Monday's

It's funny how those "Monday" kinds of days so often fall on Monday. For whatever reason, today has been one of those kinds of days for me. It's been a struggle from the moment I woke up. I even went back to bed thinking that might salvage the day but, no. Still a Monday.

How do you deal with these days?

Actually, I feel like I need to clean house. I sort of let everything slide on the weekends thinking that Monday I'll clean it all up and start the week fresh. I've had that attitude toward my life lately too. I let it slide knowing that I have the book to finish. But it seems that if you let life slip just a little, before long it's a landslide and you're trying to figure out what to do with all the rubble.

I know what to do. I need to take care of myself. I need to give myself permission to cook some nice meals instead of just throwing everything together at 5 o'clock. I need to stock some yummy good for me eats in the cupboard instead of raiding the Halloween stash when I hit that 3 o'clock low. I need to get outside and soak up some Vitamin D and I need to exercise daily to keep my serotonin levels up.

I need to do a little self nurturing and spend some time with my husband by the fireplace and cultivate that comfy feeling. Instead of burning the candle at both ends. What is there about work that makes us think that we have to sacrifice everything else for it? I don't know. But I do know that if I take a little time to recharge I'll feel a lot better.

Maybe that's the lesson of Mondays.

Whoo-hoo!! 100 Sales!!

My Etsy shop reached a milestone yesterday- 100 sales!!!! I'm really excited. To reach 100 sales was one of my very first whispered goals when I started my shop and it feels really really good to see it. In fact, I copied it from my site so you could see it too. LOL!! It feels great. I know there are other shops out there that saw 100 sales the first month ( you shall remain nameless...) but my work is unique and not for everyone and so to see this is still a HUGE thrill for me.

other items

21 items for sale

100 sales

Thank you Thank you Thank you to all who've made this possible through your purchases or through your encouragement!!!

A special thank you to Terraworks who was the 100th sale!!! I appreciate your support!!!

And then there were TWO!!!

So the angel I created on Thursday night was so fun I went ahead and made another one yesterday. I don't think she's quite done yet but she was loads of fun to make. I love the idea of using art materials in my sculpture- not just to create it but to decorate it as well. So yesterday I grabbed a whole bunch of dried up Golden tubes I had left over from college and tried to wire them on to this girl's skirt. It ended up being a little too bulky seeming- but still a cool idea so I think I might have to work with it for another piece. Instead of the tubes of acrylic this little girl got a Tim Holtz ideology pendant that's stamped with the word "believe" and some yummy little clay fragments I had in my stash.

The fragments were made by Teri of Terraworks studio on Etsy, several months ago. I'd had the idea of creating a wire ball and then stitching in the clay pieces but the clay sticked out a little too much when I tried it, upsetting the rounded shape of the ball. Which I hated admitting to myself because they were just too cool. So I reluctantly set them aside trusting that I'd find a place for them in the future. And wouldn't you know they are the perfect accents for this angel. I love her so much more with these little fragmented bits of art wired into her skirt. They help to give her a personality and I just love that.

So now the ideas are just flowing in and I want to try all sorts of things with this form. But not today. Today I have to work on writing the introductions for each project in the book. So I will stop using you all as an excuse to procrastinate. Have a good weekend!

I had a friend just send me the dictionary definition of audacious and thought I'd share. Here's what I found at dictionary.com for the word audacious - extremely original; without restriction to prior ideas; highly inventive. Also - extremely bold or daring; lively; unrestrained; uninhibited.

Dream Audaciously

Meet my angel. She has spoons for wings and a chicken wire base. Stamped on some fabric scraps are the words "Dream" "Audaciously" and "Impossible things." A few posts ago Jill of creative oasis mentioned that she liked how I described my dream of the book as audacious. I hadn't thought too much about my choice of wording until I read her comment. Then I started to think a bit more about it.

Dreams are often audacious. When we allow ourselves to dream audaciously of impossible things, then there's a spark of hope and challenge that begins to well within us. A belief that maybe we could realize it, which develops into a what if we did- how would we start? And that is the beginning of actualizing our dreams.

Lately I've read how our dreams are given to us by God and how he uses these to instill in us a direction or purpose for our lives. Dream audaciously of climbing Mt. Everest? Or of designing your own line of children's clothes? How about writing a book? Or of having your own solo gallery exhibit? Often we live life dismissing those dreams in favor of what we see as real life. But what if we took a step towards our dreams? And then another and another? I believe we're blessed when we do. It takes courage to start, but once we do the way becomes clearer and it becomes a little easier. There is also the heart satisfaction that we are living the life we were created to live. Each one of us is unique with unique talents, abilities, interests, and experiences. Each one of us was created on purpose. Our dreams are often the clue to that purpose.

My little angel started out a week ago as an idea. Then Wednesday became a sketch. Then yesterday as I gathered supplies she became a little clearer to me, and then last night I found her. She wants to encourage us all to dream. Dream Audaciously of Impossible Things. What dreams of yours do you catch your breath at the thought of? My little angel wants to show you the possiblity and to wing you on your way to realizing that dream. I want to see you realize that dream. It's a wonderful journey.

Added Later: I had a friend just send me the dictionary definition of audacious and thought I'd share. "Here's what I found at dictionary.com for the word audacious - extremely original; without restriction to prior ideas; highly inventive. Also - extremely bold or daring; lively; unrestrained; uninhibited." Gives one ideas doesn't it? Thanks Shelley!

Chicken Wire Inspirations- New Mixed Media Art

OH- the creative juices are flowing lately and I have way too many ideas and plans. Today I ran over to my local craft store and picked up a grey sweatshirt, a bunch of wooden finials and wooden accents, some snowflake stickers, a wooden ruler, some snaps, and when I got home and poured out the contents of my bag on the table I just sat down and laughed. I had the pieces for four different projects. When am I going to get done 4 more projects? But I'm determined. Otherwise the ideas are going to just flit around my mind bothering me until I give them some attention. Do your creative thoughts pester you like this? They suck up my concentration and disturb my thoughts until I'm just annoyed with them and will work on them just so I can move on.

Lately, I've had chicken wire on the brain. Maybe, because I'd toyed with the idea of submitting a chicken wire entry for a Somerset Life call. Maybe, because one of the projects I revisited at the photo shoot was chicken wire. Maybe, because a friend mentioned a bed stead made of chickenwire. I don't know why but it would be on my mind after all that.... :) Two days ago I had a vision of a chicken wire angel. Her body would be wood, her wings- metal, and her skirt- chicken wire. I've done some figures in wire but I think this mixed media angel could be something really special. So I gathered up a bunch of potential materials and I thought I'd give you a look. See what you think. I love how a mess of mismatched elements can become something.

Two weeks ago I created a chicken wire heart and then wrapped it with cheesecloth strips that have dried plaster compound on it. You dip it in water and then it hardens into the shape of whatever you lay it on. Mine was originally created to make medical casts. You know, to wrap broken arms or legs or whatever. I got it at a surplus store ages ago and it wasn't performing as well as it did 13 years ago. Maybe there's a shelf life I didn't know about. :) But whatever, the plaster was a bit crumblier than it had been and so I ended up covering up most of it with fabric strips that I dipped in liquid starch. You can buy the plaster product under the name Rigid Wrap at any craft store- mine came on a bigger roll th0ugh and was tons cheaper. So here's a look at that project too.

I love setting myself the task to really explore a medium or material. Once I start to play around with the possiblities of something the ideas just flow. So think about it... What could you create? Maybe it'll get your creative juices flowing as well....

The Cherry On Top

Sometimes in life we hope and pray for what we need and really don't expect anything more. Then it comes, not just what we'd asked for- but above and beyond. It's as if God is showing us how much more he could give. It's the cherry on top. Last week I had one of those experiences. Not only did the photo shoot go incredibly well but all week long I was excited for Friday night. Yes, that was the end of the week and I knew I'd be so glad to have it over, but I was also looking forward to celebrating with a friend. That was the Cherry on top.

So Friday night after the shoot was over, I was able to "meet" my friend Shelley for the first time. We've been e-mail friends for over a year now. We met on Etsy way back when I'd first started. She was one of my first customers and when I looked up her shop I had to convo her and tell her how WONDERFUL and truly AMAZING I thought her work was. I've convo'd many of my customers but somehow Shelley and I really hit it off. We're both artists and we're both Christians and I think that gave us a base to start from that really helped the relationship along. I now count her as one of my very best friends and so, when I found out that my publisher was in Cincinnati- as is Shelley- I suggested we get together at the end of the week. It was so fun to anticipate and all week long I told people about it. It was funny to see the caution that came to people's eyes when I told them I was going to meet a friend from the internet. It does sound like the beginning to some horror flick, but I was confident we'd have a blast. And it was so fun!!! Definitely the cherry on top for the whole wonderful experience.

And really, finding friends and kindred spirits has been the best thing about all of my adventures of the last year. Any of you who are artists know how special it is to find those kindred spirits. You know, the people who just get you and you don't have to explain yourself to, I count so many of you in that group. Strangers who leave comments and become friends. Some of you I know well, and some I've yet to get to know. I appreciate each and every one of you though- and want each of you to know that in this adventure, you're all the cherry on top for me. Thank you!

The Photo Shoot Week!

I worried about it, I planned for it, and the anticipation of it nearly threw me over the edge but the week came, and it went and it was wonderful! I was in the hands of professionals (North Light publishes approximately 70 books a year), and the people I met just reinforced that impression I had of professionalism. My editor, Rachel, was amazing to work with, as was the photographer, Christine. They were the two people I spent the majority of my time with and they made it so easy, as well as fun and immensely enjoyable to create this book. Best of all, I now feel like it's going to be such a better book than it was, because these two people have added their talent and time to make it amazing. I was also able to meet the designer, the sales and marketing staff, and a host of others who have completely humbled me with their enthusiasm for their jobs and this book. It was a wonderful experience.

The goal we had for the week was to step out all 25 projects within a Mon-Fri, 9-5 schedule. We finished each night ahead of schedule and by Friday we had just one project left and so I was able to clean up a bit and take a few photos of my own to share with you. It was a fascinating experience for someone who loves books as much as I do, to see first hand how they come together and all the people that are involved in the process.

The studio itself, is such an amazing workspace. The room I was in all week was my photographer, Christine's, and just one room of this massive workspace. It was really fun to get a look at the prop room and to glimpse some of the other author's works as they were being photographed. I have a fascination with the juxtaposition of plain and fabulous and this studio completely embodied that. I've seen the wonderfully polished photographs that are taken in this building and to see the workhorse of a space they're taken in was really interesting. The photo at right is of a room within the studio that they will paint and decorate to use as a backdrop for photographing an author's projects. All week it looked like the photo at right and then the very last day, Friday, it was completely transformed with curtains, furniture, bedding, and was positively adorable. All decked out and ready to showcase the new works of an amazing author. So for me, it was absolutely fascinating to see the lengths that North Light's photographers, designers, and stylists will go to for a great photo.

So that's it for the little studio tour- I hoped you enjoyed it!!

The First Step

So in 2 more days I leave for Cincinnati to do the step by step photo shoot for my book, Creative Bloom! I'm excited. Then nervous. Then excited. And because the nervous part is there I went organizational crazy and have been trying to plan out every little detail of the next week. Impossible, I've decided, since I've never done this before and can't begin to know how it'll all work. My editor did send me a rough idea; work in the studio from 9-5, one hour lunch breaks to meet staff, and I gather that my evenings will consist of me, prepping for the next day. Doesn't sound so bad- right?

But because I've made it to this step, I looked back today at the first step. And I thought I'd share it with you. Waaay back in November of last year I was working on some article ideas for Stampington when I realized that I had quite a few and it was fairly diverse group. I had wall displays, jewelry, lamps, other home decor, christmas ornaments, and art quilts. In all I'd used the wire and fabric combination I love. Then it hit me that I had enough material for a book. It was a completely audacious idea and I started to think it through. The next few days I wrote an outline, looked at other craft books to find a publisher I liked, and did a little research on what a book usually included. The books I loved were all North Light Books so I decided to find out what I needed to do to approach them. Their website made it easy. They spell out exactly what they look for in a book, an author, and the proposal. Nothing I read excluded me or my idea. In fact, the longer I looked the more I realized that this part, the first step- was completely doable.

THEN, shaking somewhat, I told my husband. I didn't know what he'd say. I'd never done much writing and to suggest a book seemed a little crazy even to me. But he listened, looked at the North Light suggestions, and told me I could do it. That moment changed everything. He thought I could do it. It wasn't just a crazy idea I had. Suddenly, I was excited to give it a try. So, I did. The very next night I wrote up the proposal, the outline, put some pictures together, and e-mailed it off. I heard back the very next morning. The editor who replied was so nice and wonderful about it. She said what she liked, and what she was hesitant about, and made some suggestions. I replied and that was the start of it! Over the course of the next few months I completely reworked the entire proposal, created art samples to send, and changed everything about the outline as the concept of the book became clearer to me.

Last May it all went before the publishing board at North Light and was approved. So that's what, 7 months between my initial idea and my green light. It was so hard to wait! But I know that the timing was God's and that this has all been according to his timeline so of course it happened all as it should. But it's still been a fabulously, crazy ride.

Oh, and in case this inspires any of you.... fwpublications.com/authorguidelines here's the link to the page I found that began this all..... Remember crazy can just be the first look you might have at absolutely amazing!!!

Of Possibilities and Plans...

Have you ever gotten ready for a trip, putting all your energies towards preparing for a great new adventure and then once you've left- you think about home? Traveling anywhere away from home always stirs the "reflecting on my life at home" thought thread for me. It's one of the things I look forward to most. I love traveling but one of the primary benefits for me is that it allows me to gain some perspective on my everyday life.

The book experience feels to me like a trip I've been on for a long time and now that I'm past the half way mark ( I'll be done completely in January) I'm realizing how much of my time and energy has been unavailable to me. A qualification to be a mixed media artist should be a low attention level. We flit from one thing to another, to another. And although that worked completely in my favor designing the various book projects, I've been unable to really luxuriate in that "whither I will" feeling for a while. I was in the land of "set project" and it's been hard on me at times. I feel the tug to go off in different directions but have to be a grown up and tell myself "not til AFTER I get my work done." Of course that didn't always work and I have followed a few meandering side paths but the majority of my creative energy has been flowing into this book.

But now the little whisper is saying "not now- but soon..." and I'm like a kid in a candy shop. I can't even start to choose in what direction I'd like to move next. Do I want to invest my time in art jewelry classes? What about going back to the pastel drawings? What about this writing bug I've had? I could take classes locally. The art journalling I see artists like Zinnia and other women exploring is really exciting and I think I'd like to try more of that as well. Just choosing between 2-D and 3-D was impossible. So I'd decided to stumble on and let myself meander a bit. Don't worry about a direction and just play, play, play.

Then today I opened a package that seemed to focus me again. It was a little tiny package and inside were business cards. My first ever and there right on the front I saw them. My etsy address, and this blog address. Seeing those written right on there reminded me that I have goals with regards to both my etsy site and this blog that I haven't reached yet. Goals to make them amazing and informative and enjoyable for others. I have ambitions for these two sites that I can not wait to begin to work towards again. Lots and lots of plans that I want to see fulfilled and so I've decided. When this is done I'm going to refocus on these two things and see just how far I can take them. This isn't incompatible with the whole fun thing either. I can play constructively.

Just not yet.

Oh, and the business cards- Shelley of Singlestonestudios.com did a fabulous job designing them for me- Thanks Shelley, I love them!!!