100 Things is a challenge I set for myself to create 100 things between the end of May and August, 2012.

It is the beginning of July, and I have created far less than I at first imagined. What I find interesting is that when I was participating in Ring A Day, it was easier--I could grab *anything* and make a ring out of it. Perhaps there are less parameters with this challenge? Sometimes too few rules can be restricting--funny how that happens. I have to admit, I have been fully embracing a full work and social schedule, which has hindered my ability to get into the studio.However, this week, I have managed to get in some studio time and get a few things made!

 2/100: A pair of earrings that I altered for a friend. The post of one had broken off, so I made them into sweet little dangle earrings.

 3/100: These earrings are part of a trade for the anniversary present I will be giving Dave on our first anniversary! They are made of Sterling Silver, which has been roller printed with horse hair. Part of the earrings have been given a patina in order to contrast with the bottom section of the earrings.

4/100: I LOVE these earrings! They are made with Sterling Silver and Peruvian Opal beads. I have been wanting to make these for a while and finally took the time to do it. I love them!

I recently acquired a copy of The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, and have been reading it each night before bed. As with most non-fiction books, it puts me to sleep quite quickly, but not for lack of being interesting. 

One of the core principles of re-building creativity is writing Morning Pages, a feat which is rather difficult for me given that I am a) not an early riser and b) have a job that starts rather early. Today, though, I started work late, which gave me a chance to sit and write. And write. And write. I used to write a journal all the time--every day, wherever I was. This morning, that part of me was reawakened. There is something so cathartic about writing about whatever you want, in whatever style, and in a place that people won't be reading (hopefully).

We are so "out there" all the time now, with multiple social media platforms and constant socialization, that sometimes it is nice to just write in private.

One of the concepts in The Artist's Way, regarding Morning Pages, is that once we empty out our minds of all the logical crap that blocks us...all the things we need to do, or are worrying about, or dreamed about, we will have more room for our creative self to be free to express itself. Even today, I could feel the creative waters flowing. I haven't made anything since the end of May. It's been killing me a bit, but I've also been re-adjusting to a new schedule and getting caught up with my friends. But realistically, behind this blockage is a bunch of emotional stuff that I need to shuffle through, clear, and reconcile with.

Luckily, I know it is all a process. One which I am looking forward to and enjoying, through all the ups and downs.

Have you read The Artist's Way? What did you think? Do you keep a journal?

So, I had an interesting thing happen the other day. Well, a couple, really. At some point last week, I was dawdling around in downtown Portland, and wandered in to Anthropologie to look at all the pretties. 

Well.

That was a mistake.

Those pretties really tug at my heart strings! But, I was good and resisted, despite the little voice inside of me going "oh, what cute jugs!" "oooh look at that tanktop!" "Oh, I love that book!!"

Admittedly, I left a little more sad than when I arrived.

But, time quickly sped by and I forgot. 

Fast-forward to a couple days later, and I found myself in a hurry to find shoes to go with a dress for a wedding the following day. You see, I have been working my tail off for multiple families, and socializing in the evenings, so I haven't had very much time to wander about ALL of the second hand shops in Portland, looking for the perfect white sandals. After going to at least 10 stores, I did discover that white sandals are nearly impossible to find. 

So, I decided to wear my yummy yellow Fly London kitten heels with the grey dress, but now I was faced with a different problem--I needed a necklace or earrings to match up with those yummy yellow shoes. I went back to multiple second hand stores, trying to find something. 

Nothing.

So. With time ticking away, I gave myself an out: if I could find something handmade, at a local business, I could get it. 

I found a great little pair of earrings at Redux, a great shop on E. Burnside Street that carries an amazing array of artists work. They had the perfect little shock of yellow that matched my shoes (a little brighter than the photo portrays).

On the 'Something Old' aspect of things, I was inspired by a good friend last week to swing by Powell's Books and pick up a Used copy of "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. Admittedly, I haven't had a lot of time to read it, but I'm getting through it a little at a time.

I think out of all these experiences, watching my own reactions has been the most interesting part. It's amazing how the simple convenience of buying everything new can affect us when we change and have to re-think purchases or work harder to make a more conscious one.

....who gave me his nose, his laugh, and his strength.

Who taught me to find humor in situations, and to act with integrity.

Who taught me how to ride a horse, and get back on after getting bucked off.

To my Dad, who pushed me to be my best and not settle for less.

Who took us on adventures, long and short.

Who taught me that as long as I can put one foot in front of the other, I can climb the highest mountains.

Who taught me to question everything, not out of lack of respect, but out of curiosity.

Who continues to inspire me, even after he has left this world.

To my Dad....

Thank You

I miss you

See you in my dreams...

Happy Father's Day!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been struggling a bit with my creative side. I've been trying to figure it out in my head, and on paper. My goal is to have more intention when I'm creating my smaller, more production-oriented work. I want the pieces to have more meaning, more of a story. In order to do that, I need to be sketching out ideas and really thinking them through.

Yesterday, I finally took the step to get back to the bench. Above is a rough placement mock-up of some stones. I've realized that I want to be using stones more as color blocks, or abstract items in a story, rather than just focus on one stone alone. Of course, some stones deserve to have all the spotlight. With this current piece, I'm still a little in my head and working through it by hand, but I've done a few sketches and feel good about the process.

My inspirations are coming from dreams, water, and color. I can't wait to see how this piece turns out!

Right around the time of my birthday, I set myself two challenges.  One of them was to buy Nothing New for a whole year, with a few exceptions. The other was to make 100 things by the end of August. 

Initially, I thought that it would be a piece of cake--I could make something every day, even just something little, but honestly, I have had a hard time getting it off the ground. Initially, I thought that on our trip to Idaho, I would have a lot of opportunities to take some great photos, and could work on finding my 'photographer's voice' again. Well, most of those photos are on film, and the digital ones were not what I was expecting. I realized that perhaps I am simply not a 'photographer' in the artistic sense anymore. I am not as inspired to capture moments in time as I once was, and I have to be okay with that. 

However, I do love this little photograph--taken of an old barn outside of Haines, Oregon.

So far, I cannot say that I am missing buying "new". Granted, most of my purchases have been clothes, which are really easy to buy second hand. What's interesting is that I used to have the worst luck with buying used clothes. I've always had broad shoulders and a wide rib cage, so things never really fit, and there were hardly ever any jeans in my size. I don't know what changed, but now, I find stuff all the time!

 

Some recent goodies include two pairs of leggings I found in a second hand shop in Ketchum, Idaho, and three tanktops (one for working out) that I found randomly here in Portland. What I am loving most about this project so far is that I've bought about 7 pieces of clothing so far and am just barely skirting around the $50 mark! Which is awesome, since the hubby and I just purchased tickets to go to Maui in August, and we'll need to save as much as possible. 

What are your favorite finds from second hand shops??
 Do you have good luck? Bad luck?

What are the items that you would NOT buy second hand...shoes, hats, etc?