Nancy Lee Designs: Handmade Jewelry and Objects

In following the creative path, there are many opportunities to face fears. Usually they have to do with paying bills, meeting deadlines, and fulfilling the hopes and wishes of others. But up at the top of a ladder propped at the apex of the garage next to my childhood home, I discovered a fear most powerful: the fear of heights.

Each fear represents a block to our true beauty, the inner spiritual being. The Dream Book: Symbols for Self Understanding by Betty Bethards.

No matter how many times this fear has been confronted, still it returns. To chip away at this terror habit, I decided to sign up for the zip line ride in Super Bowl Village here in downtown Indianapolis. This has taken some planning, and couldn’t wait until the last minute. The tickets have been pinned to the fridge for weeks now, simmering. Today at 3:00 PM EST, my dear Wug and I will be in line to face the demon. Holding his hand will divide the fear factor by two.

Why am I telling you this now? To add humiliation to the mix in case I chicken out. To give me incentive not to. Chicken out. So watch this space for some evidence that I have either succeeded or failed.

Please tell me I’m not the only one with fears, that I am not alone in this. Your brave comments are endearing to me and empowering to others.

P.S. Are those all guys in the photo?

"CC Electro" Custom Logo Brooch with Black Pearl

It’s January 9, and this is my first post for 2012. Huzzah! It’s been a whirlwind fall and wonderful early winter, and I cannot thank my friends, family, clients and fellow metalsmiths enough. This summer was a difficult one for many reasons, but the past few months have more than made up for it. My faith in my ability to stay on this creative path has been renewed, and the New Year has served to energize me with enthusiasm that is fairly crackling!

Specifically, my dream journal is full words that have been translated into meanings, and meanings are translated into imagery. The birth of a new line, even a new direction in my work, might be taking place. Who knows where this will lead?

In 2012, I hope you are full of renewed enthusiasm as well, and inspired to rededicate yourself to your dreams, whatever they may be. I wish you peace, health, and all the energy you need to follow your path.

Please keep in touch, share your journey. Comments are welcome. That is what blogging is about!

INDIANAPOLIS -

The holiday season is an important time for retailers, a time that can make the difference between a profit or loss for the year.

The same is true for local, small businesses and a new website is designed to make it easier to find and support them.

Tucked away in a tiny workshop, Nancy Lee sees the beauty in scrap pieces of copper, aluminum, clock gears – even bullets.

“I’ve been doing all sorts of arts and crafts since I was really a little, little girl,” said Lee. “I even did a beautiful woven necklace with played violin strings.”

She pounds and saws away, making pieces that rival those in the finest, big name jewelry stores and even has a little gallery. But she sure doesn’t rival big name advertising budgets.

“I would love to be able to be located by people who are looking for handmade works,” she said.

So she made a profile on Thumbtack.com. The name for Thumbtack came from the way people advertise offline. The founders wanted to build an online bulletin board, where anyone can thumbtack their service.

It is not a new idea, but the founders in San Francisco say they separate themselves by including only businesses that have chosen to sign up, letting you say what service you need, getting several local bids within 24 hours and putting each service through a 12-step verification process.

“That makes me feel good that I am amongst other people who have also been verified, so that kind of raises everyone up,” Lee said.

There are 2,000 Indianapolis businesses on Thumbtack so far, of all kinds. You can even hire a Santa Claus if you need one.

A local personal shopper and moving company listed on the site say they just wish more people knew about it. You can search Thumbtack for free, but businesses have to sign up to be a part of it and it can cost them to be part of the bidding process.