so very, very busy

It truly seems that I have such little time. I am looking forward to using part of winter break to get organized and be productive. I am currently working on some new things and am excited about having some time to really sit down and work. It usually feels that just when I am getting focused and making progress, I have to redirect my attention. I am working on balancing out my career with my love of making jewelry and most importantly, spending time with my family and friends. I am posting a picture of one of the newest necklaces I've been working on. I think I have to say I love these.

new necklaces

I just can't help myself---I am so excited about and in love with these new necklaces.

a bit of new jewelry

Here are a few new things from this weekend---trying to take advantage of my last couple of weeks before school starts back. Truthfully, I am ready to be teaching again. The lack of structure in my days holds a limited amount of motivation for me---I could never do freelance work!

new shopping bags

I found these reusable shopping bags and their cuteness made me get them!

weekend work

I am trying to use the last few weeks of my break before returning to school to get a few things made.

new things

A bit of new jewelry I've been working on.

new pendants

Inspired by my new dishes. . .

newly made tin pendants

I spent most of yesterday working in the yard and the weather was splendid. The rain today has given me the chance to work on some new things . . . I've just finished these little layered heart pendants for my shop. I just might end up keeping one for myself!

lovely new dishes

We needed some more plates so I've been searching--- stumbled upon these and absolutely adore them.

pop-up pendants

I am so very pleased to have some time to work on some new things, here are a couple!

hello summer

I am on summer break from teaching. Although teaching is the most important work I do and will ever do, if I didn't have these two months to regain a sense of myself, the world outside of school, I could not do all that I do through the year. Being creative and working on new pieces is my way of indulging in a different kind of work. Here are a few new pieces . . .

so lovely

i just couldn't resist taking a picture of these blossoms!

saw a little of the sun today

Thank goodness for a bit of sunshine today. I think it might have been enough to get me through until Spring Break. Can't wait to be in Florida. I had the chance to work on a few necklaces today and only wish I had more time for all the ideas floating about in my head. . .

i accomplished a little today

I've decided to stop pretending that my life will be quiet enough to accomplish much beyond the demands of work lately. I will have a little extra time this week to work on jewelry and I most certainly want to get some photographs of the lovely blossoms coming out around here. I couldn't be more pleased to see Spring.

pop-up pendants

i love them so!!!

snow day

Being at home due to the snowfall most certainly does have its benefits. I was able to get a lot done and enjoyed doing some reading, something I have dearly missed over the past few months. I so much would like to be in a book club again. Years ago, before I moved, I was in the best book club ever. Many of those in it were librarians and we always read the most fantastic books. Even those that ended up being not-so-stellar were still wonderful to read and discuss. I however, am also a fan of what I like to call "easy reading", I think most readers have something they enjoy reading on occasion that will most likely not inspire but simply entertain. For example, one of the things I long for but can't justify on many levels, is my love of magazine subscriptions. . . I love them so! I do keep the magazines from years ago and they are equally as entertaining years later. So, in addition to reading and some much needed organization and cleaning, here are a couple of samples of what I worked on today and because of all the snow, I imagine I will have a full day to work tomorrow as well!

if only

. . . it would warm up. It's currently snowing and I'm ready to mow the yard, plant some flowers and light the grill. For now working on some pendants will have to do. I could spend some time getting organized because I feel a bit scattered lately---but that's not much fun. After the various sicknesses that have passed our way, it feels like I just can't get centered. Being far too busy in all the wrong ways can make a person long for a vacation.

afternoon work

time to work on new necklaces

It was a nice surprise to have a snow day from school. It's given me the chance to work on some new necklace designs that I am so excited about. Here are a couple.

new pendants and local networking

I am working with some new tins that I found this week and I'm trying out some eyelets on the pendants. I have a few more ideas for these pendants as well and will try to get some work done this week even though it's looking like another hectic week ahead. It appears that some other local etsy crafters are looking into starting a CraftMafia group here. I hope that I will be able to find the time to be active and participate. There is a Church of Craft group that meets here in town and I've yet to have the time to go! I really like the idea of participating in community-based craft organizations, so I've got to figure out how to make the time!

musical weekend and new reversible tin pendants

What a nice weekend. Yesterday, we had family "band practice". I am currently the drummer, but if my ability to perform doesn't improve, I imagine I will be replaced! Other than general weekend activities and cleaning, I am working with the new tins that I have been hunting down over the past week. In addition to the wooden collage reversible pendants, I'm now doing some in tin!