Saturday, February 28, 2009

To Trend or Not to Trend, That is the Question

I haven't been creative lately save for the bookmarks, and I have been feeling the drain that it causes. The craft room slowly became a shambles, so I am cleaning it up again in anticipation of working in it. I have girly music on the mp3 player, a cool smelly candle, and diet coke so I'm good to go. Even when I am not crafting, I still watch the jewelry trends, and the one that has caught my eye is lots of big chain. I like the look, but I haven't utilized any chain in my own design. I haven't been drawn to try either. I also know there is at least one woman out there who can't stand the look. I watch channel 9 news in Chicago in the morning and at noon (LOVE them) and naturally I look at what kind of jewelry the women wear, and chains have been a big pat of their accessories. The play their voice mails, and this woman was very harsh with her criticism of the look. I like it, I just can't seem to find the desire to follow trends. I just do what the beads tell me to ;)

What about you? Do you follow trends, whether it be shoes, jewelry, food, etc, do you stick to what you know, or are you your own trend setter?

Listening To: The Cranberries

Monday, February 16, 2009

Inspiration or How the Muse Moves Me


Although I've always loved music, I've never always loved concerts. My uninformed take was "just turn their album up loud and it's the same thing". Then I went to my first rock concert. James took me to a Tori Amos concert long ago, and it was great, but nothing like the Rob Zombie concert I went to with him. I soon started going to concerts with him and a friend of ours regularly, and I can tell you that there is nothing like live music. Real live music, not the pre recorded lip sync stuff. Music is like water to me, it has seeped into every corner, it has found its way into every part of my personality. There have been times that I have gotten a point across better with a song than with words. Music definitely is a part of my creative process.


Have you seen the commercial where a woman walks past a shop window, sees a brooch, and is inspired to go home and make nachos? I have had a couple of moments like that, where I see something and I get an image of a finished necklace based on what I see. Sometimes scent will help an idea along, sometimes a TV show, sometimes a friend's favorite color. I have found that inspiration finds me, and not the other way around. I think I may try an experiment. One day, I will go somewhere, maybe a museum, and search inspiration out for myself instead of letting it come to me. In the meantime, the surest way to get my muse to show is with music.


Listening To: Pink Floyd - Learning To Fly, A Momentary Lapse of Reason

Friday, February 13, 2009

Look Who's in the 21st Century!


Long, long ago in a lifetime far, far away I was pretty savvy when it came to electronics, or at least I thought so. I could figure out how this appliance or that cd player worked with very little if no instruction , and I wasn't afraid of new tech gadgets. Fast forward to the present day. I have a good grasp on computer basics, and I can navigate the internet well (although I still use Yahoo! to browse). It's the new stuff, like blogging, myspace, facebook, that I am hung up on. I do blog now, Captain Obvious said, and I am just now wading in the waters of Facebook. I just don't know where I went from I Can Do It Myself to Hey Honey Can You Come Here A Second. I tried an all out assault on the internet and got so confused I did nothing. Apparently baby steps into social networking is my best bet. Baby steps aren't my forte. Maybe I can find a new patience download. Wonder how much hard drive space patience takes? ;)
Listening To: Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance (from The Opposite Side of the Sea)
PS Thank Rudy for spellcheck ;) ( Ask Bill Cosby who Rudy is)

Sunday, February 8, 2009

back to basics




Putting the finishing touches on a bookmark order feels really good. I haven't sat down and put together anything since I had some girlfriends over in November. These are special bookmarks as well. My aunt works with the mentally challenged, and she is really dedicated to her work. I am making these per her request to sell for a fundraiser. She provided the frogs, I am providing the rest, and they should make the center a little money. I also have an order to go out tomorrow. It's overdue but I hope it will be worth the wait.

The road to success is such a slippery steep slope, and I'm not a hiker by any means. I will get there, though. As my oldest friend says, In 2009 Wednesday Night Accessories will shine. She is successful, so she knows what she is talking about ;)

Listening to: Cree Summer - Miss Moon