ALS – zen BLITZ

zen BLITZ is still in its baby phase, & it’s been quite an adventure so far!

I think it’s important to reevaluate everything in your business as you go along, including your brand identity! This post is to share a little more about who I am, my brand’s themes, and the projects I work on.

As for me… I really love that wig; it’s just too cute, lol! I have a history of being a caregiver in my family, for my parents & grandparents; currently for my father. I also have an employment & education history in healthcare. ALS runs heavily in my mother’s family, so I’d like to be able to donate some of the profits from my shop toward treatment & research one day! I’m currently engaged to a super awesome guy whose love has set me free; the only thing really holding me back is myself.

I have a bit of a problem sticking with themes, lol! I’m a Libra, so I have a bitch of a time making decisions in general. Themes varying from vague (fun, spiritual, classy) to more specific (witchcraft, buddhism, steampunk, rave, hippie boho). I know I need to pick specialties & focus on a certain audience, but…that’s not me! That’s not very zen BLITZ. zen BLITZ is calm & crazy, spiritual & steampunk, yin & yang. Right now, I’m just testing what works well, & what doesn’t.

Another problem I have is sticking with any one project. Really, I’m “in too deep” with my jewelry making, especially since that’s what my fiance has been supporting most. However I’ve always been into all kinds of crafts, because my mother was super craftsy. I tend to have a few different types of projects going on at once, but I do also tend to finish one thing before adding another. So far, my shop is mostly jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, rings, & earrings. I also added some wine glass charms. I’m currently working on a set of crochet wine glass and water bottle lanyards, & then I’ll start working on some more jewelry. I just finished a set of ATCs (which were a bit of a ~~flop~~…learning experience), & have been working on woodburning a plaque for my sweet deceased kitty.

Seeing as jewelry is a very saturated market, I figure it wise to venture into other handmade markets wherever my talents lie. The only constant in life is change. It’ll be fun to watch my shop evolve over time!

“It’s important to reevaluate everything as you go along”

That’s advice I carry throughout all areas in my life. It’s always a good time to shed things that weigh you down, & change the things that aren’t working for you. “Every day is a holiday…”

That’s my brand identity!

What are YOU all about? Freewrite some random words, & let’s chat in the comments below!

And be sure to check out all the fun stuff in my Etsy shop at zen BLITZ

2013-visualize-web-banner-f — learn more & donate here

ALS, aka Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, aka MND (motor neuron disease), aka Lou Gehrigs Disease, is an increasingly common neurodegenerative disease. Very little is understood about it, & it is inevitably fatal. Continuing research is necessary to put a stop to this awful affliction.

In this week’s article, I’ll tell you a little bit about ALS, point out some famous people affected by this disease, explain why ALS awareness is important to me, and share a special promo in my Etsy shop!

More than 20,000 people in the U.S. alone have ALS at any given time. Only 10% of those cases are due to an inherited genetic mutation, while 90% have no family history of the disease. As a neurodegenerative disorder, ALS kills the motor neurons throughout the body, leaving muscles paralyzed while the mind remains intact. There is no testing for this disease, only ruling out other diseases. Life expectancy is 2-5 years after the onset of symptoms.

220px-stephen_hawking-starchild — Stephen Hawking

Odds are good that you know of at least one famous person who’s had ALS. Lou Gehrig, of course, the famous baseball player whose name became extra infamous for this disease. Stephen Hawking, the super famous physicist, just recently passed away after suffering from ALS for over 50 years! Steve Gleason, as well as many other professional athletes. Wikipedia has a whole list.

ALS actually runs in my family. I think the statistic was 25 people in 3 generations, but 2 or 3 more have been added to the tally, 2 from my generation (the 4th). No one has lived more than a year and a half after the onset of symptoms, so it’s pretty quick, but no less horrific. It’s traumatized many of us who have had to watch this happen to our loved ones. My mother had bulbar onset ALS, was sick for about 11 months, and passed away due to respiratory failure (which she was fully conscious for) 4 days after my 15th birthday. I’ll refrain from whining, but encourage you to learn a little more about my family’s story in this interview on YouTube.

So, to support ALS Awareness, here’s a little gift for you :

ALSA May promo

“Continuing research is necessary to put a stop to this awful affliction”

ALS is a devastating disease that can seemingly strike anyone, especially if you have a family history. Your help in funding research is greatly appreciated – donate directly to the ALS Association, or any foundation of your choice, or buy something from my shop & I’ll gladly pass along the good vibes from my wonderful customers!

Do you have any experience with ALS? (Friends, family members, personal, etc). Let’s chat in the comments below!! ❤

And don’t forget to stop in & check out all the new stuff in my Etsy shop : zen BLITZ

Tag: ALS

What is zen BLITZ all about?

May is ALS Awareness Month