Inspiration

INSPIRATION

Sometimes you wonder where a person gets the inspiration for their art.  Sometimes you think "wow, that's beautiful, I wonder what inspired it?"  And sometimes you think "what the heck gave them that idea?"

So, in case you're wondering, I thought I would share.

                        A couple of days ago the sunrise at my house was particularly beautiful.


                                            Inspiring me to make these beads:

Okay, they're nothing like each other.  I did say "inspired" right?  :)

Then I saw these cupcakes:

                                                        And I made this bead:

I try to remind myself to find new inspiration every day.  If you are open to it, inspiration can come from anywhere!



The Great Studio Clean Up

WARNING:  This post will be image heavy, and mildly alarming ~ small children and those with OCD should look away!  :)

I'm so embarrassed I can't believe I'm sharing this!  My studio is in a convenient location to be the dumping ground for everyone in the house.  If you don't know where it goes, just put it in the studio "Mom will deal with it".  Okay, that might work if Mom actually dealt with it.  But I don't.  Usually, I'm in a hurry so I just push the stuff into piles to get it out of my way, then dig through it to find stuff that I "know" is in there. You know the drill, I can't possibly be alone in this!

Anyway, here are the before pictures.  I should have taken a picture of the floor, the game trails were a nice touch!

 

 

SEVERAL hours later..... The studio looked like this:

 

 

Sooooo worth it!  I can find stuff again (well, except for the stuff I'm currently packing all over creation!)

There is one small remaining problem.....

I didn't touch the glass storage.  To be honest, the task is so overwhelming I'm afraid to start. 

                                                                                  Under the torch:

Torch Table:

                                                                        

                                                     

And the all important "oh, there's an empty spot" method of actually storing the glass.

I want labels, I want organized by color, I want to know what I need BEFORE I place an order.  I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Anyone want to come help? There might be some glass in it for you!

Long Distance Running

No, I'm not running a marathon (no suprise to those of you who know me!), but it certainly feels like it these days.  Right now I'm running my life, my home and my business long distance while I help my Grandfather with harvest.  I'm scattered all over "Hell's half acre" (as Grandpa puts it) and it's a bit of a challenge.  Hubby and the kids are at home ~ thank goodness for text messaging and facebook! And I must say, Dusty makes a much better housewife than I do!

But the business stuff all has to travel back and forth between here and home when we're not picking. Unfortunately, that sometimes means that no matter where I am, something I need is in another location.

This is the temporary torch set up at my in-law's house:





I have an 8X10 studio at home that is absolutely packed ~ so when my husband saw this he said "really, is that all you need?"  Um, no.  I need all that stuff, this is just the very bare essentials.

And my temporary jewelry, Etsy, mailing station at my friend's house:



But it's totally worth it when I get to spend all day outside; fresh air, the sun on my face, and haning out with my Grandpa!  This amazing man has so much knowledge to share and so many interesting stories to tell. I learn something new every time he talks to me.  It is an incredible experience to go to work every day with a man who truly loves what he does and I continue to learn so much from his passion for life. 

I wouldn't miss this opportunity for anything!

Here's my Farmville post from last year, and every word of it holds true.
http://vedasbeads.blogspot.com/2010/10/life-lessons-from-farmville.html

Plus ~ I get to play fun games like "Can you spot the fruit in this tree?"  Hint: It's a pear.



And just look at the view from my "office"!



So, while my life may be crazy, busy, scattered ~ I wouldn't have it any other way!

Today's experiences are tomorrow's memories, and I treasure every one.