everything is "on the side" of something else

during the day, i work for my dad - who is an architect. in the past year i have worked on a variety of projects doing a variety of things from construction documents for a small cabin on the north shore of lake superior; to printing stunning images of projects that we've submitted for different awards; to specifying lighting or selecting furniture for clients. in many ways, i do a lot of the "side things" that surround the architecture that help it be great. the latest issue of METROPOLITAN HOME Magazine shows an example of one of the coolest "side things" that i've done for SALMELA Architect: i helped stage/produce the photo shoot of a client's house for the magazine. you can see my name along side the amazing linda o'keeffe (whom i first met over 10 years ago helping her with a different photoshoot.) it was great fun & i feel so lucky!



















the funny thing is - i often tell people that i make jewelry "on the side" - i also help my husband souliyahn with the schematic design of silvercocoon projects "on the side" and then of course i am the mother of a 2 year old boy and i live in a house that needs to be cleaned and i eat food that needs to be cooked..... and you get where i am going with this. everything that i do is on the side of something else. in my twenties, my biggest worry was that i liked to do too many things and that i would never be able to focus on one thing. in my mind i had somehow predetermined that i needed to do ONE thing in order to be happy or successful or legitimate. well, i am embracing a new philosophy - i can do more than one thing and the things can (and do) inform eachother in ways that can be magical. i am grateful for the variety in my work and grateful for the opportunities that i am given to do so many fun and challenging things. 2008 is my year to really approach my life from the many 'sides' that inspire me and keep me moving forward ...