Monday, August 04, 2008

Artist Feature & the Reason I Blog

This is my 50th post!!! Can you believe it?! I know that 100 posts is usually celebrated, but 50 at least deserves a mention! Or a video! lol



When I started this blog I thought I was crazy. I didn't think that I would stick with it, and I for sure thought no one would read it. I had no idea how many great women I would meet, how it would keep me creating, and how it kept me looking for all the positive things in life. I'll be the first to tell you that life is not all roses and cupcakes, but why focus on all that negative stuff? It happens, it's icky, but it will grow if we give it attention.

So onto what I REALLY want to tell you...the story of a wonderful lady that makes a difference in this world. She is the reason I started this blog. I've never talked about her before even though she's been on my blogroll this whole time. She is actually the first blog I ever read! I actually met her before she had one herself!



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Once upon a time, a very troubled girl stumbled upon a store in a building that looked like a big yellow dollhouse. Inside the store were beautiful treasures. There were pillows, teapots, frames, sachets, but the most beautiful of all were the mosaic creations carefully made with vintage china. Desks, tables, cakestands, even grandfather clocks were all improved by the shopkeeper's handiwork.



Each piece was signed in a special way that honors the shopkeeper's grandmother. Her grandmother was the one who saw her potential and encouraged her to take the leap to be the true artist that she is. Each piece was sentimental and charming.

The shopkeeper was very friendly, sure, but there was something about her that just makes you want to tell her everything. She'll even tell you that herself. I'm not the type to go around telling my problems to strangers...far from it. This was different. She's an open spirit and the wisdom she shared enlightened me and gave me a whole new outlook on my issue. That she took the time to have that conversation with me was such a gift.

I frequented the store now and then and bought a few things. I even commissioned a piece to go in my bathroom. Our suite is decorated in our wedding colors (lilac and celadon) and I wanted something to match it. Over tea, in that same yellow dollhouse, she arrived with this:

I couldn't love this more...the butterfly even has a poem about happiness! She is truly talented!

At the time, she had a page on her website where she journaled about her life and what she was working on. I remember telling her how much I liked keeping up with her that way. When she went to an actual blog, I wrote her and she told me that I should start one too. So here I am! I haven't even told her yet...lol...I wanted to have some posts built up so she'd have something to look at!

I've kept up with her though...nowadays she's making lots of these:

She even made a fairyhouse! And an amazing butterfly with an important message. If you don't know by now, this shopkeeper, artist, mentor, new grandma, and friend of mine, is none other than the Mosaic Queen, Michelle Legler! She has a website, a blog, and an etsy shoppe. Go visit her, you'll thank me later for the eye candy!

Thank you, Michelle, for everything!

And thank you, dear visitor, for coming by today!

11 comments:

Kim Hardt Originals said...

She does beautiful work! What a lovely post Mere!

Have a great week!

Kim

Mosaic*Queen said...

Meredith, how did you know that I was needing this today? :-) You made my day!!!!!! I was feeling a bit low this morning and when I read your post, it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! You are such a wonderful person!!!!
I'm so glad to see you blogging and I'll make sure to add you to my blog roll.(that thing needs to be updated badly!) LOL!!!!
Thanks Again for making my day!!!!
Hugs to you and your girls!!!

Michelle

Heather said...

What a sweet post and lovely tribute to your friend! Happy 50th post :)

Adriana Whitney said...

Congratulations! I remember when I read your first post. I love bloggerland and I am so happy I "met" you here.
L♥ve
Adri

Unknown said...

What a great post! She sounds like a real special lady! Her work is amazing as well! Thanks for the nice comment on my studio space. I have to be organized because my space is so small. I can't work in clutter, so I try and stay on top of it. Yes, that is the Staple guy from office space (I love that movie). It says "Excuse me, I believe you have my stapler..." I love that guy!!!

Blondie ~ Vintage Primitives said...

Hi Mere!
Your post was a great picker upper.
I think that you have the same abilities as your friend.
Congrats on your 50th post, I look forward to another 50 and more!
Blondie

Sherry said...

Mere, congratulations on your 50th post and what a wonderful tribute post this was. You are such a sweet soul and a true blessing ♥

Ginger said...

Very sweet post,Isn't something what we can do if we put our minds to it.Im so happy you started your blog(I enjoy it so much!)Happy 50th post~@~ !
big hug from me to you my friend!
ginger

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Congrats! What a great network of people in blog-land.
:)

Cathy said...

Hi Meredith,

Don't you just adore her mosaic cupcakes? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!

Your blog is lovely, I enjoyed reading it.

xo Cathy

Fannie said...

Wonderful post! Thanks for sharing. I'm off to check out Michelle's sites.

I enjoyed scrolling through and reading your recent posts. Continued success, and I'll be back to celebrate with you on your 100th post! Good for you!