Good Day To-day

Beaded Silk / Velvet devoree with glass

Nice day to-day – not a high pressured creative day – but I spent the day assembling necklaces for the Beetroot Tree Christmas Show.

Silk / Velvet Devoree with Indian Glass Beads.

This is something that is rather time consuming – but gently enjoyable – I could actually listen to the radio while I was doing this – something I have not done in a while!

Silk / Velvet devoree with Labradorite

I make bangles and ear-rings to match the necklaces – the earrings I will do next week. As tomorrow I will be preparing for Day 2 of the “Machine Embroidery for Beginners” class which takes place on Wednesday.

I would like to reply to the comment about it being stressful teaching a course for beginners. Comments like this are always useful as it makes me stop and think about why.

Yes I find it stressful – and sometimes I would much prefer to stay in the studio and create rather than going out there and face the world. However there are several reasons for getting out there, here are just a few that apply to me.

The Bank Manager – the bottom line is that I find it difficult to support myself as a full time artist. If I am in my studio – I am creating pieces that might or might not sell at some point in the future.

Isolation – If I stayed in my studio creating – I believe I would not grow as an artist. In teaching I get the opportunity to re-visit techniques that I have not used in a while, and develop existing techniques. Students are interested and exciting – especially adult students as they are in your class because they REALLY want to be there.

Joy – it is a great joy when a student is totally excited by what she has produced in class – their joy and enthusiasm is infectious – if they continue with the work when class is over – then – Job done.

The amount of teaching that I do is minimal, however for me – it is worth the angst and stress.

PS The necklaces have not got their clasps on yet – and apologies for the quality of the pictures – we have had a very grey day here – and (again) I left the photography until to late in the day!

Time / No Time !

Textile Beads
Using Fabrics from Bumblebee Quilting

I feel that I am stomping around quite a lot just at the moment. Probably because I have not spent much time in the studio recently. Well I have – but not really making – more administration.

One of the things that I do struggle with from time to time – is TIME – or lack of it – where has this week gone?

Sometimes – the “office” bits of being an artist, takes time away from “making” Just small things – pricing up work. Sorting out work for prints, getting prices for giclee prints. Signing prints. Ordering stuff from suppliers etc.

Then – my day school starts on Wednesday – so getting all the stuff together, lesson plans, supplies for students to use. Packing everything up etc.

Then there is my morning job – which I do as I cannot fully support myself as a working artist – and, if you have not guessed – it is gardening!

Then there is “life” all that day to day stuff – which needs doing, but totally takes time away from art.

So just in this moment – I am feeling a bit stompy. As a result – I have decided to take the week of the 15th off from gardening work. This way I can spend more of the week in the studio – and get all my stuff together for the Beetroot Tree Christmas show “Desirables“. 18 new pieces of jewellery which have to be delivered by the 1st November.

I also really want to take part in a canvas swap on art-e-zine

More Beads

I am sad that these pictures are so poor – but the light had gone and I was being hasty – The colour does not do justice to the lovely fabrics that I got from Bumblebeequilting.

After making beads – one of the nicest things is deciding what to put them with them;-

This

Or this!

I have all day in the studio tomorrow – but I will be testing out the samples I want my class to make on Wednesday – and thinking about the piece I want to make for the 8 x 8 art-e-zine swap!

Resistance is futile!

Fat Quarters

After two days looking at Jane’s patchwork supplies – all beautifully arranged in colour families – I have to admit to quite a few fat quarters finding their way into my studio!

And how could I resist this

or this!

Quite often I wish I was a patchworker – because they always stagger home from events and shows with their arms full of seductive fabrics, toning, contrasting, all so yummy.

The way the fabric is packaged looks cute as well. The little bags of fat quarters, or, I saw something that I think was called a jelly roll – so tasteful with the colours matching beautifully. Oh – on some days I really wish I was a patchworker!

One lady I spoke to at the weekend was buying some fabric for her “stash” – her stash that never goes near a pair of scissors – but she delights in the fabrics in her “stash” – and then uses other fabrics for the things she creates. I can understand that.

I am, however going to use the fabrics I got for necklaces like this – which I make for people to buy as little Christmas presents. This style of necklace was also my best seller this weekend. Funny how sometimes it is ear-rings, sometimes bangles, and sometimes the necklaces that sell well at different times!

Beads

Hand made beads

Quite a busy time in the studio – although quite a lot of that time has been used up doing “administrative” stuff for the village craft fair this weekend. Making sure all my pictures have hangers on them. Sorting out my jewellery, and writing price tags etc.

I have also been working on my pages for “A travelling sketchbook”
This is two books that Linda and I exchange every couple of months. So we will both post about this soon …. Watch this space! To see Linda’s work click here.

I have also made quite a few beads to make up into necklaces and ear-rings.

And quite a cute necklace with the beads threaded onto ribbon

I want to make a few more of these before Saturday if possible. So a busy time sorting stuff really.

(The Dog – Merlin continues to improve – we were back at the Vets today – and he doesn’t want to see him again – but he has to wear his collar thing for a week!)