Another item sold on Etsy

Tomorrow, this cross will be on its way to New York.

I'm so happy I made another Etsy sale. I'm up to 8 items sold now. It has taken me 8 months to sale 8 items. I usually sale more than that in the first hour at a show, thank goodness. Anyway, I am thrilled to get any sale. Although, I will be sad to see this one go. It was one of my favs.

I am going through a transitional phase right now. I am no longer using wood bases for my patchwork clay designs. Instead, I am using paper mached core board. It works so much better. I can do some really cool paint affects on top of the paper mache and I can do more than just cross designs, because I am not cutting on a band saw. I get to use a hot knife which is so much fun. At least it will be until I cut and/or burn myself, which is sure to happen. I am getting really clumsy in my old age. Anyway, I still have several crosses on the wood bases. I am not sure how to handle this at my next show. I think it should be OK to put out both the wood base designs and the paper mached foam core bases. Both are of the same quality and durability.

I am working on some house designs (slightly different than the two in my previous post), as well as an angel design and a joined sun and moon. I'll post pictures when I'm finished.

Today I am thankful for: sandals, completing our taxes and not having to pay in, lime flavored Popsicles, and conversation with the fam over dinner.

New Patchwork Clay Houses

I finished these yesterday. I like the colors on the short house a lot. I'm not sure if I like the overall design of these, though. I think I will take them to my next show to see what kind of reaction I get on them.


I am really struggling lately with inspiration. I'm feeling a little discouraged and frustrated.

So, did I do all that I said I was going to do Tuesday? No. I didn't hang out in my pajamas and I didn't have any chocolate milk. But, I did turn the radio up and sing to the top of my lungs. And, I didn't answer the door or phone. I am pretty proud of myself for that.

Today I am grateful that my comfortable bra was clean and I was able to wear it, I'm grateful for good conversation and people who are willing to give of their time to help others.

New Items on Etsy

I added these new items to Etsy yesterday and today.




As long as the sun shines and I can take good pictures, I'll just keep adding until I run out of pieces to add.

Oops!

I spent all day Friday painting a basket full of charms and these are the only three that I would even consider selling. I'm not sure I'm thrilled with these. Maybe I should just put them in the oops basket.

Why did I spend all day painting charms that I didn't even like. Is it stubbornness? Refusal to admit that I made a whole basket full of ugly? I don't know, but I wasted a whole day on it when I should have admitted they weren't going to work out and moved on.

Whatever. I'm putting it behind me and moving on now. Tomorrow will be a great day. After more than a week I finally have the house to myself tomorrow. Hallelujah!!! I'm so excited,I might just stay in my pajamas all day, drink chocolate milk and eat dry Crunch Berry Cereal. I'll turn up the radio and sing to the top of my lungs, not answer the phone or door, and put my hair up in pig tails. That sounds like a good plan. I'll let you know how it goes.

Today I am grateful for: my sweet husband, an afternoon of peace, and something to look forward to.

New items on Etsy

I'm just adding items like crazy to my Etsy shop.

I'm really excited because I am working on something new. I can't wait to finish the pieces and post the pictures.

I haven't worked as much as I should this week. I have sent a lot of time on line and my kids are home for spring break. I just can't get as much done when they are home all day. I spend the whole day answering questions and settling arguments.

Today I am grateful for: beautiful weather, an Etsy sale and a good morning walk.

Orange

It worked! I willed myself well. Or, maybe my body was already getting well. Maybe that is what all of the sweating was about yesterday. Anyway, I feel so much better. I don’t want to talk about being sick anymore, or think about being sick anymore.

I want to discuss the color Orange

I don’t use this color in my art. It doesn’t even occur to me to use orange. I don’t have orange in my wardrobe. I don’t use orange to decorate my house. Why is this? I don’t dislike orange. I don’t think it is an ugly color. Actually, I think it can be very dramatic and beautiful when used correctly. Maybe, that is the problem. I don’t know how to use it correctly. I get stumped with color combination. What other colors go well with orange without looking like the colors of a football team or Halloween decorations? I am going to explore the color orange over the next couple of weeks to see if I can answer these questions.

What color or colors stump you? I would like to know.

I'm sick again, dang it. I'm so sick of being sick. I'm coughing and hacking all over the place and if I don't have the chills then I am soaked in sweat. This is just miserable. I want to get well. I want to live my life. I want to make my art. I want to take care of my family. I want to be able to focus my eyes and clear my head long enough to watch a movie or read a magazine.

I'm out of tissue and Vicks, and I only have 3 Advil left. But, I am refusing to get more, because then I have to admit that this sickness is going to continue and I will need more tissue, Vicks and Advil. So, I am going to go to bed tonight and wake up feeling great tomorrow. I am going to get well from pure determination and strong will. It'll happen. You'll see. I refuse to give in.

A basket full of oops.

Mistakes are part of creating. I'm one who carries a project through no matter how horrible it is turning out. I refuse to give up till the end. So, I end up with a large amount of oops. This basket represents about 3 to 4 months of crafting.

I think I will take this basket to my next show and sell these for 10 cents ea.

I've got about 6 weeks until my next show. I didn't sell a whole lot at my last show, so I am doing pretty good on inventory. I'm actually excited, because now I have time to work on some pieces that I have been thinking about. I'm also listing new items on Etsy. I'm trying to list at least one new item each day. I also received some new toys, I mean tools, in the mail the other day. I can't wait to play with them, I mean work with them.

I made chicken salad for dinner tonight. It has been sitting in the 'fridge for about an hour, melding together and getting all tasty. I'm ready to eat!

Today I am grateful for: time with my husband, a beautiful, warm day and hope.

The sun was out and I was able to take pictures today. This is a sample of some of the new items I will have at the show tomorrow in Denton.


12" Patchwork Clay Cross



8" Patchwork Clay Cross



5" Patchwork Clay Cross



Tiny keepsake jar - I just love this one.

I'm off to bed.

Today I am grateful for: Cafe Max, a really great find and getting it all done with time to rest.

Here is a basket full of charms ready to go to my show.

I have more crosses ready and more keepsake jars and charms, but the weather is not cooperating. Cloudy, rainy days = no pictures. Hopefully tomorrow, will be sunny.

I'm hoping the weather cooperates for this weekend for the show. It is inside, so at least I won't have to sit outside shivering and miserable - been there and done that.

Show info:
March Madness Arts and Craft Show
Saturday, March 8
Guyer High School, Denton, TX

Several artist from Etsy Dallas will be there as well.

Rustique Art in space# 119
TP Designs in space# 3
Treasured Trinkets in space# 35
Cherry's Creations in space# 99

I will be in space# 81.

Gotta get back to work. Have a good day.

I couldn't resist taking a few minutes from working this morning to post pictures of the beautiful snow that greeted us this morning. The first 2 pictures were taken at about 6:30 a.m.



The badger dog's reaction to his first snow encounter. He found the only tiny spot in the backyard that was not covered in snow to potty. I wanted to get a picture of his foot print in the snow, but it wasn't going to happen. He wouldn't even touch it.

The view from the back

When the sun came up


Snow in North East Texas during March is very unusual, especially after a couple of days of 70 degree weather. I am so happy to wake up to this beauty and even though it will mostly be gone by this evening (I'm watching it fall off of the trees as I am typing), I am going to enjoy the snow while it last. I have every blind in the house open the view.

I have not been keeping up with my blogging very well lately. I blame it on the flu, even though I'm over it. I have a show this weekend and I am so far behind, because I was so sick for a week. I haven't been able to post any pretty pictures either. I need sunny afternoons and those have been scarce lately. I have a few pieces finished and as soon as the sun shines and I have time, I will take some pictures.

Anyway, life is good, I am feeling like me again and things are back to normal. I am working hard in my studio and neglecting the housework. I have some really cool ideas. As soon as I find the time to play, I am going to do some experimenting.

To totally change the subject, our Cockatiel laid an egg today. We didn't know she would do that. It kinda freaked us out. I knew something was up with her, because she has been acting really pissy for days now. We really weren't positive that she was female, even though we named her Daisy Mae. Apparently she is and she can lay eggs. She had her butt sticking out of the back of her cozy when she laid it, so it fell to the bottom of the cage and broke. Now, she won't leave her cozy at all. I'm worried that she might be depressed over the broken egg. My husband looked some info up on the Internet and we are suppose to leave the egg there for a few days or she might lay another one. She is a very pretty albino cockatiel or Lutino Cockatiel, all yellow and white. I would take a picture, but like I said she won't leave her cozy and the cozy is the same color she is.

OK, enough rambling. I have to get back to work.

Today I am grateful for: Nora Jones, the smell of paint, my animals, comfortable clothes and not having to dress up everyday.