Getting in under the wire

It is 11:59 - I am just getting my now self-scheduled weekly blog entry in just in time. Sunday's seem to be the best day. Just part of my re-organization that is happening slowly for the new year. Trying to be reasonable about time spent on the computer and networking and all of that vs. time spent in the studio. There is far too little time spent in the studio.

Last week I realized I am sort of like a pioneer. Or, at best, slightly rustic. Why? Because I heat my liver of sulfur (used to oxidize the silver), and my pickle (the stuff that takes the oxidation off sterling after soldering) on the WOOD STOVE? Very back-to-nature isn't it? Anyway, I like it because it feels a bit greener than plugging something in. Also, I re-heat my tea on there too - love that! I admit, however, that when I am upstairs I do use the microwave to heat up my tea....

But, truly, I am so glad I am not a pioneer. I read and re-read (and now try to re-re-read to my kids) all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books when I was a kid. Yes, and when I was a teenager I admit! Well, I now realize, excuse me, but how did those mothers change and manage DIAPERS? And did they let the baby crawl on the earthen floor? Maybe...perhaps that is healther than a polyurethaned floor? And how did she clean all those cloth diapers? I lasted about 2 months at best with cloth diapers, and I had a washing machine and running water....and electricity...and a computer...and....

Well, on second thought, heating things up on the wood stove and my morning chores of feeding and watering the chickens and bringing in more wood for the wood box is satifying and pioneer enough for me.

Certainly those homestead wives did not spend their time blogging. Although I am sure some of them spent their evening time making some gorgeous embroidery or other hand crafts....

Good night, it's now officially Monday and I am starting to sport a sore throat to match my kids horrible coughs. Oh dear. (and how did they deal with sickness? ... life was not so romantic on the great prarie I think ...)

night night and xoxo,
Kristen

Back from Tucson - Diggin' in for Winter

The Tucson trip was wonderful. There are many highlights, but I have to say that sitting in the sun one afternoon in my tank top with my skin feeling hot and sweat rolling down my belly was one of the Best!! The sun is so healing.

I will be rolling out new designs this week on my Etsy store, so check it out!
Cheers,
Kristen

New pieces

Things were tumbled, oxidized, polished yesterday. And now there are at least 12 new pieces ready to put together today. Annabel is home 'sick' although she is bustling about. Getting ready to make a necklace with her very own stash of beads.

I am sporting a necklace she found, although she 'didn't make it.' And she would remember something like that. She is the finder of lost things and the memory keeper around here. Here she's got a string, all ready to go! Where did all of those wrinkles on me come from?

ciao for now,

Kristen

Reality Studio and Real Life Time Management

Here is my surprise at how my time is spent..... And, above, real live shots of the studio... aftermath of holidays...

I am not sure it's actually time management. I need to schedule a date with myself to figure that out; but at present I predict that my actual creative time to maketing/networking/shop upkeep time is about 1:4. That is 1/4 of my time is spent in the studio creating and 3/4 spent marketing, shop upkeep, prep and delivery of work via mail or local boutiques etc (writing blog...). Can this really be true? Requires further research.

Ciao for now,

Kristen

Happy New Year!

New Styles for the store!

Happy New Year to all of my friends, family and customers!

The sun is setting on this first day of 2010; all is quiet in this house. A very unusual event is happening as I write. BOTH Cailean and Annabel ARE NAPPING! It takes staying up past midnight to ring in the new year to make that happen. Now...I must hope that they'll go to bed at their usual 8PM. Ha ha!

ciao for now,

Kristen