I feel like I'm in a state of transition right now. I've been working on improving my art, setting up my business and learning all I can about things like small business taxes, LLCs and marketing. At times I feel completely overwhelmed and I have serious thoughts about giving it all up. (This usually happens after I've been trying to figure out the whole accounting thing. ack.) But, then I'll sit down and create something and I'll remember why I do what I do. I love making pretty things. The End.
A few days ago, while chatting with one of my besties, (to steal a bit of lexicon from Big Bang Theory) I asked her how she gets everything done. (I was in an overwhelmed phase) and she told me that her new philosophy was ONE. Whenever she has an entire day of activities (and believe me she is busy), she tells herself to do one thing and then focuses completely on that one thing. For example, in the morning, when she needs to clean the kitchen, take a shower, dress the kiddos, etc. she tells herself: shower. Then she focuses on that shower. That is the one thing of the moment. When she finishes that, she focuses on one more thing. Eventually, she gets everything done and she hasn't gotten herself all in a dither doing so. I really like this advice. I have a tendency to focus on so many things at once that I get my head completely turned around and I can't even tell which way is up. Surely, I'm not the only one, right?
Anyway, back to self-improvement. I've found a few resources that I wanted to share with you because I love to share cool stuff.
First, I've been listening to CraftyPod like crazy pants. Each podcast is under 30 minutes and filled with interesting tidbits. Plus, the show notes are a wealth of information. Sister Diane covers everything from macrame to publishing to taxes to leftovers. I love how diverse she is. When you have 19 minutes, check it out.
Second, I've discovered a very interesting class that begins in January by Tamara Laporte. It is called Life Book. It is a year long class with over 14 incredible teachers. I took Tamara's free course a few months ago and learned tons and tons. I can't imagine what I'll learn in this 365 day class! My mom and I are planning on taking it together. Let me know if you sign up and we'll add you to our cool-dude class group. (giggle).
Third, I've always been obsessed with beeswax. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is the whole flippant "none of your beeswax" statement that I picked up in 6th grade? I don't know. It could be the whole texture thing. I love playing around with texture. Anyway, I want to learn more about encaustic art and now, thanks to Judy Wise I'll have a chance! Unfortunately, I'm on my own in this class. My mom isn't into beeswax. Bummer. Let me know if you are enrolled so we can swap notes, okay? Judy's class begins soon so don't fiddle around trying to decide.
Fourth, you may have noticed that I've added a few links to small business information on my left side bar. If you are interested in starting your own business, you may find these helpful. If not, just ignore them. I mainly put them on my blog so that I could personally keep track of these resources. I wanted you to be aware of them though.
Okay, that's it for now. The kids are off of school for the next 2 weeks so we've been quite the busy little bees. We decorated for Halloween (pics to come soon) and we moved all kinds of furniture. Don't you just love doing that? If you come to our house, you might run away screaming because of all the black plastic spiders in the front porch area. There are 100 to be exact. Along with quite a few webs. We are very proud of our creepy front area so on Halloween, make sure you comment. It is about as scary as we get. Even the spiders were a bit much for little Quinny. He wouldn't touch the web stuff and only after he saw all the older kids handling them safely would he touch one. This is the same kid who will easily jump from a 10 foot ladder. Funny boy.
xoxo
B
A few days ago, while chatting with one of my besties, (to steal a bit of lexicon from Big Bang Theory) I asked her how she gets everything done. (I was in an overwhelmed phase) and she told me that her new philosophy was ONE. Whenever she has an entire day of activities (and believe me she is busy), she tells herself to do one thing and then focuses completely on that one thing. For example, in the morning, when she needs to clean the kitchen, take a shower, dress the kiddos, etc. she tells herself: shower. Then she focuses on that shower. That is the one thing of the moment. When she finishes that, she focuses on one more thing. Eventually, she gets everything done and she hasn't gotten herself all in a dither doing so. I really like this advice. I have a tendency to focus on so many things at once that I get my head completely turned around and I can't even tell which way is up. Surely, I'm not the only one, right?
Anyway, back to self-improvement. I've found a few resources that I wanted to share with you because I love to share cool stuff.
First, I've been listening to CraftyPod like crazy pants. Each podcast is under 30 minutes and filled with interesting tidbits. Plus, the show notes are a wealth of information. Sister Diane covers everything from macrame to publishing to taxes to leftovers. I love how diverse she is. When you have 19 minutes, check it out.
Second, I've discovered a very interesting class that begins in January by Tamara Laporte. It is called Life Book. It is a year long class with over 14 incredible teachers. I took Tamara's free course a few months ago and learned tons and tons. I can't imagine what I'll learn in this 365 day class! My mom and I are planning on taking it together. Let me know if you sign up and we'll add you to our cool-dude class group. (giggle).
Third, I've always been obsessed with beeswax. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is the whole flippant "none of your beeswax" statement that I picked up in 6th grade? I don't know. It could be the whole texture thing. I love playing around with texture. Anyway, I want to learn more about encaustic art and now, thanks to Judy Wise I'll have a chance! Unfortunately, I'm on my own in this class. My mom isn't into beeswax. Bummer. Let me know if you are enrolled so we can swap notes, okay? Judy's class begins soon so don't fiddle around trying to decide.
Fourth, you may have noticed that I've added a few links to small business information on my left side bar. If you are interested in starting your own business, you may find these helpful. If not, just ignore them. I mainly put them on my blog so that I could personally keep track of these resources. I wanted you to be aware of them though.
Okay, that's it for now. The kids are off of school for the next 2 weeks so we've been quite the busy little bees. We decorated for Halloween (pics to come soon) and we moved all kinds of furniture. Don't you just love doing that? If you come to our house, you might run away screaming because of all the black plastic spiders in the front porch area. There are 100 to be exact. Along with quite a few webs. We are very proud of our creepy front area so on Halloween, make sure you comment. It is about as scary as we get. Even the spiders were a bit much for little Quinny. He wouldn't touch the web stuff and only after he saw all the older kids handling them safely would he touch one. This is the same kid who will easily jump from a 10 foot ladder. Funny boy.
xoxo
B
2 comments:
If anyone can do it... I know you can!! You are amazing!! And I am with your friend... you know how much I do :) and i have to do what she suggested to you....one thing at a time... and the next thing you know... you are done for the day! Good luck my friend! Loveeeeeeee the art! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
I have enrolled in LifeBook!!! I am so excited!!! and I heart beeswax, but just haven't had the patience lately to deal with the mess of it all. I think when I am an empty nester! haha
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