Ready for a New Year?

On the upside. I feel like I have a head start on the New Year. My traditional closet clean out is done and everything is organized in there, my studio is getting a sorting thru and I'm beginning to ponder what my word for the year will be........yes, I pick one word that is my focus for the year ahead. It really helps me to frame my thinking and allows me to keep with one focus. I do have attentional problems and often flit from one thing to the next. I select one work for my jewelry biz and another for my art teaching each year and it really helps.

I might be in a creative slump.  I have to admit, I feel a bit blah when it comes to navigating my direction for the year ahead with my jewelry. Last night over dinner I confessed to my husband that although I enjoy my bead/jewelry biz, things are beginning to feel a bit ho hum. There is nothing exciting me. Everybody seems to be doing such similar things that to me, the jewelry outlook seems a little lifeless. Yes, yes......color, everyone is doing it, bold.....yeap. lots out there doing that too. These were once hallmarks to my work and they now seem plain. overdone. common. ordinary. maybe even boring. Whats a girl to do??

So. Where do I go...what do I do with this ho hum feeling? My gut tells me to calm down and something is bound to stir my mojo....not to rush things. So, the big plan is- just KISS.......(keeping it simple stupid) for the time being. Not much I can do with my case of the blaahhs but just wait it out. I will be experimenting at the torch, hanging with other artist friends, painting, going to some favorite haunts and all that stuff. Looking to find something that lights my fire!

 There is one thing I'm planning for February but you'll just have to stay tuned for that one. I'm focused then on staying loose, experimenting and lots of play time at the torch!

Creative Challenge

The day before the holiday break I had students work on a creative challenge that took team work....They had to work in groups of 6....

and decorate one member to look like a Christmas tree! It was hilarious watching them work. It was interesting to see how some teams worked out the cooperation aspect of this task and how others didn't do so well at it....

First team to finish had to have members sit under the tree like presents. Lots of fun. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday too :)

Lost my Jingle

Recently my sister and I went to a local garden centers Holiday Open House. What a great time we had! We each made our own wreath, decorated it with ribbons and other accents and then brought them home to hang. There was food and just loads of good cheer. Next week we are going to the culinary center for a cookie exchange. Love these festive outings!

I'm looking forward to a new year and having some time to regroup and to enjoy some unstructured time to "play". Nothing is more deadly then having to do something rather than wanting to do something. At least for me. I have been in the "have to do it" mode and really have felt the drag of it. I'm looking for something fresh and invigorating!

I love making beads and jewelry but feel I have lost my "jingle" as of late. It's kind of a creative lull I guess. I see sooooo many jewelers out there with terrific things and I also see lots of the same.......ho, hum stuff too. I feel that I must go into a mini winter hibernation to hopefully immerge with new ways of seeing. Sounds gloomy right? Hope not.....its just a little creative bordem that has set in.

A little holiday shopping, getting my nails done and then maybe a little baking. I've been loving my Nook and have read plenty of great books with it so far. Tonight I'll wrap gifts and work on some knitting. I've been sick for the last few days and am resting lots in between those things I "have to" do.

A Little T & A

Not the best picture since it was taken with my phone but wanted to share anyways. When I first began making jewelry, I made these "goddess" bracelets. Kinda fun....big "T's" and a nice trunk too. I made them in the likeness of the Venus of Willendorf. Anyways, I've had a few people request goddess bracelets and goddess beads recently so I thought, why not. This one and another in earth tones goes to Sally.

Fa, la, la, la, la..........la,la,la,la

Isn't he cute? At my last show, a little 10 year old came to my booth and eagarly told me that she sold things too on Etsy.......of course, I asked if she could show me and she quickly pulled out a few felted animals. So adorable.......I purchased this fun little owl. I think she was a bit surprised by my purchase but I just thought she was adorable....the owl too.

These are called my "Me So Pretty" buttons. I LOVE them. I wanted to keep them but they are at a local bead shop and for sale....Head over the Bead Breakout if you want them.

A display in process. I am the featured artist at Bead Breakout for the month of December and January. When the owner told me I had "this" wall, I had to think fast as to how I might "hang" my work. I've never hung my work and was a bit nervous about it since glass doesn't really like to be displayed this way but I really kinda like how its working. The display isn't real full right now since I just finished a 3 day show but I will be in to stock things up once I have things ready.

So..........Happy Holidays everyone! Buy handmade & buy local....gifts like this are always more unique and are American made!!!

Setting Up For the Show

This weekend I will be at the Holiday Bazaar at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Being at this show always puts me in the Holiday mood. Decorations, music and the thought that Thanksgiving is right around the corner....Its an indoor show too which makes set up really nice.

Well, I'm almost ready to go. I have a few items that need putting together and then I'll be off for the Friday evening start to this event. Hope to see you there :)

Monday Meeting....

Oh, the fun I had working with enamels yesterday!

I think these will be going into my Etsy shop later this week.....along with some other goodies. But, I must prepare for my upcoming show!!

New Niche Pendants.......they still need some awesome beads to adorn them but the silver work is done. I totally LOVE these. Big, Bold and Beautiful. A nice chunky cubic zirconia accents both of these Folk Art inspired pieces.

Whack Your Head Wednesday

Hear the Knock of Opportunity

#48 A leading business school did a study that showed that its graduates did well at first, but in ten years they were overtaken by a more street-wise pragmatic group. The reason according to the professor who ran the study: "We taught them how to solve problems, not recognize opportunities." Where do you hear opportunity knocking? How can you answer it?

Art Therapy

Sometimes I just love to paint. I like to just blend colors, splatter, and drip paints.....color and texture being most important. Poppies. Made from newspaper and paint. I love it.

I love the chaos going on here. Colors are bright and vibrant. Both paintings are similar yet different. Which one do you like?

Need to really buckle down and get ready for all the upcoming events! I feel like I'm being pulled in so many different directions that its almost easier to do nothing. Overwhelmed I guess. I have another canvas waiting to become something.........maybe I should do that!