News from the Fronts

So many blogs seem to have this post, and I felt left out -

Wow, it has been awhile since I posted anything. :)

Life has been hectic, and my perfectionism has really delayed me in getting my stuff together.

Well, I started my business, filled out all the forms and licenses and such. I ordered mailing envelopes and boxes. I even planned on the look of the box design. I set up an Etsy account, a personal website and bought a new camera, got a light box and even filed taxes (easier than I expected, since nothing has been put up for sale yet) - I have even made a few items for sale, and that was where my perfectionism silenced me with a delay, which dragged on and on and on.

I commit now when we return from vacation, that I will be posting more, and getting my pictures up on Flickr and my website . Also, I plan on tweaking some of the website items to get it a bit better.

Yep, November (almost a year after starting it) my business will need to pick up - and at least, I avoid the downfall of many businesses that end in their first year. LOL

In less than 24 hours we start the vacation we have been planning for over four years! Our great-niece and godchild Chenoa's fifth birthday trip to Disneyworld! This is more than a chance to spoil the heck out of her, it is teaching a valuable lesson about keeping promises. We promised her at her 1st birthday that she will be celebrating her 5th birthday with Mickey Mouse! And years of planning are allowing us to keep that promise - big time. I have a special time with her planned, we are going to a princess tea party!

And on the WOW front, my alt hit 85 yesterday. Finally, after quite a few years (we started a few months after it went live with our primaries - which are still in the mid-60's). :) But, that felt great to accomplish.

Oh, and I won't be doing Nanowrimothis year. I won two years (Thicker than Water and Terra Infirma), and a few months ago finally dragged out my manuscript and started re-reading it with the idea to get it edited for submitting in a year or so. It wasn't as horrid as I expected, but the story arc seemed really crazy. After reviewing Thicker than Water, I think I have a trilogy trying to fold itself into one story - some parts seemed SO rushed and needed expanding, others seemed to be a natural break. So, I have Steve reading it and checking what he thinks and will be working on that also.

Yep, tons of life, not very public - but I learned much over the year.

Friday...

Last night was the January Columbus Polymer Clay Guild meeting. We are trying something new, we are doing demos from Polymer Clay Color Inspirations: Techniques and Jewelry Projects for Creating Successful Palettes by Lindly Haunani and Maggie Maggio
I liked the new format for the meeting. We did the normal stuff, but in addition, we went around the room and introduced ourselves. We also did hands on demo, and I really was glad we are doing them again. I liked it so much that I volunteered for June's demo. It will be the color triangle from the book. I like the project, very enlightening - but can be very, very repetitive mixing all the colors. I started a few different ones before, and got really bored in the middle. When it is exploring, I enjoy, when it is rote - not so much. But the end product is just so cool, and really helpful.
	I am slowly working through Katherine Dewey's Creating Lifelike Figures in Polymer Clay. A really great book, and really a cool concept in how to sculpt – everything is drawn from base units. You use a set number of units or fractions of a unit for the facial parts, for arms, legs, or torso. Then you place “appliqués” that simulate the muscle and bone, and smooth them out to give it skin. It really is very detailed, very step by step, and organized. It also has a set of tools to make to help make the sculpting easier. The computer programmer brain likes the idea, and the creative part really likes that you can use the base idea and move from there!

I have been drawn to Polymer clay ladies faces - and have been using fantastic molds that I have purchased. But, if I want to go much father with them, I feel the need to make my own faces and molds from them. This book has made me feel that I could do that and really is quite a great wealth of information.

Frustration and Inspiration

Last night I was soooo frustrated with my clay - I didn't even want to be in the same room as it! I have been trying to get some Christmas ornaments done for the Dayton Guild meeting coming up Saturday, and designed them (mine and Steve's - the ornaments frustrated him out of wanting to even do them it seems) I made his using techniques he would maybe enjoy, and I liked the way my sample came out. Now time to make the mass production.. BLECH. I remember why I don't do craft shows... I like to make one of a kind stuff, not mass produced items. I get sooooooo bored and quickly. I just gave up, the crystals didn't behave, tools went missing, and the clay just wasn't working for me! I left the room last night and didn't turn back.

This morning, I was wandering around the web while my work system rebooted and I saw some of my Flickr people had posted - seeing other's work tends to inspire me. I really wanted to run down and get my hands in the clay again. Thanks to all my friends on Flickr - those ornaments should be a snap tonight!

Wow...

Been forever. It is the first snow here, and so I choose to update the blog, hopefully you like the new colors.

I have a bunch of new items to take pictures of, been working in the studio (it finally became that and it feels right - thanks Sue! :D ). It has been so much fun to have a space to get creative in. Each of us "resident artists" (Myself, Steve and Chenoa) have our own areas, and we have an extra spot for guests! We have our first clay play day coming up.

Well, off to adjust the site more and get the pictures done. I will update the post with pictures when I have a chance later.

Project Update

1. Project for a pair of ladies coming to visit - clay made and baked (sand/buff and put together)
2. A mask using info in a demo for Orphan Childeren in Ghanna
3. Shower curtain rings - African Animals - did research on canes, and animal face photos
4. Color study for Dayton Guild
5. Christmas Ornaments (12-15) for Dayton Guild - designed need to make prototype
6. Two pendants for swap with SanDiego Guild
   
7. Two backup pendants for swap with SanDiego Guild - started, liked it - but not there yet, needs more work.
8. Christmas Pens for people at work - not sure of design yet, still have to build them (50 or so)
9. 48 Polymer clay "inchie" tiles for Buckeye Bash next Feb - want to get done early for once in my life
10. Teach Niece and her friend how to make some jewelry in order to sell at swap meet
11. Christmas Present for Mom - she don't know what it is yet - and I am not spilling the beans, since currently she is my only follower!
12. Requested to teach using rubber stamps with polymer clay - a demo for Columbus Polymer Clay Guild

What have I gotten into...

I have the following projects that are due in various months by the end of the year...

1. Project for a pair of ladies coming to visit
2. A mask using info in a demo for Orphan Childeren in Ghanna
3. Shower curtain rings - African Animals for my Mom's approval - and maybe use
4. Color study for Dayton Guild
5. Christmas Ornaments (12-15) for Dayton Guild
6. Two pendants for swap with SanDiego Guild
7. Two backup pendants for swap with SanDiego Guild
8. Christmas Pens for people at work - not sure of design yet, still have to build them (50 or so)
9. 48 Polymer clay "inchie" tiles for Buckeye Bash next Feb - want to get done early for once in my life
10. Teach Niece and her friend how to make some jewelry in order to sell at swap meet
11. Christmas Present for Mom - she don't know what it is yet - and I am not spilling the beans, since currently she is my only follower!
12. Requested to teach using rubber stamps with polymer clay - a demo for Columbus Polymer Clay Guild

I keep feeling like I have forgotten something, but it will probably come up soon.  I will post pictures and info about most of them (not any surprises until they have been given away. :D)

Been a week...

Let's see.  The Dayton guild was FANTASTIC... tons of fun and really learned a lot.  The crew was just great, and I really got into the bead making.  I have made a few since I have been home that I need to share.   Have to get the camera fixed to post those and the earrings I made for Jessi's birthday.

This week was getting Mickey Mouse his new home.  Mickey is now firmly entrenched in the garden.  It is more than just a tilled piece of back yard.  I have the water going on it now.  It has lettuce, carrots, beets, zucchni, pole beans, sunflowers and corn.  There is a spot for watermelon and tomatoes, which I need to pick up later today.  I am a bit beat and want to blast some things in WOW. :)  Bobbi is going to try and solo Gnomergon (sp) while Mickey enjoys the shower.

I travel to Chicago this week, and really think it could be fun. :)

The things we do for our craft...

It is early, earlier than I get up for work.  I was up until 1am last night making some beads out of scrap clay for the Dayton Guild meeting this morning. :)  We are suppose to bring beads we have made that we don't like.  I didn't have any that I could find, so I mushed together last night a ton of beads out of scrap clay - and some of them I like, but others weren't as nice.  I am taking them along with the air dry polymer roses - maybe the ladies will like them.  I have to get going, shower, meds and then out the door... to drive to Dayton for the meeting.

The things we do for fun. :)  I will post pictures of my beads when I get back.

Chris

Happy Mother's Day...

Today has been pretty good.  Had breakfast with Jessi, Chenoa and Steve this morning and played with clay again today.

I gave Jessi a pair of earrings I made yesterday, and she seemed to like them.  I will post a pict when I can get one. :)  They were purple heartlike shapes with silver ball.

Totally been stuck in World Of Warcraft.  Bobbi is climbing the ranks, just is currently 60.  After I get her up there, then will come Mercodis my warlock.

Mom also received her pins Friday - all is much better.

Missing Ladies found!!!

We still don't know why, but the post office changed the zip code and the ladies bounced around a bit and now are back home safe with me.  Whew!  So, I am excited, and Mom can't wait until I send them to her - they will become a mother's day present I hope.

Chenoa and I were out on the back porch tonight, and she made my day.  She looked up at the sky and said she made a wish.  "I wish to spend more time with you Uncle Chris."  That just makes you feel all warm inside!  I told her I made one also, "I want to be a happy as she is, always."
Well, I am off to bed - read a few blog posts out there before bed.  Love the Polka Dot Cottage!  Lisa has such lovely work, I am impressed with it.  Take a look yourself and see what I mean... http://lisaclarke.net/

Night!

Frustrated...

Seems like the post office lost Mom's presents.  So at least I will release the pictures, you can see the ladies above.  They were magnetic pins for her, and I at least have the pictures to share.

I will have to make some more and send them to her.

I hope some person at the post office, about to go postal, found them and felt relaxed and serene...  I know I did while making them.


Chris

Yesterday - Cincinatti

Had a blast yesterday.  Got to see Linda's studio - http://www.lyndasartistichaven.com/ and it was a blast to see her and her space.  Plus, all the really cool items she has been working on.  Got to see two necklaces she put in a juried show - can I just say Gorgeous!?  I am a bit envious of her talent, but seeing all the pieces she had around the room, she has been practicing for longer than I have.  I just have to keep up working on it.

We also saw Disney's Mary Poppins, which while it was fun, seemed disjointed to me - the story was fragmented.  There was more song and action that story, which makes sense because the crowd at the matinee were a good majority parents/grandparents with young kids most seemed 5 to 9.  My issue was there wasn't much that felt like Disney - like Beauty and Beast and Lion King had.  It was a very good production, and a few moments were decidedly Disney - but didn't have the heart stopping wonder that I felt I saw in the other two shows.  It was a little flat.  But, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious was WONDERFUL and amazingly choreographed - that was a Disney moment and Mary's departure was one also.  But, they were moments, not the broad brush strokes that were in the other two.

Then, through rain and crazy drivers, we went to IKEA.  We have an IKEA near us again, and I am happy.  We used to have one down the street, not two hours away, but I will take it.  It was very different than the one in Schaumburg, it was on two floors, and the pathway through was winding and meandering.  Every bit of floor space was given up to displays.  Not the large roomy version in Illinois.  It was fun, and some how two hours vanished.  I do have finally a set of dresser drawers - since we weren't able to get our ones from Illinois up the stairs of the house, have been using a book shelf for clothes.  That along with tilling the garden again are my tasks for today.

But Bobbi needs a level, and I wanted to relax and do that also.

Welcome...

Welcome to my blog.

I felt the pressure to join the world in the blogosphere.

I have been posting randomly (mostly my writing in November for nanowrimo (see nanowrimo.org) on live journal. But, everyone else is doing so - and mom was always worried that I would jump off a cliff some day because my friends were doing it.  So, I am finally jumping. 
Little did she know I joined the Lemmings Adventure Group in World of Warcraft and as lemmings we have leaped off several cliffs in our lifetime (usually I led the way! :D) 

You can expect to find notes about my ecclectic mix of hobbies and what I enjoy here- Polymer Clay projects, Writing, Reading, Video Gaming and programming (current kick is video games for XBOX 360), learning about life from a 3yr old and now Gardening.  And maybe some scary side adventures along the way - always wanted a table saw and now I have a garage to put it in!  Hush Steve!

I will try to post often, but at this time I am not sure how often will be - let's see how it all works out.

Thanks for the visit,
Chris