08 April 2011

There is a limit

"Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them."
~Albert Einstein

There is a limit in Blogger to the amount of blogs they will let you follow. How do I know?

I just recently reached it.




{Image taken by Eva the Weaver found via Flickr taken for her ongoing numbers project - all of her collections are amazing, I might add!}
  300 Yes. That is right. I follow more than 300 blogs.

I love to follow blogs. They are like having penpals from across the globe. They are also like crack to me. Reading about what makes someone tick, seeing their best recipes, reveling in the successes and failures that make up all parents' lives, finding new artists to follow, and beads to buy. I have found stunning photography, great business tips, cool design and heartwrenching poetry from the blogs I follow. I don't stick to one genre. I like to have a good variety. I love you bead-freaks to pieces but I do need to look at other things sometimes.

And I love to rabbit hole.

So if you have a blog roll of your favorites and I have visited you more than once or twice, chances are that I have followed intriguing names from your blog roll just to see where I would end up. Usually, I can't even remember how I got to a blog. And that is pure magic to me.

Before I even put fingers-to-keyboard for my first post back in 2008 I developed a habit of visiting and leaving a comment on one new blog a day. And from those blog adventures I would scroll through their list to see who they were reading and find a blog title that intrigued me and would hop over there. I would keep doing that until some blog struck me as so pretty-smart-funny-deep-touching and then leave my mark. I became followers of many. Some just for a time, some still.

They make it so easy to click that little 'follow' link to add a blog to your list, but they make it danged hard to remove them. Why is that?

I recently spent the the better part of two hours removing blogs from my list. Ones that I no longer read, or ones that haven't posted in a very long time. I had to. I found a new blog crush that I just must have in my list.

So I thought that I would leave you with a list of some of my never miss blogs (please note, that this is in no way a complete list, but just ones that are off the beaten blog path that you might want to check out, too). Maybe you will rabbit hole from these blogs to find new ones that you can't live without and join me in my quest to fill my blog roll back up to 300.

;-)

Pretty
A Fanciful Twist - when I first started out, I bought an issue of Artful Blogging (which I highly recommend). On one of the first pages I discovered Vanessa Valencia. I got hooked. Her artwork, her dogs, her fanciful life with Mister Lovee in the desert.. I swear she really does live with fairies!

Art Bead Scene - I can recall a time when I thought it extravagant to get a bead that cost $2.00. Now I no long see that an art bead is too expensive nor outside my grasp. I relish the community that this forum provides and I cannot get enough. I am now a contributing editor (although strangely silent this past month - that is due to my overload, not theirs) and I couldn't be more happy to be a part of such a vibrant group of contributing artists and art bead enthusiasts.

Color Collective - I love that there is just a picture and a palette. Someday when I resurrect the Challenge of Color blog hop, this might figure into it!

Kab's Creative Concepts - Kerry writes a blog about her life and art and family and even random thoughts and I cannot get enough. Her pictures are amazing, her beads are to die for, and I love it when she shows her new studio, especially whilst twirling in a big girl tutu.

Yellowtrace - I am very much into finding new art blogs and this is the one that started all the fuss over 300. I love the collections found here and they are a rabbit holers dream.

Smart
Blacksburg Belle - chock full of business tips for creative entrepreneurs, this is a must read blog!

BrandiGirl Blog - I honestly couldn't decide where to put Miss Brandi's blog. She is funny and her blog is so pretty, but ultimately I realized that I have learned so very much from soaking up her presence, and she is now offering her services as a consultant for you! I have benefited from some one-to-one time with her and I would highly recommend it!

Crafting an MBA - These girls are all so smart and accomplished. There is so much to learn on this site. I find the articles are thought-provoking too, so I like to comment here.

Margot Potter - I have a hard time classifying Miss Potter. She makes pretty things. She is blisteringly funny. She gets me to think of things in new ways. But ultimately, this is one smart cookie. I appreciate that she is so giving of herself and her knowledge and that she has worked to very hard to earn every stripe.

Marketing Creativity - This is a new-to-me blog but one that is filled to the brim with delightful information. Great interviews with craftspeople, and intriguing ideas. A winning combo.

Funny
Faces in Places - My kids and I are addicted to finding faces in the inanimate objects around us. This blog has some great ones.

Laundry Hurts My Feelings - Laugh out loud funny, that is what Miss Joann is! She has a way with words and a length that rivals my own. Everything is fair game, from the latest horrific attempt at George Clooney acting to potential drug smuggling terrorists in Mexico to watching her beautiful daughters growing up. Oh, and don't forget about her *mild* obsession with all things Bono. She is taking a bit of a break right now to write her first book (write like the wind, Joann!) but go back and read through her past posts. Snortingly funny.

The Cerebral Dilettante - Kiersten gets high marks in my book for being smart AND funny. And for making absolutely, knock-me-off-my-chair gorgeous jewelry that I will one day own for myself.

The Blog O' Cheese - What could be funnier than a first grade teacher writing about his exploits and concocting a world of inspired lunacy? CheeseBoy's blog is one of those laugh-out-loud funny places to visit. From the Christmas concert of rapping first graders to dressing up as Barney to order Chinese take-out to a regular list of his Facebook statuses, he makes me want to have one of whatever he is having.

Deep
Hint - There is something so piercing about everything that Beth Hemilla writes. She explores the meanings behind things, and always gets me thinking in ways that I never considered before. She also makes some of the finest silver charms I have ever had the privilege to work with, and she has become a treasured friend.

Luann Udell - I love it when someone makes me think. Luann is that sort of writer. The kind where I want to shout out, "Amen, sistah!" to everything she writes. Her articles are the ones that I find myself forwarding the links to most often. She is the sort or writer I wish that I could be.

mairedodd - she proves that you don't need to be wordy (like me) to get your point across. Plus there is some damn fine jewelry with a soul being created by this woman. And I am proud to call her my friend.

Positively Present - I like this blog so much. I can always count on the words inspiring me to be a better version of myself. I like that she distills things to manageable steps. And I love her "words to live by" segment with lyrics and quotes.

Touching
Ivy League Insecurities - Miss Aidan writes about a privileged but flawed life as a life and mommy in New York. While we come from vastly different worlds, she is someone who thinks deeply and I have enjoyed her insights. She is also a great writer and I am reading her first book, Life After Yes, now.

Three Beautiful Things - Can you distill your life each day down to noticing just three beautiful things? Clare in the UK can, and has sparked an international following of people doing the same. There is poetry in her well chosen words, and her posts were the inspiration behind my "30 Words" posts.

Do you have some blogs that you just can't miss reading? (Of course you do!)
Since I made room in my blog roll for some new blogs to love, do dish on your favorites (with links, of course!)!

Enjoy the day!

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Im up to 300 too! And Rabbit holing lol thats the right word! I too cant find where I started many times. I need to check out some of those Blogs. There is one blog that I hold so dear and Special that I dont really want to reveal. My Special place to go to. About a woman and her family; shes so Special too and this country one. Maybe one day I shall tell others about her. Do you have any like that that you feel are Special and dont want to share? Silly maybe eh. xx

lunedreams said...

Thanks for including me in your list, Erin!!! I'm sort of a deadbeat about vising blogs lately. I just have so little time to actually DO anything (like make something). I do usually read every Rick Newman post though (US News economist). I find the older I get, the less I seem to have to say (and it's usually some sort of pissy gripe!), so I don't comment very often anymore. I think I'm discovering my non-verbal self.

Pretty Things said...

You can still follow more blogs if you just add them to Google Reader manually!

Shannon Chomanczuk said...

Thanks for sharing these blogs I haven't visited some of them, yet!
Shannon C

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

I just totally got lost following your list of blogs... ;) found my way back to say thanks for all the new "favorites"!

Libby Leuchtman said...

Ohh I love a list of new blogs to visit. Do you visit the Daily Art Muse? It's super good.
http://dailyartmuse.com/

Brandi Hussey said...

Oh, wow, what a nice shout-out, Erin! Thanks for thinking of me and including me on such a great list!! I'm touched and oh so flattered that one of MY favorite bloggers feels the same about me, too.

steufel said...

Yours, my friend, I never miss:-) Thanks for sharing your favs - some of them I visit to, the other ones I will check out!

Joann Mannix said...

Oh, Erin, *sigh*, you always give me such a rush of love. I am not worthy, but I'll take it anyway. Thank you so much for this rock star shout out and thank you for always taking the time to leave me with such inspired words over at my little corner of the world.

I'm almost done with my revisions. The hardest work is over, at least, I hope it is. My novel is in the hands of my two trustworthy crit partners, so, we'll see... I have just a tiny bit more spit and polishing to do, and then, "Ah'll be Bahck" in the words of a certain android turned governor.

Thank you again, for everything.

Maneki said...

I had no idea there was a limit. I'm following somewhere around 150 blogs, though some could probably be deleted (it's easier to add that to remove). Once I understood the benefits of following blogs, I've just added and added to it. And now maybe I have to add one or two more blogs after your tips.

As for favourites, well they're all favourites in a way. Far from all post daily so it's more the daily mix of blog posts I must read. A few of the blogs I follow you've already mentioned. Perhaps I could add:

http://nati-art.blogspot.com/ she makes lovely art. The blog is more of a sketch blog than pics of finished works. Here use of colour and greyscale is inspiring.

http://allthingspaper-annmartin.blogspot.com/ Inspirational to see the things that can be made from paper. Sometimes includes jewellery.

http://dailyartmuse.com/ more artful inspiration. Fab source!

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/ humour with weeks or months between posts -- I read different types of humour blogs and comics online.

http://xkcd.com/ a comic strip. I also subscribe to strips via comics.com for a daily doze of Get Fuzzy, Pearls before swine and more.

http://www.beadinggem.com/ Always something fun or interesting to read. Similar to my swedish blog, but with more pure inspirational posts.

http://vezsuzsigyongyei.blogspot.com/ pretty beadwork

http://try-to-be-better.blogspot.com/ more pretty beadwork

I also follow Beading Daily and Jewelry Making Daily.

Unknown said...

I hover around 29+ blogs myself, I had no idea 300 was a limit? Of the blogs you list I do follow 8, now I'll have to check out some more of yours. Have you read Hyperbole & a half for humour?& I too have often wondered why it is so tough to unfollow? The little button is there but the only way to really make a blog go away is to go to another page. Oh well.

Grubbi said...

Some great blogs there, thank you for the links!

Jenners said...

300 blogs!!?? Are you nuts? How do you do it!? I've found the level I can keep up with without feeling overwhelmed is about 70. Any more and I gqet stressed so a blog has to really impress me to make the list.

jamberry_song said...

Oh, my! I feel honored to be included in that 300. :) Thank you!

Anonymous said...

i've hit 300 too! i'll have to make time to go through my list and weed some out. but there are so many great blogs, what to do, what to do?

Lance said...

Erin,
...you inspire me...always...

Much love,
Lance

Holly said...

I've got no clue how many blogs I follow! I've got way too many in my google reader, and I'm trying to edit, as you are. Quite the job, that's for sure ;) I'm like you, I tend to rabbit hole pretty seriously and never know where I'll end up :) Some of my routine reads include you, Lori Anderson, Patty Gasparino (MyLifeUndertheBus), Deryn Mentock, Diana Frey and a few horse/aggie-blogs. Others that I go to regularly are Tam/Willowing, Pam Carriker, Sharon Tomlinson. I also love MayaMade, Soulemama and my latest greatest, TeacherTom.

Elysian Studios said...

Wow! Impressive list! I am going to "rabbit hole" through your list! I love "Positively Present" too- always such life-affirming, beautiful posts!

Cindy said...

Erin, thanks for mentioning a few of my favorite blogs as well as a few "new" to me blogs... I like that idea of visiting one new blog a day. If only I had a bit more time! :-)

Unknown said...

I had no idea that there is a limit!

mairedodd said...

this is a beautiful post erin - thank you for the introductions to new people... and i am so deeply touched that you included me... i just happened to 'pop' by after another long day of commuting to philly and wanted to see what you were up to... thank you my friend...

Gale Wrigley said...

Ah, so much blog inspiration! I LOVE seeing what others write about in their blogs! I found you thru another blog (Debbie Boschert's). I may reach 300 soon! Yikes! Thanks for the great list...I have some clicking to do :-)

Unknown said...

I have no idea how you do it I follow 88 and I am still trying to keep up. I alwasy love how you make me feel special when you comment so I can see all 300 of us doing a happy dance to have you reading! Wouldn't that be a cool flash mob?

Jenn said...

Thanks for sharing your Top Favorites list... I was laughing so hard I was crying at some of your funny recommendations. I'll get my list out there sometime, soon. (Although, I do read all of the blogs listed on my blogroll. But, I admit I have favorites...like yours.)

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