk. That also involves very little satisfaction. Of course, I cannot cater to everyone, so when I set out to make something, I make it for myself. I make things that I find beautiful, inspiring, and that speak to me... and as a result, when I create something I give a piece of myself  (Of course this has a dual benefit, if it doesn't sell...it's something I will use myself!).  For the most part, when you create something you are putting a sliver of yourself on display for the world to see. And if you are selling said item you are asking for another to judge its worth.

The same is true for custom made journals.  In creating a custom book, I try to put together the perfect quotes, images, etc, all to reflect the recipients’ beliefs, values and ideals.  A custom journal is suppose to completely reflect the owner, but I realized, while that is my aim, I am imprinted on every page of the book. What I put in...or leave out, where I place things, the materials used, the construction, the way I conceive the book and therefore that person...is all on me. It is through my lens; MY PERCEPTIONS.   No matter what is created you are offering yourself. You’re vulnerable.

Sometimes that vulnerability causes me to hold back.  It’s like lifting a veil to offer a sneak peek and so you have to decide, what should they see?  Like staring unflinchingly into a camera lens or into the eyes of another without looking away and asking the viewer to look in...to see YOU. I try to push those thoughts back when I am working and to create only for myself.  In the end that is when it is most satisfying... the pieces that I am most proud of are the ones that reflect me in some way… the ones in which I lifted the veil and beckoned the viewer to look in.  Maybe they will see a part of themselves as well; it will speak to them. If there is recognition, a connection, however small, is made. And when that happens and I have to ship a journal off.... there is a small tug inside. I send it off and think, "I wonder where you will end up?" ...I take that sliver of myself and send it off into the universe...and in that, there is vulnerability. There is risk. There is satisfaction. There is beauty.

CREATIVE COMMUNITY: ReMiks Jewelry

          Want to rock a piece of jewelry that is vibrant, feminine, connected to nature, is a conversation piece, and that NO ONE else will have? Then look no further than the stunning pieces created by ReMiks jewelry.  The creator of ReMiks jewelry, Michelle, preserves items from nature so that they are always stunning.  Her materials include REAL butterfly wings, beetles wings, and flowers. 

         

          I've met Michelle once at a local craft fair and not only are her pieces stunning but she was super nice and sweet as well.  She told me that she didn't go around picking wings off poor creatures but that she worked with a butterfly conservatory and that once the butterflies passed (they only live 7 days) they let her have them.  Then she did her magic, perserving the delicate beauty with resin, and creating a durable piece of jewelry.  But I could go on and on about how much I LOVE ReMiks jewelry but really you have to see for yourself....

Stunning Purple and Blue Orchid.

A REAL rose ring. SO delicate looking!

One of a kind butterfly pendant.

 To see more of what ReMiks has to offer visit her Mad Earth Etsy shop but be careful.... you WILL fall in love with EVERYTHING!!

MY JOURNALING ADVENTURES: A timeline

Sometimes you have to look back to where you've been to appreciate where you are.  In a recent urge to declutter my life, I have been sifting through old letters, cards, and yes, journals.  

I pulled them out and lost myself in them for hours.  Lost myself in the girl I was and where I used to be.  Parts were embarrassing, parts were hilarious, parts were sad, and some parts were simply lovely.  And as I went through each book, I saw an evolution. The evolution of who I am as a person... and as a creative spirit.
           

My first journal is about 10 years old.  A simple book I bought from the now defunct Borders bookstore.  The binding is kinda busted and pages are falling out.  It's decorated in a simple and straightforward way.  Some artwork, tons of quotes, LOTS of writing. 

My current journal is a handmade Celio Designs journal.  It's handbound with a coptic stitch and  features rich imagery on the front.  Like the first one, it has some artwork, tons of quotes, and LOTS of writing.  

That was then.

This is now.

What a difference. I laugh at my old one, like the crude writing of a child first learning how to hold a pencil and applaud myself for my advancements. It's fun to see the difference and wonder what my journal will look like in the next ten years...We shall see!!