Fears surfacing, or simply laziness?

So I had recently taken myself out of the personal blogging sphere to focus more on Cubed Gallery. But it got be thinking about the reasons behind my current stagnation - about why I feel so hesitant to throw myself headlong into chasing my dreams.

I get great feedback on all my pieces, they're well received by many people and I've already gotten interest from a few consignment stores. My goals this year are to submit to and be accepted to one or two high-end online consignment stores as well as be accepted to and participate in Manly and/or Bondi markets here in Sydney. I've virtually written my submissions for the con stores and only need to send them off. I've been accepted into Manly (but waitlisted for a jewellery spot to open up) and provisionally accepted into Bondi. All I need to do is send off my application and I'm in.

But I haven't done that. I've stalled. Why?

Perhaps I'm afraid of what may happen if I succeed? Sounds silly, but it kind of makes sense - it would really shake up the status quo of my life, wouldn't it?

Anyway, this has kind of crystalised it all for me and I'll try to push on. (Who says blogging is a waste of time?! It's cathartic and therapeutic! Life-changing perhaps...)

I'll keep you posted...
B

Tick Tock

Doesn't time march on?

It feels as though it was only last week we found out my sister was having twins, and on Monday they arrived all shiny and new into this world! Welcome Eamon and Darcy!!!! You've got so much love in the world already and I can't wait to see you on the weekend! xxx

I've been out sick for the past week, but even despite that these past couple of weeks have just flown by. Amazing really. I started the new job last week, so that's likely to have a bit to do with it. It's amazing the difference a job with a purpose makes, I feel like a new person!

I've also been working on some new pieces for MDP, which is exciting. I really like the look of the bezels, but for a more hand-made, organic feel I've been hand-cutting various shapes from plastic and using them as the base for resin. It's early days yet, but I'm really happy with the result. They feel very genuine to me, plus there is no end to the possibilities of papers, fabrics and billions of other materials I can use to pretty them up. I've also just received a shipment of some gorgeous vintage lucite beads in various greens, so I can't wait to sink my teeth into those! (Not literally, of course. I can imagine that would make a pretty horrific sound...)

Back to it! Not difficult when life feels so blessed...
B

Goals

Talking to my boss this afternoon, we realised just how close the end of the year really is. Its rather frightening actually... It means Christmas is but a few pay cheques away, and THAT means that soon enough, summer will be here. Which got me thinking about what I want to achieve by year's end.

- Start training for the Sydney Half-Marathon (in May next year) - Its my goal to run the full 21km
- Establish myself as a successful Etsy seller
- Become a stall holder at Glenbrook markets, Newtown Community markets and perhaps Glebe markets
- Submit, and be accepted to sell my wares on one or more Aussie/Independent Designer consignment (Georgie Love and ModaMuse in particular)
- Take up yoga and learn to meditate
- Spend as much time with Ben as possible
- Buy a puppy!! (Not really a bona-fide goal, but I really, really want one!!!)


Just keeping myself in check...
B

Beautiful Things

This gorgeous bag caught my eye on Etsy yesterday. Its from a hugely talented Aussie artist/illustrator from Perth. Ali J of aussiepatches has a wonderfully unique style that really makes the heart sing, and I for one want to draw some more attention to her gorgeous work, and that of other Aussie designers. If you know of any that might be up my alley, drop me a line...

Well Ben has had to go to Canberra for work *sniff* and this is our first night apart since the wedding... So I'll be throwing myself into some new pieces tonight, to take my mind off his not being there.

My kiddie's sized pendants were very well received by my sister's neighbours, so perhaps something along those lines. My resin studs were also really well received, having sold 2 pairs already. So they'll definitely be making a comeback.

I've also got at least 10 pairs of my teardrop earrings to sand and prep tonight, so hopefully they'll start appearing in store soon. I listed a red, pink, black and white pair this morning, so we'll see how it all goes.



In the meantime, let me know of any new designers that catch the eye - particularly Aussies and Kiwis. I feel we really need to get up and on the handmade, crafty bandwagon down here in the Antipodes. No more of this carbon-copy, shopping centre business.

Mwah!
B

Fun, fun fun!!

Well the weekend is over, and I feel as though I have been quite productive. Which is nice...

Friday night was a nice mixture of work (cutting endless circles and ovals of fabric and washi paper for upcoming earrings and pendants) and play. Ben went to a concert and came home with his brother and girlfriend in tow, and we proceeded to get rather jolly. We watched the last episodes of Arrested Development (what is wrong with networks - seriously! How can they axe a show as brilliant as this!?) and just chilled.

Saturday morning was the usual cleaning and washing frenzy, albeit with one half of the team down (it seems Ben was more jolly than me the night before!) Saturday afternoon I headed to the AFL to watch the Swannies and participate in the Field of Women event (which I mentioned last post). It was truly one of the most moving events to be involved in. There was a moment where the MC asked all survivors of breast cancer to raise both of their hands. I was astounded - standing around me were literally dozens and dozens of women with their hands held high. How could it be that this disease affects so many of us? The MC then asked those who were there to show their support for sufferers of breast cancer to raise both of their hands in the air. The entire stadium, all 65,000 people, stood, and raised their hands. It was quite incredible to see, and brought a tear to many an eye. Mine included.

Sunday was an absolutely glorious day. Ben and my Dad ran the City to Surf, and Mum and I had coffee and shopped! I then had some gifts to finish for my sister, which I'm quite happy with.

These Little Misses and Mr are for her next-door neighbours' kids. They're moving to Dubai for three years...







Ciao!!
B

Summer is on the way...

What a ridiculous thing to be saying when there is still 3 whole weeks of winter left! But on a gorgeous, warm day like today (24C, bluebird skies) you could be excused for thinking that we're half way through spring here in Sydney. But alas, no. I'm sure the weather will cool off again shortly, maybe just in time for the 60,000 punters running the City to Surf on Sunday. My hubby among them...Somewhere in there...



I myself will be spending a lot of the weekend working on my jewellery. I had planned on adding another few items to fully stock the shop, but I've already sold 2 and have one new custom order, so I feel like I'm starting from scratch. This weekend I think I'll focus on getting some more of my teardrop earring out there, as well as some more studs:



I'm also heading to Telstra Stadium to see the Swans kick St Kilda's bums, and to participate in the Field of Women event. A most worthy cause if ever there was one.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, with many a laugh and plenty of sunshine.
B

Thursdays hey??

Don't you just wish Thursdays were the last day of the working week?? Today, here in Sydney, it feels like a Spring afternoon and such a day in Winter is really only fitting for a Friday. Knock off early, meet your friends at the pub, sit in the beer garden talking about the week that was.....

But no. Thursdays are grocery shopping days, working out the fortnightly budget days, not having a wine because you've told yourself to not drink during the week, days.

Sometimes I find the only way to combat the mundane-ness (?), mundanity (?) is to write a list. (And listen to The Beach Boys, of course). That way I feel like I've achieved things, even if they're mundane. And that makes me happy. So tonight I have to:

- Pour new resin earrings
- Do the 3 piles of ironing currently sitting on the lounge
- Go grocery shopping
- Make dinner
- Package my Etsy sale from today (number 2 - in 6 days of Etsy-life - not bad at all!!)

This list makes me particularly happy. Not "Wow, its Friday afternoon lets go to the pub" kind of happy, but "Wow, I've got a pretty sweet life" kind of happy. I love doing normal things with my husband. I remember, before we got married, wanting nothing more than to come home and make a meal with him, sit down, watch some telly and crash out. It is these times that make up the bulk of our lives. These moments make the really special ones shine even more, and I, for one am grateful for them...

I told you lists make me happy!!

So I hope you (all - I feel ridiculous writing that!!) have as mundane an evening as me...

WOOF!