1-11-16


It's my "Maker Monday" post!
This past week, I finished up my  yearly inventory for the Etsy shop.
It's always amazing to see what all is available, what all has sold... and look at trends and statistics.
I also was able to pick up items that I had at Firestone Forge (which is now on it's "winter hiatus"), and photograph them and get them listed in the shop as well. Lots of finishing up of loose ends... so to speak.  And... I got some business stuff straightened around... and have only 2 things left on my (work related) "To-Do" list.... which is awesome.

And so this weekend... I set about to do some studying.
I picked up 3 books from the local library related to business; and have (mostly) read them all.
The one that was particularly interesting, was one called "Your Own Shop" by Ruth Jacobson. While it is somewhat outdated (it was written in 1991) ... it still had some valid information. I skimmed through the sections on leasing/ buying a physical shop .... and such....as it was not pertaining to me.
I was also able to pick up 3 books specifically on art/ jewelry business ideas when we were in State College last weekend... and I am really looking forward to digging into those.

So how does this relate to "maker Monday?".... sometimes being a maker involves the more business side of things. It would be great to spend all my time actually making things..... but then I would have a house full of stuff... and no income... and nowhere to sit down -LOL. Business, and selling... are all part of the beast. The beauty of it... is that being self employed... there are tons of ideas and strategies out there... it's just a matter of figuring out what will work for you.

--The photos for today's post showcase some fishing themed earrings I had at Firestone Forge, and have now listed in the Etsy shop.
Which ones lure you in? I kept the pair shown at the top.

See you all tomorrow.



for the weekend


It's the weekend!
... and I am looking forward to some quality time with some books I've borrowed from the library.
Sometimes... it's just great to start a fire in the fireplace, and kick back. 

And, per my usual routine, I've got some links to share with you all: 

* Woody Guthrie's List of New Year's Resolutions from 1942
* Did you know that Andy Warhol illustrated books?
* 12 must-read books from Fortune magazine
* so this artist inherited his grandfather's tool shed (and all the contents) ... and is drawing every.single. thing. inside it.
* puppeteer Basil Twist
* some pretty fantastic paper sculptures
* and interesting take on some mysterious history

I hope you all have a couple of restful days... and I will see you all back here on Monday for my "Maker Monday" post.


1-8-16




I love to travel... and I am hoping that this year brings some opportunities to do so.

I had intended to do some work in my Etsy shop today... so I went about taking photos of some earrings. Then, I went to the Etsy site online, and was going to start listing some things... but the site is not working. So... I went to edit the photos I took, in preparation for perhaps listing them later, and somehow, the files were deleted.  And now, with icy-rain weather on the way... it it too dusky to take more photos.  Sometimes the best laid plans... are.... well.... not.

And so. I was thinking about the light here, which brought me to pondering about light I've seen on my travels... and I found these photos in my files of a trip I took out to California 4yrs ago. The light that day, like today... was decidedly blue... but with a crispness and clearness, that I suspect... had a lot to do with being near the ocean. And so... I decided to edit a few of those photos and share them with you today.
Are you feeling the blue? Are you feeling the "bug" to travel? Is the light creeping in on you and brightening your day? I hope so...

See you all tomorrow.

1-7-16


  The other day when we went to State College, I was able to take some random photos out the car window
... and these are a couple of them.

There is something fascinating about this house (below); or at least to me.
I would love to go through it some day.
Every time I drive near it; I think about who might have lived there...
who might still live there... who grew up there... what they ate...
what kind of art do they have on the walls...

It's all a mystery... and sometimes life is.
Even when life is difficult... you just never know what is around the corner.

.see you all tomorrow.


1-6-16


Starting over is never easy.
Growth, it is written... is optional.

One of my favorite quotes is "It is never too late to be who you might have been"
... which is by George Eliot.

So, with this new year, I encourage you... and all of us...
to explore what it is we want. What we dream of.
What we wish to accomplish, see, feel, hear, and experience.
And do it.

~~see you all tomorrow.

1-5-16


This photo was one I took the other day out of  our moving car... with the wind blowing up the snow in the fields, 
and creating a frame of ice on the window...  I think it is interesting, and I love the horse.

January is a time of new beginnings.
And life at our house shows no exception.
I think it's ironic, in some ways that we've come "full circle"... since moving here 2 yrs ago.
The daughter and I are both self employed... 
and the hubby is contemplating his next adventure in the wild and woolly work force.

On our trip the other day,  I purchased a few books... all of which relate to my art business,
and I was also able to find a large sized Moleskine; which for several years now; has been my ledger of choice for my business. 
So... for the next couple of days, I will be re-organizing and cross checking my inventory, and lodging everything in my book. 
I've also gathered up my inventory from my friend's shop; Firestone Forge 
(as they will be closed, except by appointment, during the winter months)--
and will be listing those items in my Etsy shop.

Now is also the time of taking stock:
Performing an inventory check is so very vital... in several ways.
Obviously, to make sure of what you actually have available...
but also, to see what has sold... what was popular? What were the more "hot ticket" items?
What was really fun to make, and worth making more of?
What new things am I looking to make... what lines of work am I wanting to expand...

And then... to see what supplies I have on hand, packaging materials, promotional materials... and more.
What do I need to order more of? ...well... you get the idea.

See you all tomorrow.

1-4-16


First off, sorry for missing the weekend post.
It's been more than a little crazy here for the past few weeks... and we decided to take a much needed break and head down to State College on Saturday. Lots of "quality time" was spent at various book shops... and a great finish to the evening was dinner at the Indian Pavilion.

Yesterday, we had a great time visiting some friends... and isn't that what some of the best moments in life are about? good food, good friends, good books and good conversations? That feeling of being understood (and liked anyway). Laughing and sharing...

So... for today's "Maker Monday"... I would suggest the keeping and remembering of making memories. Of choosing how to spend your time in a way to make the most of events, time with friends and family... exploring the great outdoors...refueling your batteries... or perhaps reading a treasured book.

See you all tomorrow.


1-1-16


May the gifts of love, happiness, peace, abundance and hope be yours, and 
may you all have a rich and fulfilling!, creative and scrumptious!, joyous and full of wonder!
 ... new year.

12-30-15


The other day I was talking with a friend, who (not so gently) reminded me that although things are in flux right now.... and somewhat difficult; it is perhaps the best time to bring forth those things that I truly love to do... and have let sit at the wayside. 

... and yes, I am still writing haiku...

thanks for the nudge, my friend.

12-29-15


... sometimes life can be overwhelming.
I think we all struggle for perfection... or... what we perceive as being the perfect thing.
Be it an orderly home... the best haircut... a way of life...
We have this picture in our head of what things should be like... and when we miss that mark; for whatever reason... I think most of us ( or at least I ) take is as a personal failure. How did we mess up? What did we do wrong? All the woulda-coulda-shouldas haunt us late at night, and rob of us our sleep.
Conversely, what happens when you really did nothing wrong; and it things still fall apart?
What happens when other people's perceptions and ideals... rob you of yours?

Life can be cruel. Life can be unfair.
Sometimes the best of intentions, still aren't enough.
Sometimes... sometimes...
And sometimes.... life just sucks.

And while that seems harsh, some times... it's accurate.
You can focus on what went wrong, or you can focus on what to do next.

I think for me, the key is to remain grateful. Even for the hard times.
There are always stories and situations of those who are going through worse.
Hold each other close.
Dust yourself off.
Have faith in the future.

---see you all tomorrow.

12-28-15


Today is "Maker Monday"... where I feature something I've made in the past week or so; and encourage the "maker" lifestyle.

It's been a very hard couple of weeks. It's also been a great couple of weeks.
I've had some good sales in my home-based business... and had some wonderful days with friends and family. But it's also been hard in many ways. I have some bad anxiety & depression issues... which usually come knocking around the holidays... and missing our son and granddaughter out west. And things have been bad for my hubby at work... the crux of which; is that he will now be looking for a new job. Which is sad, as he truly loved the work he was doing. If I was a fatalist... I would be a-feared that I was cursed... with all the weird things that have happened these past few years. But I am essentially an optimist... and believe things generally happen as they should... and that there is something to be learned from it all.

And so I've been busying myself with the making of "stuff."
I was making some envelopes last night from an old worn children's book called "The Magic Pot," written in 1977. In the story, an older couple has found themselves in dire straits. At the same time, a demon has turned himself into a cast iron pot (why, I don't know)... and the old man comes across it and brings it home. Each day, the pot "magically" goes out to a "greedy, rich man's" house and comes back to the poor couple's home with gifts... food, coins, etc. Eventually, the old couple have everything they need.... and the pot goes away... taking the "greedy, rich man"... with it.


Now, I don't think we have a magic pot... nor am I convinced that if I did... it could magically sort through my problems.
But it's a cute story... and I love the sketches.
And... it speaks to believing in the best.... and things working out.
Which is awesome.

See you all tomorrow.

12-22-15


~~Happy Winter Solstice~~

You can read more about it here.... where there is a lot of great information.
(and a merry mid-winter to us all)
See you all tomorrow.

12-21-15


Some times there just doesn't seem like there is enough coffee in the world... and days crawl by.
And there are others... where I wish the merry-go-round would stop long enough for me to get off.
Such is life... and often there is a whole "hurry up and wait" aspect to it that just drives me crazy.

These past few days have been rough... and yet ... in other ways.. they have been awesome.
Oftentimes, it's a matter of trying to focus on the absolute good.
And so for today's "Maker Monday" post, I will show you a couple things I've finished up this week.

Here is a necklace (and complimentary earrings) that was a custom order... finished just in time for a holiday party...
It showcases some gorgeous southwestern turquoise, Tibetan coral chunks, faceted coral from Hawaii, handmade Navajo beads from Albuquerque, and Australian Phrenite. The pendant, was a vintage piece, that has a stunning chunk of turquoise accompanied with gemstone Peridot.


And here is a custom rosary that I did for a customer. She was able to come up and pick out some of her favorite beads (larger dyed freshwater pearls and vintage Czech glass) and findings for the prayer set, and seemed really happy with the finished work.


Keep making folks!
And I will see you all back here tomorrow...

for the weekend


It's snowing!
Hard to believe it's the last weekend before Christmas... but before life gets really busy for us all; 
I've gathered some links to share with you for my weekend post. 
I hope you like them; and I'll see you all back here on Monday.

*interesting places to visit in PA
*Gayle Faucette Wisbon -- fine art
*mystical tree tunnels
*green crafts
*so cute (see the video here)
*photos of Queen Elizabeth
*artist Jackie Morris
*an amazing jeweled "Ethiopian Caterpillar"
*probably the best commercial airing right now on tv ... still think it sounds sorta like Rowlf from the Muppets...
*Christmas music
*some great historical photos
*flower patterns in nature; posted by National Geographic
*Jellyfish Lake
*the real story of Rudolph
*Grandfather Frost and Baba Yaga (Russian Fairytales)
*a Christmas Full Moon
*the most amazing paper sculptures
*artist Sammy Slabbinck
*something yummy for Christmas morning 
*and then there's this...  and this.... and of course, THIS.



12-18-15



“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, 
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

-- Dr. Seuss: How the Grinch Stole Christmas!


Looks like Christmas is on the way... with lots of places around town all dressed up in their holiday finery. 
And I am finishing up some last minute things... 
See  you all tomorrow.

12-17-15


This is a photo I took way back in 2010... but I like it, and thought you  might want to see it... albeit, again.

I've been reflecting on a lot of things lately... and have been overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. 
Sometimes it can be a "slippery slope" into those depths of despair... and I know that many people suffer from this; 
especially at this time of year.

I would encourage us all to be a little kinder... a little more thoughtful... a little more understanding.
You never know what someone is going through.
See you all tomorrow.

12-16-15


Here's a photo from my files... taken a few years ago.

Sometimes, your inner "star" shines... and it sparkles and draws "oohs and aaaah's" from appreciative folks. And sometimes, not so much. And that is ok. The lesson I am hearing for today... is that you still have to do what is right. What is right for you... what is the common good. What speaks to your heart and soul. Appreciation from others may come... or it may not. And that is ok too. 
Do what you love.

See you all tomorrow.