the Revolving Studio

I’ve spent a great deal of time the last few days reorganizing my studio. Sure, it’s always a good thing for me to reorganize to achieve an orderly arrangement of things so I can review my inventory, see where things are, see what I’m running low on, etc.

BUT
that’s not the real reason I move my studio around so much (I tend to do this every 3-4 months).

I actually crave the change, need the change.

To me the state of my studio is a mental snapshot of where my creative mind is, how I perceive things. Moving my tables from one wall to another, switching the area of my computer desk from my working space changes how I work and in very good ways, forces me to try things differently.

I’ve a few finishing touches to assemble and then I think I’ll be set. I’ll put up a few pictures once I’ve gotten it just right.

Return from the Desert

I return from the sunny desert with a sack full of gems and the fine desert sand dusted over my tawny leather boots.
I love going to Tucson each year, it’s like making a pilgrimage to the holy place where artists come to pay homage
to stone, pearls and metal.
It’s amazing, overwhelming and exhausting, all at once.
It’s a never ending display of color, texture, and creative potential.
I’m sated
(for now).

Over the last few days in the desert:
I’ve spent hours giggling with the best gal I know.
I’ve fallen in love.
I’ve caressed the polished faces of stone.
I’ve walked away from untrustworthy vendors.
I’ve met the most interesting lapidary artists from across the nation.
I’ve waited for the right stones to find their way to my hands and then my bag.
I’ve tossed and turned in the night.
I’ve yearned for my kitchen, full of fresh fruit and snacks.
I’ve kept my mind open to new materials.
I’ve pushed myself to see where I will go.
I’ve dreamed of new designs.
I’ve spent hours being a mother hen and loved every minute of it.
I’ve worn dresses and skirts and basked in the warmth of the desert sun.
I’ve promised myself that this is the year to run after my dream, and so I shall.

As I now return home, I reflect on my time in lovely Tucson and stare at my bulging bags of goodies. It’s funny, the haul from this year is so very different from last year. I was headed in a singular direction and the goods I picked up reflected that.
And now I find myself straddled between three separate lines of jewelry, one very much different from anything I’ve done before and I’m so very excited about launching my Grace and Moxie line. It’s still in its infancy and slowly I shape it in my mind and my hands, testing this new space and this new direction. I’m very excited. Very excited.

I hope you all have been well. I’m back in the studio and finishing up orders during my trip. I should have some new lovelies for you this weekend.

Tucson

Hours to go:

21

Packed:

1 Rust colored dress

1 pair studded cowgirl boots

1 army green cargo skirt

1 denim jacket

Gray leather messenger bag from Morelle

the Lost continent

Excitement level:

Bursting

Red rock, sunshine, metal, the promise of new ideas.

I am so ready for Tucson.

See you all when I get back!

The Talons of Muse

As any other artist can swear to, the Talons of the Muse are unrelenting.
Sometimes you feel as though you are on the precipice of
something new
something amazing
something completely different.
You feel the winds blowing from a different direction.
You look ahead and see a new course laid before you.

I am on that edge.


Last year when I went to Tucson, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I had a list of things I wanted to seek out, and I must say that this year's list is
completely
utterly
undeniably
DIFFERENT.

I'm excited about the new directions I feel compelled to follow and anxious about how it will affect the Shop. I may end up opening a separate shop to keep these two lines separated, but only time will tell...

When your creative spirits are clenched in the talons of the Muse,
you can only relent
and
hope you bear the strength of her might graciously
and return whole once more.

The Weekend

Finally.
Here.
The Weekend.

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but this week seems to be the longest week ever.

Plans this weekend:

3. Trip to the vet for Charlie-bear
19. Helping my best friend settle into her new home (only 1 hour away from me!)
67. Cup of Lemon Ginger Tea courtesy of The Noisy Plume
1. Drawing new designs
53. Photos (crossing my fingers for this one)

What about you?