[Omni Charms Studio] Michaels & Dollarama Craft Haul!

When I found out that Michaels had their 50% coupons for 1 regular priced item for the week I just had to and see what I could go and pick up! If you haven't seen this week's coupons, you can find them here. For my US readers, click here to be redirected to the US site. I also headed over to the Dollarama (aka the best Dollar store ever!) and found some super inexpensive but high quality craft supplies. 

From top left to right: Black, Chocolate, Dusty Rose
From bottom left to right: Tan, Gold, Yellow

 When I reached there, I was ecstatic to find out that they had their 50% off clay deal as well. I usually try to wait until Michaels has their 40% or 50% coupons before I pick up new clay in order to save some money, but since they were already having their half off sale on clay, I couldn't resist but stock up on some colours and try out some new ones.

From top left to right: Bright Green Pearl, Peacock Pearl
From bottom left to right: Magenta Pearl, Translucent 

This is my first time purchasing Premo pearl colours but I'm absolutely in love with pearly effect that it has. I can't wait to try them out. They just look so beautiful! I also picked up a pack of Translucent clay and am so curious to see the effect after baking. Do you guys prefer using Sculpey, Premo or FIMO clay?

I've been meaning to pick up these Sculpey Modeling Tools from Michaels for the longest time but was hesitant of the steep price of $6.99 for plastic tools. I couldn't wait to use my 50% off coupon on these guys. They're going to be extremely useful for sculpting and blending my clay creations together. It includes 3 different blending tools and a rolling pin.

This tiny polka dot ribbon roll was only $0.85 on sale!

On my way home, I stopped by the Dollarama near my home and was so excited to find magnets and chains in the craft aisle. I absolutely love the Dollarama - they have high quality items between $1-3 and it's always incredibly addicting wandering through the aisles to see what treasures I can find. I love how I can save a ton of money on craft supplies from shopping at this store!

This pack of 8 magnets only cost $1!

Last but not least, I found these metal necklace chains for only $1 a piece. They are both 1m long and are slightly different sizes. I'll probably use the bigger looped chain for bracelets and the smaller chained one for necklaces!

Readers, have you ever found any awesome craft deal from your local Dollar store?

[Omni Charms Studio] Store Opening, Updates and More!

After much preparation and planning, I finally opened my Etsy store! It's still a work in progress and requires a lot of effort, but I'm loving every moment of learning how to run and maintain my store.

It's a creative outlet that I definitely needed and I love being challenged to improve my store to the best of its abilities. This has been  a great way to learn more to learn how to market online as well as practice my photography skills. If anyone is wondering how I take my photos, I made my own DIY Lightbox and spotlights using a very helpful tutorial I found here and here.

Without further ado, here are the charms currently listed on my store. Check them out if you like! :)

Disney Chibi Snow White - Polymer Clay Charm

Disney Inspired Chibi Cinderella - Polymer Clay Charm

Cute Panda Polymer Clay Charm

Angel & Devil - Polymer Clay Charm

Kitty Bath Tub Buddy - Polymer Clay Charm

 Panda Bath Tub Buddy - Polymer Clay Charm

 Cute Bunny Paper Clip Bookmark

 Chibi Totoro Paper Clip Bookmark

 Chibi Totoro - Polymer Clay Charm

Totoro and Chibi Totoro - Polymer Clay Charm

Chibi Jack Skellington - Nightmare Before Christmas - Polymer Clay Charm

I'll be adding new items regularly to my shop, so stay tuned! 

Kindness Comes from the Heart

Source: soundcloud.com/siljan-panovski/siljan-kind-to-one-another 

"Be kind to one another." - Ellen DeGeneres

It's the simplest of phrases but when put forth into actions, it has the power to help change a person's day to their entire life. Whether it's a genuine smile, the willingness to lend an ear or give someone genuine words of advice/ encouragement... the power of being kind is immense and is the most effective when it comes from the heart. 

Source: Google Images

At some point in our lives, we all go through phases where we feel down on our luck and feel as though the effort put forth in striving for our goals feels hopeless. Everything and everyone seem to be working against us and it seems like such a struggle to break out of the labyrinth of problems and setbacks that seem to be tumbling one after another. 

When a person is down on their luck and has been suffering through a series of setbacks or failures, the least thing that they want to hear is added judgement or criticism especially when it comes from someone that they are trying to seek help or advice from. Whether it be an academic advisor, a friend or a family member, snide remarks and condescending tones only further diminish a person's sense of self worth when all they really need is someone to listen to them and give them words of encouragement and advice. Even when someone is merely having a bad day, a single person who is kind to them can help turn their day around.

Being compassionate towards others, especially when they are down, is such an important life skill that more people should learn to exercise. I've encountered numerous people who seem to lack any sense of compassion in their souls especially after learning of someone else's struggles or mistakes. Rude remarks ushered in condescending tones honestly makes me believe that kindness is something these people have forgotten. Instead of focusing my energy on the people who brought have brought me down in the past, however, I remember the ones who restored me when I was in a dark period through their genuine kindness and encouragement. These are the people who stand out the most.

Source: Google Images

Kindness has the ability to spread a beam of positivity which can help lift a person out of their negative state of mind.  Instead of being quick to judge a person based on their setbacks or failures, being understanding and kind to them can be help them feel encouraged to move on and push past their struggles. They will remember and thank you the most in the end. Much like the ability of a stone to generate a ripple effect across a lake, the action of one person being kind generates a ripple that grows wider and greater, leaving a positive affect on others.

If you show kindness, empathy, genuity, helpfulness and compassion towards others, it will all come back to you in the future. Whether it's giving your seat up on the bus to an elderly passenger, letting someone merge into your lane on a busy freeway or taking time out of your day to give advice to someone in need, positivity and kindness will be spread. 

Kindness comes from the heart and and has the power to change a person's day to their entire life.

Source: Google Images

Dealing with Setbacks and Failures

Source: www.thenerdist.com

University. 

It's the door that you need to open and step through in order to receive a piece of paper that qualifies you for a job. Though it has the potential to be the most exciting and exhilarating experience of your life, it also has the ability to take you down a lonely road filled with personal struggles and challenges which often feels difficult relate to friends who haven't experienced the same hurdles. It's a turbulent time which really forces you to reflect and grow.

I'm currently a third year student who has seen my fair share of failures and setbacks throughout my post secondary career. Having always been a person that strives to do their best  and set high expectations, it hit me the hardest emotionally when I wasn't able to do well in the concentration that I initially set forth in. I blindly pursued a concentration that was heavily emphasized on by family and peers due to the potential of a higher job opportunity,  and naively believed it would be a good path for myself to set foot on. I struggled with the core concentration classes and suffered poor grades no matter how hard I tried to learn. I felt stupid and unworthy, especially being in a competitive program at school. Despite this, I stubbornly continued to pursue this path, believing that if I tried hard enough, my grades would magically turn around. Deep inside, I knew this wasn't supposed to be the path for me but felt afraid to admit it because of the constant pressure and talk about future career opportunities.  I felt  burdened feeling as though I wouldn't be able to find a good job in the future if I tried to step foot onto a different path.

Source: Google Images

For some people, it's probably easy and simple to switch tracks and turn a different route when things aren't going their way, but for people such as myself, it's difficult and and painful to realize your own weaknesses and feel the courage to pursue a different route from your peers. When you aim to do well in a course and receive a good grade, but end up with a D, the feeling of self worthlessness is overbearing and difficult to ignore. I felt ridiculous and questioned my intellectual ability for being unable to do well in my concentration classes. Like most humans, it's not an easy task to be able to admit to yourself that you're not good at something. However, it made me realize how important it is do do something that you enjoy and do something that you're good at, especially in university. University is a time for you to be able to grow and learn more about yourself. As common sense as it is, it's difficult to remember especially when you are in the middle of your post secondary career. When you discover your weaknesses, don't let them overtake you and your self worth. Acknowledge them and move on but don't let it falter your strength or determination. Focus on your strengths and find ways to play them to your favor. 

After (finally) realizing how well I did in other areas of school that played to my strengths, I recently switched to a different field in business which I actually enjoy. It might have taken me awhile, but I made the switch and feel more confident in pursuing a new path, even if it may be more unconventional to that of my peers.

Life throws challenges which force you to learn more about yourself and discover the person that you're supposed to become. It's a daunting experience when you unlock and discover deep and hidden talents or secrets about yourself which you weren't aware of before, but it's more detrimental to your mental health to let yourself remain on a path where you don't belong. In the end, if you are miserable or overly stressed with whatever path you've chosen for yourself, you won't ever be able to enjoy whatever it is you're doing and you ultimately won't be happy.

I'm still learning how to preserve and keep aiming forward no matter what circumstance I may be faced with. What I've learned so far is to be open to change and don't be hesitant to take a risk and chance. If things aren't working  out the way you want it to, hold your head up high and keep moving forward. You'll eventually find your place with time and patience.

Source: Google Images

"An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it's going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming." — Unknown

Readers, how have you dealt with setbacks and failures? Have you ever experienced struggles in your post-secondary career? What helped you keep aiming forward? Let me know!

Kim

Hello Bloggerworld!

Hi everyone!

My name is Kim and I'm a university student with a love for writing and an endless plethora of daily life musings tumbling through my mind. I constantly search for new inspiration about every day life and believe that true happiness comes from having a peace of mind.

 I've been wanting to have a creative outlet to express my thoughts and opinions and often wonder how many people share similar views and interests as me. I guess we'll find out!

Oh.. and please excuse my rusty writing skills... I'm still trying to find my groove :)

"Oh hai thar!"
Source: Pinterest

Kim