March Lion

With the arrival of show applications and other signs of spring, its time I do some studio clean up and bead making. I am not a slave to cleaning so I will keep my organizing to a minimum and really spend most of my time bead making. I typically gather some things to sell so be watching.....I generally sell my orphan beads, glass rods and other goodies at great prices!

Last week I was in NYC for an art educator conference and made a stop at MOMA. This image by Rousseau is one of my favorites........really I have lots of favorites :) It made me think of March as a Lion and I've been the sleeping Gypsie........I've got to wake up and get busy! I'm just starting to think of jewelry ideas and display ideas too for upcoming shows.  I'm also dreaming up my next Open Studio event........Gosh, I do have lots to do.

As many of you know, I'm an art educator by day in a local school district. I'm going into my 17th year and have seen many changes.......Districts across the country are under hard times and ours is no different. The school I work at will consolidate with another school making our building next year a k-5th grade. I say GREAT! I look forward to teaching the older students. However, this consolidation means jobs cut, teacher shifting and room changes........needless to say, this atmosphere brings out the worst in people.  Paranoia to the extreme.

To keep mindful of all the wonderful things in life and to keep everything in perspective I feel the need to focus on what I am grateful for. So for the next week, my posts will be on the beautiful things in my life.

Today's beautiful things:
:: Waking up and hearing the birds chirping. I love listening to the birds and know that spring will be here soon.
:: Our warm comfortable home. Time spent at home is so relaxing and restful to me....filled with art and art making materials, my home is where my heart is.
:: Two loving little dogs that no matter what, will always love us. Kisses in the morning, tail wags, and snuggling.
:: A great cup of coffee and watching the sun rise. No matter what happens, the sun will rise each day!

It's Spring Break!

The last several weeks have been a whirlwind! Budget cut worries at school, art events...at school, appointments! Now its our spring break and I can begin getting back on track. Whatever that is...life is always full and busy right?!

Along with bead making, I've been busy with some on line Art Journaling e-courses. A great way to entertain my muse. I believe that you have to be involved with other things to keep your creative voice in strong working order to keep your main way of expression flowing with new ideas......which for me is glass beads and jewelry. Journaling has also brought into focus other creative aspirations that I've not ever acted on. So, we will see where this ride takes me. I love the journey that my creative life brings me!

Art events at school have also taken up a lot of my time as of late. Planning, preparing and the actual happening all take time. Its not a problem since I love doing these events but it is my usual free time that gets impacted....and that means Bead Time! Anyhow, I just hosted a Family Art Night and it was a hugh success! My dear friend and fellow artist, Nancy Valle, came and demonstrated clay........what a great time everyone had!

Nancy is also a glass beadmaker and was the one who originally taught me. Such a warm and wonderful person. I visited her studio last week and had to purchase one of her ceramic sculptures!

Can't wait to have it displayed! It's a garden sculpture but I'm hanging mine in our living room.

Sketchbook Sunday!

This past week has been interesting to say the least....as many of you know, I'm an art teacher by day and have been teaching for 16 years. Our district is purposing significant cuts to art, music and library. I will still have a job but will travel between two buildings.....you have no idea what this really means. Six full time art teachers, 6 music and 6 librarians will be unemployed.

So, my sketchbook has suffered because I didn't give it time this week....

But when I did allocate the time, sketching was relaxing........ Today I am out in the studio making beads.....spring is my inspiration yet again. 

I hold onto Hopefullness that those in charge will see the light. 

Just imagine how gosh darn boring school is going to become for all your children.....the arts are vital for so many reasons. It is a place where being the best isn't the goal........ its really about self expression, exploration, experimentation, critical thinking..............okay, I'll get off my soap box :)

Artful Journaling

Journaling happens to be a favorite activity of mine. Over the years I have accumulated dozens of filled journals. My good friend Sue and I often joke that if I go first, she will take my journals for safe keeping. You know how it goes, your journal is the place where you keep your most inner thoughts and feelings.....these are sometimes things you would never say to someone since you know they would hurt them. I see journals as a therapy of sorts. A way to release positive or negetive thoughts and a place to start your day off right.

So here it is. My leather journal, my coffee and my breakfast. I love that journal but honestly, it was a gift from my husband (even he doesn't get to read my journal) and I've put off writing in it since its so nice. Typically, my journals are doodled upon, coffee stained and mangled. But.......I'm going forward and using this beautiful journal to begin my day.

Because I am taking "flying lessons" (see side bar for that info) my journal is working at helping me uncover new directions in my beadie business. I admit, I am not always dilegent in juggling all my business hats; website manager, blogger, facebook, twitter, etsy, shows, making stuff, promoting.....the list goes on and on.  Everyone has a busy life. But I really need to figure out my new direction and how I will navigate to success and fulfillment. I make a point of always being happy no matter what but I really want to figure out what my dreams really are and how to go about filling them.

Do you journal? Its a great thing and you should try it if you don't already. So, I must write now and dig deep to uncover what my dreams really are.