Having been sick almost all of January has completely thrown off my sense of time! I've gone back to my day job as of Monday, after several weeks being off, and truly feel like I am walking around in a fog. On the bright side, the times I had any energy while sick I spent in the workshop, trying new techniques. It was one of the few times I actually made some use out of ALL THOSE BOOKS! Like most artists, I collect books on new techniques, different twists on old favorites, and work I admire. I spent a lot of time flipping through the books, and a little time learning new things, so it wasn't all bad.

Next up, taking some photographs so you can see what I learned :)

Here's to a healthy rest of the year, for me, and for you!

Peace!

Normally I don't advertise how messy I can be in the workshop when I'm not focused...and being sick for over 2 weeks has definitely left me in a strange frame of mind. So, to give you a little insight into what happens in my head when I am sick, I've posted a little picture in the miscellaneous studio entitled "Chaos in the Workshop". When I sat down at my bench today I suddenly realized that there is an absolutely random assortment of work on my bench - chainmail, copper earring components, the full-Persian crosses I made last week, one sketchbook on top of another, tools, tea, ashtray (yes, I am a smoker, and yes, I know it's bad for me, and yes, I shouldn't smoke when I'm sick...moving on), plus skulls, pencils, a saw, and more. Oh yeah, glasses, phone, beads, pens, pencils, never ending ephemera of an artist's bench. I felt completely overwhelmed when I sat down today. I sat and looked at the many random bits and pieces and thought to myself "Damn. Look what I can do! When did I do it?". Honestly, I don't even remember doing some of it. And then I started to laugh. And then I decided to photograph it before I set about trying to create order out of the chaos. And then, I decided to share. There's no shame in being messy. And maybe, if your bench is messy too, you'll know you're not alone :)

Peace

...the invading virus continues to ravage my system...Okay, a little dramatic...I'll stop now :)

I am still sick. I have literally lost track of how many days I've been down with this stupid virus, but it sure seems like forever. It was so disappointing to have to postpone my class which was booked for last Saturday. Thankfully, it's rebooked for February 1st...if it was for this Saturday I just don't know if I'd be up for it. I have been able to spend small amounts of time in the workshop when I am upright, which hasn't been much. I have come to realize that I go very stir crazy when I am cooped up, so even small bits of time in the workshop, even if it's just puttering, makes me feel better. I am always grateful for the opportunity and ability to create, but never have I appreciated it more than when I can't do it!

I've gone beyond a speedy recovery, so instead, here's to recovering eventually!

Peace!

I am starting to lose count of the days since I got sick...they've all kind of blended together into one hazy, giant stuffed up hole. I have drank gallons of tea, taken copious amounts of Tylenol and Advil, slept so much I have what I am assuming is now a permanent pillow face and yet it lingers. Do I sound bitter? Okay, I know it could be much worse, and every day all kinds of people deal with all kinds of illnesses and troubles far worse than this, and so I will soldier on and try to stop being whiny.

I've spent a little time in the workshop when I am not sleeping. Last night I wove a Byzantine bracelet, going to try and fabricate the clasp today. One of the things about feeling this awful, I have to really focus on what I am doing in order to cut jump rings and weave the bracelet. In a way, it's a little bit of a blessing, because I am paying such close attention to the placement of every ring, to counting, to making sure that each ring is closed properly, it reminds me of how beautiful the weave actually is. When it's something you've done many times, it's easy for your mind to wander to other things, but not this time. Plus, it helps take some of the focus off myself, which is also a good thing!

I hope none of you get this evil virus, and if you do, I wish you a speedy recovery!

Peace!

But...at least I made it into the workshop today. Can't say as I have ever worked up a sweat cutting jump rings before today, but there you have it. At least I did SOMETHING! Actually, I made several full Persian cross pendants with my hard won jump rings, from a tutorial in a book called "Classic Chainmail Jewelry With a Twist" that I picked up at the library last week. I made four, yup, four pendants and they look pretty cool. I am not one for organized religion, although I am a spiritual person and respect other's beliefs, and the cross is such an iconic and ancient symbol that when I saw the tutorial, I just had to try it. No matter how long I have been making jewelry and art, I always enjoy learning something new, and thankfully this was just enough of a challenge to hold my attention, but not so much so that I threw anything across the workshop and went back to bed!

And, for a little while, I almost forgot I feel crappy!

Peace!

Well, maybe it's because I forgot to be humble when I announced that I was the only one in my family that hadn't gotten sick over Christmas and since, and wouldn't you know it....I am now sick! Which would not be so bad if I had the energy to hang out in the workshop. I tried. I failed. I hate being sick!

On the bright side, sketchbook is at my side, and in the few moments when my eyes are open, I am jotting down all the designs that are rolling around in my fevered head. I'll take another look at them when I am not sick anymore...they are either going to be really good, or really, really bad ha-ha.

I wish you all health! In the meantime, I will now wipe down the keyboard with a disinfectant wipe, and go back to my blanket and pillow.

Peace!

works! Just yesterday I wrote in my blog that I hadn't taught as much in 2013 as I would have liked, and that hopefully it would pick up again and BAM! got an e-mail from the studio...class booked for January 18th.

Thank you universe :)

Peace!

I've posted a photo in the carving studio of a soapstone eagle carving I did almost 15 years ago. It was for my son, and carved from my imagination, a very small piece, but it meant a lot. Looking back at this piece I can see the beginnings of at least a little skill...it was my third or fourth attempt at stone carving, and believe me there is a good reason I did not photograph the first ones! But maybe I should have. It's a good thing to look back and be able to see how far you've come, instead of always looking forward to how you can "improve". Sometimes the rough beginnings are just as beautiful and show just as much promise. I posted only one view, but when you flip this eagle over, the bottom is carved in the shape of a feather (okay, sort of a feather), and I remember being pretty darned proud of myself when I finished it. That's half the fun of learning, you get to go "Holy crap! Look what I did!" More often nowadays I look at a finished piece and think "Hmmm, I could have changed this, I could have done this differently, etc. etc. etc." Sometimes I wish I still had the early eyes (not only because they didn't need three different pairs of glasses), because they saw things as fresh and impressive. I am always grateful for what I can do, but often hard on myself for what does not turn out the way I had envisioned.

I don't make New Year's resolutions, but for 2014 I will try to be as kind to myself as I am to others when looking at their work. I will try not to judge, but to enjoy the process, and be proud of the finished pieces, "flaws" and all, and I will try to always remember to look where the torch is aimed when it's still lit, either that, or stop leaving paper towel on my work bench :)

Peace!