i’m feeling the creative blahs. i have a pretty difficult time working through these moments-i often wallow about in doubt and bewilderment whenever i approach this little bump. sometimes, i let the creative blahs slowly seep their way into other aspects of my life. after having an icky morning, i pulled myself out of the slump by acknowledging that creative ups and downs are completely normal and to be expected! instead of pouting about all day (which i can do pretty darn well), i went ahead and put the creative energies (or lack thereof?) to rest and set about to enjoy my day and i think it’s working! what do you do with your blahs?

things that lifted my spirits today:

iced coffee!

running errands- going to the store for dishwashing detergent and tp! there is a great sense of satisfaction in completing little tasks like this, don’t you think? mopping the house and sweeping the porch may be next on the agenda!

supportive friends!- thanks for inviting me to craft out with you!, juliet and katie who told me to simply GET OUTSIDE on this gorgeous day!

a new (to me) blog- makeunder my life, jess, the author, writes about designing a life of intention.

i just realized today that i’ve been dairy free for about eight months now. i have never felt healthier and more energized in my life! a secret: i am a little ashamed to admit that i once had a great fear of aging. (in very large part because of our society’s age stereotypes.) however, after going from vegetarian to vegan and committing to a serious yoga practice in september 2008, i’m noticing that, in fact, i’m healthier and more vitalized than i’ve ever been. my body and aging are no longer unpredictable mysteries, but a reality that i understand! the big lesson that i have learned here is that i am in complete control of my body- ME! (i’m working on the mind control part )

for dinner last night:

in an effort to make my studio move easier, i’ve decided to reopen the bead shop and destash as many of these little treasures as possible in the upcoming month (beads can get REALLY HEAVY!!). along with the beads, i’ll be destashing findings, packaging supplies, displays and other things that might pique your crafty interests! to find out about the latest updates, you can follow me on twitter.

thanks to caitlin for recommending the time traveler’s wife! i devoured it on the plane ride out to washington, finished it the second night there and then immediately flipped to the beginning to reread it. it reminded me very much of one of my favorites, love in the time of cholera- a story of enduring love that defies all.

and now i’m eating up all the pretty horses by cormac mccarthy. so far, it reminds me of another one of my favorites, lonesome dove. i’m a sucker for a western.

what are you reading?

i, like so many of the people in my life, have been touched/affected by this “economic climate” (to use the parlance of our times) we live in today. i have seen me and my friends either lose our jobs or fear for our jobs, and, far, far worse, second-guess ourselves, our talents and capabilities.

i certainly have ridden this economic and emotional wave, at times elated and others clinging on for dear life. currently, i feel so blessed and grateful to be able to grow my business at all and to see new opportunities rising from every which way.

in order to ride this awesome wave out safely, i am making a few changes in my life:

firstly i will be downsizing: moving out of my studio space by mid-june and into a new space with two AMAZING friends & jewelers, eliza & laurel. i’m ecstatic to soon be amongst PEOPLE again! it does get very isolating working all alone in my current space.

more on my new creative direction soon. . .

secondly, i will be seizing aforementioned opportunities!

truly the best thing that has happened to me in the last year is finding my yoga practice. practicing yoga helps me not only to catch glimpses of my whole self, but it also helps me to see the true nature, beauty and connectivity of all beings and moments. (in a nutshell ) in my life, i hope to give the gift of yoga as it has been given to me. when i feel that i am ready, i would like to study and earn a teacher certification.

along with the usual dogwalking, jewelry making and yoga, i’m working on my very first book proposal! i have no idea what i’m doing and it’s such fun to dive head first into a brand new adventure. if you all have ANY advice whatsoever, i’d love to talk to you! (unfortunately, that’s all i can say about the book!).

thank you all so much for your support and for taking the time to read my blog! what are some of the changes you’ve made and opportunities you’ve seized to adjust? can’t wait to turn the page with you! xoxo

i’m back from the pacific northwest!  what a gorgeous and relaxing getaway. . .  i saw a waterfall for the very first time!

now that i’m back. . . among many other tasks, i’ll be catching up on email today, so if you are waiting on me- i’ll be in your inbox shortly! xoxo.

another post to come soon too. . .

tomorrow steve and i will be here:

steve found stupendously cheap flights to seattle months ago and couldn’t resist.  you know how we LOVE seattle.  after looking around for a place to stay, i found this cabin an hour away from seattle and couldn’t resist either!  our seattle jaunt has turned a little woodsy.

i can’t wait to kick back, read, hike and relax.  i’ll be back next week with the scoop.

until then, don’t forget to check out the necklace giveaway at creature comforts
and
perhaps you can help these sweet kittens in need of a home at jane’s place.

xoxo

check out the contest over at one of my favorite blogs, creature comforts !

i loved the ride down to raleigh (once we made it through the traffic nightmare that is D.C.)  being a southern girl, it was so lovely to see and feel the change of the landscape and light into something that i still, to this day, feel more comfortable with.

at the handmade market, i met shannon of HELICOPTERstudios.  she is a trained metalsmith who now makes the most adorable and imaginative children’s toys! i am just smitten with the campfire discovery tote here.

i also met the ladies of GalleryUp, who i have been in communication with.  it was so refreshing to talk to them at a point in the day when i felt a little . . . alone.

i enjoyed myself immensely over the weekend despite a very disappointing show at the handmade market.  but sales and numbers aside, i can always remain positive.  there is alot of change ahead for me and imogene that i can’t wait to share with you.   i can say now that the handmade market was one of my last indie craft shows.  the circuit has been so good to me over the past two years, but i know it’s time for me to adventure into some new (to me) territory.  i will delve into all of  that once i get back from my quick vacation this weekend. . .

overall i had a relaxing and fun weekend, catching up with an old friend, playing horseshoes (poorly), drinking bad penny, and going to dark, out of the way bars (see below).   life’s pretty darn good, isn’t it thanks for reading! xoxo

i am so so proud of my bff this morning.  she is a talented photographer & awesome new mommy.  i hope you get a chance on this lovely friday to flip through a beautiful new book , fresh m.i.l.k (moments of intimacy, laughter, and kinship), that she has contributed to (by winning a competition!!).  i guarantee that it will give you warm fuzzies and make you smile.   i can’t wait to get the hardcover in my hands.  love you, bff.

(if anyone in the san diego area is in need of a portrait photographer, i have the woman for you.  please contact me.)

now time for lots and lots and lots of sanding

i love the few days before a show. well. . . sometimes. i either get SUPER FOCUSED or SUPER UNFOCUSED. this time around- i’m in the work zone and really loving it. i think that walking dogs part time (1-3 days out of the week) not only gives me the opportunity to clear my head, but it is enough time to miss working at the bench, that when i return i’m ready to GO!

i’ll be unveiling some new earring designs at the handmade market on sunday. also, there will be styles presently in the collection that will be available unoxidized. i’m so disappointed that my new PONOKO project will not be available at the show like i hoped. . a warning to those who are thinking of trying PONOKO out- it takes FOREVER to produce your design!!!

****

have you all heard the wonderful crafty news? our friend, andrew wagner, editor of american craft will now be editor-in-chief of ReadyMade! congratulations to andrew and ReadyMade!

more here! and here!