Some new goals...

I have been thinking a lot lately about my goals. My fall shows were really disappointing, so I know that I need to refocus my "product" or my attitude. Comes back to that whole art/craft, love/money... grossly simplified into this dichotomy, but I sure many other artist/crafters struggle with this. How do I define artistic and creative success?

Several intense conversations with the hubby ended up with me in tears. I feel I need to make sales to justify my status as an artist and there is so much out there now about marketing that supports the idea that financial compensation validates our creativity. The days of the starving artist are over thanks to the wonders of technology. We can email, blog, facebook, Flickr, Etsy, and Art Fire our way to success. (Those are the only ones I've done - that's my limit :})
Diane Gilleland of Crafty Pod did a great interview with Paul Overton of Dudecraft about crafting for money or passion that really affected me. Go listen! Seriously, go listen... I'll still be here.

So, they inspired me to give myself a break from my previous goal of a show a month (hey - I did 3 in October - that should tide me over and I'll pick up in February if I'm ready). Instead, I am going to focus on making what I want to make, blissing out in my process, maybe playing, not yelling at my kids. And I am going to work on some of my skills, mainly polymer clay, photography, blogging, and soldering (okay, that list could go on FOREVER... there are so many new things I want to learn).

Part of my photography problem is lighting. Setting up everything out on the deck... in Oregon... in the fall equals chilly and very wet, not good for me or my jewelry, so I am making a light box.
Here it is - in process! With the resident cat investigating (my silly iPhone photo) and now sleeping in it. Tissue paper, white or pale gray posterboard, my 2 clamp-on lamps with Ott Lite bulbs and I will be ready to rock!
If you want to make one too, here are the two great links I found:
Inexpensive Light Tent and Strobist $10 Light Box They explain it so well, I don't need to paraphrase for you.

I don't really have an answer to my question: How do I define artistic and creative success? Being artistic and creative are essential to my view of myself and my world, so if I feel artistic and creative, could that in itself be my success?

Halloween "fire goddess" dress

The theme for this year's Halloween was supposed to be Phantom of the Opera, but then in August I had my hair done with gorgeous red streaks (Thank you, Chica!) and the concept changed to match the hair, which is now faded anyway. In honor of the red streaks, I wanted to do FIRE, so then Dyl needed a costume to coordinate, and what could be more perfect than Fire and Ice, Opposites Attract.It's your basic bridesmaid dress, purchased at Brides Against Breast Cancer charity sale. Starting with a pre-made dress and a red dress saved me so much time from spray painting my old white prom dress or constructing a new bodice from scratch.First step, cut out the lining and crinoline at mid-thigh, pin up drape, remove rhinestone accent, and cut jagged edges to be the flames.Then I added a new crinoline of red sparkle tulle to the remaining lining. And crinolines of orange tulle, part loosely gathered and at the slit, tightly gathered for volume. I sewed the orange tulle on folded (machine gathered long edge, fold edge at bottom) and then hand cut the fold apart into flames. The extra scraps were made into flame poofs along with scrap yellow tulle from Aeryn's 3 year old belle costume.The long side drape was pinned various ways and then finally stitched up with more flame poofs tucked in. And I added a red velvet "strap" and a vintage rhinestone pin. The side is accented with a flame sequin applique.
Look, Momo in my pictures ^~^ as always.

Next up... the accessories, and maybe I'll work on making the Ice man look cool too!

A Charming Exchange Auction

Maybe you don't obsessively read jewelry making books and magazines and blogs like me, but you should definitely check out A Charming Exchange.

Fabulous book, amazing photos, great techniques, tons of inspiration. Listed right now on eBay are the actual pieces from the book, which are being auctioned for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Several of the creators and collaborators in the book are breast cancer survivors and share their stories.

Jewelry-making, self-image, meditation, process, healing, inspiring, giving ... how often do all of these elements come together so clearly.

Check out the charity auction on eBay. Search for A Charming Exchange or Susan G. Komen and check back, new pieces are put on all the time!

But don't bid on this one! I really want it!!!!

Trick or Trick 2009 Ghouls Guild on ArtFire

TRICK OR TREAT 2009: Scavenger Hunt

Do you want to win one of the fabulous prizes donated by the Ghouls Guild?! If so, you'll want to participate in our scavenger hunt!!!!

We promise that the scavenger hunt isn't too hard, and it's super fun!

Go here to participate in the scavenger hunt!

You have until the end of Trick or Treat 2009 (Oct 13th) to complete the scavenger hunt.

Psst... To help you out, check out the right side of our blog that lists all the Ghouls Guild members! This list will prove to be a huge help in answering the questions on the scavenger hunt!

Good luck everyone!

Happy Haunting... urr.. I mean Hunting! mouhaha!!

Morning glories, morning person...

I used to consider myself a night owl, I guess I had childhood insomnia that lasted into my twenties. But now, once dinner is done and the kids to bed (early for them at 8:30), I'm wiped. My desk is covered with jewelry supplies for lovely Halloween pretties and I can only hope that the Momo cat doesn't discover them, because I'm too tired to put them away and afraid I'll lose my inspiration for tomorrow if I do.

Could I really be turning into a morning person? What's the story morning glory?
"That I walk up my stoop, I pause to consider if it really be,
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics
of books." Walt Whitman, Song of Myself
Here's to hoping for sweet dreams and blue (but slightly overcast between 3-5 pm when I need to take some art photographs) skies.