Explosion!

Well, I spent some time yesterday laying out my work spaces for both of my work areas and I have to say, if they turn out the way I have envisioned they will be very satisfactory and useable!  I did get a little carried away and started moving some things around.  My plans call for a new work table in the metal/glass/clay room that will have to be built.  Other than a few easy shelves, that will be the only new purchase!  And there are some rather large pieces of storage that need to be moved.  Waiting to move everything until all the new builds and big storage is moved would probably have been wise but this will work because I have to empty some spaces before they can be refilled with other stuff.

I am thinking the sewing/paper room can be all rearranged and set up before the other room gets its final arrangement.  So I guess after I move the rest of the metal working supplies out of there that I will attempt to move the tables and storage units around to their new locations and then concentrate on that room to get it presentable.  I can't really do the new work station in the metal room by myself so it will probably have to wait for help, so I will probably just set up 2 small tables to use in place of the new work table, until it can be created and installed.  I should be able to almost finish that room, too, will just have to move the new table stuff again when it is installed.

I am very positive about how I think it will work out!  Trying to purge a little as I go, also.  After last night, moving stuff around, it looks like a bomb went off in the dungeon!  Now that it has begun, it has to be presentable by the end of the evening on July 15th (not the new work table necessarily but everything in place)!  We are having a party on the 18th and I need time to prepare for that so the deadline has been set!  The frenzy begins.

And I have decided that the base cabinets will be a soft aqua and that I am running that color through the den and into the laundry room, also painting the cabinets there the same color.  With white counter tops and white walls.  All cabinets will be aqua, walls and counter white, shelves aqua and at least one table in the family room will be aqua.  So, the whole job involves most of the basement, really.   I am hoping for a nice clean, fresh, coastal look.  Taking pics today to show the mess. Not exactly before and afters but almost, since I went wild last night and tore everything apart!

Can you tell I am excited?

Changes Are A Coming!

Not too long ago, about a year or so, I rearranged my studio space.  I actually am very fortunate to have two rooms in our finished basement that are solely used for my creative indulgences.  One of the spaces is totally finished and has a built in desk area.  The other space is about twice as big as the first and it is not a finished space, the walls and ceiling are framing studs with cut Styrofoam pieces fitted between the framing to act as insulation and the floor is concrete.

The last reorganization was very helpful.  I organized by activity and divided the activities between the rooms by relationships.  The larger room contained all the sewing supplies, three sewing machines (regular sewing, embroidery machine and a serger), the computer and printer to use with the embroidery machine and a small area for soft soldering because I was just learning to make memory jewelry.  I also had all my stained glass supplies and any other needlecraft storage like yarn and tools, a knitting machine, a dress form, quilting supplies and basketry supplies.  And anything else that didn’t go in the other room, plus two bookcases for my library of craft publications. So this room has been mostly anything related to sewing or needle crafts, my library and a little stolen space for the soldering which was stuck in after the reorganization.  The room has worked fairly well except there is a need for a clean out/give away to free up some overflow.

The smaller room, with the built-in desk is where all the paper, paint, clay related items are kept.  That includes scrapbooking supplies, a tall mechanics tool chest filled with all my paint supplies, a lawyers cabinet filled with all kinds of stuff like envelopes, staplers, pocket folders, mailing boxes or whatever.  Other things stored in that room are mat board, one wall with rubber stamp shelves, laminating equipment, punches, a specially built shelf (originally meant to hold my library) that is being used to hold many plastic drawers containing all sorts of stuff, paper gluing systems,  paper racks and drawers, rolling files, cricut and computer on a rolling cart, cigar boxes stored at ceiling level along one wall, glass containers on shelves for all sorts of paper accessories, shelves for polymer clay storage, lots of tools for cutting, etc.  And a large easel.  Also, there is a small hutch that is my seven year old granddaughter’s crafting area with her own tools for when we craft together.

I guess I should mention that all my beading supplies are stored in the living room in a secretary, I usually only bead in the living room so that was more convenient for the storage.

Also worth mentioning, we have a huge laundry room with a five door lower cabinet that contains spray paints, tools, varnish, etc. and in the area under the basement stairs there are a couple shelves that have some other supplies such as my art projector, stamp carving materials, and gourds to work on.

My husband calls our basement Hobby Lobby.  I believe I could stay home for at least six months without buying anything new and be able to create the whole time without getting bored or running out of supplies.  I know, I think it is a bit sad, also.

During the past year I have started learning metalsmithing for jewelry.  So now I have a large amount of supplies that encompass that as well and they are currently being kept in the corner with the soldering and stained glass equipment and is not a very satisfactory arrangement.  So this is prompting me to change the layout once again.  

I think I am getting close to a very good setup for myself.  My main goal is to put all the metal, glass and clay into the smaller finished room and paper and sewing (and all that includes) with the library in the larger, unfinished room.  It makes sense to me, no paper or fabric near the torches is my main concern.  My main desire is to have everything not being used out of sight, or at least nicely displayed, get rid of superfluous items and make a less cluttered looking space that will allow me more time for creating and less for moving stuff out of the way.  This is going to be quite the undertaking because it will be done without my husband’s help.  He will make anything I want from wood when he has the time but his job keeps him unavailable most of the time right now.  I would love to surprise him when it is all done.  I have a fellow crafter who has offered to give me a hand when the time comes.  I would love to finish off the unfinished area but that will not happen.  I already have some peg board above some of the areas and I think I will continue with that in the areas that don’t have any yet. That will help to hide some of the framing and make things look neater, but the rest will just stay unfinished.  I would rather spend the money on supplies!  I have been playing with layouts for both rooms and think I have come up with a plan that will fit everything in the two rooms for a comfortable work area.

The question is, how soon can I start?  I have several out of town times coming up over the next few months, through the end of the year, actually.  I have several other big home projects I need to finish. Really need to finish!  I don’t know how long I can wait, things are in a mess right now and it is starting to get on my nerves, especially since “the plan” is rolling around in my head.  And I want to blog the process, as well.

We will see how things progress!

To Change or Not To Change

Someone asked me a question yesterday about my email address.

For years, even back when we were on aol, in the dark ages, my main email address has been artistdf.  It wasn't the first thing that came into my mind when I created my first address.  The first thing was dfartist but for obvious reasons I abandoned that!  Even though we have changed providers a few times, I still use artistdf as my main address (of course the @ part has changed) and people in groups and places often recognize the name.

Recently I have been thinking about getting rid of this address because of the amount of junk that comes through it.  After so many years, signing up for so much stuff online with the same (or close) address, I probably get at least 100 spam/unwanted emails per day.  Even using cleaners.  I am kind of tired of it.  Especially since I have more than one email address to check each day, counting work and church.  But I still hesitate to change it.  I have always liked it.

Back to the question.  When I gave the person my email address, she said, "Oh, so you paint oil paintings?"  And I told her that I have done so in the past but I am not very active with painting currently.  She then asked me if I was a sculptor.  I said that I had done some of that at different times on a small scale but not currently working on anything sculptural.  She then asked me, "What kind of artist are you, then?" with a puzzled look on her face.  I started naming off all the things I create or have created in the past, the different media used, etc.  She stopped me in mid reply and said I probably should be calling myself "Crafter" and not "Artist".  Now this has been a huge discussion topic for a long time in the artsy/craftsy world, I have heard all the sides and arguments.  I didn't want a rehash.

Many people imply that a crafter is below the level of an artist.  So I pointed out that most definitions of crafter include an allusion to artistry.  Therefore a crafter is one with great skill in the manual arts, or has an occupation or trade (or hobby) requiring manual dexterity and artistic skill.  A crafter is not by definition less talented or creative than an artist but has to have a high artistic ability to be considered a craftsman.

So either way I look at it, I still think of myself as an artist, regardless of anyone else's consideration. I don't think she got it, but I did the best I could for her.

Now I still have to decide whether to keep the address because of the mail load.  Didn't really help me in that regard but there you go.  At least I blogged today!

Missmash

I am determined to keep up on my blog posts because several readers have scolded me for not blogging enough!

My baby grand girl, Olivia, recently passed her 6th birthday and starts first grade in two days.  I find that unbelievable.  Totally.  I feel like she is going away to college or something.  She will only be about a mile from home, in a private school.  Still, it just feels strange.

I have a busy week going on with sewing and other activities for friends.  A wedding dress to alter is the priority right now and my girls and I (Grammy, Mommy, and BabyGirl) went fabric store shopping yesterday trying to match some bridal fabric with NO success.  So, on to plan 2, fortunately the bride is agreeable to the change.  The wedding is in three weeks so got to get it finished!  I feel like I haven't sewn in so long on anything other than emergency repairs or the like.  I miss sewing, I find it very satisfying to take a flat piece of fabric and make it into something very useful.

I have so many things in my mind today that it is all a mishmash of information.  I want to finish my bathroom redo, finish making a slip cover for a couch, move the pictures and things around in my kitchen and livingroom, work on jewelry, bead, make some clothes for myself, etc., plus all the necessary stuff like laundry, cleaning, destashing, etc.  Plus items at work.  My mind is often on overload.

I happened to look at the Verse of the Day on my Bible Gateway app.  It is:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 ESV

That just sort of calmed my mind down.  I know all the stuff is still there to do and the desire to do it is still there but the verse reminded me of what most of it really is, just stuff.  Sometimes I have to be reminded to get my priorities straight!

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by!

Olivia

Digging for Pain

I am absolutely astonished to see that it has been over a year since my last blog!  Time is passing more quickly than ever.  Baby granddaughter is now 6 years old and starting school, her grandfather has retired and is into a new career of driving a touring coach.  Maggie dog stays home and I still work part time.  I also have developed arthritic knees and that is what made me want to blog this morning.

It is early morning, about 5:30 a.m., and just got hubby on his way to Memphis for an overnight trip with a lovely group of people going to Graceland.  I am sitting in a soft chair, it is quiet, and I was wondering whether to make a cup of coffee or go back to bed for an hour when it dawned on me that I was feeling no pain.  Anywhere.  As I thought about it, not daring to move for fear something would kick in and the moment would be gone, I started going over all the pain points I usually feel, wondering if it could be true that there was NO PAIN.  You know, neck, back, arms, wrists, ankles, feet, knees, hips, etc.  Finally, I realized there was a slight twinge in my neck, if I moved it just right.  Darn.  There went that moment.  I knew it wouldn't last very long.

Then I realized what I had done.

I missed an excellent moment to praise God for no pain.  Instead, I dug around until I found some pain to concentrate on.

While thinking about this, I began to correlate it to things in regular everyday life.  We go along, busy, concentrating on the things we have to do everyday of our lives.  We forget the things that God gives us, such as having a job, our families being basically healthy, having transportation, a place to live, food on the table.  Those types of things.  Instead, we dig around and find the "pain" in each situation to concentrate on.  That irritating person at work, that temporary but awful head cold going around, car needs a new battery, sink is stopped up, hamburger instead of steak, etc.

What a negative life I sometimes lead!  Where is my joy, my rejoicing?  Lord, help me to stop digging around and instead be joyful for the wonderful life you have given me!

The sun is rising, it is a little foggy this morning.  I think I will have a cup of coffee and just relax and enjoy the quiet before getting ready to leave for work.  Going to be a busy week!

Wow - Time is Like a Stealth Bomber

After my last post I realized it has been ages since I have posted anything. Here are some of the things that have happened in the past year.

Car accident which totaled my Chrysler Sebring, hydroplaining.
Finding a replacement vehicle - Chrysler Town & Country.
Trip to South Dakota with friends and family.

Major surgery.
Recouping from major surgery.
Trip to Mississippi to visit with dear friends.
Doing some redecorating!
Car accident which totaled the Town & Country van, totally not my fault.
Doctor visits as a result of the accident.
Finding a replacement vehicle - new Sonata! Totally unexpected choice!
Getting roof replaced on our house - happening right now.

Included in all that, work, church activities, usual sewing and such, everyday life (being a Grammy) and trying to go to the YMCA (without much luck because of the sore muscles from the wreck)!

Now I see why everything takes me so long to accomplish. Better get busy and finish something.

Something That Touched My Heart

I was following some Pinterest links this morning and got caught up in a reading the posts on A Contented, Common Life's blog. She has some wonderful examples of being frugal along with sharing other simple things about life.

Here is the link to the post I read last: http://acontentedcommonlife.blogspot.com/2011/01/fresh-joy-grammas-passing.html

It is a beautiful picture of the passing of a saint. Beware, it might bring tears to your eyes, it did mine.

I'm smelling good and looking clean.....

I just had a wonderful experience with a great soap maker, Juanita Barr, of a Barr of Soap Gift Shop that can be found on etsy. I had been looking for some cranberry/orange soap and she made some special, and now has some available in her shop. Believe me, it is really yummy. What a generous shop owner Juanita turned out to be.

Take a look at her shop when you have a chance. You can find some really nice soap there, even vegan for those so inclined! Oh, and be sure to look at here sold items, the soaps and displays are lovely.

Here are two items Juanita liked from my shop, Rosevine Design.

Beautiful Stuff!

Simple, clean, shiny and fun. That describes the fine jewelry made by Amy Taylor out of Illinois. I came across her etsy shop because she had favored an item on my etsy shop, a bracelet named Garden Path.

Here are a few pics of her beautiful work!

Miss Olivia, of course!

Thanks, Amanda, for taking this sweet picture of my sweetie pie!

Things have been busy around here (like when are they not???) Thanksgiving was very nice with the family and extended family. Lots of parties and dinners coming up and trying to figure out new things to bake and take. Also working on Christmas items like baby girl's dress and other gifts. Trying to make tons of jewelry, bags and other appropriate items to sell at a Christian motorcycle rally in May. Do you know how difficult it is to find decent, small, low cost motorcycle charms??

Anyway, life is good and I am a happy person. Hope the same for you, especially during this busy season. Take time to relax a little, have a nice cup of hot chocolate, read a book, put your feet up.