+ So much to do

Big Show Tomorrow! I'm tired but stoked. The red hoods, fairytale girls, owls and grandma wolves are looking TOO CUTE! I have a few more steps to completion, but I'm really excited. In the past, I have been pretty good about documenting the process with photographs, but this year I want to photograph my stuffed-friends when they are complete. This is one thing I rarely have time for (due to exhaustion at the end!) My goal this year was to kick ass on my show, but not have it kick my ass (or my husbands!) There is one special thing I made this year, that I am really excited about - the mini-banners. You can use them as ornaments, hang them on your altar, string them up in your house.... I'm in love. The best part is that they were simple and fun to make. I will post an image soon, but I have to admit...bringing in my designer-self to work on my art projects has been a real treat.

+ handmade dolls and other treasures!

HOLIDAY GIFTS - New Craftastic Creatures from the Deep Woods will be arriving Dec. 4th in Petaluma @ Jack & Jills, 217 Western Ave, Petaluma, CA 94952/ (707) 981-7155.

Handmade dolls, ornaments and treasures - Come snuggle the magic!

+ Addie's Hand Turkey

This is Addie's Hand Turkey (age 2) inspired by a project i saw on the Crafty Crow.

+ Wasting time?!??!?!

Is there such a thing? I get crazy when I have a babysitter here and I don't know where to start. I say, "Here I am again, lost, wondering what to do." This is the point where I get on my computer, fumble around the house picking things up and moving things around... and of course, I chat with the babysitter. So, considering this a familiar place, I am making the most of my "wandering time" by writing.


This is how I suffer -> I wonder.... what wants to happen in my business. There are so many things that I want to do and share. So many things I want to teach and make.

This is how I start to dig myself out of suffering -> I wonder.... if I didn't need to make money/work, what would I let myself do? PLAY, WRITE, SING.

What does that look like right now?
Play = putz, walk outside, go downtown, drink coffee
Write = in my journal, my blog, my new website
Sing = join a choir (this I cannot do right now, but I am in the process of investigating it!)

The theory is.... if I let myself do what I actually WANT to do, energy returns. That is also my experience. I am going outside now.... with my coffee.

Organizing

Addie's work. What a genius!

+ the first Guadalupe doll!!!!

I could not be more pleased :)

(Now I am experimenting with photography and display)

Something I've noticed

I never feel organized when my studio is not organized. It makes be feel lost and despondent. I start to go to the "it will never work out" place... and that is a downward spiral. When I am working with a client or student, I call these points "red flags." They signify the point where we lose energy. A red flag is a sign that says WAKE UP and reconnect with what is true. When we connect with what is true, our energy and enthusiasm return. Red flags are different for each person because each person is totally unique. It takes practice and patience to recognize them because they are as familiar to you as your own hand.

Take a moment to sit down and asked yourself, what do I say to myself that causes me to lose hope, feel disconnected and/or lost? Then ask yourself, when do I say these things? 

A Red Flag is an OPPORTUNITY to stop, notice and choose. Red flags are our friends. They are messengers of the soul to encourage self care. This is what self care is for me:

Self Care
1. I wrote - website blog
2. I cleaned - my studio, I feel much better.
3. I went outside - walked with my husband, photographed the fall trees, got a latte, bought some ribbon for my art show and a book - Craft Inc Business Planner - I will let you know what I think about this.