Been busy but not productive.......and that's OK

I made a big decision this year, to limit my shows.  I finally made a jump and applied to some "big time" shows.  I figured if I didn't get in, I would just take some time off and work on my product and my display (need a more modern clean cut booth for these shows) and catch up on things that have been neglected around the house and studio.

So, I didn't get into the spring shows, I got wait listed.  I am doing ONE spring show, the North Penn Select Craft Show, and other than that, I am keeping my schedule open.

I don't even think I am entering Bead Dreams this year, unless I get some crazy brainstorm, I may even take the year off from that competition.

There is not a Spring Bead Fest here to teach at either.

So what I am doing?

I have been feverishly working on new booth ideas.  They must be fairly easy to set up, durable and easy to transport.  Oh yeah, they have to fit in my car too.

I have been sketching booths and pricing options and tinkering with table ideas.  I wanted a narrower table, and I am looking to use wall space to hang jewelry more. 

Thin wood boards to hang vs. cork boards.....still figuring it out

 I may invest in Pro Panels if they will fit in my vehicle.  Anyhow, Here is a table I made, that I am really liking.  The "legs" are two boards with hinges that fold flat.  The top board has small pieces of wood attached to the bottom that the "legs" go into to.  I really like it, but fear its wind resistance.  If I use propanels though, that will help.  

So, this would still get some black stamps (that I carve) on it and they will get sealed, maybe more distressed.  there are still pieces not stained on them as well.  but you get the idea.

It is such a work in progress.  I have idea's......so stay tuned.  It will probably slowly come together as this year goes on.

I have also been spending time with the family as much as possible.  Been doing a lot of chilling and watching movies, and we even got to enjoy some snow (finally PA) together.

Collin also caught his finger in a car door, and it got infected.  He had a bit of a cold too, so I spent a few days with him at home hanging out too.

 the pitties love when a kid is home sick

like that red streak going up his arm?  A little scary, but we caught it early and the antibiotics are working wonderfully

Collin and I have also spent some time working on his Valentines Box for school, but I can't show you too much- he wants the reveal to be a surprise.

I finally fired some ceramic beads, that I had made back in November.  I love them, and totally plan to make more.  Stay tuned for a small sale on my destash page this week.  I will have some of these available.

I also made some little charms from quartz crystal spike and epoxy clay, and I am loving them!  now I can use stones that have no holes more easily.  I will have some of these for sale too, and others will surely go into my charm necklace!

I have also used my free time to spend time with friends, and enjoyed a painting and wine night!

It was a great time, and since then I have been tinkering with some paints.

I also made a new stamp / linocut and had fun with a few prints.

I had a dear friend who marched at the womens march in DC, and she really loved this symbol.  So as Julia and I sat together after the march, and talked about inequality, privilege, and justice, we looked at sister marched, bonded over signs and listened to speeches.  She too, picked this symbol out and said, "wow - that is great".  So, I wanted to do something with it.  

I have also made these into postcards and will order them at cost for you if you are into sending post cards to your senators and reps!  Message me if interested.

I have also used my time to finally put up some prints and fill some picture frames that have been sitting in my family room for way too long!!!!  Below is our little shrine to our dog Jake, and some family photos of the kids and dogs.

Here is my picture wall in the living room, I finally added my Jane of Gritty Arts Studio prints.  If you have not seen her work, please check it out, its amazing.  I also hung my Ward Van Haute (it used to be in my studio).

So, that is what I have been up to between listings.  That and calling and messaging my PA rep and senators to let them know how they can work for ME!  lol!  And you should too, not matter what it is you want.  Because that is how our democracy works.  We don't need someone to give this country back to us, we just need to raise our voices and take it back.  

Next on my list, is finishing up a new Craft Art Edu class on carving polymer clay (yay!!!!) 

and cleaning my studio (going to be a doooooozy of a job) to make new jewelry for the Bethlehem House Gallery and my show next month.  Wish me luck, there is so much other stuff I want to dive into!  

May focus be with me!

So, though I haven't been business productive, I guess things are getting done that need to be done or finished up.  It has felt good, even if I have nothing much to show for it and more mess!  

How is your winter going?  Are you snowed in and going batty?  or making sure you get out and socialize?  Do you have winter projects you plug away at?  I would love to hear it!

Taking that Leap

I did a blog today over at LMAJ about Finding your Wow.  In other words, taking that leap and creating from your soul.

 

I think as artists, we all stand on that cliff between making what we think will sell and making what is in our soul.

 

I think it's terrifying to jump.

 

I encourage you to do it though, because you have wings, and you can fly, and it is so freeing!!!!!

 

 

So check it out.  I wrote it to encourage a friend who was struggling with this same thing and realized we can all use this reminder sometimes.

 

http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2013/10/finding-your-wow.html

 

 

ps- there are some funny picture of my old old work on there!

Happy New Year

First of all I'd like to apologize for how late this post is.  I was having some blogger issues, and finally got them resolved.
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I hope your holidays were wonderful!  How did you fare?  I fell into the holiday vortex and got a bit lost, but I am back!!!!!

I hope the new year is a rockin one.  My holidays were nice, and I loved the time with family.  I am so thankful that my hubs and I are both self employed.  Though it can keep us very busy, its nice to be the boss and take a week off to hang with each other!

Here are some things that kept me so busy (on top of the dogs surgery to drain an abcess and Julia's pneumonia the week before Christmas- never a dull moment).

I made many gifts this year and really really loved making each and every one of them for my friends and family.  I didn't get pics of them all, but here are some.........................................

I made these for my MOM's- my mother and my mother in law.  I antqiued up a picture of the kids, and used sheet metal, mica, rivets, and other thingys to bring them together.  I even used some of my grandmothers old broken jewelry on them.  I am really happy with how they turned out.

 I also made these magnet frames for my siblings in a similar style to the pin above

I also made these sugar skull pendants, but ended up using them to make some really fun ornaments for all my Grateful Dead fan friends.  (I used some great suburban girl beads as the dangles, they were perfect!)

I made a box for my friend Genea with a glass eye cab she made for me.  I REALLY love making these boxes.  I use polymer, sculpture paste, inks, acrylic paint, leather, ribbon, ect.........to make each one.  Genea loves bright, so bright hers was.....................

Christmas is so much fun for me, since I just love to create, its nice to create with no business aspect in my head. It's very freeing and just get to make things I think my friends will like.

After the holidays, for some reason I thought I'd have a break.  However, I had a few january deadlines I forgot about, and I am making new stuff for the gallery and my other shop I have jewelry in.  I also decided to create my first line of jewelry this year, which you can view here on facebook.  It's zodiac inspired, so each month I will create new pieces for the gallery, and perhaps some for etsy too.  I will add new designs to my facebook page as I create them.  If you are not a fan of my facebook page yet, just click here.

I haven't gotten as far as picking a work for the new year or setting offical goals.  However, I am going to take this year off from sea glass festivals, and instead, add bead shows.  I also plan to try to get my jewelry into two or three more galleries.  I am also replacing one of my yearly shows (Doylestown Arts Festival) with Tyler's Art Festival- but they are further down the road, so I will give you more info at that time.  So I guess my big goal for this year is to try to eleveate stress, by doing less shows, and get into more galleries.  Whew.  That sounds simple.  Oh, and to just go with it, where this business takes me, as long as I am comfortable, and family can still come first.

So Happy New Year!  Thanks for being my friends, my supporters, my fellow journey-women and men in this beady, jewelry world. 

Any of you have big plans for re-vamping the business this year?  Any small changes you vow to make?  Please share- I'd love to hear where you want your year to take you.