Intentional Stones

Inspiring Today

I think this winter time block is an annual thing. Something to do with the end of the sales season and the self examination involved in applications. So i am working on ways to reawaken my creativity. Today, I feel like making lists.

 

Enjoying a good video game to relax. Kitting to keep on creating without the self pressure. Morning pages to get stuff out of my head. Reading about gemstones and writing down the stuff I'm learning. Thinking about the types of pieces i'll want for each show i plan to attend this year. Thinking about the people I meet through shows and the internet who are so wonderful, inquisitive and supportive. Making lists. Enjoying an espresso drink or cup of tea. The times when someone makes you a sandwich as they're making their own.

Beautiful things. My daughter dancing, snowdrops, my little son's tiny lego creations, my big son's programs in Scratch, friends who bake, my spouse, melting snow, clusters of crystals, workout buddies, sun streaming through the windows, warm puffy clothes and blankets. Jewelry magazines and websites. Drafting pencils, markers in every color, excellent erasers. Picture windows, books, good tv shows. Beautiful hair. An outfit put together with great fashion sense. Art.

Mindful things. Going to the gym. A well made shopping list. The week's laundry. The evening checklist. The morning checklist. The day's reminders. Good meals. Quiet time.

How do you get back into your stride?

What do you make lists about?

-Simbelmynë

 

Posted with Blogsy

Under control

Long and short of it, I'm not feeling like it's all under control. But it might be getting there.

The Kid (eldest gets this distinction today, it changes, but usually he is the one in my sights) is now enrolled in virtual classes. There will be no more end of semester rushing to get everything done. Right?

I have reconciled to never seeing the bottom of the big grey tub of laundry at the bottom of the laundry chute. Look folks! I have found a never-ending resource- dirty clothes! And i even have found time to fold a basket or two a week. Good thing my kids are all tall enough to stabilize the stack of full baskets while they root around for something to wear.

Most of my applications are in and my commissions list is almost done. I'm accepting more. It is time to settle down and just make.

Funny, looking at that list it's not as if the work/school/chores have gotten any less. I just feel like I can work through them now. I looked for lists of stress relievers and it seems to me like I always try to do these things. Still, everything seemed so overwhelming this holiday season. And this past week, I've simply worked to keep them in mind. I guess no matter how much I want to be living intentionally, that is-mindful of the impact my actions (and inactions) have on myself and others, I can never go on autopilot.

I started a knitting project. Saw the doctor. Took care of a dental issue. I'm getting to the gym. Quitting work on time. Reading a book instead of the internet before bed. Spending time with my sweetie. Reading to the kids again. Calling old friends to get together... All things I "didn't have time for" at the end of last year.

How do the holidays do this to me?

Next years holiday project: keeping it together!

-Simbelmynë

 

Posted with Blogsy

It gets real

Blogging. It's always something I am not sure about. It's fun but it's uncomfortable. I feel like I am talking to start a conversation, but that doesn't happen. But I seem to carry on. Even if my progress is slow. And it can be all the things I want. I just need to keep trying.

I was just letting out a rant at a friend (I am so sorry, AR!) about the year i established this blog. The year I spent tweeting, setting up carefully timed promotional posts, trying to support other artists blogs and sales,... In other words, spending a lot of time online, not using my blog for my own purposes and putting a ton pressure on myself that never panned out.

I have written a few times about blogging for myself and about the goals of my blog. Even trying to keep that in focus, those goals are not enough. Daily goals create stress. (and a big part of why I am writing today is stress, I'll get to that). Weekly and monthly goals inevitably fall behind. I have looked at endless blog design advice, talking about how people read blogs and how photographs help. But this makes me work too hard at writing and i lose what i am writing about or just stop.

I am pretty good at writing a cohesive and well thought out article, but those are a ton of work and I cannot manage it every day. In November, for NaNoWriMo, i worked on my gemstone research and made quite a lot of progress and had several insights in how I want to work on that, and I want to include that stuff here. But it is more like a long term writing project or a book than an article at a time. One thing at a time. It will be here, but we both need to be patient.

So I will go with my gut and post what I have when I have it. I will mix art, gems, family and me. And people will read or not.

I'll break my current issues into a separate, but related post. So, Part 2: Stress is next.

-Simbelmynë

Posted with Blogsy

New Sketching Habit

Free from expectation-that's what the morning pages have always been about.  Work for long enough to scrub my brain of the bits of dreams or old feelings or doubts. 

In days past, I've tried to do the Morning Pages suggested by Julia Cameron, but writing is not really doing it for me.  Recently, though, I've busted out a little sketchbook and I'm slowly filling it up with doodles.  Some have even lead to very interesting jewelry ideas.  Those I've transferred to my "main" sketchbook.  One with graph lines to easily gauge size and metal needs.  It's pretty cool. 

Homeschooling is gradually feeling like it's under control.  I can work during school hours on little brainless things-like weaving that's repetitive and calming, or sketching that's easy to put down and take back up again.  Especially if it's these little morning pages type sketches.  Who cares if you start a new idea and lose an old one if you're not sweating the finished product? 

I'm on to something here.  Even if I'm not in midst of a formal course like the Artist's Way.  It's helping me to live more visually.  When did I ever learn these habits of pushing the visual away?  It's so natural to me.  Some of my earliest memories are of shape and form and exploring them. 

Now that school's done I can get back to the bench.  Filling my table for the Chili Event won't happen without lots of work!

-Simbelmynë

Monday Traffic

I figured it out a week ago, then the blog post was stale, now it's fresh again.

Mondays are like tunnel traffic. 

Living in Pittsburgh gives one a unique perspective on the concept of tunnels.  Tunnels and bridges are a way of life here.  There are something like 700 bridges and fewer tunnels, I've never counted.  But I live with a view of the Squirrel Hill tunnel.  It goes over 376, the main path from east to west through Pittsburgh.  When I first moved here, 12 years ago, I didn't understand why people don't like to cross town for gatherings, shops, events.  And then a few seasons of heavy construction on the bridges and tunnels showed me what it was. 

Tunnel traffic.

There's nothing quite like the psychological effect tunnels have.  Someone once told me that if the Squirrel Hill Tunnel was just 1 foot wider on each side, (East and Westbound each has it's own 2 lane tunnel), then the psychological effect of the tunnel would be lessened.  People automatically slow down when entering the tunnel.  There's a tendency for fender benders near and in it.  Most are very minor, but they can stop both lanes for a couple minutes at a time.  Stopping everyone else for 15-30 minutes.  And that's just for minor problems.

Construction is just that much more fun.  Removing lanes, putting up signs for slowdowns, rerouting exits (there's one right after the tunnel on either side).  It's all fun.

And on a busy summer weekend day, you can lose a huge chunk of your free time by braving these hazards.  Even I have started mentally assessing the construction situation before I commit to something across town.

My point, that I've gotten distracted from, is that Mondays are like my tunnels. 

Weekends are a time when I get to participate in a lot of my artistic pursuits.  I get to take classes, get together with friends, family, fellow artists, go shopping and hunting for materials in other ways.  I get to recharge. 

I also get to spend free time with my family, I get more rest.  I'm generally reenergized when Monday morning comes. 

I wake up and I feel like I could do anything.  Get through the school day, take on 2 new projects as well as finish all the old ones.  Clean up the house.  Have a great time. 

By noon, I realize that it's just like every other weekday.  School is hard work and it's using up all my energy.  Jewelry and household projects are going to need more than I have left at the end of the day.  And every day things like cooking, cleaning up after ourselves and keeping myself fit and healthy are going to take up even more of that energy.   The rest of the day is spent in that weirdly lighted, tightly enclosed space where if anything happened, I wouldn't be able to back out and I'd be stuck there forever. 

Every week.

I need some kind of alternate route through Monday.

Any ideas?

-Simbelmynë

 

Strands and strands

I have to reassure you.  If there's nothing posted here, it's due to the fact that I'm very very very very busy. 

Project Runway is on the TV on thursdays and it's vitalizing to see the design in process.

One last Sunday show is coming up at the Waterfront.  Look for us from 11-3 in the Pump House! I'll be there for their holiday market in late November, but I'm skipping the Biketoberfest on the first.  Maybe I'll stop in with my bike!  What a concept!

But, most of all, I'm getting ready for holiday shows.  I have many great pieces that I've started but need those last finishing touches or a necklace to hang from.  I have planned improvements to my displays to complete.  Photographs to get into the portfolio.  My tent needs repair or replacement.  (One gust of wind from Irene took it out [the storm never touched Pittsburgh, except that pesky wind]) And I need weights to keep that from happening again. 

Bedford's Fall Foliage Festival will be here in no time!  October 8th is coming up very very fast.  This one's a big time show and everything must be hand made!!! 

Then there's the listings.  I uploaded some photos to facebook, but they're not written up or listed yet!!!

School is in full swing around here.  Which is the primary reason for being too busy to blog.  It's like I have two full time jobs.  And while it's filling a lot of my time, I feel like my life is finally back where I want it to be.  We're having the most rich time working together and learning together.  And we completely back in control of our lives. 

Today in the studio I have strands of tiny stone beads getting ready to support beautiful stone pendants.  Woven chain with me all day long.  I'm finishing commissions and making a few larger gemstone rings.  OK, I'm overwhelmed by my aspirations.  

Still.  You get the idea. 

Out for a walk

For my Artist's Date this week I decided to take a walk with my camera.

It's been a while since I took flower photos. 

 

I came to the conclusion that I'd like to add some hydrangeas and azalias to my yard.  Maybe they can crowd out some of the plants I'm not so fond of.  Little things that might help me feel more like I'm in control of the back yard jungle. 

My vine phots didn't come out as well, but they're good enough for jewelry designing.  Hopefully you'll see them then.

-Simbelmynë

Artist's weekend

My family will be out of town having the time of their lives.

And I'm staying home to have a party! (yes, I do feel like a teenager whose parents have left town for the weekend)

It's an artist's retreat at Simbelmynë's house!  I'll hit Costco and fill the house with food. I'm used to all sorts of eaters-picky eaters, carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, food sensitivities, OmNomNomNivores... Also I have hot and cold running WiFi, which is, of course, optional.  And, never fear, coffee.

Everything's ship shape with lots of room for big projects.  I'm not far from Construction Junction, really you could get pretty crazy. I'm planning to set aside areas for specific things, and we can adjust as people arrive with their projects and goals for the weekend.  I have lots of places to sleep, if you're from out of town or just don't want to leave.

The jewelry studio will be in full swing.  I have almost every type of equipment anybody could need-from torches to finishing equipment. I have tables and corners and quiet areas for writing, being quiet, meditating.  A park next door for walks and listening to the world around us.  A full crafting room with all sorts of supplies, if you forget anything.  I even have a macro photography studio, if you want to get some small photos.

We can swap, dump, laugh, play, work, meditate, trade secrets, teach, learn, whatever we want to do.

If you RSVP I can make sure I have what you need.  Or just show up, the more the merrier!

Stay all weekend or come and go as you please. 

Official Start is 7pm Friday, March 18 and end at 7pm Sunday March 20.

-Simbelmynë

(412)608-8986

235 Oakview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

(Please ignore the photo it's from the highway, for some reason)

We're the last house on the left.

Labor Day Unplugged (Sort Of)

I'm celebrating an anti-relaxed laborday.  (It's not anti-laborday because I'm in no way against Labor and all the positives that resulted from oranizing labor)  I'm spending the weekend catching up on business communication and making stuff.  I have two larger projects to finish up and drawing, modeling and planning for a million little ones.  Nevermind homework.

There is something deeply relaxing about my family having a pleasant and fun weekend around me while I work. 

I did something radical though.  I turned off twitter, I'm only showing up in blogland for a few minutes, and I've told the chat world that I'm not available.  I'm even contemplating keeping the TV off, though that may become too much, as the TV provides a buffer from chore-related distractions.  I may unplug completely by the end of Monday.  I'll do whatever it takes to keep my focus.

I hope you're having a beautiful weekend!

Focus

Sunset in the Virgin Islands

Summer's over here.  I'll hold onto the moment in this picture whenever the craziness of every day tries to rule.