Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Spring Cleaning and other stuff...


Two new pairs of Guidepost earrings...

Well, here we are the first of March, and with it the realization that things are going to start getting really busy.  I've enjoyed the relative quiet since Christmas time.

There is the tax paperwork that needs to be done.  Arrrggghhh...I've put it off as long as I can, and it must be faced.  (as soon as I get off the computer!  I promise!) :)

After that, I need to start preparing for the BIG Easter egg hunt we host every year.  I have about 45 dozen egg shells that need to be dyed for to make the confetti eggs.

And!!!  My Mom and youngest Sister are coming to visit in April!!  I'm very excited.  I love cooking for my little sister, she makes me feel like I'm a great cook.  My Mom wants to see the Blue Bonnets here in Texas, and I'm hoping they will be in full bloom for her.  Perhaps even a little road trip?  I hope so....

And having company means Spring Cleaning.  I hate cleaning.  But it must be done....
And, speaking of Spring Cleaning, I have been doing a little Spring Cleaning on my blog list.  And my Face Book page.

I've just been doing some thinking.  I've been reading back issues of Art Jewelry magazine, and I've noticed that more than one featured artists talk about not really following the work of other artists in their field.  In order to keep their work pure.  

It is an idea that really appeals to me.  

But I am also torn.

I have some true friends that also happen to be jewelry artists.  You know the ones.  The ones that are genuine and sincere.  That compliment your work when it's good, encourage you when you're down.  Ones who are willing to share resources, tricks of the trade, a heads up on new products that would make our jobs easier....

Kinda like the people I only want to have around me in "real life".  I tend to separate from people that don't give me a warm fuzzy feeling in person, so why follow people who I don't connect with on any level?

As large as the Etsy community is, it really isn't that big.  I'm jaded at seeing so many things looking the same.  Same jewelry, same manipulation of photos (look everyone!  I can fade out my photos too!!), same fonts on blogs,  etc, etc.  

And my worst fear is that I am being influenced by it as well.  I wonder how much in denial might be.  

I am looking to find purity in my Spring Cleaning....I hope I find it...

6 comments:

  1. Sounds like you've got some great things to come! I know the cleaning and the taxing aren't fun- but, once they're done, what a feeling of relief you have and you can truly enjoy your family's visit!

    I know what you mean about the "weeding out". I get so cranky when I see someone who's making things that just look like everyone else's. I try not to follow so many of those blogs either. But, you are right- you do have to keep a certain circle around you that has gained your friendship by being a truly genuine person regardless of their medium. I think a few shared tips here and there are good- we can feel so disjointed, so isolated in this business that that community really does help rather than hinder to an extent. Sorry for the novel!

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  2. I'm glad I'm not the only one bugged by the sameness! :) Thank you for your support!

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  3. Definitely not the only one! I'm usually pretty out of it when it comes to what other people are making, but I make a quick search before I list & get frustrated if I see that something I've made can be found anywhere else. I know that's my own problem, so I try not to obsess about it too much. I just take in all the info I can about technical things like photos, tags, techniques, etc and otherwise do what I like to do. It can be a disconnected feeling, but it's better than feeling like part of the crowd. After coming back to my own blog, I've done some cleaning up too, but it's hard! Have to admit, out of the many blogs on my list, there are about 3 I visit regularly. Anyway, you have nothing to worry about, I think your work really stands out as unique. And I'm with your mom, would love to see those Blue Bonnets! Cleaning, on the other hand, grumble grumble...

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  4. First, beautiful new earrings; 2nd, I hear you about the "sameness" (you & I have discussed this more than once), taxes (just finished ours), and the cleaning, I also hate to clean no matter what it is but sometimes it's very necessary be it your home or your social networks. Thanks for a thought-provoking post.

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  5. I worry about being influenced by others work, ideas etc too..it's hard when you want to involve yourself with others by blogs or facebook etc, to encourage/share with them. I have seen a few 'copies' out there....
    Your earrings are lovely by the way...you are getting really good at them!

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  6. Thanks for all the comments ladies. I enjoy looking at others work too, but I'm just not certain how much I'm being influenced. I love all the people I have gotten to know, and hope to continue to meet more jewelry artists!

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