copperseal

bucket list

2011-08-15T15:09:00.007-04:00

I figured 20 was a good age to start making a bucket list - it's a nice, even number and I feel like i'm starting to have some sort of grip on what I want to do with my life (or so we all think). Some items are the obvious thrill-seeking activities and other are more like a feeling or experience. So here it goes:

1. Zipline through the rainforest

2. Feel like the smallest thing in the universe

3. Skydiving

4. Alaska

5. Travel across the world for business

6. Write a revolutionary healthcare study

7. Pizza in Italy

8. See Paris

9. Feel like i'm on set of the Sound of Music

10. Discover true bloodline connection to Grace Kelly

11. Have a beautiful daughter

12. Learn to dance (really)

13. Go on a cruise

14. Live in Portland

15. See Lady Gaga in concert

16. Take a cooking class

17. Start a business

18. Master a second language

19. Relearn the piano

20. Cross-country road trip

21. Bowl a perfect game

22. Visit New York

23. Learn to beat box

24. Turn my senior thesis into a reality (whatever it may be)

25. St. Patrick's Day in Ireland

26. Start a college fund for my future child

27. Invest 10% in a 401k

28. Become a yogi

29. See the Northern Lights

30. See a broadway

31. Swim 3 lengths underwater

32. Vegas

33. Make profit from the stock market

34. Go a year without eating sweets

So, while making this I sort of cheated - I'm going to be travelling to France in two weeks which will be eliminating #8. But I figured crossing something off the list so early on is a good confidence booster. I have my ways.

Have you ever started one? I'd love to hear what you have written down!

Until next time,

Erica

holiday monotony

2010-12-03T22:09:00.003-05:00

winter break is here and i am off school for the holidays. between the last time i wrote and now i have settled into living on my own in savannah and turning my apartment into a home. i can finally say that it is practically finished as far as decorating goes, and i'm pretty proud of my little abode :)

fall quarter of school taught me the following things:

+ the girls in interior design are complete idiots.

+ opportunities are waiting for you to grab them if you have the right connections

+ you have to learn to accept the fact that you will face denial and you will face disappointment. it's a part of life and helps you grow.

+ with solid writing skills, you can pretty much bs your way out of situations where you are inferior or unknowing.

+ you cannot pass a test without studying for at least 10 hours.

this last quarter of school was really difficult for the last four weeks or so, and i have finally recovered from the zombie-like state that finals had me in. consequently, after all of that work and sleep deprivation, i've been hard at work with a few graphic design contests. the goal is to win a few and earn some extra cash but we'll see how it goes - i am, after all, an interior design major.

when school ended i spent a glorious week full of gluttony and other vices. it was amazing. and then i went home for thanksgiving, which was a little less than amazing. here i am sleeping on my floor (the mattresses are in savannah via car, remember?), being woken up my a slobbering dog and my father at 8am every morning, and being forced to PAINT. A. HOUSE. every day from morning until nightfall, all for some quality family time and turkey. i'm not really sure at this moment if the trade-off was worth it but i guess it was a time to remember.

coming back to a deserted town was eery. everyone had gone off to celebrate the holidays at home, and here i was.. me and my apartment... alone...

within the first few hours i had found boredom and within the next few hours i decided i needed a second job. the next day i found one and that's been keeping me busy ever since. it makes the time go by and is lucrative which are two things that i really need right now, so thats all good.

did i mention i got accepted to study in Lacoste, France next spring? if i can afford it.. i think i'd kick myself if i got this opportunity and didn't get to take it.

but i cant really think about that right now.

nothing much else to mention - my days are at work and my nights are at the downtown cafe. this is my life right now.

lets hope for the best ;)

playing around

2010-10-04T20:47:00.002-04:00

full portfolio here

bumblesea giveaway

2010-09-30T14:07:00.002-04:00

Enter the jewelry giveaway sponsored by Bumblesea indie jewelry / indie fashion blog.

glory days

2010-09-28T19:20:00.003-04:00

all of the stress and worry that comes with making change eventually subsides and brings out some of the best experiences you can get out of life. towards the end of the summer i successfully managed to:

+ question my ability to return to school
+ lose a good handful of hair worrying over finances
+ withstand the insanity associated with living at home
+ drive 300 miles with a mattress set attached to my car with virtually nothing but dental floss at a speed of 60mh on the highway along with 3 tons of miscellaneous items shoved into my trunk
+ get settled into my very first apartment that has a considerably low rape + theft rate for the city of savannah
+ score regular hours at my mundane lifeguarding job
+ return to school a much happier, self-fulfilled person than i was at the beginning of the summer.

as you can easily see, the tasks of the summer went from painstaking to progressively better conditions. if you were to bust the microscope out and read between the lines of those aforementioned bullet points, you would also discover the tiny things i've learned about myself and this so-called wondrous world of reality that i've been forced to be acquainted with within the past few months. some of these tiny bits of wisdom are as follows:

+ strawberry jelly is more expensive than grape. (i was a devout fan of strawberry but now i've switched to the dark side.)

+ the heavier your car weighs the worse your gas mileage (compare one tank of gas and 4 hours getting to savannah to 2 and a half tanks and 6...)

+ when choosing an apartment, make sure the previous tenant didn't let their pet bunny roam around and play the shit-pellets-in-random-places game. (it took some good creeping to find out who the culprit was.)

making the big move into independence has been humorous nonetheless. even though i could write a whole book about the challenges of maintaining a stocked fridge on a college budget, i will say that my meals have never been close to poverty. thanks to a certain someone and her countless generosities (and i did help in some cases too, mind you) i've actually been eating well beyond the expected par.

we both discovered that with the right mix of leftover ingredients and a little bit of intuition, a gourmet meal can be created out of practically nothing. i've been so amazed at the outcome of our little experiments that i'm even considering starting a separate blog to show college students the world beyond Ramen noodles - and trust me, young grasshoppers, it is a large and expansive one.

other than the many discoveries of youth and young adulthood, school has been occupying my time as expected. hope all is well with you and your place in life.

cheers,
erica

boundless days

2010-06-07T22:29:00.004-04:00

i feel like i'm writing a book on here but only revealing one page per chapter. i'll try to be better on these lazy summer days ;)

school is out for the summer and i could not even begin to describe the amount of changes that have surpassed in just the last couple of months. i feel like all college is is this rapidly churning cycle you get thrown into where you start changing and evolving so fast you kind of lose sight of who you thought you were for a bit. and as strangely enough as this sounds, there's also that omnipresent, acute sense of comfort that when you do, in fact, survive the whirpool that is college, you come out of it more reassured than you ever have been up to that point. and that, i'd say, is a change i'm willing to take the tumble for.

alongside changes a lot has stayed the same. i'm still sticking to my major, even though i have been doing a lot of different things on the side. and all that is teaching me that maybe it is possible to live a life with several plates full; to do what you love no matter how many things fall under that one category, to not have to carve your name under a certain skill or profession for all eternity in order to be a functional and sane human being. which is a good thing.

summer for me is a time without time. a season all about doing what you want to do, when you want to do it. and as unrealistic as that place might sound to you grownup, professional adults out there (and cynics alike), it is real. and even if i am dillusional, off in my own alternate reality that is really a complex diversion to the hectic and demanding life that i should be living, let that be. i can accept that.

for now, i'm living free. and i'm going to enjoy every non-second of it.

erica

two months later

2010-03-12T18:07:00.005-05:00

i think it's a general consensus around here that spring break couldn't have come soon enough! this quarter was definitely a doozy - submitting schoolwork on time meant long nights in front of the computer screen and a few days without sleep. it was rough, but we all made it. even though it feels like the days last on end, i came to the realization yesterday that i only have a handful of quarters left before i graduate from college. COLLEGE. ridiculous! i feel like i just got here! if i had all the money in the world i think i'd just stay in school, honestly.. and learn a few trades - what the heck. but i guess that sounds a bit irresponsible, huh..

nevertheless, school is going well at the present. classes are becoming more and more relevant and i'm enjoying learning more stuff about interior design. every class i take makes me more sure of my decision to major in all of this, which i guess is a blessing within itself.

i'll be staying in town for most of spring break - especially for st. patrick's day!!!! i'm too excited. too too excited.

then at the end of the break i'll go back down to see my family. i'm having a love/hate relationship with orlando right now. there are times when i really miss going out dancing with coworkers, or heading to the nearby beach, or even just laying outside near my quiet house and my quiet yard. i guess the good thing is that i'm only a small drive away - it's nice to think of home as more of a break than an obligation. seeing my family will be nice too - i'm only staying a weekend which i feel is the perfect amount of time to catch up, cross a few things off the list, and head back to my own agenda here in savannah.

it's just weird thinking that i'm gone for most of my brother's teen years. i feel like i should be there, to help influence him and set a good example. i suppose that's more of my parents' jobs - but i just feel like i should be there, ya know? both my older brother and sister were out of the house while i tackled my teens and looking back i wish they had been there to set me straight every once in a while. when your older siblings are gone you create this weird distortion of who they really are, it's one of those things i can't explain. i'm sure he'll be fine - but you know those boys!

life aside, i'll be spending this break simply rejuvenating. getting my sleeping schedule back on track, putting more exercise in my routine, and enjoying savannah for what it really is. let's only hope that the weather feels up to it!

until next time,

erica

P.S. make sure to keep tabs on my online portfolio

quick breather

2010-01-13T23:55:00.004-05:00

i've come to realize the multitude of benefits that come with letting go and giving all of your energy to what's right in front of you instead of remaining bitter and dwelling on the past. i have (had?) a bigger problem with resentment than i thought and especially with all of these great things happening to me lately, i've decided that that's not the kind of person i want to be.

i was never the girl people could say was happy all of the time or always had a smile. i was the girl with the comebacks, the snyde remarks, the walls. the girl everyone loved and at the same time loved to hate, and i was lovin' the "love" - because that's all i had known at that point.

i'm not really sure where i'm going with this, but for update's sake - life is good. it's been one heck of a roller coaster lately, but despite the drops and turns, at least i'm on for the ride.

and then all is revealed

2009-12-17T20:51:00.005-05:00

you used to be beautiful, but now you're a fake.

my eyes have been more opened in the past few months than they've ever been.

and i can genuinely say - genuinely - that i am completely, incandescently happy. is it silly to say that i'm a better person? i feel softer. i want to be better.

i like this.

when i take a moment and think about the blessings i have in my life right now i feel as if i could burst!

i cut my hair. because things are changing!

is this what love really feels like?

until next time,

erica.

new photos up on my flickr

say whatt??

2009-12-07T20:45:00.003-05:00

this time i'm not posting to spill my feelings out onto cyberspacial paper, my friends. oh no. this time i'm posting for victory.

of what you might ask?

this bad boy: (hell yes thats a hare with a fine bum!)

and a huge certificate to loveheylola's shop!

i know, right???

so, to get more entries in this contest-of-a-lifetime, i had to mention both her blog (which you all better be subscribed too already, btw) and her shop. sheesh, she thinks she's pullin a tooth, here! anything for this crazy gal!

crossing my fingers!

oh, dang. almost forgot the requested sweet and shiny poem!!

lola, hey lola, your words make me squeal
your blog is so funny, the content unreal.
rabbits with butts and bacon galore
your pics have me in tears, my sides aching sore.
if i win your contest i'll get up and dance,
and not gonna lie,
probably pee in my pants.

season's turning

2009-12-03T21:22:00.004-05:00

this year has been a huge year of self-analyzing, i'm not sure why. maybe some minute attempt at self-discovery? the more i find out about myself, the more assured and confident i become with my actions. not because i feel like i have excuses now, but because i know that this is who i'm intended to be.

lots of changes! it's all new for me. getting excited :) maybe i'm a bit more ready to disassemble the bricks than i thought.

hope everyone is having a fabulous season!

home again

2009-11-22T23:55:00.005-05:00

they say home is where the heart is - but what if mine's split between two?

i'm trying to look happy and grateful to be back at the family's house.

i'm trying to conceal the fact that i want to be somewhere else 90% of the time.

and i'm trying not to make this into another boo-hoo entry.

but it all seems to be going there, doesn't it ?

maybe it's the Bon Iver.

7 weeks away from a different life. one full of independence and growth. one full of choices.

but when i look back at all the strength i've gained from the wonderful people i surround myself with, i know i can trudge through it.

counting down...

using time wastefully

2009-11-04T22:47:00.003-05:00

i'm sort of proud of myself for putting time aside to work on small projects amongst the madness that has been school/work lately.

i feel like i've been in this artistic rut for years on end and have finally begun to monopolize the resources available to me as an art student.

here are a few small things i've completed - meet The Forest Gents (yet to be individually named):

hope all is well on your end :)

moving on along

2009-10-22T01:10:00.002-04:00

i don't know what it is lately but i'm messing with every canvas i can find! working with a graphic designer friend on making a website to display my artwork/photography/whatever else.

here are some smaller works i finished tonight:

we'll see what this weekend brings!

matryoshka dolls out of driftwood

2009-10-19T22:49:00.005-04:00

lately i've been (slowly and sometimes painstakingly) learning to make the best out of the situation. i've been really stressed lately with the usual - work, money, school - and it's been admittingly hard to stay positive and not lose focus.

to get out of these ruts i conquer the little things to build esteem, whether it be spending quality time with friends or treating myself to a hot coffee to relieve the stress.

finding small ways to conquer my biggest fears work as well. i'll counter being alone with surrounding myself with lovely people, or i'll counter being unproductive with painting or cleaning off my desk.

it's sort of a cheap high, getting happy over nothing big. but then when looking back, those are the big things that helped be get by.

and i cherish every moment of it.

decisions decisions

2009-10-16T17:40:00.003-04:00

my small works didn't get accepted into the gallery exhibit. now i have all this art i don't know what to do with.

should i open my own etsy?

i'm afraid no one's willing to spend the money on original artwork right now.

maybe i'll make prints & notecards.

???

mindless vision

2009-10-11T01:21:00.003-04:00

the past few days i've been on this little artistic train of mine... mindlessly doing piece after piece without much time to look upon my work after i complete it.

but i've come upon a dilemma folks. normally i get an idea in my head and i pursue the work until completion.

this one has got me stuck. this one i can't seem to finish.

is it because i don't want to ruin her? maybe i shouldn't be too attached, i usually just go for it with my other work.

i think i'll just stare at her. maybe she'll tell me.

ever been stuck?

wood can be cute

2009-10-09T16:47:00.005-04:00

i'm not sure how many of you follow my tweets but i just recently finished a project i was working on for a Small Works Exhibition at school. you basically create a few pieces no larger than 18" in any direction and they go through a panel to be accepted in a gallery event. i hope they sell!!

i've never done anything like this before so i was super excited to see how they would come out - i'm pretty happy with them!

working on myself

2009-10-01T17:01:00.003-04:00

currently sitting in art history not paying attention to art history.

currently studying Fall Quarter and not really enjoying Fall Quarter.

but i am here! and for that i'm grateful.

there's been a lot of self-analysis lately and i've discovered a few things about myself:

1. i really really care about what others think about me. not in an insecure, pouty way but a...strive to get everyone's affection way... which isn't really better.

2. i am a jealous friend.

3. i don't really struggle with anything.

4. i know i'm going to make something of myself one day. and its gonna rock. :)

i've also been unsure about my photography lately. i feel as if it's about to take a crazy 360 but until it turns its way fully around it has to go through this weird rut...

so until that amazing point, i'm in the rut...

but other than that, i can't really complain! i'll take your prayers, and your thoughts, as always :)

have a fabulous weekend!

and the stars aligned

2009-08-28T10:23:00.003-04:00

Alright so this post is going to be a quick one because I'm currently excited and anxious and happy. Oh, and in a hurry. :)

Basically I was senseless for doubting God and everything worked out in due timing with school - even though it involved selling my soul to Sallie Mae, I get to go to my dream school for at least one more year. Yay!

You start to notice how things are lining up once you break away from the idea of having everything your way. We're such selfish creatures, aren't we? I don't think we mean to be.

At least I didn't.

Hope everyone is well! I promise to get involved with the blogging community again shortly!

Have a great weekend,

- Erica

moneymoneymoney

2009-08-06T00:18:00.004-04:00

i admit i've been disconnected from the blogging community but i've been stressing over school!

please help me have a shot at this scholarship by clicking here and voting for my entries!

it takes two seconds - thanks!

p.s. you can vote every 7 hours, come back to this post to keep helping :)

hole

2009-08-01T18:59:00.004-04:00

i don't really know what's going to happen.

everything that i thought was on track has derailed and i'm not sure if i'm supposed to wait patiently or scurry around and try to force things.

sometimes you think you know the plan for your life.

and you're dead wrong.

what's your interior design style?

2009-07-17T20:42:00.003-04:00

being the interior design major that i am, i love taking these little quizzes to see if i can label myself correctly. this quiz, created by the International School of Colour and Design (why haven't i heard of them before??) is pretty darn accurate!

my score results were high street classic:

"You collect key pieces over time. Rich and luxurious objects appeal to you. Your home is a temple to all you love. Beloved memories feel your home. You balance function with excess. You enjoy the finer things in life. Trends are integrated into your home."

I'd say they've nailed me.

via How About Orange

exciting news!!!

2009-07-16T23:09:00.003-04:00

i am SO happy to announce the grand opening of a collaborative indie design i've been setting up with a good friend of mine called riffrafff.

we're out to prove thata little bit of wit, good taste in music, art, and design, and some nonsensicalness goes a longg way - and i hope you check it out!!!

tell your friends!! :D

margaret durow

2009-07-13T19:01:00.004-04:00

oh sunlight how you slay me.

here's her flickr

david fullarton

2009-07-10T00:42:00.005-04:00

introducing my kind of art - the kind my mind would make if it had two hands and a piece of paper. i discovered david fullarton on a favorite design site my love for you is a stampede of horses.

it's just genius.

free people

2009-07-08T14:26:00.005-04:00

Studded Stripe Blazer

LnA Lace Tee

Dainty Jersey Dress

as if i needed more things tempting my wallet - these looks from Free People (think Lucky Brand meets American Apparel) are right up my alley! (and how could you not love their website??)

the result of techno & crack

2009-07-05T22:53:00.004-04:00

a few recent pages from my sketchbook - i promise i'm not on anything.

featured!

2009-06-28T00:53:00.002-04:00

the lovely Stephanie from pandacubcafe was kind enough to feature beeandbee on her blog today!

don't you just love favors?

be sure to check it out!

smooth sailing

2009-06-25T23:56:00.004-04:00

just wanted to check in with you all :)

the yard sale went great! we were praying for certain things to sell and everything went pretty smoothly - even if we were sitting outside in 101 degree heat for 4 hours straight. yeah actually, that part wasn't very smooth... but other than that it was a new experience for me so i enjoyed it nonetheless.

opportunity is knocking and doors are opening and it feels like its going to be a good season.

i pray the same for you all!

and the choir sings

2009-06-18T18:18:00.004-04:00

i started work today. i'm finally going to get back into my routine and have a schedule and a paycheck and good times with coworkers and a tan! i am so pale.

i know i've been ranting about my summer job on here a lot but you can't blame me when it's oh-so-perfect :)

so this post is an optimistic one.

i was never one for making lists but i have files on my computer of things to buy, things to read, and things to do. i guess it sort of makes me feel a bit organized when i'm really one of the messiest people i know. with this job i'll hopefully be able to complete those lists - and completing things you start always feels good.

oh - Saturday we're having a yard sale! I know it normally isn't a big deal but i never got to have one growing up because my mom was into that whole "i have morals and give things away" ordeal and my inner childhood entrepreneur always always wanted to have one. i'm excited. it's going to be blazing hot and I'm not sure how well we'll do but I'm looking on the brightside! Maybe if we serve ice tea...

good enough

2009-06-15T12:24:00.004-04:00

i just wanted to take the time and thank all of my latest readers and followers - your comments are so appreciated and really keep me going!

things have started to pick up slowly on this end - still not working but at least i've been occupying my time by being with good friends and good times :)

today was the first day my father blatantly disliked my photos - i wasn't sure how to react, but i think i'll choose to thank him for the reality. i still have a lot of room to improve, and he reminded me of that.

can't go anywhere but up from here.

new photos on my flickr

forcing myself

2009-06-08T13:29:00.004-04:00

it would be quite the understatement to say i've been stuck in a "creative rut" lately - not so much creative in a sense, but a "crafty rut" to be sure.

so, this summer - in all of its splendid rainy evenings of boredom - i'm forcing myself to get crafty. it's come to my attention that although my profile description seen on the right side over there >>> states that craft blogs are my favorite things to read, it is quite hypocritical of me to say seeing as i rarely do any crafting of my own lately.

so i made something. nothing much - just an idea i saw at a Peace Festival way back in the days of high school that i've been wanting to try for some time.

I made a magazine strip bracelet. tadahhh! it's actually really nice to make an all organic project using recyclable materials - now i know what all of these liberal loons are talking about :P

it took about an hour to make all the little beads and to put it together. nothing much - great for the kids! but, i might add, it is not shower proof. of course only i would make the mistake of thinking a paper bracelet would last the wet heat.... yeah...

ever needed to get a tiny project out of your system to help the creative juices get flowin?

getting comfy

2009-06-05T18:53:00.003-04:00

i hope everyone's been having a great start to their summer.

things have been really hectic lately with trying to settle down at home and get back into my working routine.

it just goes to show that not everything goes your way - but we grow on that.

feel free to stop by the store - its a bit meek right now.

all the best until next time :)

the birds

2009-05-31T16:44:00.002-04:00

under the giant microscope

collecting brim and stone,

gathering twig and splinter

with dreams of milk and honeycomb.

up and down the tree they climb

fortressing their kin,

replacing squeek and shadow

with a home of press and prim.

listen to the branches speak

hear their every flake and whistle,

watch the birds build their own worlds

among the thorn and thistle.

moving on

2009-05-27T01:04:00.003-04:00

more photos on her flickr

i'm officially done with my freshman year of college.

i don't really know how i feel about it yet. too fast? too slow?

why not just right.

i go home friday and i'm so excited to see my family, spend lazy days under the florida sun, and most importantly, work my summer job!

oh how i missed making my own money.

but this summer i have to be smart with it and save it all - gotta pay for school, supplies, gas money, and hopefully save up for that charming little apartment i have stuck in my head ;)

i'm afraid my etsy is going to die - we haven't been doing much to promote it lately but i'd like to think that's mostly because of finals. it was mostly my dream and i'd hate to see it go under. i'll put it under my list of summer goals among other things.

like mastering the art of beatboxing.

no seriously - i'm gonna do it!

hope everyone had a lovely spring - i'm ready to move on.

the big one-eight

2009-05-22T11:48:00.001-04:00

it's my birthday today

and it's going to be lovely :)

if you're feeling kind

flickr follow

2009-05-11T21:45:00.003-04:00

her portraiture takes my breath away.

missing my mother

2009-05-10T16:18:00.004-04:00

today is being spent with my closest friends. lazing around in bed watching made for tv movies and craving pizza every 5 seconds.

it's not the ideal mother's day routine, but it will suffice :)

hope everyone is having a lovely, appreciative day.

p.s. it's never too late to buy your mother a present.

more photos on my flickr

getting things done

2009-05-02T01:04:00.005-04:00

hello everyone!

i've been gone a bit - but no worries, i've been doin stuff. like getting a new phone (this one - i know i know its flamboyantly purple and i hate it but hey a phones a phone) and burning myself alive at the beach. (i'm sparing you the picture on that one)

there are four more weeks left of school and then i'm headed back home to a summer full of lifeguarding, quality friend time, and much-needed rest.

so bizarre to think i'm basically a sophomore in college in now. wherrre has the time gone?

better question - have you stopped by my shop lately?

damn

2009-04-24T18:54:00.003-04:00

pulled pants off to sit

the water, so inviting

phone jumps right in. plop.

i'm not sure why having my phone completely spazz out and die of drowning inspired me to write a haiku about it but it did.

and now i'm phoneless.

after i got it out of the toilet, i dried everything off and tried to work it again, only to recieve a tweet saying not to turn it on right away. oops.

it totally freaked out. and then i totally freaked out. and now its sitting on my counter with its innards strewn about - hopefully pulling itself back together for me because i so cannot afford to get a new phone right now, however much i want this one.

spurring

2009-04-22T22:12:00.002-04:00

boredom spurs different effects in different instances.

sometimes it gets me spastic and hyper.

sometimes i get productive.

and others, as in right now, it gets me thinking.

...and thinking gets pretty dangerous.

what does boredom spur in you?

my new groove

2009-04-21T01:36:00.001-04:00

can't get enough of this song lately.

i kinda wanna make it my alarm ringtone - gets me up and goin!

cheated

2009-04-19T22:57:00.003-04:00

i've come to hate sundays.

sundays pretend like they're part of the weekend - but they're really not - because everything i've put off all weekend has to be done before monday.

is anyone else with me here?

featured!

2009-04-18T12:25:00.002-04:00

beeandbee was featured in a treasury by the wonderful Spazzy Yarns! check it out!

she's such a sweetheart - follow her on twitter and subscribe to her cute little blog!

new items to be added to the shop soon - heart us!

buttercups

2009-04-16T02:41:00.002-04:00

click to view larger

i made this as an inside joke with B... about paula deen.

because thats what "savannahians" do i guess - 'make fun of butter-fanatics. ;)

growing

2009-04-15T13:51:00.002-04:00

new items added to the shop!

they're katie's. and they're wonderful.

living is hard

2009-04-14T00:03:00.002-04:00

i don't understand how i'm ever going to be with someone.

i'm so difficult. :/

taking the time

2009-04-13T00:47:00.005-04:00

it has come to my attention that college makes you want to be occupied all the time.

at home i'm perfectly content with doing nothing and enjoying the moment.

why is this so hard away from home?

so as a springtime resolution, i'm going to try and sieze the moment more often. and do what i want as long as i'm content - whether this be a day full of a thousand things or none at all.

why has this taken me so long to realize?

new photos on my flickr.

don't forget to stop by my shop!

newly listed

2009-04-09T15:48:00.004-04:00

hey everyone! i just added 4 more prints to the shop - and many more to come within the week's time, so please go check it out!

if you can't make a purchase at this time it's completely understandable - just give us a heart and come back soon :)

preliminary stages

2009-04-08T22:51:00.003-04:00

i've been playing a lot with fonts and lettering in my sketchbook.

i think i want to make a graffiti tag :D

but i'd be too much of a pansie to put it anywhere.

moving along

2009-04-02T03:46:00.003-04:00

somehow im finding the strength to keep telling myself that everything is going okay.

things are picking up.

(and i kinda like it).

more photos here

made my second sale today! yay!

P.S. brand spankin' new 8x10s coming to the shop within the week! i'll tweet it. *

if i were a bird

2009-03-23T17:54:00.004-04:00

spring is here!!!

yay!

i hate to be the bipolar blogger but i'm feeling really good right now. the lord is providing and althought i know i have my work cut out for me this semester, i know its going to be a blast!

things are going a bit slow in the shop but its really because i haven't been motivated to promote it - i know that people want 8x10s and notecards but all i have stocked is 5x7s and no one is buying them :( i think i have to start listing the uses of handy 5x7s and maybe they'll come around.

photo from the bird-enthusiast tjmenkroes

untitled/unintitled

2009-03-19T18:41:00.004-04:00

i'd love to say that i've been away from copperseal because i've been off relaxing and enjoying my time at home. and i'd love to say that i haven't read my blogroll for so long because i'm too busy catching up with friends and finding myself and completing all the things on my list previously mentioned that i wanted to do this week.

but then i'd be telling a lie.

and among the many horrible things i could name myself, liar is not one of them.

a note to bloggers - writing entries whilst completely disoriented and somber is not the best way to go about this kind of business. nonetheless, i feel it necessary to go against my own word for the sake of this blog. goodness knows it needs a good update.

stress can be a real killjoy. although my spring break did start out with lazy afternoons in the sun with cold peach tea and a good book, it soon turned into this whirlwind of financial stress and pressure put onto me regarding school and i simply didn't know what to do with myself.

i'm not going to rant on about how irresponsible i think my parents are because i know at second glance i can tell you that its my heaviest emotions talking and that its not really true.

so instead i'm going to ask for your prayers. as well as ask myself to maybe once put myself first and try to enjoy this time away from the bustle of college while i still can. because otherwise, where else can i escape to?

matthew rich

2009-03-15T18:24:00.003-04:00

i stumbled upon the works of matthew rich through this design blog.

the way he handles line and perspective through paper cutting just bewilders me. i love his work - its so inspirational.

more here

spring has not broken

2009-03-13T23:35:00.005-04:00

sorry i have been away for a bit - i just got over my college finals and am home now for spring break :) i have the tendancy of making elaborate plans for myself and then ending up disappointed when things don't go my way.

and because i never learn from my own mistakes, here is a list of things i want to do this week away from school:

1. read at least 2 books from my "Books To Be Read Eventually" list (yes i have one of those. its sad i know)

2. tan

3. get lost with my camera

4. catch up with old friends

5. order new prints/notecards for my shop

and, most importantly:

6. relax

any plans for this week?

first treasury

2009-03-08T01:30:00.002-05:00

hey everyone! i don't want this blog to be all about my new etsy but i just wanted to share that i created my first treasury today! take a looksee

comments would be appreciated! and if you would like your items to be featured in my next one, drop me an email! i'd be more than happy to work around your item. ;)

beeandbee

2009-03-06T14:37:00.003-05:00

Guess what guess what guess what!

We've finally got our Etsy shop up! Introducing beeandbee - we sell photographic prints for your viewing pleasure!

I am so excited that we've finally kicked this off - please stop by and have a look!

--and tell your friends!!!

mumbo jumbo

2009-03-03T20:42:00.002-05:00

i know i haven't been blogging as avidly as i usually do but i've been wandering off into doodle land lately.

neet-o

2009-03-03T17:56:00.003-05:00

just discovered N.E.E.T. mag - an online publication chockfull of design and etsy goodness! take a look at these beauties found inside some of the stories/advertisements; the photography is stunning:

see the entire edition here

props to creature comforts for opening my eyes ;)

writing at 4am = nonsensical

2009-03-02T04:20:00.003-05:00

The Beaver and the 'Potamus

The Beaver asked the 'Potamus

"Why doest thou graze all day,

in fields of grass and fields of wheat

with no work and all play?"

The 'Potamus gently turned to reply,

his whiskers broad and thick

"We would build traps for schmucks like you,

but you've used up all the sticks!"

image taken from this lovely blog

Billy and Barnard - Ep. 3: Fructoose Cocktails

2009-02-27T11:04:00.001-05:00

see the past episodes here and here

meet elizabeth ann

2009-02-26T17:20:00.003-05:00

i know i've been talking a lot about flickr lately but i am absolutely in love with her work - 'reminds me a lot of abby. elizabeth ann captures life's simplicity in all of its beautiful hushed tones. see more of her work here.

--have someone you think should be in the spotlight? feel free to email me with blog suggestions!

lately

2009-02-25T22:57:00.002-05:00

a few things out of my sketchbook lately - seems i actually like drawing people from observation. oh and sumi ink = love.

someplace else

2009-02-25T17:51:00.004-05:00

like Gruyere, Switzerland

that is where i'd love to meet spring

meet alana davis

2009-02-25T02:03:00.002-05:00

alana davis is a photographer

and she takes pretty pictures.

see more here

we are whale riders

2009-02-24T19:59:00.003-05:00

the buses moan like orcas

in this flooded city

and i am drowning

image found here

flickr lookout - aimee brodeur

2009-02-23T00:38:00.007-05:00

i'm going to start doing a series where i feature some of my favorite flickr contacts. if you're not involved in the flickr community i highly recommend it - so much talent waiting to be discovered and cherished!

to start, i've recently discovered aimeebrodeur. her refreshing mix of both warm and cool tones offers balanced composition and a surprisingly calming theme throughout all of her pieces. but, it is her recent batch that really set me off - look at these beauties:

stunning, right? hop over to her photostream and check out the rest of her work - you won't be disappointed!

have a favorite flickr contact you'd like to recommend? leave a comment below and a link back to your blog ;)

are you my contact on flickr? click me

ta ta for now, lovelies!

****UPDATE: i just now discovered she has a website full of hidden gems! check it out

then & now

2009-02-21T15:43:00.004-05:00

for documentory blogging purposes, i'm doing a flashback photo comparison of me in february 2009, and february 2008.

i challenge you to take a picture of yourself and compare it to one from exactly one year ago. we never see ourselves change because we see ourselves every day - i think its a good thing to look back on yourself. here's mine:

then:

now:

if you choose to participate, leave a comment below and a link back to your blog :)

anonymousness

2009-02-21T12:00:00.002-05:00

i just joined the best group on flickr - anonymousness.

comprised of portraits where the face is hidden by hair, a mask, etc - anonymoussness hits all of my favorite notes. check out some of these beauties!

unfortunately

2009-02-21T02:04:00.003-05:00

how weird is it that this picture comes up when google image searching "unfortunately, erica" ???

okay so i just read the best google search game ever invented from jenny at allsorts. no doubt.

here is what you do: google search the phrase "unfortunately, _______" and fill the blank with your first name. make sure you put quotation marks around the entire thing. it yields the most hilarious results - here are some of mine:

-----------------------------------------------

Unfortunately, Erica called Chandler a "money-grubbing capitalist."

sorry chandler...

Unfortunately, Erica knows that sex sells and that she can't use the same jacket cover photo when she was forty-one.

they tried to tell me

Unfortunately, Erica is unable to save the wife's badly damaged lung and she dies.

who needs medical school?

Unfortunately, Erica didn't impress the judges ........................... she was cut.

i know i should've auditioned for Miss Tween America instead...

Unfortunately, Erica - quite literally - misses the point.

well maybe if you made the point a little larger...in size...

-----------------------------------------------

pretty funny right? ironically i had a lot of jail-related quotes. i guess there are some bad Erica's out there...

comment below with your favorite result!

expectations

2009-02-20T14:44:00.004-05:00

--- okay so google accounts decided to play a little switcharoo on me and basically i've been freaking out because i couldn't log into blogger. but all is better now so do read on :) ---

first i wanted to thank everyone for their great support and etsy advice - i'm so excited to get this project up and running!

today i went to a career fair and it was overwhelming. just massive clusters of seniors waiting in line with their huge portfolios and fancy fancy resumes and such - and there i was...in my jeans and flats... clueless.

i'm glad i went though - at least I know what to expect for next year when i actually get the guts to go to a booth and talk to some major companies about interships and projects.

can't i just bump into a residential interior decorator on the street and get good vibes and intern with her and idk take over the business and then eventually make my own name and be famous for all eternity?

no?

not even maybe a freelance photographer?

oh the world i wish i lived in.

bare

2009-02-18T20:43:00.002-05:00

i'll be alone this weekend.

hopefully i'm productive.

truthfully? i'll be right here in front of the computer. desperately searching for things to occupy my time.

anyone care to stop by?

new photos on my flickr

save banshee

2009-02-17T20:45:00.003-05:00

Adrian from the beloved Jester Funny Boox needs our help!

Their kitten recently came down with acute renal failure and of course along with that, a spiraling medical bill. In efforts to raise funds to help save their baby's life, Jester Funny Books is offering the cutest kitten tees in exchange for a $35 donation on their etsy.

***If you would love to make a donation of another amount and/or not recieve anything in exchange, please go to their chipin page to give money - which also has blog entries on the progress of poor Banshee.

Anything will help, so please make the effort and give if you can!

seize the day

2009-02-17T14:48:00.003-05:00

i start the day off in a relatively content mood and it either twists into being really happy or kind of depressing.

can it ever just stay content?

i guess life wouldn't be too exciting then.

p.s. i'm gonna do it.

just breathe

2009-02-16T20:34:00.002-05:00

isn't it marvelous to come home from a long day of walking and talking (and of course a few Nikons) and to crawl into your warm bed in the evening with no agenda whatsoever?

it makes me feel at home, even when i'm not.

new photos on my flickr

seller on the rise

2009-02-16T01:47:00.002-05:00

The sweet Meaghan from Left Hand Endeavor just opened her new Etsy shop Red Letter Days Vintage! She has the most darling taste and if you have a knack for vintage clothes I would most definitely take a look at her listings.

happy saturday

2009-02-14T22:48:00.004-05:00

this is my feeble attempt to put forth some normalcy on this day of hearts and candy and romance.

so i hope you all had a wonderful saturday :)

help

2009-02-13T22:55:00.004-05:00

so to vaguely put things, i'm going to be recieving a bit of cash very shortly and instead of going on one great spending expenditure i thought i'd try to make a little profit.

i was thinking of selling some of my photography on etsy, but before i do this i know i have a lot of research to do.

my question for you: how do you recommend i get started? how much should i charge per photograph?

what sizes are most popular?

and the most important question of them all:

would anyone buy any of these?

i would really love your feedback. anything will help.

p.s. i think i like trees. . . i take other stuff too i swear. :S

day by day

2009-02-13T21:37:00.003-05:00

there are sometimes when you just need to focus on the moment and appreciate it in all its splendor.

it really distracts from "the now."

new photos on my flickr

p.s. anyone wanna upgrade me to pro?? ...no? k just thought i'd ask.. :P

sketches

2009-02-12T16:18:00.003-05:00

i've been doing a lot of sketching lately - sometimes i get on this creative buzz and i try to ride it out for as long as possible. so i thought i'd share with you guys some of the last pages in my book:

the last one is something i really like to do. i write out a word and then place my compact mirror at an angle and draw the reflection onto the upper half of the word. it doesn't make any sense, i know...

really getting into people again. girls are easier than boys.

two words:

2009-02-11T02:24:00.002-05:00

corrie bonds.

wow. talk about aspiration.

(found through the lovely follow studio)

so this is what i want

2009-02-10T22:54:00.002-05:00

first off, i am a striver. when there's something i really want, i strive for it until i get it. call it God's will or plain luck, i've got it.

lately i've been thinking a lot about my future and what i want out of it. so here it is:

i want to wake up every morning next to someone i love.

i want to spend afternoons with good friends.

i want to laugh every day.

i want to always see the world as a beautiful place.

i want to be inspired.

i want to be independant.

i want to be successful.

i want to be truthful to myself.

i want to be happy.

i was going to turn this list in a whole different direction with specifics - cute apartment in historic downtown with a sunroom for tea and lots of natural lighting and a job as an independant interior decorator with a high reputation for design and possibly a husband before i turn 30 and lots of girls. just girls.

but i thought i'd loosen the mold just a tad.

mail call

2009-02-10T14:45:00.005-05:00

just to remind everyone out there - i am not a huge fan of valentines day.

Today i recieved a package in the mail from my family back home. inside was a giant Russel Stover box of chocolates from my valentine (daddy) as well as other little goodies like fudge cakes, skittles, and my tax return form. :P

Each year my dad hides a heart-shapd box of chocolates under his pillow, and its tradition for me to wake up on Valentines Day morning to retrieve the box and thank him with a kiss. My mother was always jealous of this valentine exchange (my father's not the most romantic man...) but I always disregarded her and went gallobanting around the house with nuts, caramels, and strawberry filling mixing around in my mouth. Who needed boys with a valentine like my dad??

Since I can't obviously check under his pillow this year, he printed out a picture of a pillow and taped it on top of the box - how cute can he get?? It made me miss my family even more.

I also made my little brother a birthday/valentine card. the two ocassions are only two days away (good luck with that, future wife) so i thought i'd kill two birds with one stone. playing with that idea, here's his card:

anything with mythical creatures and a hint of violence will make my brother happy - its a 13 year old boy thing. i'm sure he'll get a kick out of it ;)

any valentines day traditions? this holiday isn't the greatest idea but i can't say no to good old fashioned mail!

tagged + awarded

2009-02-09T21:10:00.008-05:00

One of the "homiest" blogs I read, Left Hand Endeavor, awarded me with a nice little blog award! 'So grateful for my lovely blog community - you gals are the greatest! So, as tagged, I write ten things about myself and list 10 of my favorite blogs. Here we go:

1. i don't like to 'dance'. if you want to have sex, find a bedroom. don't wet the dance floor.

2. if i could do nothing but travel the world and take pictures all day i would. no doubt.

3. i make a habit of completely drowning in tears of joy whenever i receive a present i really really want. if my family took pictures on christmas morning, you'd think it's raining.

4. i'm going through this weird transition where scary movies really freak me out but i'm kind of intrigued so i watch them anyway.

5. i hate whistling. stop. it's not cute.

6. im not a morning person, but i think morning is the most amazing, peaceful time of the day. i wish i could see it more often...damn my sleeping habits.

7. i love to drink. i'm what you would call a "poor alcoholic." as in, if i had the funds to always have my fridge stocked with alcohol to have whenever i want, i would be one happy camper.

8. speaking of which, i don't enjoy camping. i love the outdoors (especially through the eyes of my nikon) but would much rather enjoy the green in a clean, civilized manner

9. "sassy" is one of my favorite words.

10. i don't like taking baths unless im already clean and the tub is in PRISTINE condition. the thought of lying in my own filth disgusts me. and should disgust you too.

---------------------------------------------------------------

okayy so those are 10 things about me. any questions, comments?

...no? okay moving on to 10 blogs that i thouroughly enjoy seeing every. single. day.

---------------------------------------------------------------

abbytryagain

her photos... i can't even begin to explain. this woman sees life through the loveliest eyes. a blog roll must!

hey lola

if you ever need a laugh: click it.

wikstenmade

such a talented designer and a sweetheart, too! i love keeping up with her designs.

fine little day

if i could choose to live anyone's life in my blog circle, it would be hers. so eclectic and simple.

field guided

her and her husband geoff are the most creative couple i know! full of beautiful things; lace and all.

ill seen ill said

a blog full of the latest trends and inspiration - just discovered it. love it.

wildflowers::pretty

one of the sweetest bloggers i know! great musical taste, too ;) head over for tea, crumpets, and a deep read.

one blue wren

she is constantly filling my inspiration binder with things. such an eye candy!

design for mankind

erin always keeps me in the know with the latest graphic designs and artists alike. a great eye.

wee wonderfuls

always full of cute things. always.

okay let me just conclude by saying how HARD that was!! i was surprised! i mean i probably follow around 100 blogs, and you're telling me to just choose 10?? i used to follow anyone who made me read more but lately i've been more selective. so really i'd love to tag all of them - i urge you to check out my blog roll on the right for some really really good reads. --> somewhere... --->

alright so you know the drill! if you've been tagged, you can either accept the award and post your top 10's orrr just accept the award...and not. :) either way, know that you are truly treasured! don't forget to mention copperseal!!

i'm sick

2009-02-06T15:19:00.001-05:00

my little sprout isn't doing so hot either...

mullet revolution!

2009-02-05T19:10:00.002-05:00

i don't know what these crazy ladies are up to but i suppose i instigated it.

they like mullets. do you like mullets? bring on the revolution.

don't like mullets? you'll like Gwen Bell. (although i'm not sure with that attitude if she'll like you back!) she's super cute!

is it spring yet?

2009-02-04T22:38:00.002-05:00

the new spring collection at j.crew is making me want to burn my gloves and scarves and bust out the skirts and sandals! how cute is this look???

old work

2009-02-03T16:03:00.002-05:00

this was my final piece last quarter in Drawing I.

i really really love white charcoal.

what's your favorite medium?

+ blogroll

2009-02-02T23:17:00.002-05:00

just rediscovered one blue wren. i follow her on flickr and has apparently finally got her website up and running. her blog is full of lovely images - she is quite handy behind the camera ;)

love her prints? buy them on her etsy.

edouard boubat

2009-02-02T22:24:00.003-05:00

love his stuff. why do i always discover photographers long after they've passed away? check him out.

january playlist

2009-02-01T23:13:00.003-05:00

i decided to compile a list of my top songs for the month of january. maybe i'll make it a monthly thing.

Skinny Love - Bon Iver

The Lord God Bird - Sufjan Stevens

Let It Die - Feist

Your Song - Kate Walsh

Flightless Bird - Iron & Wine

Unattainable - Little Joy

Fade Into You - Mazzy Star

any music recommendations?

p.s. new flickr photos up here

a flickr must-see.

2009-02-01T00:35:00.004-05:00

you all need to hop over to this flickr group right now.

left handed sillies

2009-02-01T00:10:00.002-05:00

this is what katie and i do while we're bored. we play the "finish the story" game and then draw pictures to illustrate with our left hands. yes we are completely out of our minds. :)

One time I had a pet fat ass snuffleuffagus named Peter. He wanted to snow skiing. But as soon as we got to the top he noticed he lost his fat ass. Lo and behold we looked at the trail of blood down the mountain and we saw his fat ass sitting in the snow. The End

+ blogroll

2009-01-27T19:08:00.002-05:00

Alicia and Susannah of A Few of Our Favorite Things have the loveliest thing going. If you love the simplicity of polaroids and altogether amazing photographs, go check it out now.

the world spins madly on

2009-01-26T19:12:00.004-05:00

things have been a bit shaky lately, but i know everything's going to work out for the better.

i'm taking the focus off of me and putting it more onto others. they deserve it.

more new photos here

inside my head

2009-01-25T21:49:00.005-05:00

ive caught myself staring off into deep space for minutes on end lately - just thinking. thinking of a billion things at once. i just feel so overwhelmed with all of these new emotions.

so to deal, i did some sketchbook therapy. its all jumbled, nonrelated...like my thoughts. i like the graphic style my hand puts down but i wish i rocked at drawing people from memory... soon, young art student! soon! :P

its nice to see thought to sketch.

what do you do to relieve stress and/or clear your head?

surrounding myself

2009-01-22T23:09:00.003-05:00

i finished my first major Color Theory project tonight - i think it turned out okay. i'm more of a fan of how accomplished it makes me feel to finish something and find it aesthetically pleasing.

im looking forward to tomorrow - picture time!! this weekend is going to be fun. i've decided.

and sometimes you just have to make that decision, no matter what the world tries to say.

how was everyone's week?

wow

2009-01-21T23:42:00.003-05:00

i....

i cannot even begin to say...

how grateful i am of all of you. really i am truly touched. reading your comments on my last post was so inspiring, especially coming from the women i most respect in this miraculous blog community.

i know i was trying to stray away from the emotional blogging and focusing more on craft and design, but i just wanted to give a big virtual hug to all of you - and even those who didn't comment and who actually take the time to read copperseal. thank you.

when i was young i used to say the same prayer everynight: "Dear Lord give me dreams of people and things I love and enjoy."

and here you guys are telling me to surround myself with such things. so that is exactly what i'm supposed to do - because i know that deep down i realize it as well.

so im going to grow on that, and become the most truthful me that i could know by being engulfed in inspiration.

such as you guys - my daily dose of inspiration.

---as far as the future goes---

this weekend is a busy one. i'm going to take a little nature adventure with katie around the city and take pictures! (people/things i thoroughly enjoy)

so that will be fun. :)

you all make me smile.

- erica

on a more serious note...

2009-01-20T01:05:00.004-05:00

a lot of thinking going on. i don't want to write it all out here but i hate how i can't be honest on my own blog. i guess that's why this isn't a diary. or even a good friend with willfull ears and an open mind. which i desperately need right now but am too confused to even know where to begin or what to think.

but i just wanted to record the fact that i am truely struggling with myself. lots of average sexual teenage personal-identity crisis stuff. the norm, but nonetheless, painful.

when did it become clear to you of who you truely are? is there that groundbreaking moment or do we never really know? do we just keep on living and evolving into the more truthful person we were always meant to be?

im just so confused.