 Note: If this newsletter doesn't display in its delightfully colorful formatting, you can view it on the Web at www.artellawordsandart.com/ARTELLAGRAM-7-17-09.html.
 Reminder: The Application Deadline for the Inaugural Class of Artella's new ARTbundance™ Coach Training Program is Wednesday, July 22. You can read the details and get more information about how to download your free copy of the ARTbundance™ class down below in this Artellagram, or you can visit this page.
Dreams have been on my mind lately. Not the kind you get when you’re asleep, but the life-long dreams that passionately awaken so much inside you when you think of them. Within the past couple of weeks alone, I've heard several people voice a similar reason for not believing in their own once-passionate dream to pursue some specific project or follow through on some idea they have always had: “Well I used to think about it a lot, but it's already been done before”. It's astonishing how often this belief and similar thoughts can stop genuinely creative people in their tracks and keep them from moving forward.
I can't think of a better response than to share a story about a little friend of mine named Eva. When Eva was four years old, she and her mom were out running errands and they went by a Supercuts haircutting salon, and she asked her mom what the “r in the circle” after the name meant. Her mom told her that it means that nobody else can use that name.
Eva got quiet for a moment and after taking a moment to think it over, immediately and thoughtfully replied: “But if we wanted to open a store called Amazing Cuts, we could do that, right?”
Yes! Amazingly, rather than being discouraged at what already exists, she didn't even skip a beat before taking a moment to think about what she COULD do, and how she could take an idea and make it her own.
And that's what I think the heart of life and making our way in it is really all about – finding your own way to express your passion, regardless of what has been or hasn’t been done by someone else.
I'd like to close with the words in an “Art-Splash” I created for one of the earliest Artella newsletters, way back in 2002. May it remind you of your wonderful youniqueness! :-)
For those short on time, to simplify this week's Artellagram, here are some ”quick links” to the highlights in this edition. You can simply follow the links that you're interested in and go directly to that section.
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1. Download your Free Workshop~ On Tuesday, I presented a free workshop and information session for Artella's new ARTbundance™ Coach Training. Here are a few of the comments we've heard from people who attended:
Before the call I was writing out a list of what I needed from the program, to keep these in mind as I listened. Joy, creativity, giving back, interaction and connection, meaningful help to others, and growth are just a few. "Spark me", I wrote, and you did. All of my points I was looking for (34 in all) were covered…synchronicity strikes again. I have been and will continue to smile ever since the call, realizing I found what I was looking for.
- Jennifer Walling
I'm feeling like I am on a great adventure. I have so many creative projects in me and I will eventually have the energy to carry them out! Your questions got me remembering the aspects that will work for me and the ones I want to let go of.
- Lisa G.
That was the best class I've ever taken! I cannot stop thinking about the class this week. I go to a lot of free classes offered on the Web and usually come away disappointed, but every now then I get a little tidbit. In your class, Marney, I got about four million tidibts, and that's a conservative estimate. :-)
- Randi Evans
I'm happy to invite you to download your free copy of the ARTbundance™ Workshop, which presents some fun, interactive exercises to examine your own professional, monetary, and life goals, and help you determine where your best path and next step in life might be. When you listen to the recording, you'll also get a first-hand look at what training to be an ARTbundance™ Coach is really all about, as you determine whether applying for the full Training Program is the inspired next step for your creative journey!
We are now taking applications for the Inaugural Group of ARTbundance Coach Training for Summer 2009. Note that for those interested in applying for entrance into the program, applications need to be received by this coming Wednesday, July 22.
If you would like to download your own copy of the free recording, or find out more about ARTbundance™ and ARTbundance™ Coach Training, simply visit this page.
 2. Join us for “From Here to ARTernity”! – We're hearing great things about From Here to ARTernity, a Mixed Media Metamorphosis that invites you to make dynamic, magical shifts in your life by organically re-shaping the way you think about time and completely altering the way you see it and use it! Even though the Pilot Group has closed, you can still sign up and get recordings of all THREE live bonus teleclasses, including last night's unique adventure, The ARTernity Time Travel Experiment, during which you'll embark on an amazing journey of meditation and hands-on art, as you meet yourself in all stages of your life, from past to future!
Here are a few of the comments we've been hearing about From Here to ARTernity:
I just have to tell you how excited I am to be in this class, I feel reborn after only 1 call! I am encouraged to take back my time and my life! I am so happy to have jumped in and taken this class, I know it is just a small step, but for me a big one! Whatever you blessed me with is so good, comforting and energizing!
- Gerrie Johnnic
I am loving this course. I have already had several AHA moments about myself and the subject of time. Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful package of art goodies that arrived the other day, fabulous choices for this course. It just adds more energy to my creative juices!
- Sharon Gorberg
I just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying this class. I have learned so much about myself and my time. I can't believe how the journal questions have helped me...This is an awesome class and I look forward to changing my views on time and creating more time for me in the future. Thank you for all I'm learning in this class, I really believe that it will help me now, especially with my life changing so much in the coming months.
- Diane Russell-Horn
I just received my ARTernity art kit today...and it's so, so Divine! Real coins! An actual vintage watch! Authentic, (not copies!) old photographs with notes written on the backs of them! Colorful, unique greeting cards! The contents of the kit inspired me to resume work on a soft-doll sculpture that I'd started almost thirteen years ago...and only now feel moved enough to finish for an ARTernity class art project! Thank you so much, Marney, for the love and care that it took to gather all of these inspirational goodies!!
- Kelly Williams
WOW – changes happening left and right! I'm a new woman with each and every lesson. "Times" are a-changin' thanks to Artella!
- Tara Douglas-Smith
While there are lots of resources out there to help you manage the time you have, I've learned that time management can only go so far. So where time management leaves off, Time Metamorphosis takes over! And that's just a glimpse of what From Here to ARTernity is all about. Whether you wonder what it would be like to take 10 years off your age or add 10 hours to your day, From Here to ARTernity is an inspirational journey taken with me through fun and lively lessons, mixed media art projects, an actual hands-on art supply kit, live teleclasses, and a great interactive community…all working together in new and very powerful ways.
So if time metamorphosis meets mixed media art is a concept that resonates with you as you read more about it, come join me as we have fun creating, sharing and traveling From Here to ARTernity!
 3. NEW! July YOUpons codes! We've posted the new July YOUpons, so you can take a peek at the new discounts on our newest, most popular e-courses, plus savings on Artella print magazines, vintage photographs, and Complete Idealist Super-Bundles for creative entrepreneurs!
4. What's new in the Artella Store? Here are some of the newest things we've added to the Artella Store:
 4. Luxury Member Ship Update…Live Events! I’m excited to announce the following upcoming LIVE events for Artella Luxury Members:
The Live Events are just another nice bonus of Membership, in addition to all of the weekly goodies that are sent out each and every week. If you are not currently a Luxury Member, you can get more information, here. You can access the instructions for signing up for these live events immediately when you sign up!
 5. Feeling Lost? Have you ever just wished someone could hand you a literal map...with all the steps and paths mapped out to get directly to your creative dream? That's exactly what happens when we work together in one-on-one Creative Cartography™!
 6. Earn money for spreading the word! Join Artella's Generous Affiliate Program, It has great commissions, bonuses, and it even makes your teeth sparkle! :-)
 7. Interested in Becoming Part of Artella's Team? If you're interested in becoming part of the Artella Team, check out this post in the Artella Cafe for details.
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 I'm thrilled to feature cj Madigan, a book artist who is devoted to sharing the dreams and passions of working artists!
I hope you enjoy this opportunity to get to know cj a bit better!
Artella: How can people use their creativity to help other people
cj: Thomas Merton once said (and I’m paraphrasing here) that the only thing that kept the world from nuclear annihilation during the 1960s were the prayers of monks and nuns around the world. I believe that the fact that so many people spend time in their studio/kitchen/garage/spare bedroom making art every day contributes in the way Merton meant to the well-being of the world.
The weekend after the attacks of 9-11, there was a telethon organized by actors, musicians and entertainers. I don’t remember who introduced the show, but he said that they struggled with the fact that what they did seemed trivial—nothing like the heroic deeds of firefighters and police. Yet, we needed music and images that weekend.
Emily Dickinson was, by all accounts, a recluse, but she has left us a wealth of poetry. Walter Inglis Anderson is an American painter who was also reclusive during his lifetime and is just beginning to be given the recognition he deserves.
So by all means, if you feel called to teach or do community art projects, get out there and do so. But, more importantly, do your work and it will find its way into the world—Artella Land is a wonderful venue for that—where it will encounter people and speak to them in ways you could never imagine.
You can read the rest of cj's interview, here
See cj's products in The Shoppes of Artella, here.
 If you want more artist interviews from Artella, take a look at our eBooks Artist Profiles Assembled and Artist Profiles Assembled, Vol 2.
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 ART PROJECT OF THE WEEK: I am deeply passionate about using creativity as a tool to increase abundance and prosperity. I wanted to share one of the projects from Make Change With Your Muse: Mixed Media Art Projects to Attract Prosperity and Change in Your Life, which is to design your own mixed media money to symbolize a new relationship with money and abundance.
In the example here. I altered three world coins to create "Sun Money", which symbolizes the ever-abundance nature of money. This design symbolizes that just like the sun, there is enough for everyone to share!
Try altering some coins, as I did here. I used multiple techniques to alter the coins, incorporating paint, wire, beads, sequins, ribbons, and more.
You could also design some new money from scratch. What kind of money would really inspire you, to have in your pocket?
After you create your money, consider giving your new money to someone as a gift - in essence, a "payment" for something wonderful they have done for you. Just like real money, don't worry about giving it away -- remember, the more circulate, the more you can make!
If you're looking for world coins, take a look at our world coin sets in Artella Mae's Vintage General Store.
WRITING PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Write a poem, essay, or short story which explores a world where everyone designed their own money to use.
What might that look like?
How might that change the economy?
How might it change the way people treat one another?
In what other ways could it change the way world works?
Let your imagination run free to explore this and express it in words.
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 This Quotz Crystal is a high-resolution jpeg image, suitable for printing. Print it out and hang it up to remind you of your wonderful uniqueness!
Loving's YOUniqueness,
 Marney
Artella Founder, Mango Lover, Hula Dancer
Artella Land ~ the creative isles of words, art, and spirit
Artella PO Box 6211 Kamuela HI 96743
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NEW! Our innovative Blissness Plan Art Journal Workbooks, now available individually or in inspiring bunches!
NEW! The "Artsy Animal Kingdom" Studio Kit, a delightful collage kit overflowing with animal-themed material, from pets to primates!
NEW! New treasures in the $1.99 Vintage Ephemera Bargain Bin, including Children's Sheet Music and Embossed Vintage Postcards!