resolution not dissolution

Happy New Year! We are only eight days into 2012, but I already feel like I'm farther than that because of all the plans I have for this year. Normally I hate resolutions, because I don't like feeling like I've "failed" when I don't do things exactly as I'd planned. "January 1st is just another day, I want to live my life organically", and other excuses. I'm also not one to hate on the previous year, so I don't feel the need to reinvent myself annually. But all of that said, I DO have high hopes and some plans that I'm trying to commit to (and some that I have already committed to, in a big way!).

I'm continuing my business-minded-ness this year, and I hope to keep growing in that arena. I already have some exciting projects lined up, and I have a shop update lined up for Tuesday the 10th. I'm planning on applying for a local craft show in the Spring to get my feet wet. Hopefully my iPad will become a good business tool also to make it all a little easier to pull off.

Part of this business drive is just because I enjoy it, but part of it is out of necessity because I will need the extra money for SCHOOL. I can barely believe it myself, but this is a big commitment that I made that begins in August. I've put my deposit down, and I'm so excited! I stumbled upon Sharpe Jewelry Academy on the Visual Arts Center website whilst looking for basic jewelry workshops to brush up on some skills. Jay Sharpe is a local jeweler who has been making/teaching for 20+ years, but the program is new. I can't wait to learn new techniques to elevate my jewelry-making and really immerse myself in the business, whether it's all mine, or a combination of working for myself and a jewelry store. Only time will tell where I land after it ends in June 2013, but I feel like a new chapter in my life and career has begun, and I'm up for the challenge big time.

I'm more "me" than ever before, which I'm sure always comes with age, and I've been defining what I want out of life a lot lately. It feels really good to be doing all of this. For some reason I have had loads of creative energy, so I've been taking advantage and have all sorts of smaller goals and projects to fill in the spaces too. I just want to be healthy and present as much as possible. Every year, not just 2012, is about making it happen! So that's what I'm poised to do.

joie de bois

Holy moly. It was a long, tiring, but fruitful day today, friends. I finally set my little pet project free into the world, via my Etsy shop. I still suck at photography, but I hope that people can see these necklaces for what they are, little gems. And bear with me while I work on improving my pictures (it's gonna take some time). So... what do you think?



I got a rush of ideas after a long, long dry spell, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I've always loved textural play, combining materials, and learning a bit about random crafts. These pendants are kind of a culmination of those ideas, and I really love how they turned out. I've been wearing the prototype for months now, and people ask me about it all the time. It packs a lot of punch for such a tiny package. I feel like there's a lot of room for play with these too, so hopefully I can expand on the designs!

I have some other projects in the pipeline that are mere musings right now, so expect me to be a bit busier as I start working on those. The goal is to produce more, and stop hoarding my handmade. ;) I know the geometric thing is getting to be cliche, but I'm not tired of it yet! So if you like that sort of thing, clap your hands. And for those of you who don't, there's something for you too. I'm so excited!

I made these necklaces shorter because they layer so well this way with an 18" necklace. See what I mean?



Have at it, and spread the love!

starting over

Hmmm, that was a long hiatus. Friends, I've been around, but I've been busy. Right now I'm settling into a new place and getting some stuff taken care of in my life. Things are starting to get normal again, and so I've been getting back to my creative pursuits slowly. I have been working on stuff, I just haven't been talking about it. BUT to make up for lost time:


Jack-o-lantern carving


Paper chain making


Banana sewing


Dream catching

It feels really good to get back into the groove. Hopefully that means I'll start Etsy-ing again as well. That's the plan anyway. :)

In related news, I was also without internet for three months. THREE! It was tough, but I got through it. I'm so inspired again, it's nice having a treasure trove of visual stimuli at my fingertips with the good ol' interweb. God bless the 21st century (for the most part, anyway).

stocked

Oh my. That took a long time.

So, I updated my shop finally. This is the christening batch for my new etsy. I had close to forty sales in my old shop, but that is all gone now, as I have fully switched over to the new name. Goodbye old hearts, goodbye old feedback. And hopefully hello to other new things. Some of these items were lovingly created months ago. They deserve to be in a more appreciative home, instead of in the darkness of my closet.

all fresh and blank

Friends, it has been a long looong winter, yet again. As we speak I am huddled at the computer, thinking about making myself some hot cocoa. I haven't been putting a lot of pressure on myself to do a whole lot lately. And frankly, with the economy the way it is, I can't manage much more than depression and frugality.

BUT! The current situation has made me rethink my spending habits, which is always wise and welcome (somewhat welcome, anyway). I've been eating at home much more, packing lunches, buying generic... and on the non-food front, buying less of what I don't need. Which is not to say that I haven't been shopping, oh no. I am just choosy about what I'm buying. Things to ponder are, do I love it, or just like it? Will I love it forever? Is it useful? Is there something I can make do with right now that will negate the need for this item? And I happen to be doing much of said shopping on Etsy, despite my absence there as a seller currently (I'm sure anyone who cares has noticed the tumbleweeds blowing through my shop). If you follow my shop link over there --->, you will see that my favorites section is more than overflowing!

I think this is one of the best times to support handmade. People are thoughtfully hand-crafting useful things out there. I know I would rather pay for quality, and for things that I really want or need. It seems like a slow economy makes everything slow down -- slow down the eating, slow down the spending, slow down the driving here, there, and everywhere. I am so grateful for the good fortune of still having a JOB, and I find myself appreciating all kinds of things I don't normally think about much. Simple pleasures are where it's at!



Ok, I'm not usually so earnest, but you can't always be a cynical bastard, right?

Oh, and by the way, I haven't been totally slacking off with the making. I'm in the middle of a few small projects. I got a new sewing machine with my Christmas money, which I have been so happy with!! Janome is my new pal. And as always, picking up new hobbies, such as native american beadwork:



I know, I can't stop. There are too many obscure skills to be had. Well, I try not to apologize for not doing things such as blogging, but I would really like to be more consistent if I can. So, one small whip snap is in order, but that's all.

snippets

If anyone ever wondered what it was like to see a model "working it" for the camera, check this video out:



Pretty goofy, eh? I almost didn't make it through the whole thing, but I liked some of the clothes. I think if I were a model, I'd get kind of bored with the shoots, and I might prefer the runway. Although, that can be quite insane backstage, from what I hear.

Today I went to pick up keys for our new apartment! We managed to find a place that was in the right price range, and it's in an awesome location, right around all kinds of good shopping and restaurants. It's not quite ready yet, so I'm antsy right now, not being able to get things going. Hopefully in a day or two!

Also, my coworker is letting me borrow her spinning wheel for an extended period of time. I just cleaned it up last night and tried it out. I am by no means a pro yet, but I'm sure with practice I could have a lot of fun making yarn with it. I was already getting all tickled by the possibilities. I have a giant bag of roving already, so I'm all set! We'll see what happens next...