I am learning....

With show demands, a licensing deadline and boutique needs, my work kicks into high gear in the fall.  This year, as soon as the show, deadline and deliveries were done, my body seemed to fall apart.  I got the ick in my lungs for 3 weeks.  In addition, I was no longer able to ignore my shoulder pain- - which landed me in physical therapy.

So, all of this craziness got me thinking about how I work and what I need to do to change.  I've been pushing myself so much that my body finally pushed back.  It was a wake-up call.

Being a very goal-oriented person, I've always been set on producing as much quality work as possible by the time needed.  I run to the studio every chance I get...staying up way too late, getting more and more reliant on caffeine and becoming stressed out.  I decided that I would take December 'off'- - at least as much as possible.  I would play with a new medium and try to re-think my business for 2012.

Well, I'm still thinking, but I have been able to play with some paper clay (very out-of-the-norm for me).  Here are the results....some handmade ornies for some family members....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Gingerbread houses...

 ...outdoor decorations...

...and FABULOUS new icicle ornaments found at the Dollar Tree!

Merry Christmas to me....early

I am so giddy that I am smiling from ear to ear!!!

Here's the story....for almost 4 years I've had this idea that my dining room wall needed a hutch of some sort.  I don't really have any collectibles, so it wasn't for displaying.  I wanted something that functioned almost like an extension of my counter.  The idea of a buffet was born.  Pair this with me being extremely 'frugile' and particular.  I had pretty much given up.

Then, I was introduced to Sue.  She is an extremely talented furniture painter.  I walked into a local thrift store and, sitting there in all it's antique, oak glory, it said 'here I am'!  The best part....I paid $59 for it!  It's big and sturdy and wonderful. 

Step 2- I took it to Sue for a make-over.  Today, we picked it up.  So, if you heard a squeal of excitement in the air it was me swooning over my new buffet.  It is even more cool than I envisioned.  Sue did a fantastic job!!!  The finish has white and off-white for versatility.  It's distressed, stained and poly'ed.  It's FANTASTIC!  Take a look...

And kind of out-of-character, I decided to add some bling.... which I LOVE...

I mentioned in a post a while back that this project has caused the domino effect in the house.  I'm looking at everything differently and trying to re-arrange, re-purpose, etc.  We're hosting a few parties in the next month or so....all the more motivation to get some things done around the house.

THANK YOU SUE!  I have a feeling that we'll be seeing each other again.  I've got the 'painted furniture' bug now!

playing with paper clay...

I have something up my sleeve....doo dah...doo dah...