There’s a quiet kind of magic in simply stopping long enough to truly see. This week, I paused over a black-and-white photo of a crystal glass. Just two colors — black and white — yet somehow full of life. And the more I lingered, the more I noticed why: Light and shadow. Not just “light” and “dark,” but the highlight within the highlight and the shadow within the shadow. That subtle layering is what gives objects depth, dimension, and a sense of presence. It made me realize how easily our creative work flattens when we rush… and how much richer it becomes when we train our eyes to look again. 1️⃣ What did you stop and truly see? 2️⃣ What inspiration did you find in it? 3️⃣ How might that translate into your creative projects? Big or small, fancy or ordinary — it all counts. The point is to see before we make. This is how we train the artist’s eye — one moment of noticing at a time. 🖤

I've scheduled our 1st Meet and Greet Skool Live Call for Sunday, January 18th @ 5pm - 6pm Chicago time. I've never done this before, so please forgive any errors, as there will probably be many. Let's just enjoy some face-to-face time and get to know each other a little better. If we have time, you can help me with some questions I have. But the real focus is on connection and comfort. The event is scheduled on the calendar, and you will receive an email reminder the day before. There isn't a perfect time to schedule this for an international group, but I hope the time will work for most of us. I hope you will make plans to join.

Part #3 will open when the community reaches 12 likes and 8 comments on this post. This isn’t about performance or pressure. It's simply a way for us to open the letter together, at a pace that reflects shared presence. You don’t need to write anything long. A single word, a short sentence, or even just a heart counts. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Loneliness Is Not a Personal Failure There is something I want to say because so many people carry this quietly. Loneliness is not a sign that you have failed. It is not a character flaw. It is not evidence that you haven’t tried hard enough or done enough “right.” Loneliness often comes from change—from bodies that no longer cooperate the way they once did, from relationships that shift or fade, from seasons where energy, mobility, or opportunity narrows. Many people who feel lonely are thoughtful, capable, generous people. They are often the ones who listen well, who adapt, who keep going. If you are lonely, I want you to know this: You are not broken. And you are not alone in feeling this way. When Health Changes the Shape of Life Health issues—especially ongoing ones—can quietly rearrange everything. They change how much energy you have. How reliable your days feel. How often you can show up, respond, or even think clearly. And yet, so often, the world expects you to keep pace anyway. If your body has become unpredictable…If pain, fatigue, or limitations shape your days…If you have had to grieve abilities you once took for granted… I want you to know: you are still fully worthy of belonging. You do not owe anyone productivity to justify your presence. You do not need to explain yourself here. This community is meant to flex with you—to be a place where your worth does not rise and fall with your capacity. The Human Need to Be Seen and Heard Being seen and heard is not a luxury. It is a basic human need. When we go unseen for too long—when our thoughts, struggles, and small victories pass without acknowledgment—it leaves a mark. Even when we tell ourselves we’re “fine.”

CHECK OUT THE NEW COLLECTION FOR COZY MAKERS - https://ko-fi.com/s/64a18da69d A small collection of cozy graphics is waiting quietly—ready to be opened together. When the Cozy Lockbox opens, I’ll place the full set on Ko-fi for free downloading. Here’s how we unlock it: 🗝 10 likes on this post 🗝 Comments from 15 different members Every like, comment, and photo brings us a little closer. No hurry. No pressure. Just cozy participation. Here's a sneak peek... These are just tiny bits taken from a 5-page full-sheet graphic collection. You gotta love them critters!

AUCTION IS CLOSED: The highest bidder is Patricia Sherman. We’re trying something fun and cozy—a community auction just for our makers. Each auction runs for a set period, and the highest bidder at the end takes the lot. To keep things simple and fair for everyone, all the full details, timelines, shipping info, and payment guidelines are laid out clearly in the Classroom. Please take a moment to review the complete Auction Guide in the Classroom before placing a bid so you know exactly how it works. Bidding starts at $3.00 DON'T FORGET THAT SHIPPING IS ADDED TO YOUR INVOICE. Shipping is a flat rate: - $12.00 USD—United States Auction Starts: 6:00 PM CST (USA) 12/25/2035 Auction Ends: 6:00 PM CST (USA) 12/28/2025 Happy bidding!