Moving ahead

I think i might have decided what i want to do when i grow up (at 45 it's got to be coming sometime, right?). As i get my artistic and domestic life back in order again i want to start focusing my efforts toward more fiber arts, particularly clothing, bags and other wearable art. I want to continue working with yarn and polymer clay, maybe get back to silk, possibly wool and felting.

If so, you will be seeing more in this blog. We shall see.

Getting ready for some changes

So far for me 2011 is FIRED - there's been a lot of turmoil and negative stuff going down. I haven't had a chance to be very creative, and one big reason is that my studio is a junk room. I am trying to get into a position where I can start clearing it out and using it again. My positive affirmation today says "I am in the process of making positive changes in all areas of my life", and that's exactly what I'm doing.

I want to give a shout out to my bestie, Darla. She's agreed to be a beta tester, checking out my ideas and new items, and giving prototypes a look over. I've needed a critical eye, someone who has a good artistic sense. Thank you, Darla, I have yet to really put you to work, but you just wait!

I am thinking about a bit of change in direction with my art. My thought is to go more toward the spiritual side. I've been doing things of that nature for a while, although not many of the items are up for sale yet. Keep an eye out, there will be more things on the way in the near (I hope) future.

Any thoughts you have would be appreciated - I love input from my friends & fellow artists.

Sunday Sensations!

I have to admit I'm a pretty bad housekeeper. I try, but it gets overwhelming. Mopping is hard for my physically, and I get annoyed by even trying. A few months ago I got a Swiffer Wet Jet and I was really excited about it. The only thing I didn't like was that sometimes things were so messy that I'd go through two or three of the disposable pads trying to get the floors cleaned. I hated that. I'm by no means the world's greenest person, but I try to reduce, reuse and recycle when I can. Luckily there was my friend at MicroMops to the rescue!

That store is amazing. There is everything there... many things that I will buy when I can, because they are all designed to help the desire to be green. I bought a set of four reusable Swiffer pads. They pick up -everything-, and I don't care how gross they get, toss 'em in with a load of towels and they're ready for more duty. I love them!

Right now I'm drooling over the wool dryer balls. I use a set of plastic (rubber? something) nubby balls right now. I love the way things turn out, I love that I can use them with towels (since you shouldn't use fabric softener on them) and I LOVE that I don't have to buy fabric softeners or sheets. However, I don't like the sound they make thumping around. The wool balls aren't supposed to be nearly that noisy, so I can't wait to get some of them.

MicroMops has so many things it's not funny... that shop is amazing to browse. Add to it the fact that Amy is wonderful, sweet and amazing and you've got the best combo - good products, good prices, and fantastic customer service. I was very pleased with my experience shopping there, and I will be a repeat customer.

So, get to work reducing, reusing and recycling. MicroMops is one way to help you get there.

Sunday Sensations!

Another wonderful vendor I've purchased from is Pegasus Soaps. When I started hanging around Artfire and Plurk, I went looking for friends who make the products I use and love, and I love bath bombs... luckily enough, Pegasus Soaps makes unbelievably fantastic bath bombs. I got hold of two kinds, both of which were fantastic. The Cinnamon Toasted Oatmeal bath bombs were delicious, kind to my skin, delightfully smelly and just yummy in every way. The other bomb I ordered, though, was the best... the Monkey Farts bath bombs are amazing. I love the smell, and the name just makes it. Also like the Oatmeal bombs they were kind to my skin and lovely to bathe in.

I think my favorite part is that each bomb comes in two half domes. I've had other bath bombs that are gigantic and although they are lovely, it seems like a waste. When they come in two halves I get two wonderful baths, or I could use both if I want to.

Michelle has a ton of different wonderful smells, all of which I hope to try as I can. I have to be careful though, she's one of those studios I could spend way too much time and money in! Michelle is also an incredibly sweet person who I feel honored to know and spend time with online. I'm blessed by her presence, and her wonderful products.

Monkey Farts for sale!

Long time no see...

So far 2011 has done nothing but torture me in every way possible. I've had my store on vacation since I left home Memorial Day weekend to spend six weeks helping my mother recuperate from a week long stint in the hospital. I returned home two weeks ago to some personal tragedy and heartache that I'm still not recovered from. My studio is also a junk room at the moment, but I plan to start excavating soon so I can have some space to start creating again.

My plan is to reopen my studio in a few days and start adding new items to it over the next week or so. I have new ideas that I hope to put into play within the next month and get into my shop as soon as possible. I'm also planning some destashing on eBay as I excavate the studio.

Hopefully these are all things to look forward to! I know I am excited to get back into the swing of things.

More crochet

I found the perfect yarn for the cow.  It is a narrow mercerized cotton that should be wonderful to feel when worked up.

The slug is stuffed and closed, I just need to make an eye I like and figure out how to make the tentacles. Her birthday was the 31st, hopefully she'll have it before the end of June.

Have several cotton skeins to make more summer caps for L. I want to finish at least one of those before I start the cow.

Location : 458-498 E Main St, West Plains, MO 65775,
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BOOKS!

Thanks to Swagbucks and MyPoints (earned enough for $40 in Amazon gift cards!) I got four crochet books... well, I have three and one is on the way. I got two by Christen Haden: Creepy Cute Crochet and Yummi Gurumi. I now have the patterns to make a crocheted bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich... and a crocheted Death. ;-)

Besides that I got Crochet Patterns for Dummies and am waiting on Learn to Crochet Visually. Whee! I'm going to finish the present I'm working on for my sister, and then I have another present to make - Cameron the Cow. I just need to pick out the yarn for that.