New beginnings

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I can't believe we're half way through January! I'm still working on Christmas orders that were ordered and the people so graciously offered to put them on the back burner until all Christmas gifts were made first. I'm receiving some of the orders for adjustment as well as continued custom orders and I'm still keeping very busy. I'm thankful for my loyal customers who believe in me. They are a big part of my inspiration and make me feel like I'm performing on stage... pretty exciting to get email messages from these wonderful ladies who anxiously await new work.

I have many ideas and wished I had more hours in the day to accomplish everything I need to. I've been working up until 1:00am every night/morning and rising at 5:30am Pacific time. My days are long and slow. I'm jumping back and forth from one project to another and need to be fresh for each one.

I've completed the "Non-traditional" wedding set for my dear friend and ex co-worker at United HealthCare. She's marrying a wonderful Irishman who lives in England next spring. She's in Europe as I write this spending time with him before he arrives to the United States to live. The ring is a sterling silver set, a crown bezeled Grade a 10mm pearl and a patterned band. It's fit for "Queen Gwenna"!

I'm currently working on 5 projects with one of them being a floral etched band with a 14k bezeled diamond (customer submission). I can't wait until it's complete and pictures are sure to come.

The weather here is unseasonably warm and in the low 70s. Pretty eerie and feels like earthquake weather. I can't remember the last time we had this warm of weather in January. We desperately need rain and snow so we can get out of this drought. I'm not looking forward to another fire season.

I'm starting my shop as soon as my sister returns home from Maui next week. She doesn't know if yet but her and I are starting it. We both took woodshop classes together in our younger adult days and can build anything. It's going to be built from re-cyled/re-purposed wood, 12x14 with barnwood siding. A covered porch, dutch doors, dual glazed windows, surrounded in lavender and a big rusty star on the side. :o) I'm ready to work! It's going to be down by the little creek and I'm calling it the "Creek house". I need my space, solitude and a place to call my own. I've been fantasizing walking to the "Creek house" every morning after everyones off to work and school with "Simes" by my side at 7:00am sharp each day.... cranking up the music and starting my creative day.

Big red, my redwood stump that I forge on will be the featured piece in the studio. I love that stump! I've started graffiti on it as a tribute to my little brother who suddenly passed away last January 30th. I don't own a tattoo nor EVER will so I made my tattoo on "Big red".

This is a really hard month for me and I'm working on moving forward and being thankful for each day that I'm given. I miss my brother soooooo much! From his passing I've grown both spiritually and creativity. I've been blessed with the most incredible customers/friends EVER that have found me on Etsy..... my saving grace.

Here's a few pictures of "Big red" and some leather pieces that I've been working on and more to come. (Prototypes...bad bezel job on the turquoise).

Oh!!!! And I finally got my first big chunk of sterling!!!!


Next project: Belts and buckles, I'm headed of to Sac. to get some leather this weekend.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/