translation

Yeah, I've been around, but I'm due for an update. Today I posted some new stuff in my shop, and I thought I'd also give a little window into my process. I just recently went gaga over a new (to me) technique. Remember how I had my little foray into beading rosettes? I just rediscovered that book on my shelf and began -- peyote stitch!

Anybody who knows me in real life has been inundated with my craft dork talk about this already (tough luck, guys...the obsession has just begun). Let me back up for a minute. I have always had this strange attraction to woven ropes and bungee cords. To refresh your memory:



Why, you ask? Can't you see?? Look closer:



How could you not think those patterns are pretty? So anyway, having this attraction didn't serve me very well. I don't rock climb, I rarely need bungees, and when I do they are for non-aesthetic purposes, such as tying my trunk down and securing items. I suppose I could wear a rope around my neck, but that seems rather morbid. I don't like the idea of itchy nylon on my skin anyhow. What I do like it the feeling of a good weighty piece of jewelry, and what's better for that than a tapestry of glass seed beads?



The patterns seem like they will translate so well. And the possibilities are endless. Ikat, zig-zags, dots, stripes? Sure! I will admit, this process probably looks like torture to some. Painstakingly threading tiny beads... one by one... but I find it to be relaxing and very satisfying to see something so beautiful at the end. I have one big project in mind right now to utilize this technique, and some small ones for the interim. So exciting! It's good to feel inspired, haha.

In other news, the weather has been really great the past couple of days. It seems like Winter and Spring have been playing leapfrog for the past few months. We had snow on Sunday and today -- 72 degrees (!!). It was a nice treat though, and it always puts me in a good mood. I'm gonna utilize my night with an epic beading and new music session.

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.

photo-grappling

I learned something today! I learned that I really SUCK at taking photographs of my MischaLee wares (above is one of the ok shots that I slaved over). Actually, I shouldn't say I just learned that, because I did know that before. But I guess it's been so long since I tried to photograph my stuff that I'd forgotten just how dreadful my skills are. I used to have access to an SLR with a macro lens, which might have helped before just a smidge. My little point-and-shoot Canon isn't as ill-suited to this sort of thing as I expected, but still. I gotta WORK on this.

One reason I'm always slow with my Etsy shop is because of this very issue, and how long it takes to edit photos and post things. I dread doing it, which doesn't do me a lick of good. Because what's the point of making this stuff if nobody can see it or buy it? I'm determined to get over this hump somehow. I believe I'll just have to slog through and hope I get it eventually.

I also redid my banners, tweaked the tags and titles, and made some other little adjustments. I'm kind of changing things to see if it makes any difference with sales, hearts, or views. The shop is still sort of in transition, so it's not completely cohesive yet, picture-wise. This was all very impromptu today, and I'm (happy? frustrated?) to say that I spent several hours fiddling with it.



On a side note, here is a sneak peek at something that is months in the making. I have a bunch of people bugging me about this project, so I'm trying to get on the ball. I'm being very secretive about it because I feel like this is one of my better ideas, and I'm very proud of it. But it's also quite labor intensive. I've been wearing one for a while now and I get compliments all the time (yes, you wear it, imagine that!).

in transit

It's been so long! I was good for a while at posting at least once a month, but I failed last month. Right after that cryptic burnt-out sounding entry in September, I actually had what I call my "kitten epiphany". I had a huge rush of ideas, a couple of which I've been working on recently.


I also opened a new shop on Etsy with the proper spelling of MischaLee. These new projects will be going in there as soon as I'm satisfied with my work. I'm being very meticulous about all of these new projects. And secretive, as you can tell by the previews above.

It just goes to show you that inspiration comes at the least likely times. I'm definitely one of those people who has to wait for it. All of that "brainstorming" hooey never worked well for me.

On a semi-side note, I haven't done a real drawing or painting since I graduated in 2003. So all of this was a very big deal. Fortunately for me, it's like riding a bike. You just don't get any better than you were before if you don't practice. I can live with that for now, ha.

fighting the elements

I just have to say, my computer and technology skills are sadly deficient. Today I tried to take new pictures of my jewelry for the shop, but it did not go well at all. The above example was the best I got. Granted, I was using natural light on a intermittently rainy day, and it is quite windy outside. But it was just not working. I thought about making a new banner instead, since the photography session was not flowing, but I'm kind of crap with Photoshop. These are the times I feel like I have five arms, and to me that's the upper body equivalent of having two left feet.

On the brighter side, I managed to have some good sewing experiences recently, and I feel like I'm back on track there. The aforementioned skirt issue was resolved, and I'm excited to start some wholly original projects soon.

Highlights of the week:

Getting these, which I used Tuesday for my FENCING CLASS. My goal is to have as many obscure and unrelated hobbies as possible.

Seeing a parade of tow trucks today picking up cars on my block for street sweeping. In my mind I imagine that the tow truck drivers look forward to it. I don't know why I get enjoyment out of this anyway, it's kind of sadistic.

Noticing that the object my dog picked up in the park Thursday was a dead mouse. I screamed in disgust loudly enough that he dropped it right away, which is better than digging through his clenched teeth to fish it out.

Getting rid of piles of stuff. The closer I get to moving, the more I want to throw everything away.

fitter, happier, more productive

I managed to overcome my inertia today and work on some projects I'd been meaning to finish. I haven't posted anything new in my shop in a while, so hopefully this latest batch of goods will be photographed and uploaded this week.

I also worked on a drawing for a coworker. I've pretty much decided that I don't want to do any drawings for anyone for a long time. I'm not very good at executing somebody else's vision, and I don't feel very rewarded by the struggle. Drawing from nothing has always been hard for me. I'm not bad at drawing, I just like to have a reference. And it was difficult enough coming up with my own art in school! I just have more ideas for sewing/craft.

Which brings me to the matter of my supply overload. I have so many supplies I need to work my way through. I have this fear that I will botch a project with some rare fabric or notion that I won't be able to find again. Obviously I need to get over that. There's always something better/newer/more exciting -- I shouldn't worry too much. Maybe we'll be seeing some experimental MischaLee items in the future? I sure hope so.