Summertime Creations

Summertime is a time of adjustment for me.  For example, I have already missed 2 appointments........because I have no idea what day it is!  (I need to start using my phone calendar I think!)  Anyhow..........................

The kids are home, the days are long, and I begin to get lost in everything.

We had a fun day at Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom last week, which was a real treat for us (my kids have never been to a real amusement park!!!).

Then, Julia and I took a day and worked on her needle felt kit.  She rocked this little bunny, and we both fell in love with the craft!

Then I had a show last weekend, and it didn't go very well. 

 It was VERY discouraging, since it is like the 3rd show in a row (and some last year) that I didn't do well at.  And I mean, I am not talking about "not where I'd like it to be".  I am talking, some of these shows barely paid for the booth.  UG!  I was really blue.  My jewelry has definitely gotten "artsier" and "weirder" the last couple years.  It is beginning to appeal to a select (narrow) group.  Sadly, with shows bringing less buyers, and less of those buyers being "my customers", I am not doing well, and having trouble figuring out what the next step is for me.  The next level of shows, would be the big ones, the indoor, NYC, Maryland shows, that require travel and fancy indoor pipe and drape.  Not only can I not invest in that, I am not sure I am quite "there" either.

So, I am mulling things over.  I think I need to revamp things, like my website.  I need more signage at shows, to explain what I do.  

To give my brain a break and cheer myself up, I decided to do some linocuts that have been in my brain for far too long.  I Love carving, and have been wanting to take my carving from the beads and back to prints.  I finally gave myself permission to just make them already!!!!  Sometimes, I just need that.  

 This heart with an eye turned out JUST how I wanted it too.  I didn't have sketches.....I did the border first, and thought a heart would fit nice in it, and of course, it needed an eye.  so I sort of winged it, and I am quite happy with how it turned out.

 The prints themselves are just quick practice prints.  I think I will be making more and perhaps offering them at my shows as well.  Can't hurt to try, and they make me happy.  They will also be a lower priced item, which is nice.  I think I am doing good making prints that still match my aesthetic.   

 LOVING this Moonlit Lotus (there are some trilobites in the back as well)

Finally made a stamp for my bags, my heart with wings logo!!!

and here are two prints (still first run, not good inking on them) in frames.  these will go in my studio, all for me!!!

Art really is therapy for me.  I cannot believe how much making a few prints has lifted my spirits.  I will figure out my next step.  It will work out.  when things aren't going well, its time for a change, and change is good.  

Now I must get back to the grind.  I am trying to finish up a new class for Craft Art Edu this week, and it's a FREE one!  You won't want to miss it!!!!

How is your summer going?  Anyone else have summer brain?  I hope next week will have me a bit more plugged in to a schedule.

Welcoming the New Year

I love a new year.  Even though it's just another day, another week....something about it feels fresh.  It just feels new, and squeaky clean with endless possibilities.  

I like to do some level of cleaning out in my studio around this time of year.  After a year of creating, ending with the holiday craze of making gifts and filling galleries, the studio is always cluttered and trashed!

So, stay tuned for a Destash Event this week.  I have a lot of $20 grab bags- each filled with art beads and quality gemstones! I also have some jewelry to part with that was stashed in corners and trays as well as some new beads I finished and bronze pieces I found. 

A clean slate just feels good.  A new year, new schedule, new opportunities.  It may be hard to top last year, it was a wonderful year.  The business continues to grow, I got to spread my wings and play around with more then just jewelry and beads and make some art. 

 There were some ribbons from Bead Dreams, 

there were magazine publications.  

Bead Fest was a blast,

 teaching went well, and my love for it grew and grew.  I found out my son is a natural helper in the classroom and plan to use him more in the future. (just don't try to get a picture of him!)

 I found a growing love of making art in my children this year (warms my artist mama heart).  

I learned to say no.  

I learned to take chances. 

 I learned that I can accomplish more then I ever thought, and I learned that I have don't have to keep a pace that hurts me or the family. 

 I learned that saying good-bye is hard, and to hug my loved ones daily. 

 I learned to listen a little more to my heart and a lot less to other peoples expectations. 

 I cherish that I have wonderful friends and supporters in the art and beading community and feel truly blessed to have such beautiful people in my life.

I think that any year that teaches us, and that we walk away from enriched with lessons in our pockets and hearts is a good year.

My component customers have ROCKED my beads this year too.  I'd like to take a bit to show off some of their creations using my beads.  I love seeing how everyone interprets them.

I had planned to do a design team for 2015, but alas, it was beyond my organizational skill level!  LOL!  So instead I am just showing off what these guys made!!!

Live Wire Jewelry (by Sharon Borsavage)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/livewirejewelrysb

Judith Boyer always comes up with unique ways to use my beads!

I love what she did with my little lentil carved earring beads!

http://www.judithannboyer.com/

and this organic focal as well

Betony of Maiden Designs made these awesome pieces.

This one used a yellow sea urchin connector

https://www.zibbet.com/maiden-designs-studio

and this awesome piece used one of my New (2015) elephant focals.  She did an elephant inspired blog hop and she nailed it with this piece!

http://www.beadwenches.blogspot.com/2015/09/blog-reveal-for-18th-bnb-challenge.html

I love the earthy asthetic of Marlene Quigley 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/markaZo?ref=l2-shopheader-name

She combined this donut (one of my favorites) with her handmade chain

and these earring beads with some of her own metal charms

perfectly paired if you ask me

I love Cheryl Zink's creations that feature my components, and man- does she crank them out!  She is a jewelry making powerhouse.

https://www.facebook.com/Artisan-Jewelry-by-Cheryl-Zink-660022150760896/timeline

Tammy Adams of Paisley Lizard Design made some stunning pieces with my skull and eye focal beads!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PaisleyLizardDesigns

I love this one sooo much!

Thank you to these guys, and to all the artists who use my components and beads.  It allows me to make more then I will ever use, and that keeps me busy, and happy!!

Moving forward.................

This year I would like to learn to make time for me.  Time to have quiet.  Time to stretch and move around more.

This year, I am doing away with more shows that haven't been great for me. 

This year I am going to apply to new shows and look for new opportunities.

This year I will devote more time to classes, and I am beginning work on some online classes with CraftArtedu.com.  I am very excited and will let you all know when my first class is available.

This year I will be teaching again at Beadfest Spring, as well as Beadfest August.  I will only be vending there in August though.

Here is the link to my Spring classes

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/145551/StaciSmith  

This year I implement all I have learned last year.  This year I will practice the art of going with the flow even more then last year.

This year, I plan to continue to take time to do more fun things with the kids.  Collin wants to do a train ride, and you know what, so do I.

This year will be exactly what it is meant to be, and I will happily go along for the ride.

To kick off the fun of the New Year- I am having a giveaway.  It is open to everyone, but international folks will have to pay for shipping.  Just comment about the best part of 2015 or what you look forward to most in 2016 and share this post for a chance to win.  One comment per person please.  Include your email in the comment- thank you!  Winner will be announced (picked by random generator) next Monday, the 11th.

Here is the necklace I am giving away!

Good luck and happy new year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday Ornaments in Polymer Clay

Every year I like to make a little something for friends and family.  Last year I made wine toppers!  

This year I was on a mission to make some ornaments.  Not only for gifts, but I wanted to put some in the galleries I am in.  

I am so thrilled with how they turned out.  Honestly, these are ornaments I'd hang in my window to keep all year long (and yes, I did keep a couple for myself!!)

I used polymer clay, wire, wooly wire for color pop accents, and gemstones, art beads and such to create them.  It was REALLY fun!  

Here is a peek at some of them, but for a full gallery, visit my Facebook page (message me if you are interested in any)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.915737905163117.1073741878.214196618650586&type=3

I am going to list them on Facebook in an event this afternoon for anyone who is interested.  They are decorated on both sides, measure about 2" x 6.5" (each is a little different).

Here is a close up of a few with their backs shown.  They all have crackle on them and a matte finish which I love!!

If you want to learn to paint polymer like these are, with the crackle finish, you can purchase my tutorial here
http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/product/not-part-sale-painting-polymer-crackle-technique-tutorial

Happy HOlidays!  I hope everyone is having a chance to create some handmade happy to spread with loved ones this year!!!