Tires and Social Networks

(Not my tire, but just as flat as mine was yesterday)

Have I mentioned lately that it's been extremely COLD here in Minnesota? Even though we are in a warming trend now (the temp is actually above 0 degrees F), it's still pretty crispy. Yesterday, my car was acting a little squirrelry on the way in to work. I looked at the tires when I parked at the shop, and sure enough, my rear passenger's side tire was flat. Fortunately, a Rapid Oil Change shop is less than one block away from the shop, so after dropping off my stuff, I drove the block to them. (I was due for an oil change in a week anyway, so I am that much ahead of the game .) They changed the oil and filled all of the tires - no problem. Now I have to keep a sharp eye on it - if I have a slow leak, I can probably get the tire patched. But if it's flat again quickly, then it's time for new tires - an expense that I really can't swing very easily right now. I'm hoping that my tires are full of air this morning and that yours are also!

And then there is the subject of social ties. I blog Monday through Saturday because I want to, not because I have to. And although my stats do tell me that people read my blog, I really write it for myself instead of a physical journal. But I must admit to being a bit mystified about Twitter, Facebook, etc. I belong to Facebook and have a fairly extensive group of friends on there, but I find it a collosal waste of time. I don't twitter at all. My internet social networks tend to be far more interest-specific - a variety of yahoogroups that are topic specific for areas that I am interested in (enameling, costumery, beading, painting, metalworking) and a delphi forum group that a friend established a few years ago for beading. I generally devote more than two hours every morning to catching up on the posts of my more important lists, and I start the day out by blogging after I look at my Astronomy Pic of the Day. That fully fulfills my social desires for the day. Maybe I would be happier as a hermit with a good workbench at hand and my kiln hot and waiting. I've always had a lot of acquaintences, but very few people that I consider friends. I'm choosy. I think that's actually a very good thing.

Good Times...Bad Times...Just Times

It's a hard time to be a small business. It's a great time to be an artist. These two things are the polar opposite parts of my psyche. I operate a business at which I sell crafts supplies to creative people. I love the job, but it's not where my heart is and it's having some very hard times right now, along with the rest of the sinking US economy.

But it's a great time to be an artist. Why? Because I can take the negative things happening in my daily life and push through those negative feelings to make a positive outcome. To turn the negative into positive is a way that I can deal with stress. So, yesterday morning I counter-punched and drilled hundreds of blanks for my enamel work. My stress about lack of daily dollars coming into my store was balanced by the fact that I had accomplished the next step for my next enamel series. And while doing inventory, I was also able to contemplate what imagery I want in that next series.

A friend blogged about daily affirmations and positive thinking. I am a very positive thinker, but I am also very pragmatic - honest in my vision without wearing rose colored glasses. I have faith that I will always land on my feet - that I will be protected and that whatever happens in my life is according to the Will. Is it truly? Why not? Who am I to argue with powers so far beyond my understanding that I am a mote of dust in their eye? All I know is when I follow my heart and allow my creative side to express itself, I am happy, I can function and I believe that I will find my audience and make my mark in my own way.

May you have positive thoughts today, and work with the knowledge that whatever you do is important in the eyes of the Creative Force. Celebrate your Muse.

Success and Blood Sacrifice

Studio Day was very productive. Even though I had to run all over town and didn't get to the studio until 11:30 am, I put my things down, turned on the kiln, and started work. I counterpunched a hundred or so pieces for drilling while waiting for the kiln to warm up. Then I dove into the enamel and hot stuff (on a frigid day standing next to a hot kiln is a wonderful thing). I had already put the first front/back coating on during last week's session. So this week was devoted to the final coats. One more back coat and two coats of design for the front. I was firing from shortly after noon until the last load hit the pickle at 5:00 pm. I got a LOT of pieces in my second decorative series ready for assembly. I don't think that this decorative pattern will be as popular as my first one, so I probably have plenty of materials ready at this time.

And what is it with blood sacrifice? I'm not talking the Aztec or Maya civilizations. I'm talking about the fact that every time I work on a serious project, I end up cutting myself, or abrading myself to the point where I am bleeding. Is this something that will help the glass cure properly or the paint set in the correct areas? It seems rather silly, but I know a lot of people in a variety of media who have the same thing happen to them also. So what do you think? Does this small gift of a bit of blood make a project sing? Or are we all just klutzy and trying to put a good spin on it?

Wednesday - The Usual Crowd

As usual, I have too many things to accomplish on my "day off" or, as I think of Wednesdays, my "studio day". I got the front and back coats enameled onto my next group last week and will continue that today. But, I still have to do 2-3 loads of launday, turn on everything at the shop, drive to Minneapolis to drop off a jewelry repair that is beyond my skill to do, drop by Harbor Freight to get more of an item that I use in my jewelry, and take a quick trip to Barnes & Noble if I can fit it in. That's not counting my normal 2-1/2 hours of Emails, the Wednesday trash and recycling, etc, etc, etc..... Get the idea? I need a day off to get over my day off - LOL. What ever happened to lounging around in a hammock with a cool drink and a good book? Probably the same thing that happened to warm temperatures (today's HIGH will be below zero degrees F [that's minus 18 degrees C]).

Yesterday's Bead & Button registration went very smoothly. Looking through the schedule this morning, one of the classes I chose is already sold out. But it seems that metal is still very popular with most of the BronzClay classes either sold out or with limited seating already. I am taking mostly glass classes this time. I already have experience with most of the metal techniques being taught and I have been working with the metal clays now for quite a while. I noticed that their "Kiln 101" and the enamel classes (both vitreous and resin) are also popular. One of these days maybe I'll consider applying to teach again. I enjoyed it when I taught there years ago, but it's a lot of work and attending the show is one of my few vacations away from work. It seems counter-productive to work on my annual vacation, although it can be fun.

I hope that each of you has a productive and creative day. I guess you'll find out how successful I was in achieving this goal when I post tomorrow :-)

Snow, Cold - Can I Hibernate.....Please????

Yesterday we got 4"-5" of snow. Today our high temperature will be a stunning maximum of 5 degrees F. Yup, a whopping -15 degrees Centigrade. And that's the HIGH. Tomorrow will be even worse with more snow. These are the kind of days that make me wish I had retired and had my studio at home. But...there's a space problem. My DH is adament that I have to fit my studio and materials within my current space and that's highly unlikely. I'm also sure he won't want the torch in the crafts room - he probably would rather have it in the laundry/workshop room because that room has a poured concrete floor (fireproof - dont'cha know - LOL). But I think I'll have to start measuring my equipment and figuring out what to build that will allow me to move my studio to my home. I would rather have a separate location, but I at least have to investigate whether or not it would work.

And today is registration for Bead & Button Show. Almost all of the classes that I have chosen are glass classes. Although I looked through all of the classes and had a few metals classes chosen, they just didn't work out for my schedule. I also want to examine pricing for a quick train trip to Chicago again. The "Harry Potter Exhibit" will be at one of the museums there and I have four days off while I'm in Milwaukee. I'm thinking a road trip might be just the thing. Have a great Tuesday - be creative. Grab a pencil and doodle or sketch. Open a child's watercolor set and play with making a sunset over the mountains or ocean. Or borrow your child's Silly Putty, Slinkey, Play-Doh, Crayolas, or other toys and play for a while. It's good for your fea (soul).

Planning the Week Ahead

I always try to think ahead and plan a bit on Monday mornings. Because this week is Bead & Button registration, I'll have my normal studio day on Wednesday, and a few hours off on Tuesday to get registered for my classes. I received almost 500 of my copper disks on Saturday, so I'm ready to counter-punch and drill those as well as put the next front/back coating onto my current projects and deciding on the decorative patterns/techniques. I keep trying to think of a way to make things less labor-intensive, but there is a certain standard that I have and skimping just doesn't cut it. But I'll keep trying. Wednesday's errand list is growing already, but I should be able to get at least four hours at the kiln, and perhaps closer to six which would make me extremely happy.

The second Sunday of each month has, traditionally, been "Painting Day" at my local games store. For more than three years my DH and I have been showing up on the second Sunday with paints and primed minis in hand to spend a few hours with a really nice group of guys. But I can't attend in August, September, November and December and often miss other months as well because of conferences/classes/travel. Apparently other people have scheduling problems also because I was the only one to show up yesterday and my friends at the store say that's been more of the norm lately. I remember when we used to completely take over the back room - more than 30 of us getting together. But, I can paint just as easily at my crafting area and it won't stop my going in to look for new minis. It is a shame, though. It was always a good time and I got some good work done there.