All Things Round

My mind has been a bit scattered this week.  I have been thinking about all things round.

What goes around, comes around.  Incidentally, a suspect was arrested earlier this week in the murder of that little girl last week.  Hoping they caught the right person and that justice will be served.

My laundry has been spinning round and round.  I caught up this week with close to a dozen loads.  That was fun.

I've been making discs.  And beads akin to discs.

And beads akin to flying saucers.  And doughnuts.  And roundish triangular disc-like flying saucers.

I have also been singing "The Wheels On The Bus".  Because, you know, they go round and round.

It's a sickness.  More so than any leaking gas in my studio.

TGIF to everyone.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend!  Mine is off to a fabulous start after having had a delicious lunch with Lori Plyler of Studio Waterstone.  Always such a treat visiting with her!

My shop will be re-opening next Thursday afternoon with all the beads above and more!  I still have another 50+ to clean out that are sitting in my sink.  And I'll be back on the torch at the beginning of next week.  happy dance :)

Taking Stock

Wow, has it REALLY been three weeks since I last blogged here?  So much for that daily blogging and torching plan, right?  Because I haven't been on the torch, either.  Sigh.  

I think by now, we know that when I disappear from the blogosphere it is because I am learning to juggle new things in my life.  And we also probably know from my past history that this learning curve takes me time to figure out where everything fits and how to keep the various balls up in the air while others get dropped temporarily.

Mustard Speckles

It has been two months since I left that corporate world for my family.  I can't believe two months has flown so quickly, but it has.  And it has been absolutely wonderful!  One of my fears before finalizing that decision to leave the phone company was "Will I like this new life of essentially being a stay-at-home-mom?  Will I enjoy the constant company of my kids?  Will I have more patience once the 24/7 pressure of that blackberry is gone or will the little things still stress me out?"  The answers have been yes, yes and yes.  So thankful that 1) I got what I wanted and prayed for and 2) truly do love what I thought I had wanted for so, sooo long.

Raku on Black

So what have I been juggling?  Not so much the kids activities and homework and going to the library (woo hoo!  we are ALL loving going to the library every week!!!), but I have spent hours upon hours working on my photography business.  Before I left the phone company, I spent money and gobs of it on products and tutorials and workshops like it was my crash course through college to get what I needed as quickly as possible and while there was still a bit of a disposable income.  Now that that income is gone, I have been spending time reading books, practicing and watching video tutorials to learn even more so I can be as proficient as possible at delivering the products and services I want to to my photography clients while keeping track of costs and all the red tape that is needed to run a successful photography business.  I am getting closer to getting all my balls back up in the air, but it may be a few more weeks before I get into full swing.  I am so excited about how everything is moving and where I am headed.

Etched Holly & Ivy

I am also excited that I got to photograph the primary model for Studio Waterstone and she even allowed me to photograph her face!  If you're interested in seeing those photos, you can click over here.  The model is just as lovely as her mother.  And even better, she wears the same shoe size as me, so I may be able to steal borrow those awesome boots on her feet!

My Dad came up this weekend and cooked me an early birthday dinner (barbecue baby back ribs, my favorite!).  It was a great day together and a very productive weekend all around.  Much cleaning was going on in preparation for my in-laws arrival tomorrow.  The girl child came running into my bedroom this morning before 6:45am yelling "Grandma and Papa are going to be here in ONE DAY!  Yaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!!"   I'm on the same page as her and have been yelling the same each day as we have counted down over the past few weeks.  :)

I am now getting teased that I'm sooooo much closer to 40.  Which I find amusing, as the teasing is coming from those who are pushing 50.  I'm good with it.  Age is just a number and it's not something that grips me.  Most of the time, I have to stop and do the math when I'm asked my age (can you tell I don't think numbers are a good form of measurement?  I don't believe age or salary are good indicators for a person's character.  At all.).  This isn't a monumental birthday or an entrance into a new decade.  But it still makes me reflect on whether or not I'm where I want to be, as well as where I thought I would be.  I can tell you that five or ten years ago, I NEVER would have guessed this is where I would be in my life.  A stay-at-home-mom.  A photographer.  A self-employed business owner.  None of those.  I couldn't be any happier.  

But I also want to keep growing.  I want to be a better wife, making things easier for my husband with fewer household responsibilities so his free time can be spent enjoying our family.  A better mom, helping my kids grow into more independent, responsible, kind and thoughtful people.  A better photographer, as that really is where my passion resides right now over beads and playing with fire.  But also a better friend and daughter, taking the time to write (and send! so often they get written and then get lost on a kitchen counter waiting for a stamp) thank you notes or pick up the phone to catch up (even though I really loathe talking on the phone).  I want to make a difference in other people's lives, whether it is encouraging them to do and be more, inspiring them to chase their dreams or just to be kinder to themselves when a mark is missed.  Because ultimately, I would not be where I am now if it weren't for friends and family members who have planted the seed that my dreams WERE possible, they COULD become a reality and that PURSUING them would be so rewarding.  There encouragement and belief in me has meant so much to me.

So I leave you with one question.  

Who/what impacted you to make a change in your life that you are thankful for now?

Sneak Peek - Saturday Update

I thought you'd like to see what came out of my kiln over the past week.  Lotsa new beads.  Some smashed.  Most round and swirly.  Two worry stones.  Two buttons.  One focal.

I am so thankful tomorrow is Friday.  And that we're having such fabulously warm weather.

Pop over to Studio Waterstone and on her FSS (Featuring Studio Spaces) series you will see my interview and lots of pics of my studio.

Tomorrow, I will show you close-ups of all the new bead sets going into my shop this Saturday.  TGIF tomorrow!

TGIF! Lunch with Lori of Studio Waterstone!

Gosh this week has flown by!  (Yes, I know I am not supposed to end sentences with prepositions, but it's my blog and I will taunt the rules of grammar from time to time)  Even in spite of the rain, it has flown.  Work was crazy for me and I worked many extra hours.  Boo hiss.  Which also means, I still have beads soaking in my kitchen sink, waiting to be cleaned.  Rather than cut my sleep short to get them all cleaned and hope for better weather tomorrow to photograph them in a hurry, I am delaying my shop update until next Saturday.  By then, the beads should all be clean and there will be many more sets.  I hope.  :)

Today I did break away to have lunch with my friend Lori of Studio Waterstone.  We ate at my favorite Mexican restaurant, where it has been weeks, if not months since I have been there to eat.  I love this woman.  Even though she had me in tears several times while we talked and ate, I still love her.  And, I am known to be a big cry baby, so it wasn't all her fault.  We talked about work, working in our studios, motivation, family, the directions in which our lives are headed, her model, my babysitter, the fact that Todd and I still haven't gotten our white belts.  But that will change tomorrow.  We are going and that is that.  By lunchtime tomorrow, I will have my white belt.  I will be exhausted.  I will have been schooled by a bunch of teenagers yet again.  I will be sore for two to three days following.  And I will love it all.  Yes.  I.  Will.

So with that, I bid you a wonderful weekend with sunshine and laughter and plenty of rest.  Here is a picture of Lori and me from the end of our lunch together when I made her scoot over to make room for me and look silly in front of other folks eating while I snapped away in a corner with my arm out as far as it would go.

Getting to Know the Woman Behind Waterstone

I know you have seen me mention Lori Plyler of Waterstone here and there.  I bought one of her bags as a surprise birthday present for Lorelei back in May and that is when I found out Lori lived in my backyard.  Or my neighbor's backyard.  Ok, it's four miles farther than my neighbor's backyard.   But still close enough to qualify as my neighbor in my opinion.  Since then, I have been invited into her home and studio, shared a couple of dinners and found out that her model makes for the perfect babysitter.

I told you earlier this week that I was totally rude when Lorelei and I visited by ignoring the conversation and snapping pics out the wazzoo.  Well, here are the pics and her answers to my questions.  So now, I would like to introduce you to Lori...

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Gastonia, NC - the third of four children.  We lived on a dirt road.  I only had boys to play with, so I enjoyed motorcycles, acorn fights, tree houses, and eating cucumbers and radishes while standing in the garden.  We always had dogs, cats, once we had a goat named Rosebud.

When did you start sewing and why?
My mother taught me to sew when I was a teenager.  I honestly can't remember whether she forced me to learn or I wanted to.  Since my older sister can't sew a stitch, my guess is that I asked.  Since then I've sewn clothes for myself and kids, slipcovers, drapes, and believe it or not, children's pageant dresses.  Don't ask - it was a low point.

What do you love most about what you do (sewing, hunting down the bargain fabrics/supplies, photography, blogging, etc)?
I think the great thing about what I'm doing now is that I love every aspect of it.  I love thrifting and shopping.  My photography still needs work, but I love it.  I guess besides creating things, I'd have to say that my favorite is the computer aspect - from blogging, to graphics and web design.  Since the advent of the desktop computer, I've been a gadget freak.

Is your closet as neat as the rest of your house and do you color code your hanging clothes (cause I'm really neurotic OCD like that)?
Well, dearie, you must remember that I knew you were coming - so I cleaned.  I laughed at this question and said, "Ha!  I'm not OCD!"  Then I realized that my closet is, indeed, color coded.  Egad. Not only color coded, but sub-divided into sleeveless, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, and long sleeve.  Of course, that's just the shirts.  Enough said.

What do you like least about what you do?
When the creativity well dries up at the worst possible time.  Not having enough hours in the day.

Have you found others trying to copy you and did it bother you/how did you handle?  

No, but I used to look at the Sundance catalog and scream, "They copied me!".
But seriously, I've not really discovered anyone, and yes, it would bother me.  On the other hand, I have to tell myself that each thing I make is one-of-a-kind. On top of that I keep reminding myself that imitation is the highest form of flattery.  Is that how it goes?

What is your favorite food/where is your favorite place to eat? 

That one is too difficult.  I love too many things.  A few of my favorites are summertime tomato sandwiches - southern style, pretty much anything chocolate, and french fries.  Terrible, right? Hey, you asked for my FAVORITE.

What do you do to relax that isn't craft related (is there such an ability?)?  

Read.  Read blogs, magazines for ideas and inspiration - is that craft related?  Spend time with friends and my family.  I LOVE old funny movies and really old, stupid scary movies.  I have a ridiculous sense of humor - Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Mr. W. and I can quote it. 

How did you come up with the name Waterstone?  

Hubs and I came up with the name when I only created jewelry.  My main focus was to retain a feeling of earthiness, organic, natural, etc.  Next step was to go through our narrowed down list.  Probably one of the main factors was to look at godaddy.com to see what was already taken on the www.

Who/what influences your work the most? 

The materials I have to work with.

What do you do when stuck in a creative slump to get yourself out? 

Walk away, look at pictures, online, magazines, etc.

What are your top 3 fave blogs? 

Oh dang.  That's tough.  I have categories and don't think I can answer that question either.  For sheer pleasure of reading, I love to get a laugh from Vodkamom, The Art of Doing Stuff, Pioneer Woman, and Scary Mommy.  For great stories, I like My Life, Lived My Way.  For artists, I'm loving AlisaBurke right now.  Ornamental is beautiful and poetic.  I've always loved the… oh wait, you said three.  Sorry.

Is there something about you that most people don't know but you are willing to share?  

I'm an extreme introvert, very shy, and have always fought low self esteem.  I'm practically a hermit.  I began to create jewelry while attempting to entertain my daughter who became very sick and was practically bed-ridden for 7 months followed by years of related illnesses and relapses.  Creating was an amazingly therapeutic activity.

How/why did you get started blogging? 

I started the Waterstone blog in November, 2008 after opening my Etsy shop in October, '08.  I think it was because it seemed liked a natural progression.  Since then, it's been through such evolution!  I've struggled and almost quit.  Ironicaly, once I decided to quit, I almost immediately knew the direction I wanted to take;  I decided to stop trying to please everyone and stress about what readers wanted.  I narrowed my focus.  I still need to set up a blogging schedule.  That's my all-time objective, but I don't think I'll ever make it because my mind is too scattered to stick to a schedule.

Thank you Lori, for answering all of my nosy questions, letting me take pics without permission of your home and studio and for becoming my friend!  I have truly enjoyed your company and your sense of humor over these past few months of getting to know you better through your blog and in person.  

And so you don't feel alone in your OCDness, Lorelei can attest that my closet was organized by color and also shirt sleeve type.  Tanks, three-quarters and long sleeves simply have no business being mixed together in my closet.

Don't forget to go to Lori's blog to enter for your chance to win one of her newest clutches HERE!

Waterstone Giveaway!

LOOK what you could win!  Isn't it gorgeous?  It is so soft!!!

And this is the inside...

And this is how you would hold it if you won.  Just like her model.  Because her model doesn't want it leaving the house!

From having been in Lori's studio and touched her bags and seen them with my own two eyes, as well as having won THIS little clutch, I can tell you that Lori's bags are TOP quality.  Outstanding sewing and design.  Unique bags like no one elses.  And they are functional!

Go HERE to enter for your chance to win.

Coming soon is an interview with Lori and pics of her studio.  I'm betting you will be ooohing and ahhhing with me.  I admit, when Lorelei and I went over to visit her this weekend, I was a bit rude.  I had my camera up to my face the majority of the time and participated very little in the conversation.  I was too busy snapping pics.  In my defense, the lighting was absolutely perfect and it eliminated any self-control I had to act like a polite adult.

Good Friends

This was a wonderful weekend and just what I needed!  Last week was rough, so I can not imagine a better way to end the week.  I seem to have kicked that low-grade fever I ran all of last week (crossing my fingers it stays gone!) and am getting back more energy.

Lorelei flew into town on Friday.  We joined Mr. and Mrs. Waterstone for dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant with Lorelei and our kids.  The kids behaved wonderfully (gasp!) and even behaved when we got invited back to Mr. and Mrs. Waterstone's home afterwards.  There was a studio tour (pics to follow later in an interview with Mrs. Waterstone!) and tons of laughter.  There was the petting of one loving Sophie dog and guarded attention towards Psycho Cat Oreo.

There was a breakfast at Waffle House, a drive-by next to the Big Chicken and a 45 minute walk through IKEA that resulted in the purchase of a couple of picture frames (remember my summer goal to update pictures in the house so it appears we have two children close to five and seven instead of just one child around two years old?) and a narrow/tall chest of drawers that will be PERFECT for art supplies.

There was a lunch at Chic-Fil-A and oohing and ahhing at two different bead stores.  There were raised eyebrows at the local antique mall and the purchase of an old brass ferris wheel/music box that will be a perfect birthday gift for my soon to be six year old.  There was a trek to the outlet malls and a little retail therapy (c'mon! who could resist a Banana Republic dress marked down to fifteen bucks from the normal sixty dollar price tag?) and a parking lot chase to get the golf cart security guard to tell us where the closest gas station was located (how on earth did I pull into the parking spot and NOT realize the car was on empty?).

There was a failed attempt to eat at P.F. Changs (darn that 40 minute wait!) and a successful attempt to eat at Taco Mac.  There was a lampworking tutorial that ended in an exploding bead because the teacher (who shall remain nameless!) couldn't stop yapping and forgot to tell someone else (who was a WONDERFUL lampworker in the making!) to keep the bead warmer.  Then there was more lampworking and fulfilling of requests and "What would this look like?" wishes.  Followed by a walk with Little Horse and the local tree frogs.

There was a walk on the Nature Trail and quite a bit of sweating in our muggy lovely Southern temps.  There was a bit of relaxing and more bead making.  There was laughter and there was peace.  Both were good and made for the best all-around-weekend in a long time.

Coming soon!  An interview with Lori Plyler of Waterstone.  A nugget giveaway for one lucky blog follower.  Pics of new eggs and beads inspired by bugs (don't go away! they WERE cool bugs!).

And hopefully no more whining of fevers, illness or late working hours interfering with torch time!

Tomorrow my babies start back to school.  The two month summer ended quickly after being filled with tons of swimming, fishing and time with family.  I can't believe I am the mom of a second grader and Kindergartner.  Much like this weekend, time flies by me way too quickly!

New Items in the Waterstone Shop!

I have introduced you to Lori of Waterstone Jewelry before.  She was gracious enough to allow me to make a video of her melting glass for the first time.  I drove over to her house a week or so ago (before I got strep) to deliver the bead she made and I got to meet her lovely Sophie dog.  Talk about a sweetheart!

Ok, I'm thinking it was definitely more than a week ago, because it was the first time I met her model.

Her model is also our new babysitter.  Did I tell you that we love our new babysitter? :D

When I delivered Lori's bead to her, she was kind enough to show me her studio.  It was so inspiring!  She had a workcenter for jewelry (with corkboards on the wall that openly displayed and simultaneously stored beads she uses the most --> GENIUS!), hammering/drilling, sewing, and displaying jewelry, as well as hanging all the finished wristlets and totes and storing leather/fabric for the totes and handbags.  There was also a great window overlooking a nearby pond.  Can you say Gorgeous?!

Lori made some new handbags and just got them listed in her shop.  Go check them out!

Eco friendly Embroidered Clutch

Colorful Floral Eco Reclaimed Leather Handbag

Unique Eco Reclaimed Leather Floral Handbag

My New Wristlet and a Bead Video

Lori of Waterstone stopped by to personally deliver the gorgeous wristlet I won on her blog.  I roped her into doing a video with me as she melted glass to make her first ever lampwork bead.  Not everyone would have agreed to doing something new for the first time, but I think it gives an accurate idea to folks that the first time is not easy to work out the multi-hand coordination needed.  If you're new to lampworking, then don't give up.  It wasn't easy for me the first time I tried it.  Or even the first dozen.  It felt so unnatural to me.

Thank you for agreeing and being a good sport, Lori! 

I'm a Winner! :D

Wow!  I never win stuff.  Anything.  Evah!

But I won this gorgeous little handmade leather wristlet from Lori Plyler of Waterstone on her latest giveaway!  How cute is this little wristlet!  I LOVE the little strap and the darker brown flower!!!

Lori shops around to find leather coats or big leather bags that she can reclaim and sew into gorgeously unique handbags, totes or wristlets.  She gives old leather new life and I LOVE it.  And not only does she make handbags, totes and wristlets, she also makes jewelry.  You can check out Lori's etsy shop HERE. 

I am so extremely excited about this!  I had the pleasure of meeting Lori in person about a month ago when I was sneaking around etsy buying up Lorelei's favorites as surprise birthday gifts.  After I bought this cute little wristlet from Waterstone, Lori emailed me and asked if I wanted personal delivery because she literally lives just a few miles from me!  So I have already seen in person what extraordinary workmanship and care goes into Lori's items.  Did I tell you I'm excited?!

The last time we met, I did not pull out my camera to document the occasion.  I'm sure Lori would have declined having just come from the gym and I was a mess from spending a few hours in the yard and still had leaves/branches in my hair, I'm sure.  This time, I'll make sure I'm showered so we can take pics and I can properly introduce you to Lori on my blog. :)  

I love when I find out that bloggers/artists I admire turn out to be my neighbors!

Eggs tonight.  Pics tomorrow!