Moving Right Along

Whew! It's been crazy around here. I feel like my life is just one  big fort of plastic bins and cardboard boxes. I'm still preparing for the move. Packing up boxes, getting rid of most of our furniture and keeping most of our books. We may not have beds but we will have books... lots of books.

boxes and boxes of books!

A week ago My mama and I had a giant yard sale. My dodo self forgot to take pictures but yard sales are pretty self-explanatory so just use your imagination. We laughed, found new homes for our old things, and I found out just how bad at applying suntan lotion I really am. Having olive tone skin I hardy ever burn but unfortunately all the spots I missed were red as a tomato at the end of the day... and there were a lot of them. That was not fun.

What was fun though was getting to meet some really great people. I met two artists that day. A lovely lady by the name of Karen Gambale' Adezio who I am so glad I met. She runs the artist retreat Whispering Springs Haven in West Virginia. She told me all about her classes and I shared some of my experiences from going to Moore College of Art & Design. She had said she wanted to got there when she was young and was exited that I had. I look forward to the friendship I feel we started that Saturday morning talking about our art! We both agreed there was a reason for our meeting. The second artist I met was an elderly copper smith named Duilio Clemente. He was an absolute joy. He told my mama and I stories in broken English and sang me a song in Italian and even showed us a picture of a copper statue of liberty he sculpted that is now at Ripley's Believe It Or Not in Atlantic City. It's amazing the people you can meet just selling your old things in the front yard of a friends.

As for the new studio it's coming along very nicely. I have heard it was almost done but the last time I was in there I was excited to just have walls. I can only imagine what it looks like almost finished with flooring and everything! I also can't wait to finish moving, unpack the cardboard fort and start creating again. I find myself bursting with ideas only to see my studio packed in boxes. "Soon" I tell myself "Soon". All I have to do is be patient and not let my excitement get the best of me... We will see how that goes.

The Journaling Dilema

Ever wanted to keep a journal, but never really knew where to start?  I used to be that way. I would "futz" around with the little books that locked or said "for my eyes only", but I could never really get the hang of it.  I was never consistent in my writing. I just always felt I was missing something.

I finally discovered that I just hadn't really found my voice so to speak. Okay, so I know that may sound a bit silly, but it's true. I also found that the actual book of which you are writing in is actually quite important too. I mean seriously, if your not a frou frou kind of girl then it probably isn't a good idea to have a purple and pink fur covered diary from Claires... (not that I would know anything about that... note the sarcasm) And if you are, go for it! Whatever floats your pink sparkly boat!

It's just not what worked for me. I sought refuge in the pages of a 4x6, black, hard cover, Canson sketch book. I've been keeping a journal ever since for six years straight now. Though I did fill up one entire sketch book, which then prompted a trip to my local art supply store for a new one.

There is something so therapeutic about keeping a journal. Whether you write poems, songs, sketches, your thoughts or even just a few notes, it's getting it out of your head. Out of the spaces of your mind and onto paper. I often use it as a way to sort out my thoughts whether I'm just venting about what's on my mind or through a free writing exercise (something a bookmaking professor of mine introduced me to.) You just write whatever pops into your head for an allotted amount of time. No editing just as it is. That's why it's called free writing. As a person who has trouble with anxiety, clearing and quieting the mind is a wonderful thing.  Now days I write till my hand hurts and always in pen. Sometimes even till the tips of my fingers are stained with ink.

So here it is. A little free writing exercise for you to try if your feeling adventurous...

• Find an empty book. One that feels right and full of possibilities! Or grab your journal if you already keep one.

• Set aside a certain amount of time for yourself. Whether 10 minutes of an hour... however long you feel you need. I usually write for 30 minutes. I do suggest setting an alarm just so you don't end up writing forever.

• Then put you pen or pencil (if you prefer) to paper. Write down everything that comes to mind every rhythm and rhyme. At first it might be a little hard, but as you get into it you will get lost in your words. Your mind will take over and you will write what you feel.

• Finally, when your time is up read over what you wrote. Sometimes I like to high-light or circle bits and pieces that stand out to me. It's like a game of searching for hidden messages of inspiration for only you.

Now go on... get to writing!

Walls and Windows!

Say hello to my new studio!

Well sorta... it's not done yet but I'm so excited! This was the first chance that I had to actually see inside it... the four walls that would be the home of all my creative endeavors. A very important space. As soon as I walked though the door I could see where I was going to put everything! Every time I look at the pictures I imagine what the room will look like in it's completed state. This wall is for that, my desk will go here... oh and a chair for clients! My mind is filled with ideas and solutions of how to make the space an amazing studio that is just for Celebrated Lady. I mean for goodness sakes it has it's own closet... a frickin CLOSET!

It's so cool to see the whole process as it comes together too. First there is nothing then there is something! I mean come on it's not even finished and I'm running around acting like a kid on Christmas with this thing. This room is so much more then that to me. It speaks of growth for my business and progress not only for my creative life but my whole life in general. I'm so happy I get to share this. It will be so much fun to keep up-dating the progress of my studio and it's journey to completion as well as my personal growth as an artist!

Little Beads

One of my favorite parts of what I do is making my own beads. So... this week when I wasn't busy packing and building towers of boxes taller then myself... I did just that. There is just something so wonderfully therapeutic about it. It creates a wonderful break from preparing for the move. Most of the jewelry in the shop consists of components that I hand craft myself in my studio out of clay. This means I have to spend a lot of time each week molding each little bead by hand and then baking them to their finished state so that they are ready for use. I can't just go out to a store to get more if I run out. This is why I am constantly working on building up my collection, molding and mixing the clay to make vibrant and exciting colors. It's all part of the creative process for me. By making my own beads I get to explore whatever I dream up... whatever I design. I compare it to being able to design your own fabric print. The chance to make your wildest imagination come to life is a very freeing feeling. I thank my lucky stars every day that it's what I do for a living.

I thought I would also share the little Holly Hobby illustration that is on the place mat I use to protect my table while working with clay. It was my Mama's a long time ago and I found it... and started using it. I love the little image that creates a delightful surface to work on. Up in the corner  it says, "Don't go thru life so fast you forget to smell the flowers." I love this because, it's just how I feel when I'm making beads. I take the time to think things through, de-stress, and create jewelry.

Leaving Rose Hill

I love Spring at Rose Hill.  The old boards creak beneath my feet as I walk through each room... every room has it's own smell... it's own story. Light and air flow through the windows transforming the hibernating old house into a lively sun washed escape.  This is my last Spring at Rose Hill... I plan to remember every bit... every moment of it.

Rose Hill is my childhood home. I have lived other places but nowhere as long as I have here. Since I was three these plaster walls have been my home. The almost 100 year old house isn't fancy and in fact needs a lot of work but for me it's always been home. I know I will cry the last day I leave for good.

I have left Rose Hill before but I've always been able to return... this time I will not be able to. My Mama is moving on to a new home as well.  I have had this feeling in a minor form before when I graduated college. A place I lived in for four years. The place I really feel I became who I am in I had to leave. I knew the day would come... goodness I wanted it too. My last days spent there I even felt like I no longer belonged, it was no more my home... and I could never just walk the halls or sit in my sun soaked dorm overlooking the city streets. I feel very much the same way now. I feel Rose Hill is pushing me on like a good parent knowing that I have the rest of my life ahead of me, that this house is no longer meant for me... and knowing once I leave I can never come back.

I am so full of mixed emotions. Excitement for my new home, a new place to fall in love with and to create memories in. A home with so many things I want and need. At the same time though my eyes tear with leaving the home I've loved for so long. Even though I know my Mama and I are making the right decision there are always those little devils of "what if" and "doubt". They creep in at moments when least expected, but I do know that this is the right path.  The time has come to move on, to grow, and that just can't happen here at Rose Hill. 

So with that being said to combat the evil "doubts" and "what ifs" I am choosing to focus on what I am over the moon excited about. Like being closer to family and friends. Having the space to throw dinner parties and for all the new and exciting memories to make that I have not yet even thought of.

 One of the major things I'm super excited about is my new studio. Don't get me wrong I'm very appreciative of even having a studio. My current studio has great character.  Two Large pocket doors lead into a cozy room with a wood stove is in the room and is surrounded by natural brick... I love exposed brick so it makes up for the space the stove takes up.  The room was once my Dad's den, then the family computer room, till I took it over to use as my studio. I have loved working in the space but I have never truly been able to make it mine... in an odd way I have always felt I was borrowing it. At my new home I have a room that will just be mine... and it helps that it has it's own closet! My current studio has no built in storage once so ever. 

Even though it will be sad to move on, when I think about it it's not really that hard to. It's time. I have so much to look forward to and I'm glad that I finally can begin to share this journey with others. A lot has changed for me in the past two years and I know there are still so many more changes to come.  I'm excited for the adventure.