Keeping My Head Above Water

Tide by Faith Evans-Sills found in her Etsy shop leaves and feathers

I'm volunteering as a GED writing teacher, and I spent the weekend creating a curriculum for the six-week program.  The ad for the position clearly stated that a curriculum and materials would be provided, but I was informed a day or so before the first class that I would have to turn in lessons for the remaining set of classes by Tuesday of the following week (tomorrow).  Although I've been out of the classroom for a while now, I'm still a teacher at heart, so I'm quite capable of creating a series of lessons and goals that will prepare adults to tackle the writing portion of the GED with respect for their strengths and anxieties.  I have a co-teacher for the one-day-a-week, two-hour course, which obviously means the responsibility is shared.  

But, I can't help but feel that the Universe (God) is sending me a message, but I'm not sure how to read it just yet. I've been out of the classroom for three years and have been job searching for almost two.  My Etsy shop turns five on August 14th (also my mother's birthday), but I can't say that it is a successful shop. In fact, I've come very near to closing it down several times in the last few months.  With the state of the economy and the eight million jewelry designers in the world, running a handmade jewelry business is difficult.  Yet, something keeps me going.  In the midst of all this, I'm now volunteering to do work that I used to get paid to do.  I'm not sure how to process it all.  

For now, I'm inspired by the messages in the paintings from artist, Faith Evans-Sills. She combines acrylic paint, ink, and positivity to create beautiful and spiritual affirmations.  Even her shop tag, "Art to Inspire the Soul," is in keeping with her purpose.  Remember -

Strength and Beauty Surround You

And remember to - 

Dream

Vintage Lust

Lovely vintage 70s floral wrap skirt from The Greedy Seagull

I have a quiet, unspoken obsession with vintage clothing.  I've been in denial about it, but I've finally admitted it to myself and accepted it as fact. It dawned on me a while ago that I need to blame this on my mother.  When I was little, my mother would take me to second-hand or thrift stores for shoes, clothing, even household items.  There was one particular second-hand shoe store, Laura's, that we would go to almost every Sunday.  It was our little outing, and we would spend hours trying on shoes.  I was never embarrassed about wearing second-hand clothing, probably because my mother was and still is a genius at spotting quality (I even got the point where I could pick out things on my own; purses were an early addiction), which I understand is the distinction between the words "vintage" and "thrift."  I get it on a philosophical level but not always on an economic level.  

On Etsy, there are vintage shops in every price range, so I've managed to indulge my obsession fairly well.  The shops I go back to are those where the clothing is "old" but modern looking and can meld in with what I already have.  Anyway, the hardest thing for me to find is a skirt because...well, I'm not skinny and older cuts are smaller.  The above skirt, besides being gorgeous, has a 28-33" waist. I'm thinking I could squeeze in it so I pulled some of my other vintage "favorites" to make a couple of outfits.

In one outfit, I'd wear the skirt with this denim vintage Ralph Lauren shirt from Olive, this vintage straw bag from Omnia Wears (I had two of these in high school; loved them both), and this cute vintage loafer wedges from Fab Gabs (all on Etsy).

The second outfit would be the skirt, an adorable, oversized tan and white Gingham shirt and a classic, red vintage Coach satchel both from Pineapple Mint completed by these gorgeous vintage woven sandals from Omnia Wears. What are some of your favorite vintage shops/items on Etsy? 

Pretty Colors

I'm thinking of adding some embroidery thread to my jewelry projects.  As I stated in yesterday's post, I'm bored with things, and I think adding a little decorative element to the metal and lace in my designs will elevate my spirits.  I'm not going to do any full-on, full-blown patterns, but I have been looking to a few for inspiration.

Lovely vintage embroidered wall art from bylina

Combination screen-printed and embroidered wall art from fricdementol

Tapestry landscape embroidered wall art from Nerina 52

I'm blown away by the colors and handiwork exhibited by these pieces. I'm even more impressed that I found all these beauties on Etsy, the current home of my shop.  In fact, I favorite (and buy) a lot of really spectacular handmade wares from other sellers daily.  I'll be sharing some of them here.  In the meantime, what's got your creative juices flowing?  How do you maintain your own interest in your craft?

Inspiration...

...is in short supply around here. In a word, I'm bored. Blogging, tweeting, even jewelry making is leaving a lot to be desired.  That's another good word - desire.  Up until today, I've been doing all of the above in survival mode, just trying to keep from falling (read: failing).  I've been doing it all without any true desire or passion.  And guess what? I fell (read: failed)...hard! I made the above treasury to remind myself (and others) that within the darkness there is light and color.  So...how do you stay motivated? What keeps you from falling?