Value

This word has been in my mind lately...  Value yourself, value your work, value your time and others will value it as well.

I see artists who don't give themselves credit where credit is due, or don't think others will value their work for it's worth.  Unfortunately, we are being blasted with consumption and commercialism, especially now around the holidays, with marketing and sales everywhere.   Large companies are also trying to get more profit through selling quantity of sales and "pretending" to cut prices to move product when they are really still profiting or they wouldn't be able to do it.  More isn't always better, just as bigger isn't always better.  Many people don't realize that manufactured items are not always made to last, but it has to feed into changing fashion, and product demand to keep the cycle going.  Sometimes the right thing for the right time for the right use for the right person can mean much more than product for product's sake.  As I heard once, do we own the things we have (and want) or do they own us...  Get more bang for your buck by savoring things that mean something, acknowledging efforts around you, giving credit where credit is due, and investing in yourself and others.

December

Brrr. It's cold out!  Great weather for scarves and blankets.  Wouldn't it be cozy to curl up under one with a good book and hibernate...or bundle up and go out for a walk in the brisk air.  Oh, it would be nice to take the time.  I'm trying to pace myself this busy holiday season looking forward to getting a break in January...Meanwhile, I have thoughts of the aromas of warm, fresh baked goods in the air and the tastes in my tummy.  Holiday cookies anyone?  Time to satisfy in the senses all around and savor the gifts given to us.

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

I've been busy around the Studio & Gallery.  Though it is just Thanskgiving, I have to start celebrating Christmas to compete in the retail world and keep up with the consciousness of the consuming customer.  I also chomp at the bit to get it over with.  Yesterday, at the end of the day, I put out the Christmas tree and more holiday decorations so that I would have things ready for Friday.  In some ways it was festive, perhaps because of the anticipation.  Maybe I am just brainwashed by society.  Today I will enjoy Turkey, give Thanks for all that I have (health, home, friends, family), and take a moment from all that production and consumerism.  Kudos to the chefs and cooks, too, who serve up the bounty we shall enjoy.  The right tool in the kitchen is priceless.  Make it an artful accent as well. 

Seasonal Thoughts

"tis the season"...Well, it seems early to be thinking of the Holidays, but also like they have almost passed by already.  The hype has started (actually a while ago).  Commercials began before Halloween in October and decorations started to appear in the home stores after Labor Day in September.  Yesterday, I turned on the radio to listen as I was working in the studio and they were playing Christmas songs in November, before Thanksgiving, and not the very good ones.  I'll be tired of them before December even rolls around.  I'm in a bit of a quandry because I, too, have to be in the Holiday mode for the Gallery.  I have to market with the messages that everyone is hearing and try to attract sales before it is too late.  I also have to step up production to have things made in time, or it will be too late and they will have to wait until next year.  It's hard to push the practical side when, as an artist, I would just like to let the creative energy flow in it's own direction.  Sometimes,  I would like to relax and ride the wave with others rather than to make it.

Chill in the Air

It's November 1st...finally close to freezing outside at night.  I am thinking I like heat and warmth to keep the chill away.  Yesterday I wound 3 warps to put on looms and set up 1 loom for scarves.  I'm working with black and brown base warps, though I was also eyeing some turquoise and teals on the shelf.  This is the time I try to make as many scarves as I can for the upcoming gift giving season.  I have so many ideas, but can only weave 1 warp on 1 loom at a time.  Usually I try to take Monday off, but I have lots to do and I like what I do.  Can I get it all done?  And attend to non-studio activities.  There are still errands to do, bills to be paid, laundry to be washed and shopping to be tended to....Well, I paid some bills, did some errands, wove 3 scarves and put a new warp on a loom.  It seems I work harder when things seem slow, though I also sometimes wonder why?  Shouldn't that be the time to take a break?

Feeling Fall-ish

To blog or not to blog?  Is that the question?  Looking for new areas to conquer on the web, or be conquered by.  Just moved into a new Studio & Gallery space, the summer is over and thoughts are turning to development and new projects.  Crisp Fall weather is here and soon the Winter holidays will be upon us.  Scarves and woolens are coming out.  Have you ever tried selling scarves and blankets in 90F weather?  It's not that easy!  Weavers live for cooler weather.  The smell of wood smoke is in the air and cool nights demand warm hearths.  Currently, I'm working on rag-woven wood totes and log carriers to use up some of the odds and ends that came out of the closets during the move - old corduroy, wool, and cotton.  Re-cycle, re-purpose and re-use!