When I Finally Give In...

I have a lot of ideas floating around in my head, little bouncing balls flying back and forth, my mind flitting from one to another. Usually I manage to convince myself that the idea is silly, no one will like it, I shouldn't even try, why bother... I don't know what it was, maybe reorganizing every single supply I own last weekend... But I finally decided I was tired of crushing every idea before it even made it to a prototype. I finally gave it an decided to try an idea. And, I like it. A lot. In fact, I wore it to meet a friend today and she even liked it. I am going to make a couple for her as a few more samples.

I have a few more ideas bouncing around, and maybe I'll give in an try those as well. I would really like to launch some new products when the new year starts.

Also, I am really thrilled because some of my work is now being sold in a b&m shop up in Cincinnati at Beehive Co-op. If you are in the area, go check it out!

And now, I am off to go have more fun with my serger -- after two years I finally got up enough nerve to try to thread the thing, and it actually works!!

Three Day Weekend

I didn't know until Wednesday that we had Monday off -- for some reason I thought that Labor Day was one of those weird holidays that bumps to the next week when it falls on the 1st of the month. I'm really happy about the three day weekend, especially because we have only been in school 8 days and I'm already feeling a bit under the weather with a sore throat.

School has been great and I'm excited about my class. I have some new challenges this year, but I'm trying to start off on the right foot by staying a little later than I did last year so I don't have to bring (much) work home with me. My plans for next week are already done!

And so, I have time this weekend to focus on my jewelry and fabric shops. I have about 20 new fabric necklaces in the works and I hope to work on some earrings or bracelets this weekend as well. Tonight is Saturday Night Special sale, which I try to participate in every week. Check out my shops for some great deals!

Long Day at School

Today I put in my first full day at school working on my classroom -- A lovely 9.5 hours of classroom cleaning fun! My main goal was to figure out where to put tables, bookshelves, etc. -- with the potential for 30 kids and no literacy program, I had to reorganize a bit. I was able to get everything where I wanted it, and started labeling AR books with their reading level (I got through 2 boxes -- Yippee!).

I feel like I am being rewarded for all my hard work, because imagine my surprise when I find I have a double dose of front page! One of my fabric necklaces is in a treasury on the front page this evening, and a set of my pushpins are in a Storque article (and since it is one of the first related items, it shows up when the article scrolls by the front page)! I am so honored, and it made my exhausting day have a very happy end. Here are the screenshots:

Messy...

Ugh, I think my beads have taken over half of my living room!!!

Goals for today:
- Clean up beads
- Cut out more muslin packaging bags
- Pack orders to ship tomorrow

Then, I am going to browse online for materials for making my own earwires. I need 20 gauge wire, possibly a jig (I have heard you can do it without them, but I don't trust myself to make consistent earwires without a jig), hammer, block, and burr cup for filing the ends. I don't have the funds to get it all now, but I am going to browse anyway :)

Perhaps it is time to go grocery shopping?

My sadly neglected blog. I really have been busy -- My car has decided that it wants to fall apart, which hasn't helped (I still need a new compressor = no AC for me. And yes, it is going to be 97 degrees on Wednesday, which means I won't be driving anywhere). I have been so busy, that today I realized that I really need to go grocery shopping. I mean, I really really really need to go grocery shopping. Need proof? Here is my refrigerator:



















Except for some condiments on the door (which have been in there so long I am not sure they are even safe to eat), my fridge contains filtered water, iced tea, juice, two jars of raspberry preserves, half a tub of pesto, three slices of bread, and four English muffins. The bottom two drawers are empty, except for one tub of feta cheese.

I don't think my fridge has ever been empty, except for when I moved in. And so, I guess it is off to the grocery. I'm going to Kroger first (not my fav) and Whole Foods later (yum!). I don't even know what I am going to buy, except there will be some cheese -- even though it is really expensive right now, I am having a serious cheese craving. I went a whole two weeks without it!

It has been a while since I have posted, but I have been quite busy! I have been working on rephotographing photos for my jewelry shop, in addition to making bracelets and earrings (at the encouragement of my friend Tara!). I also reorganized almost every supply I own (paper, fabric, beads, etc. etc. etc.) and moved furniture around in my apartment.

And in the last week or so, I have realized that I must do the dreaded: raise prices. My thumbtacks really just aren't priced to cover my costs and my time. I am currently researching some other supply options that would allow me to keep my prices what they are now, but in the meantime I do need to raise them a smidge. I really am dreading doing it, partially because it will take a loooooong time (my goal is to get it done in an hour) and partially because I am afraid it will hurt sales. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do -- I have to value my time.

Back from "Vacation"

Phew. Isn't vacation supposed to be relaxing? We drove home to visit my mom, then to a wedding, and back here to Louisville. I think all the driving wore me out!

Despite the driving, we did get to visit some of my favorite places. We went to the Cleveland Natural History Museum one morning. My favorite part is the gems section, of course. The dinosaurs are also fascinating, and I forgot that there was a section in the back with live animals from the region. The raccoon were surprisingly endearing! Later in the afternoon we went to the botanical gardens, which I absolutely love. Someday I would love to create a similar oasis here in Louisville. Here are a few of my favorite photos of the gardens:











































I have spent the last two days trying to finish up orders placed during my break. The orders are all ready, but I still need to pack and ship them. There is a sea of thumbtacks and magnets on my table -- I tried to take a photo, but it didn't turn out very well. I always feel like I have accomplished a lot when I see that sea of thumbtacks looking up at me!

Tomorrow I am headed off to the Cincinnati Zoo with one of my best friends and her son. I can't wait!