When Inspired

I have my highs and lows, everyone does. There are moments when I can't make anything, I don't want to make anything, when I'm soooooo not inspired. Usually those times don't last long *laughs*

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a work-a-holic, I love what I do! At times it feels like I'm connected on some level that most people have no clue about, I'm driven to create or would go insane with ideas!

During Holiday Market as I looked around at my fellow artists, I said to my partner that people should create more elaborate jewelry not pieces that are strickly assembly production like. Who wants to own a piece of jewelry that anyone can make and that everyone has? Not I. 

So here's my new line called "Lovely Hearts"

Well Wow!

So much has happened I don't even know where to start. I guess the beginning. I've been super busy (like always). New ideas, new products, wish I had more hands and more hours in the day.
Last year decided to let go of the house, it did nothing but hold me back. So much worry, so much stress. Not my cup of tea. So got something that was more affordable, a tiny apartment downtown! It's so nice being so close to Saturday Market and Holiday Market (only takes 10min to either).  Having neighbors so close is odd, but everyone stays pretty much to themselves. I had no clue how stressed I was about the house until after moved out and relaxed.
Then there was Holiday Market, I worked everyday making more stock. Hair Blossoms and Pin Blossoms were quite popular and a lot of fun to make. Not that many necklaces sold, but then again I didn't make a whole lot of them this past year. The trend I noticed was lots of little things, which for me is good, I love making little things. Also, I shared my booth with an awesome designer Addie creator of false gauge earrings that I now own way too many of.
As for Second Life I have decided to take a vacation for awhile, I just don't have the time. I'm thinking about designing for the fashion show this year in april. Also designing some new things like gloves, fabric cuffs, and garters. I seem to have a lot of fabric that wants to become something currently! Of course I'll still make jewlery, goddesses, kits, and paper goods ... I always love making them.

My Body Hates Me

What likes kinda looks a baby pine cone, is crystally and is 1/2" long by 3/8" wide (kinda the same size and shape of a sharpie pen end)?

My Kidney Stone.

First off all I can say is wow, I never thought kidney stones were very big... mostly like a grain of salt, until now! This is a picture of the kidney stone that I passed this morning, scary huh? After waking up this morning and last night in pain every time I sat down or tried to pee, it felt like a screwdriver was shoved up my urethra. I have never had pain such as this in my life! I was smart this morning and called my doctor, who told me to go to the emergency room. There was only one problem ... the buses don't run till 9am and it was only 7:30 am so i waited.

Intending to take the bus at 9am I decided to try to pee one more time before going and was shocked when I started peeing normally after a moment. I think I understand how giving birth is now, the pushing and pushing and then the relief of it finally out.

In shock and relief I called back the doctor on call and told them what happened, asked what I should do with the stone, and if I needed to still go to the emergency room. Told me that if I had any more problems to call, and to talk to my doctor tomorrow to see if he wanted to do tests on me and the stone. So now I'm chilling with some coffee cake and water, just happy to not be in pain anymore and still a little shocked by the size of the dang thing.

What ?!? I can use a Camera, since when?

I hate cameras, I admit it. I blush, make "Shierk" faces (as my partner puts it), and blurr every pic I possibly can. So, last christmas I decided I needed a better camera for taking pictures of products (and peoples too). At first (and still) I sucked at using the damn thing, but slowly I'm getting better. SO here is the first picture I'm actually proud of, a pair of earrings that are featured on my website :)

Studio Clean Up Time!

So, I'm a collector, I admit it ... I think I get it from my Grampa. When I was young I remember going to his apartment and seeing stacks of stuff, from recyclables to random boxes full of china, books, velvet paintings ... his place was packed and he was content. I loved visiting and listening to music at his place.

I'm older and wiser now, but I still collect things. At least it's not random stuff like my Gramps. I collect art supplies. As an artist I find that my style changes and grows with what is around me. Felties were born out of a bag of felt from the thrift store that was too small for another friend of mine. Leatherwork came about because of a bag of mysterious scraps that still have. $5 earrings came into being because of the sheer amount of supplies breeding in my studio.

Another problem that seems to reoccur is stuff getting waaaaaaaaaaaay out of place. Most of the time I can't find what I'm looking for anymore. I know it's my fault for not putting things back at times, but I would rather blame the fairies in my house for moving stuff around on me *lol*

So here' s my mess in all it's glory, enjoy the fact that I'm only showing you the studio and not the upstairs sewing room (which believe me, is worse) and maybe I'll find some long lost beads that will inspire me in a whole new direction :P~

More Promos Going Out!

In an effort to clean my studio space and rock the foundation of doing art, this year I have chosen to partictipate in The Little Black Box sampler for 6 months out of the year. SO I'm going to be in March, April, July, Oct, Nov, and Dec with 150 samples for each month (that's a lot of samples!). This month is featuring my notepads and envelopes (as the pic shows) created from art papers to file folders to wrapping paper ... no paper is safe from me! *laughs evily*

These are my favorite samples to give out. I include one with all orders. *hint hint*

All Good Stuff Comes to the End

I've decided to give back the bottlecap business, Secondhand Saints, I just don't have the time to create, make, and market them. I feel like a loser, I should be able to do everything ... but I can't, I admit it, I'm no superwoman. 2009 is already setting it's self up to be super busy and I have to learn how to slow down and relax.

I'm very happy that Ruby is ok with me giving the business back to her capable hands. I'm glad I was able to help the business stay afloat while she dealt with her own stuff (as we all have to do at times) and was able to learn more about running others businesses.

This experience has taught me that I should focus on my own business more and not have soo many projects going at once. So now back to cleaning my work area while waiting to be inspired to do art :)