Keeping Busy

Lavender from my garden.

Take a deep breath, it smells Heavenly!

Well, it's been a really busy summer here. Not getting to do much outdoorsy stuff, what with all the rain we've been getting, but I've been keeping myself busy. With my renewed fervor to get my business running successfully, I've been engrossed with nothing but learning how to achieve this goal. Reading any and all Storque articles, reaching out to experienced sellers, and letting others mentor me in areas that need improving. Let's face it, there's always room for improvement, right? I even splurged and got myself a few good books. One called "Make a Profit with your Passion", and "The Craft of Planning Your Art Business", both are accessible through here, which is the Artist How to site. (some really good stuff there for people interested in taking their hobbies to the next level. Re, the money making level. :)

Anyway, last week was pretty busy. I decided, in my infinite wisdom, to host two Posh Parties in my home. I always get requests for invitations to these parties, but always get the inevitable "Oh dear, I can't make it that night". So I thought I'd cut to the chase, and host a party on two different nights, in the hopes that I'd be able to please a few more people that way, but it wound up biting me in the butt: Only one buyer showed up on the second one. Ah well, live, learn, and pass it on, I always way. I at least got to spend some time in the good company of friends, and family. :)

Wall earring display

A few pieces displayed on the dining room table.

Some of the rings I taught myself how to do.
It was tricky to learn a new tension technique, but after a few dozen, I think I've got it down pat. I didn't have a tutorial for them, just photographs to study.

Here are a few closups:

Here my Mimi and Selena playing with a Nintendo DS. Don't ask me what they're doing, I don't play those games, and I just thought they looked SO funny waving around in front of that game, LOL!

A shot of a custom ordered pendant and earring set requested by my friend Lise. I am happy to report that she liked it very, very much! :D

I even set up a display for my Dad's wood turned pieces. He's coming down this weekend, and will be bringing me even more of his pieces. These two will be really REALLY difficult to part with:
*I love how some of his new pieces are accented with bark. These two vessels were made from the same piece of Manitoba Maple*

Oh, and since we've had a few cold evenings, I started playing with yarn again, and tried my hand at cup cozies. Again, no pattern, just playing around. The buttons are just for show, but I thought they were a cute touch! I like these a heck of a lot better than the throwaway cardboard ones you get at the coffee shop. AND, my friend had a great idea: To make a slew of them in a multitude of colors, so that when you have a party, your guests will know which cup is theirs! :)


P.S.: Don't forget to read my PIF post, and play the Pay It Forward game. Honestly, I'm surprised that more people aren't willing to play. It's such a wonderful thing to do, and I would like nothing more than to make something just for YOU! :)