Moving on down the road. . .

Two weeks ago, Lulu and I packed up The Cart and headed for a new pasture (literally). Well, Lulu was no help. But she did seem to enjoy the journey. Here's a little stop along Highway 101, heading from the Oregon Coast to Olympia, Washington. Nice view, huh?

And here are some pics of our new digs--

Love those furry green trees!

The pasture that I look out on from my worktable. There's a horse in there somewhere. His name is Harley and when I bring him carrots he licks my face like he's a giant dog.

A little outbuilding that I hope to turn into a ceramics studio someday.

View from my front steps.

The Cart, parked in its new little corner of paradise. I have plans to build a deck and make the outside all pretty.

I love it here already! I'm still getting settled in, finding my way around and such. The studio is fully functional however and I've been working and working. My living room is now (hopefully very temporarily) a woodworking shop, but I'm saving pennies to get a shed soon so as to lessen the indoor sawdust component. Got some commissions done, and even managed to make some new stuff for the shop! My list is still long. Really really long. But I'm checking stuff off everyday. It's challenging, but all sorts of rewarding!



 I'll be back on Sunday with pics of this week's offerings, but I just couldn't bring myself to do a post without any silliness, so here are a few snapshots from today's table--

I hope your day's challenges prove to offer their own unexpected rewards.

♥

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Hearts and Stuff

The day before yesterday, I set out to make ONE thing. Just one.

But that one led to another, which led to another. . .

. . .and before I knew it I was up to my eyeballs in lovey stuff.
I have trouble reining myself in.

I made a bunch of stuff last week too.

Most of them are already spoken for, but there are still a few left in the shop.

I miss hanging out here in Blogland. It seems like all my words are being sucked up by Facebook. (I'm over there a lot if you wanna visit. Here's me.)  I keep meaning to be better at keeping this here correspondence current, but the day keeps having too few hours.

Alas. 

♥

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

2014 in Review: Where the Art Went

I've always wanted to put little dots on a map whenever my creations were sent to their new destinations, but I wasn't in charge of the sending part until this year. But NOW I'm in charge of every little thing, and I had so much fun adding dots to my map! (Probably too much fun. I'm a bit of a nerd.) I was thrilled to discover that in 2014 (a most challenging year to be sure) my creations went off to live in 42 states, and 13 other countries! This year I hope to travel vicariously through my art to all sorts of destinations unknown, including the elusive Oklahoma. Mind you, I have no desire to actually travel to Oklahoma. *giggle*  

Being a product of a less-than-stellar public education, my geography skills are pretty pitiful. However, I love learning new things, so you can imagine my joy at discovering that the United Kingdom has 4 countries! (Although, I suspect there could be some argument over their claim to that bit of Ireland.) Plus, I officially know where Wisconsin is now! Also, did you know that The Netherlands is Holland too?  And Russia is ONE country? One really BIG country. I think I thought is was a continent or something. Australia too. Continent or country?? Turns out, both! 

Anyway, thank you so much to all of you wonderful people in all of your exotic locations. (I'm not talking to you, Oklahoma.) It is such an honor that you have given my creations a home!

Last year-- 42 states and 13 countries. 

This year-- The World! 

(cue maniacal laughter)

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Out with the old, in with the new!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

A Merry Little Christmas

So here's the conundrum-- my love of Christmas cheer plus my very small space did not add up to a livable/workable environment. Solution-- I made my own little tree! I designed it such that it can all be taken apart and stack flat for storage. I had so much fun rounding up my tiny treasures to decorate it with! And I already had the little house for the top (you can go here for directions to make your own), which perfectly covered the bolt that holds the whole tree together. I'm thinking I'll put together some instructions for the stacking tree after the whirlwind of holiday activities has blown past.  In the meantime, my list is long and I'm mighty grateful for that!

Hope you're all feeling the spirit!

(But if you're just not that's okay too. I'll still like you.)

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

More Gift Tags for You to Print

Hello!

I made some little gifty tags for you.

Because giving a present is even more fun when you put a bird on it.

•♥•

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Angels and bunnies and more bunnies, oh my!

Just finished a little Wintery batch. I was in an icy-blue mood. Needed some wings and bunny ears to melt my cold cold heart. And so it is that this trio, guaranteed to thaw even the frostiest among us, is here.

I made some new stuff last week too, only I failed to share them here in Bloglandia. I think Facebook has sucked me into some sort of time vortex, leaving little time for other endeavors. If you miss me, you'll probably find me over there. But be warned. . . time vortex.

I'm forever trying to figure out how to better mange my time. Apparently, working ALL the time isn't good (even if that work is fun). Working ALONE all the time is apparently not conducive to having any sort of social life, and one might find oneself talking to one's creations a little bit TOO much. Not good. And if super-happy-creative-funtime always wins over time-to-pay-the-bills time, and numbers make me itch, and there's homework and paperwork and what-the-heck-does-this-even-mean work, and practice-the-guitar and learn-something-new-every-day, and make sure to exercise/take-your-vitamins/meditate/journal/bask-in-gratitude/get-out-there-and-meet-people because it's good for you, and you're not getting any younger, and today is the first day of the rest of your life, and , and, and. . .



So I'm doing my damnedest to find that balance that apparently exists. . . somewhere.

Doesn't it? 



In the meantime, Lulu and I will be in our blanket fort.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad