Changes

Lot's of things are changing 'round here but mostly it is my perspective on things.

From now on there will be a lot more of me "seeing" things differently.

My routine, if one could call it that, will be coming into focus, I'm not there yet but I'm working on it!

My mornings will shortly consist of a lot more of this...

These are all different views of my morning running path.  When it's not too hot and I can get away this is where I will choose to run. Otherwise you will see me running the streets of my community.

In the past months I have been focusing on me and things are coming full circle. When is the right time to become selfish? Well I seem to have waited until it was thrust upon me. Months ago my Dr. told me I should lose some weight. Although I was not overweight she was the one to look over the past 4 years and see a pattern. I am ever-so thankful for her words. (Truth be told, she was not tell me anything I did not already know!) So, I've reached my goal in that arena and am much better for it, (Although Weight Watchers is now telling me that I am "unhealthy" weight I do not feel like it!).

I said I would never start running again but I have, this time for myself. I run at my own pace, the path that I choose is my own and I am enjoying it more than I ever thought possible. I am healthier than I have been in years.

I am spending much more time in the studio, although, again, you would not be able to tell by my blog or the shop.  Here is a sneak peek at some of the pieces that are in The Studio just waiting to be finished:

These pieces probably won't make it to the Silver Lining Shop before I leave for another wonderful week at William Holland but once I get back things will really begin to roll.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and remember to take care of yourself!

It's never too late!

Hey! I'm working here!

I know it's hard to believe with the look of this blog and my shop but I really am, promise!

The summer has been a bit out of sorts for me, I'm in a funk that I can't get out of, not for lack of trying.

When I am in the studio I'm getting work done but as most of my pieces go, once it is out of "The Studio" it's far from complete.

Here's a sneak peak at just a few of my newest pieces just waiting to be finished and listed:

Jeff had a break from shows and spent some time in LA with the West Coast Munchkins while I stayed behind to attend to the FTG.

I realized shortly after his return that the way the summer was going I would have to wait until my William Holland class in September before I got a break! NO WAY! So with some sly work on my behalf I was able to swing 4 days out of work. Add that to a weekend and I had 6 days to play! Jeff was able to slip away as well so we scooted up to Savannah for some lazy time.

Savannah holds some important meaning for us. Our first time there was 4th of July two years ago. Had we not been stopping there on our way home from classes Jeff would have been sworn in as a US Citizen that 4th. (As it turns out he was sworn in on the 10th but I still consider the 4th his day.)

We both love the history of the city, the fact that there is a great beach (Tybee Island) and the Savannah School of Art and Design makes it's home there. Truth be told it has everything I would want in a place to live, a girl could dream right?

This trip was simple, no schedule, no alarm clocks, no plans except: beach, eat, walk and enjoy:

When we got home from Savannah there was a message on the answering machine waiting for me, the class I originally signed up for at William Holland had an opening so it turns out I'm headed up twice!

Since we've been home it's been right back to the grind but now with this second class added to my schedule it's turning out be be a great summer!

I'll get out of this funk yet!





Excuse me...

...my German is showing.

I wonder back on situations where I say (to myself) "why was I so stubborn"? and realize I don't really have to ask...it's in my genes, I'm German.

I guess I was about 15 or 16 and I found this button that said "I'm not stubborn, I'm German" and many things became clear to me. Until then I was clueless!

What you may ask does this have to do with jewelry making?

Well for many months I have been saying "I don't need that tool that cuts little squares in my solder. Heck, ONE tool for ONE job? That makes no sense to me at all!"

(Is there any Scottish mixed in my German anywhere?)

Well after rolling across The Studio floor enough to wear the paint off, (cutters on the bench, cutters on the soldering station, cutters on the bench...) I finally broke down and bought a solder cutter:

It's a wonderful tool that makes cutting those little pillions so simple.

I figured it's already paid for itself in all the solder cuttings that have not shot themselves across the room!

See even I can learn...after months of not listening to my inner voice!

I'm sharing this so others can learn from my...um...character flaw.

Have a great day!

UPDATE!

Der Shop has been updated:

 Beginnings

 Guardian

Rose Plume

Full Load

It's been an absolutely crazy month but I am finally at the end of the Spring Art Festival season. For most of the country spring in just beginning but here in Central Florida it's already getting HOT! I cut myself off in June.

I usually take the summer off from the Market and weekend festivals to get ready for the fall season and the holidays...yes, I mean Christmas, insane, eh?

In the past few months I've been finding myself in a bit of a quandary. Since I have a FTG (I call this my "Full Time Gig, the thing that supports my habit".) I've been focused on keeping to smaller local arts and crafts shows, events I can apply to short term. I've been in a couple of situations where I find this is not working for me and I'm struggling, mentally.

I've taken a big leap of faith this past season and I hope it pays off.

I've come across another fabulous jewelry artist, Marty Whipple who has betrothed me with some new displays. We were introduced by the fine folks at FDJ and have spent just a short period of time together but I hope it is the beginning of a long friendship.

I raced to get my new displays together for my last show of the season at Ormond Beach so I can get some photo's...what'cha think?

They are beautifully handmade with so much love and care I could feel it while I was working on them. I could feel them push out good karma!

Now that I have my booth headed in another direction I have jumped into the world of Fine Art Festivals, I'm so nervous. This means applying to shows months in advance (which is like throwing darts blind-folded in my line of work) and being judged by photos, this is nail biting for me.

I've applied to 4 shows and all of them are in the fall; two in the Central Florida area, one on the west coast of Florida and one in the Atlanta area.

Now it's just wait and see!

I hope all my hair does not fall out by the time I hear!

Meanwhile in The Studio I've been trying to crank out new work. Along with getting all this work done there's photographing it, getting to class on Tuesday nights, getting to the Gem Society and now I'm helping organize the First Friday event at Ivanhoe Village!

Here's some new work that has made it through the process:

 Ocean Gold

NUTS!

Watercolors

 

Now I'm going to try to get these pieces in the shop by tomorrow!

Happy Mothers Day!

Running Full Speed

(Well not really running but...

I'm moving pretty quickly.)

The next couple of months are very busy for the Two Bee's.

Along with the usual Sunday Market we've got two shows in Ormond Beach, one in Deland and in Windamere.

I will be participating in First Friday's in Ivanhoe Village and I am officially on the Associate Board of the Maitland Art Center, something I have been trying to fit in for three years now! (My first event is no sooner than tomorrow night! Culture and Cocktails.)

William Holland is on the calendar for mid-September but I am really hoping to get up there at least one time before that.

I've been spending as much time in The Studio as I can and will continue updating as pieces become available...



Morning Skies



Round Robin



Out My Window

 

Secrets



All of these babies

will be in the shop by

tomorrow morning...have a great evening!

Gonna Make this Quick!

Der Shoppe is being updated:



Final Frost



Full Bloom



Full Moon



King Necklace



Lone Pine



Last evening was the first night for some of us at the Ivanhoe's First Friday and the welcome was warm (although it was raining!).

Michael from White Wolf kept us dry with a tent and the offer of drink! Everyone was excited that this event has finally found a home and will remain on Orange Avenue from now on so be sure to mark the First Friday of the month for this event!

(It looks like tomorrow's market might be a rain-out for me, so maybe more studio time???)

Happy weekend everyone!