I haven’t been to motivated to make beads lately. Life has kinda gotten complicated with some family issues with our daughter (life and death type issues). I took up golf to distract myself and concentrate on something, along with getting out in the fresh air…it’s been really good for me…I also decided to start taking care of me and loosing weight and getting fit.
It is almost like pulling teeth to get me out into the garage where our set up is to make beads…I mean its cold and damp out there! Not a great studio by any means, I mean we have all the torches and kilns, tools and stuff…but ambiance sucks wind…Along with business is slow and making beads for eight years and selling them non stop, I think I got worn out…so making beads isn’t as motivating as it was for years, I mean supply and demand sure helps the beadmaker want to make beads…if things aren’t selling, your heart is kinda deflated….well in my case it is anyway. The last couple afternoons though, when Dan gets home from his regular day job (he works full time)…we have gone out to torch. I put on my iPod and pump music into my brain and hope the glass talks to me. It really didn’t talk to me yet, but I did push myself to revisit making florals. I hadn’t made them in a long while. I wish I could find the muse in me that used to love to explore and play constantly….maybe personally I just need the time away? I am not sure…concentrating on the weight loss, fitness and golf has been good for the personal me…So I do figure maybe the economy is just giving me a break, a break after 8 years of working very hard. The playful muse in me got lost somewhere in the past years when business and what was selling ran what I created. Now I just feel…lost period when I am looking at all my tools and glass. Well anyway…here is a sample of some of the florals I made. I am rather proud of myself that I actually did make beads LOL.
and a group shot of some of them ….
I think need to just make beads for the joy again…and if they turn out, take photo’s and sell them. I keep telling myself this…hopefully it will sink in soon. I want to want to make beads…that is what I want more than anything…the excitement of going out to work. Maybe a new nice studio? Seems like so many I visit have such nice set ups….and well…mine is working in a very full crowded with junk garage. Hmmm maybe I am on strike until Dan builds me a studio? Who knows…if you know the answer let me know. It could be that I am just dried up and on my way out to. I guess I am just going through a period of change for me. I can’t believe my mojo is gone forever…the person who loves to explore. I sure hope not…if you see her…my muse…will you send her back to me?
I am sorry to hear Jen is having issues again. I will remember to pray for her. I love your big beads, your stringer control is so good, and those flowers! My Dh told me I can only do beads for pleasure, no selling or worrying about selling. Do it when I want, but doing it and stressing about money would take the joy out of it for me. He is totally right! Keep it up, Kaye, I have always loved your beads, esp. the hearts you used to do. I have collected hearts for 20 years!!
Hi Kay.
I can totally relate to what you’re going through. I think it’s burnout and I hit it a little over two years ago. I’ve struggled with not feeling creative and not having that hunger to get out to the torch every day. So, I made myself go through the motions day after day. I’m starting to feel better and getting a little excited to torch again.
I’ve had to learn to not be too hard on myself. Not to criticize what I was making, how I was making it and whether it was selling. That’s tough.
It is what it is, and sometimes we (especially as wives and mothers) have to put our own stuff on the back burner for what is going on around us. That sucks, and I used to struggle against it thinking, “Why do I have to put things on hold?” but that is just how it’s worked out.
I think you’re doing the right thing and being good to yourself. Just think…how would it feel if you didn’t have golf and weren’t working on yourself physcially? Thank goodness for that!
((hugs))
**Lori
We are in such similar places. I haven’t made beads for such a long time, but I’ve decided to head out to the garage tomorrow and make them again. Life for me has also gotten in the way of doing something I love. How weird it is when something you love becomes a chore. Maybe that’s just part of the human condition. Anyway, I’m excited to get started again, but I’m a little afraid that my first bead making session in over a year will be a disappointment. We’ll see! I’m going to totally ignore the selling and business side of the venture for now and just enjoy making something pretty!
it gets really hard when glass and everythign glass becomes your life. you will get it back, I find that at least once a year, I have to take at least a month and not burn out my artistic creativity, not to mention, that I find the crap that comes up in life can really distract from the deepest forms of creativity that swims within us.
I like your work, is this all in morretti?