Week 3... a school-busy... artistically-quiet week.

Alright,

This week, I dropped the ball... or maybe didn't drop it but its definitely dribbling away from me.

I didn't post a goal at the beginning of the week, like I had hoped I would. And I didn't really think up one either... To be honest. I looked at my schedule for the week and just hoped to make it through without becoming too frazzled .. It is now Friday... the last day of my work week..YEAH!
My Saturdays are when I have time to myself and can focus my time on being creative and begin my personal rejuvenation for the week ahead.  Looking forward to tomorrow!

I did, however, get several things started and accomplished this week! Check it out!



A friend of mine asked me to make a Sock Monkey hat for her grandson. The little boy is three years old and it is my understanding that he LOVES his Sock Monkey toy to pieces and she thinks he'll be thrilled to have a hat to match!

The first hat I made ended up being HUGE... OK well huge for a 3 year old (it fit my head). So I began hat #2. I kept hat #1 to make sure I didn't goof up again... I was constantly measuring the cranium of #2 to #1.

Hat #2 finished... Now for the features! ...notice the mouth off to the side. It looks silly when it's not attached to the hat.

All Done! And WAAYYY better than I had expected. I am so proud of the way Mr. Sock Monkey came out. ---I almost don't want to sell him.

The eyes are made out of black buttons that have been sewn onto the hat... And I made the ear flaps double thickness... they are great!

I finalized the etsy post for Mr. Sock Monkey this evening... you can view it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/127244120/reserved-for-meg-cildrens-sock-monkey

I will also create a post for custom ordered Sock Monkey hats so that the public can place orders with their choice of colors and design...



Other things this week...

My sister gave me this hair clip she made... I LOVE IT! Its made of a bobby pin and button and selection of feathers... I am trying to get her to make some for my etsy shop!

Here is another pic of the hair clip.. I was trying to get a good shot of the super pretty shiny green feather but kept getting glare from the table. But I love the way the brown table accents the brown button and pulls out the browns in the feathers.




I also finished crocheting the octopus hat I started months ago...

 ...and started painting the Bright YELLOW Eyes!

I'm not sure I like the way the acrylic paint was sticking to the button... It started peeling... Even after I sprayed it with a semigloss... I'm going to try coating it with nail polish... Usually that is my go-to... It's like duct tape!




Also! Check out this teapot and cup set one of my students is making .. this is an independent project. She is no longer in my class (her ceramics class was first term and ended in January) so she's been coming in during her study hall and after school to work on it.

Week 2

Meet Rex:

He is a project I started a while ago, and let rest.. WHY? I donno... He's so friggen cute! Rex is currently in my pile of  "next projects" I can't wait to get started back up on him.

Rex is made up of foil gum wrappers!!! - Yes he is shiny! The background/paper was colored with leftover acrylic paint, and actually has a nice variety of visible blue streaks in the brushstrokes. I enjoy the combination of materials used so far. After Rex is foiled (haha).. I will be adding other details like grass and sand and twigs... any ideas? I am open to suggestions!




Remember last week's post???

Let me quote :

"At the same time, It is said that if you create a goal for yourself and post it publicly (like on this blog) you are 100% more likely to achieve that goal....
...Therefore: Long term Goal 1: Blog at least once each week. Long term Goal 2: Create ONE GOAL for myself each week and post it in that blog."




HA! ....Um... It's not the beginning of the week... and I have no idea what I want my goal this week to be. I guess it was to uphold last week's goals and prove to myself that I could do it.... WELL! A goal is meant to be worked on ...right? and to be worked for.... hard? OK... I'm working on it... and I will get better! I keep telling myself this (the blogging thing) is a process. Meaning, I need to get in the habit of blogging... That, and reminding myself of the goal of my blogging well help me get there.

Right now (I am still tweaking the wording) the goal or purpose of my blogging is

One: I love being creative! and I want to share my creative ideas, endeavors and experiences with others. 
Two: I express myself through my creativity and, in turn, want to use my creative skills to help others express themselves! I hope others can use the accessories I have available at my shop, to help their personality shine!
Three: Therefore I intend to build awareness of the work I have done and to make it available to others through my etsy shop. www.etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer


..Like I said, it's not "done" and I definitely have a lot more little "tid bits" I want to add to my goal...


I am also acquainting myself with the ability to schedule posts... I hope this can help me remain more active on this blog... And help me gain some views (my stats are terribly low, I got 2 views this week). 
 

Also, a quick plug. Sandy Steen Bartholomew is a local artist that I was introduced to a few years ago. She is funny and fun and very creative! Sandy hosts an open studio every Friday night at the BeeHive... Tomorrow, I will be working on my RBBIZ plan... Check out her blog:
beezinthebelfry.blogspot.com/

Introducing Goals... (Week 1)

I am starting a journey... to a better developed, well planned and successful business.... (ie: my Etsy shop, http://etsy.com/shop/barefootedwanderer)

"When you take consistent, concrete steps forward from a place of passion, purpose, and service you can make a meaningful and positive difference, and from that sweet spot the money will flow."

http://rightbrainersinbusiness.com/
Borrowed from the RBBIZ website...  

As I mentioned in my previous post I have been partaking in the Right Brain Business Video Summit for the last week and a half. It's been great! I've not only learned things I can use for my Etsy shop/ creative business but I have learned so much that I can apply to my life in general! It has been a wonderful experience of personal development. 

The program has offered many valuable suggestions and ideas, and has demonstrated to me over and over again that I am not the only one "trying to get off the ground" with my shop/business... (as it sometimes feels).
One of the conversations the other day, is still resonating with me. It discussed how we often see established artists/artisans and idolize them. We think, Wow! They took off! They do their craft all day! They're successful  This is their job! ...then logical/reasonable thought may progress to.... If I want to be successful (like them), I could just throw it all in, get the stuff I need, quit my day job and jump in, 100%, GO! BUT!... Even these successful entrepreneurs had to work at it, it takes time, and it takes effort, dedication. and patience... then your business will grow... SO, when I become frustrated that my business just doesn't seem to "go" its... so small... and not well known... I remind myself of that conversation .. even the "Great ones" started small... and they had to work at it. 



During the RBBIZ summit they've also suggested that if you blog or have a newsletter make sure you are posting/publishing consistently. Not constantly... but consistently...

At the same time, It is said that if you create a goal for yourself and post it publicly (like on this blog) you are 100% more likely to achieve that goal.

Therefore:
Long term Goal 1: Blog at least once each week.
Long term Goal 2: Create ONE GOAL for myself each week and post it in that blog. 

Now, (stress reliever) while I may not always be able to post on Mondays, I will be posting my goal towards the beginning of each week. (It would also be awesome if I can get in the habit of posting a review of my achievement towards that goal at the end of the week... I will be working on this part of the goal...)

Week 1 Goal: My Goal this week is to continue with the RBBIZ Summit Videos and to complete all videos before they reach their 48 hour expiration, AND to begin acting on at least TWO ideas/ strategies mentioned in the program. 


Wish me luck!