Maybe not. I thought today would be spent at home, but I'm out of milk. I need a small buckle. I should probably go ahead and order Sean and Lucy's birthday cake. (We're having the party Saturday.) PLUS, I need to clean. (The cleaning won't take so long.)
But Lazy? I wish. I spent the day out yesterday with my mom, shopping for Sean and my niece, Lucy. We're having their party on Saturday, and so far, so good! Shopping is done! Party decorations, bought! I still have to wrap, and as I mentioned above, order the cake. Other than that, though, Sean is no longer sick. (Incidentally, he spent the entire weekend sick.) I'm looking forward to the party now! I'll definitely take lots of pictures!!
I'm working on something new for my etsy shop. The last few weeks I've thought of my shop with dread. Where's the pizazz? What will get sales? I've been putting together these earrings and stitch markers, which are, yes, pretty, but these things are a dime a dozen! ANYONE can put together a pair of beaded earring. You load your headpin with beads, make a loop at the top and voila! You have an earring. Quite honestly, I've become just a little bored. It's just become assembly. There is really no creativity involved. Then I started to think of my sewing. The few items I've sewn in the last few weeks have involved nothing more than piecing fabric together. Again, nothing special. I haven't felt very passionately about anything I've made yet. So what's a girl to do?
I started to think. I love picking out interesting beads and baubles. I love buckets of assorted buttons. I love ribbon and fabric remnants. And, if I think back--way back--before I had a husband and kids and was still in High School, I wanted to be an artist. (Or a writer, but that's another post.) I was voted Most Creative in my graduating class. I was chosen by my teachers to be included in a 1996 issue of Coast Magazine's Best of the Class of '96. (I represented my school under the title "Most Artistic.") I won contests. I was compiling a portfolio. Everyone was sure I'd apply to art school. You know what I did? I joined the Air Force after I graduated. It was a spur of the moment decision, brought on by complicated paper work for scholarships and grants, and by the need to move out. (BTW, I don't regret joining the military. It was a wonderful experience, and I met my husband there!) After joining the AF, there was no time for creativity or art and eventually I stopped painting and drawing. (Wow, that's a lot of back story, huh?)
Since then, I've dabbled in the creative arts. It's still hard with two children and no studio. (All I want for Christmas is my OWN SPACE!) The desire to create is still there. This is evident in my many hobbies--all of which are crafts. It's just hard to find something that makes me feel like the teenage me--the one who thought she was good enough to make something of her life.
So, back to etsy--I decided that if I were to make this work I'd have to find something that engages my imagination. Something that is not "run of the mill." Something that takes time and skill to complete. Something worth buying. Here is a sneak peak at my next project:
Less assembly, more art. This is going to be wall art when it's finished. (It's a girl's shoe, btw. It's missing it's strap and buckle, but it'll be a little mary jane.)
In addition to using all the materials I love, I want to add paint and a few other elements to my work.
I have to give credit to my inspiration, though, because I didn't think this all up myself. I've been visiting Calamity Kim's site for a while now, and her art ALWAYS leaves me feeling little more than a child playing with some beads. She does a lot of quilts and paper art. She also constructs some AMAZING stuffed bears! I highly encourage you to check out her site--and scroll down! Look at all her projects, because they are ALL just wonderful! (She's my idol!)
I've also been inspired by Cloth Paper Scissors, which is a wonderful magazine about collaging. If you have a chance to thumb through an issue, you'll find beautiful and imaginative collages made of cloth and paper.
So there it is! My wares will be changing. I'll still sell the stitch markers and earrings, but I want to direct my shop towards items that you can't run down to Target and pick up for five bucks. And who knows? Maybe I'll eventually start painting again.
(And I'm also knitting--I promise! That damn Lacy shrug is kicking my butt, though, and the yarn and I aren't currently speaking.)
Oh! And I wanted to say "thank you" to all who commented on my last post. It was nice to hear your encouragement! I love comments and appreciate them all.
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