Weekend Love

It's going to be a weekend FULL of positive vibes. This is just the start of the love letters I'll be leaving around Edmonton and Calgary this weekend. Hope you can join in on this fun! Send me pics of your letters at: spreadsomeloveletters@outlook.com

Sending positive vibes to all you fabulous people xoxo

Spread some love….LETTERS!!

So things here at the Spread Some Love blog are changing and I couldn't be more excited. When I initially called the blog 'Spread Some Love' I always had in the back of my mind the idea to start a project that focused on spreading love, positivity and encouragement through handwritten notes. I've got a real thing for keeping handwritten notes alive and always feel amazing when I get one in the mail from a friend. I want everyone to feel that awesome!! SO, here's the deal. I need your help and would love for you to join us on spreadin' some love everywhere we go. Here are ways you can get involved. Grab some cards and write from the heart then:

- Leave your handwritten notes in public places for strangers to find and be forever impacted.

- Send a note to a friend, family member, teacher, coach, anyone in your life and let them know how much they mean to you and the impact they've had on you.

- Did you have great service somewhere? Did a company or person go above and beyond for you? Let them know! Write them a letter to tell them how much you appreciated the extra attention to detail and thoughtfulness. You just never know how this could impact the company or a particular employee.

Not sure what to write? A little freaked out at the idea of writing to strangers? Write as if they're already your friends. Think about what you would be pumped to read and write that! Maybe you have a particular quote you love, share it with them! Just remember to keep it positive and encouraging. Our goal is to spread some love even if only for a minute. Let's just make everyone smile!! 

PLEASE make sure you put 'spreadsomelove.ca' somewhere on the letter so that the recipient can let us know how they were impacted.

Here's some inspiration.

Learning about stones - Agate

The more I discover and use different gemstones in my jewelry, the more I like learning about them. I thought it would be fun to share some of the things I'm learning. I'll start with the Agate stone.

Agate stones were first found in the Achetes River in Sicily. They usually have layers, stripes and specks of colour. They're known as the 'earth rainbow' and can be found in every colour.

Agate is known to attract strength, diminish stress, restore energy and is considered a protection stone.

It's Giveaway Time!

Enter for the chance to win one of the oh so popular Melody bracelets handmade with 10mm Jasper gemstones OR $5 off your next purchase. Good luck!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Beauty Within Project - Interview.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I love ballet. There's just something about it that gets me every time. The elegance, the tutus, the athleticism, I love it all. It's not a surprise that when I came across the Beauty Within Project, I was blown away. I loved how they combined the elegance and beauty of ballet with life in Alberta and definitely wanted to find out more about this endeavour. I hope you enjoy getting to know these incredibly talented photographers and what their vision behind the project is. Enjoy!

1) Tell us a little about yourselves.

Hi, my name is Kendal Dyer and my fiance is Kevin Nakonechny. We both own our own photography companies here in Calgary - Kevin works as NAKA Photography and my company is Midnightea Art and Photography. We are both born and raised Albertans although we have both had the pleasure of living in other spots as well (Wollongong (Australia) and Victoria (BC) myself, while Kevin lived in Bournemouth (UK)). Eventually we both found ourselves back in Calgary.

Feel free to use any information from our bios as well: 

http://midnightea.com/about/

http://www.nakaphotography.com/#!about/c240r

We're pretty typical Albertans for the most part - we both love getting out into the outdoors, hiking and camping and yes, we do enjoy our Big Rock Beers!  

2) What is the Beauty Within project?

The Beauty Within Project is a photo-series that Kevin and I put together, hoping to showcase Alberta's somewhat unknown, yet very impressive art scene. We shot at a number or iconic settings throughout southern Alberta with ballerinas acting as visual symbols, representing the arts. 

3) What was the inspiration behind it?

We were inspired to do this project because I think we both see a divide between the way Alberta is often perceived and the present day reality of our province. The ‘wild west’ mantra doesn't really hold true anymore. There is so much variety within the province and I don’t think that gets communicated as well as it maybe could. 

Ballerina’s were part of an earlier concept that I had. I thought it would be interesting to do a shoot with a ballerina in an old warehouse, playing on the contrast between something conventionally beautiful and something unattractive. We decided that ballerinas could be used in the Beauty Within Project, to act as a visual symbol for the arts. The photos needed to convey a message but at the same time be interesting and attention grabbing. I think the ballerinas pull that off.

 4) What is the main goal of the project and where do you see it going?

The aim of the project was to highlight Alberta’s art scene, and showcase Alberta’s landscapes in a slightly different light. In doing so, redefining people’s perceptions of Alberta.

This photo-series was specifically about the arts, since that resonates with Kevin and I, but really there are so many themes that could be highlighted. We all value things differently and ultimately I just hope that this project spurs a conversation. What are your perceptions of Alberta? How would you define being an Albertan? I know what my thoughts are but it would be interesting to see what others are thinking.

 5) Can people purchase these photos?

Definitely! If people are interested in prints they can contact us through our websites midnightea.com and nakaphotography.com.

6) Where can we find out more?

We have been posting photos from the series via my Midnightea Facebook page (facebook.com/midnightea) and over at Kevin's blog "Photo and a Song" (wordpress.nakaphotography.com). We were also recently featured in the Huffington Post Alberta, which you can read here -http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/12/23/alberta-beauty-within-photography_n_4494693.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-alberta.

If people have specific questions they can contact us through email - kendal.dyer@gmail.com or kevnak19@gmail.com

NAKA Photography

www.nakaphotography.com

www.nakaphotography.wordpress.com

Instagram @nakaphotography

Midnightea Art & Photography

www.midnightea.com

www.facebook.com/midnightea

Instagram: @kendaleigh

A Little Reflection.

As 2014 approaches, reflecting on the previous year seems to happen naturally. It's always a good time to decide what you'd do differently, what you loved and want to keep the same, what new goals you'll set and essentially what direction you want your life to go. I've definitely realized that strict, unrealistic resolutions aren't really the answer (been there, done that) but rather, general approaches to life and business with a few firm goals in the mix is what works best for me.

2013 was a year of major growth for Bellafusion. I'm so happy I returned to jewelry designing. I realized that deep down I'm a creative and when I'm not making something, I go a little wild. I stopped ignoring that and decided to embrace it instead. Jewelry has always been a way for me to express this creativity but has never really been my main focus with Bellafusion. This year I really started to focus in on designing and featuring my handmade items in the shop and these ended up being some of my most popular items. Cool! It's always so flattering when people love what you make. I plan on adding in a whole handmade collection in 2014. I'm currently in the process of finding the perfect gemstones to use. I'm really excited! Here's to 2014.

Sending positive vibes your way and thank you for the part you've played in making 2013 so wonderful.

My plan for 2014 :)

Thank you.