how to do whatever?

Okay so I'm going to start posting a how to whatever every so often. My first is going to be how to set up your home studio. Now keep in mind, I paint in gouache and watercolors, draw in pencil and ink and sculpt in paper and polymer clays (primarily) so my studio will be set up for those pursuits. Obviously, if you sew or work in some different media my studio hints may not be helpful but then again the organization of supplies might be useful. I guess you'll just have to check back! Other interesting topics: how to read your own astrological chart; how to make your bed look like the fabulous department store display; how to make Cantonese BBQ pork(yum) and whatever else strikes my fancy! Also, I am going to add a list of links to sites that I love that discuss boys and how they learn best. Okay, so off I go to take photos of my studio space. And, by the way, the first polymer clay ornaments are in progress and turning out so cute! Actually will have earrings and pendants, too!

lil' bruiser

Well the little boy weighed in today at the dr. office. He's still hovering around 75%, which my mother told me I was when I was a wee tot. I'm not as worried anymore, he's happy, he's gaining weight and he's developing the way he should be. For goodness sake, he's trying to sing the alphabet song at 10 months. (so far A, G, H are the only truly understandable letters but he's trying his darnedest to sing his alphabet song!) Today we start on Xmas ornaments (polymer clay) and I hope to set up the studio for papier mâché. Tomorrow should be a very productive day (unless the little one needs a ton of attention!) I hope to be able to take photos within the next couple of days. You'll see them as soon as I snap them!!

Why does life always get in the way of creativity?

I wonder if other artistic people feel the way I do. My day is going to be filled with cleaning the house because we have an insurance agent coming in to discuss life insurance. (sounds like great fun I know!!) Now let me state something here, I'm not the crazy- everything- has- to- be- spotless kind of girl. You cannot and should not eat off of my floors. (And where did anyone ever get the idea that that was a good idea??) Anyway, my friends are the great housekeepers, me, I get by. It's just not the way I choose to spend what free time I get. I'm the creative one and I think that my creativity comes out of a bit of chaos. I don't think the husband likes the chaos as much but as I always remind him, if he doesn't like it he could always clean it to the way he sees fit. (and I don't see him cleaning so.....) So there we have it, a day of cleaning. It's time to keep up with the Joneses!!

Yum!

What a great Memorial Day Feast! I made BBQ ribs on the grill, first time ever, but they were fabulous. I used a recipe from Martha Stewart's visit to the Today show and then adapted it to my taste. I was a little nervous because I am a good cook generally but I have to follow directions to the T. I generally don't adapt recipes but am learning with cooking (not with baking) those directions are relative. I also listed my new etsy shop this weekend:bzlittlechristmaself.etsy.com.
I don't have any listings on it yet but I'm working on decorations right now(along with the helmets and space ship banks) I have found it is easier with papier mâché to create all the forms I can and apply the papier mâché all at once. It's just a better use of time for me. Well it's time to take the dog out and I need to get to the post office.

Play Dough

Well, I just made my first batch of play dough and should be listing it on etsy soon.
I'm trying to make the colors very vibrant and will re-post this with a picture as soon as I can but being the holiday weekend, it will probably take me a day or two!! I love the consistency of it and hope to make a little picture that mimics one of my rocket ship pictures. It is made from all edible ingredients(although in the coloring process I added some special non-toxic additives) but I wouldn't highly recommend eating it anyway since it wouldn't taste so great!!! Also, I hope to get the bug environments listed soon. I'm going to go catch myself an ant for the photos.
Have a fabulous Memorial Day and remember our fallen vets!!God Bless them!

First things first

I've started planning the boy's armor but in the meantime I'm also working on papier mâche rocket ship banks. I hope to have these done(or at least one or two) by Saturday. It really will depend on the little symbiote(he's been very reticent lately when it comes to taking naps, which translates to one crabby mommy who can't get anything productive done!!!) I think I will be able to make lamps with these rockets also. Time will tell. In the meantime I better make good use of this brief interlude from mommyhood!! Ah the good old days when he would actually sleep!!!

Boys!

Well, tomorrow I start my new project, boy's dress up. I just received a book from the Cleveland Museum of Art on armor and will start to do my initial drawings for my first offerings. I've had positive response from everyone that I've shared the idea with. It will probably take me a little while to get it onto the etsy site because I have to research and write the history of each helmet and create fun activities related to each style of helmet. My gut is telling me that the helmets will be finished quickly, the more academic part of this endeavor, well that might take me a little longer. I'm so excited about this project, I plan on posting pictures as I go. Check back periodically to see the progress!!

Still Trying to get organized!

I can't believe how difficult it is to get organized with a little one around the house. He's very good and is content to sit and play when mommy is doing something but there are so many needs to be attended to. If I'm not feeding or changing the boy, I'm feeding or going to the bathroom myself. Then there is the beast, she likes to be fed and taken outside every now and again. Don't forget the kitties, while they are pretty easy to have around, they still get a little indignant when they want to be fed, need clean water or want their litter box cleaned! Right when I think I can start getting something accomplished, the little one needs to go down for a nap and let me tell you he only goes down with my assistance (yup, I know that's not the best thing in the world, but he won't nap at all if I don't assist him, he'll sit and play contentedly until he needs food or a diaper. Then at the end of the day, crabby baby!!!) Daddy calls him my symbiote and he is. Enough said! I'm going to go now and try to start setting up my studio, fingers are crossed that I can accomplish a good deal of what I need to get done(before the little boo boo bear decides otherwise!)!

How lovely!

While taking the beast out for her morning constitutional, I took a gander at my tree peony. This is the first year that we've had a bloom. It is so pretty, I just had to share it and the one on deck! Enjoy!!

Ay Carumba!

Okay, I've decided I need to be able to lock myself away in order to get anything done! SO......
I'm turning our spare bedroom into my studio. There are way too many distractions in this home for me to be productive. I thought being centrally located on the main floor would be more convenient but it's not it's distracting. I should do dishes , I should clean the floors, I should watch the news, I should,I should, I should....So I'm moving operations up into a space that can be closed off from the rest of the world. The little boy can come with me so why not? I have so many great ideas for boy's toys that I have to buckle down and get started. Plus, I'm planning for Christmas, oh the decorations I have planned, I can't wait to show you!!So this weekend becomes moving day (sort of). I'm moving on up! (You can add the Jefferson's theme here if you wish!!Lord knows I'm singing it!)

We're starting our promotions!

Well my first print ad should have been published in the most recent Currents publication.
(actual ad at right)
We also just put our magnets on the car, they look adorable. I must admit, I'm a little uncomfortable promoting my own work. I thought it would be easier under a business name but the reality is I'm driving the car (usually) and so the work is connected to me. Why I'm uncomfortable with promoting my art has to do with me feeling like I'm showing off. My sister always made me feel guilty for being proud of my accomplishments and creations. Logically I know this, emotionally it still cripples me. This definitely has held me back from being more successful than I have been. I am always so grateful to those folks who like the work I do and yet I try so hard to be anonymous when people are interested in my work. I like to hear authentic feedback, but I don't want to have to acknowledge my feelings one way or another about what they think. I like to do what speaks to me and I think too much input from others hurts my creative process. As I explore this here I realize how much more complicated this matter is than I originally thought. I guess I'll ponder on this a little more as I work on my new projects and love on the little one. Funny I just realized that the same feeling doesn't crossover to my parenting, I know what I'm doing is best for his development and I won't change it unless I feel it would be in his best interest. Hmmm...I wonder why I can't be as decisive with my art?

New Day!

Yeah, life is back to normal. I had an order over the weekend that I have to get out first thing this morning. After that I have to drop off a spare key and license plate for my husband's car at the dealer. In light of the great gas rip off we've decided to go to one family car. Thank Goodness we live in a city with mass transit and my husband's job is downtown. I don't think the husband likes the idea of the bus much but the experience is good for him. I must say sometimes men equate too much of themselves with their cars, it's silly I think, but then I'm just a simple girl. (who didn't get her first car until she was 22) I'll admit when I've had to say goodbye to both of the cars that I owned, I felt a twinge of sadness, good times were had driving hither and tither. But a car is just a way to get from point a to point b and we as human beings qualify the experience as something more than that. Now that I've waxed poetic for the day, I think I'll go make a pot of coffee, take the pooch out for her morning constitutional and get my day under way.(I do have to get that order to the post office!)

Running Up Against a Deadline

Well, I'm running out of time! I have a show on Saturday morning, it's a small 'mom's expo'.
I don't expect it to be a huge deal but I still need to pull things together. I'll definitely have my prints ready to go but I'm trying to get some of the boy play kits together and that I may not be able to pull off. On the positive side, the baby FINALLY slept through the night (well 10pm to 7am, he could definitely sleep longer but....) He's almost 10 months, so it's been a long time coming. Found that if I feed him a BIG bowl of cereal right before bedtime, it holds him over. The boy's going to weigh a lot by his next weigh in but that's OK because the Dr. was a little concerned about his weight gain tapering off over the past 2 visits. ( he went from 95% to 90% to 75%) He now eats solids 4 times a day and nurses about the same! OY!! Anyway, I need to make some coffee and get myself moving before the little boy needs me!

A Busy Sunday Planned

Today is going to be hectic! Not only does the little one need to be cared for, which is or course priority #1, I need to wire butterfly bodies, design a card stock tab for the butterfly mobile packaging, design packaging for my new boy bath salts, research bugs and put together an informational coloring book and while I'm at it paint more lids for my bug observation jars!
Oh and did I mention I need to finish assembling my push mower so I can cut the lawn!
The husband is sleeping but the little boy and I are up and raring to go!!

Sweet Potatoes...

I have the best little boy in the world and right now he's covered in sweet potatoes!
I've been working on getting more Cafepress shops opened with my images. Links are listed to the left. I'm trying to decide on an apron for myself but I need to wire butterfly mobiles and difficult decisions will have to wait! Well sweet potato needs to be cleaned up so off I go...a mommy's work is never done!

Finally!

This blog should get better from here on out. I'm going to be starting my new venture and will be posting photos and what not as it goes. I'm changing my etsy site to boys mostly and just approved my first print ad for 'busy little elf'.
I'm waiting for info on a new name for my new venture. If it gets the okay I will announce it here!So excited! Probably won't post anything in the next week as I have a show on Saturday, May 10 and will be trying to get things pulled together!!