My Life In Limbo; How You Doin?

So much I want to write about, so little time, energy  and a/c. Yes, it's been brutally hot around the computer's this Summer and my work environment is woefully under funded and totally bereft of refridgerated air. The home computer is out of range in a corner in front of a full sun all day window. That just is not where you want to be to try to do anything, let alone compose your thoughts. Plus, as most of you have experienced where ever you are, it's been unusually and unseasonably warm this year with strange cold snaps which I have loved. Which leaves me not wanting to be infront of a computer for any reason... 

Which is good, because I've actually been in hyper create mode. Getting ready for a few things I've planned into my year's end:

Three fleamarkets and a craft show.

Heading to Woodstock, NY next Sunday (Sept. 21st) with a tent, a couple tables, a rug, a bunch of stuff we want to get rid of - or need to get rid of - and a mess o' jewelry. Wish me a good day! Cause a lot of people from the area told me I would do well at Mower's Market, so they better be right;]

If it's a good day, I'll do it again toward the end of the middle of next month at the same place. If not, then the next one will be at the Xmas in November fleamarket at the Stormville Airport on the 2nd. That one is limited to just one type of thing if it's new stuff, which my jewelry kinda is. So, just jewelry at that one. Supposed to be a big deal though, which is reflected in the cost of a space for sure, so wish me luck on that one too. 

AND if you're in the neighborhood, you should drop by the last one; at the Starlite Ballroom in Allentown, PA on the 7th of December. That's the Indiemade Craft Market show repleat with live music. Really looking forward to that one. AND if you go, AND get there early, you might be one of 50 to get a Swag Bag - I was only asked to make 10 items to include, but I'm going to try to get 50 done (simple wire wrapped rings I learned to make just for this purpose). Totally worth getting there early for! 

Wanna see some of the stuff I've been making to sell under the tents? OK.

Here's a Brass, Agate, and Rose Quartz bird's nest pendant:

This is a Copper and 40's Vintage Czech Crackle Glass bead ring:

This is a necklace that matches the ring with Hill Tribe Thai Vermeil beads added to the Vintage Czech Glass:

I have more to show you, but I have to get back to making more of it. Let you know how it went next week - or the week after that... 

P.S.   Did anyone else notice that they used the theme song for Briscoe County Junior for the Olympics in Beijing? I always thought that crappy song was why the series was cancelled, but the arrangement they used sounded ok for the Olympics - though, I did see cowboys on horseback and a train crashing off a cliff every time I heard it...

No Time to Blog, Gotta Run

ARRRGH. 

Cough. Weeze. Gasp. Choke. 

No energy... working too much to think... no blogging because no home alone time... too busy... must take random freelance part time jobs before and after work and on days off... sorry... means no blogging...

Snoooooooooooorrrrraaaaazzzzzzzzzz

Second Life (No, Not The Virtual One)...

Well, it looks like things are winding up.

A good weekend and the imminent threat of art sales - and one actual sale - are perking up the outlook for the soul sucking boutique of destiny and I'm spending my beginning of the week weekend just cleaning and relaxing and, now, writing. Which always makes me feel a little like a slug, but calms the nerves a bit so it's A-OK for the general mental health. Plus, I did my sit ups yesterday and plan to do some push ups (and laundry) with a little running up and down the stairs (with and without laundry in hand) a little later today. Though, I'm only going outside to get the mail. 

It's MY weekend and I'll be a hermit if I want!

In fact, I'm feeling so stressed and burnt out; I might just veg in front of the TV a little extra bit today too. Watch a movie, if one I want to see happens to be on (or find one on demand if possible). It's amazing how soothing the dancing lights and suspension of disbelief can be if used in an appropriate manor. Now, I'm not condoning addiction, mind you. It's all about moderation and knowing when enough is enough. As with anything. Though, the afore mentioned can indeed be very addictive. 

Ok. So, the whole point of last week's entry (and this weeks too) is how addictive some things can be. I might have sold a couple of large paintings for my current artist (buyer is on vacation so I'll know next week) and the weekend was a good one sales wise so now, I'm thinking maybe I've been too hasty in my retreat. However, as my wise young mother so aptly pointed out:

Running a business tends to make us display clear signs of gambling addiction behavior. 

You're up, you're down... if I can just hold out a little longer, my ship will come in... especially in the first year - even though, technically it's the 6th for pearldaddy, it's a new location and it's a new format, layout, product offerings, etc; so it's a first year equivalent...

Which means I'm back and forth between: "what the hell was I thinking" and "it could be really good, if I can just hold out a little longer" kind of head spinning stress thoughts. Along with alternate ending type thoughts and what to do to pick things up or move them in a new direction. Oh, and trying to think things through a little more without making snap, and possibly hasty decisions - well, not too much anyway. Which just plays back into the "If I can just hold out a little longer" mentality.

So, ya... a drink and a good movie starts looking like a much better idea than running around working my ass off and getting nowhere faster. 

Reality? 

I'll take a veg break and recharge the batteries and start running around again. Until I need another recharge. 

Outcome? 

Only the fates can tell. 

The End of The Beginning - Or is it The Beginning of The End?

Well, I fought like a pit bull. I worked like a dog. The sweat, blood and tears that went into moving the store to Beacon does not seem to have paid off. Struggle and strife and no support from the original owner (and personal friend), and mostly just lip service support from the meager general public that does come through, has left everything teetering on the brink and now it looks like the year of hard work and money dumped into making it happen was wasted. 

Yes, this means Fish has said: "Close the store"

I say: "But it's only been a year! Though, it's been a hard and harried one... I put so much of me into this place it's a shame not to see it through to the rest of the year at least... Plus, I just got the online store up, we should at least give that time to bring in sales too..."

And other such things that constantly run around in my head. Torn between knowing that it's time to let go and the knowledge that the first year is always the hardest in a new business. Between exhaustion and the nagging voice that says: Hang on for just a little longer. Let's face it. 50 miles from the original location with virtually no original customers following us over is starting from scratch. I knew that going in. I thought Fish knew it and was going to help. Eh... Things aren't always as they seem or even as spoken of. Though, to be fair, he did try to take out a business loan. Denied. Not surprising in this economic climate I suppose. Or with Fish's track record of not really keeping track, and talent for getting ripped off and stuck in contracts he can't get out of. Oh, and for not getting paid for working. 

Looks like that one might be some kind of virus he passed on to me. I suppose closing would be the acute solution. 

Cons: There's just not enough business and I've been unable to pay the rent on time for the last three months (still don't have the rent yet for this month) and barely able to pay the store bills... let alone my bills...  without back up and reserves, it means the end. Kaput. Over. Stuck so far in debt, the few improvements and ads that may help are out of reach and create a vicious circle. There are A/C issues and another portable that doesn't work that needs to be sent back but, to keep anyone in the store in the summer, A/C is necessary - it's also a necessity for me to be able to make anything and do the custom work  I am asked to do. Plus, I have artists booked for exhibits through until next Fall, so I'll have to cancel all those shows. 

Pros: (with some additional Cons) A lot of people are coming in and saying they will definitely be back - but (Cons:) they are taking an awfully long time to make it back in. Everyone likes the look of the store so the toil was worth it - but (Cons:) it was a lot of time and money that hasn't been made back yet and may have to be forfeited into the building if we close now. Custom work requests are picking up - but (Cons:) with the a/c not working and closure lurking on the horizon; it's a struggle to decide if it's worth getting a new one if we're closing because then I'll just have to sell it a month or two after I get the new one but I can't work if I'm sweating and no one will stay and buy anything to help us at least clear things out... Everyone likes the art work we've exhibited and a lot of artists want to show in our gallery - but (Cons:) I have yet to sell any of it. 

Oh, it just keeps going on. 

So, yes. The woes of being a small, non-essential goods, business in hard economic times compounds the first year business problems. And; with energy levels, morale, customers and therefore funds, running very low; it is with a heavy heart that I prepare to throw in the towel and work on developing Plan C. 

Apparently, Plan B didn't work. 

I should probably work on a Plan D and E just incase too. 

Sigh. 

I need a long nap, long vacation, steady income, and some perspective. 

Treasure is Where We Find It?!

You know the saying:

One man's trash is another mans treasure... well, that goes for women too... probably for some animals as well... It's a matter of taste and style and upbringing and interests. Always is, no matter what you're talking about. 

I personally love trash AND treasure. I like treasure from trash and I like some trashy treasures. I was a dumpster diver when I was a kid. That was some good treasure, I'll tell you what! 

We lived behind the local shopping center so we could go diving for everything from still good food to toys! Yes, there was a toy store that threw stuff out! Broken display stuff mostly but, there were the occasional broken but still fun toys too. Plus, the other side of the street had a huge vacant, hilly lot that provided a place to build a hidden fort - where we could stash some of our dumpster goods if only have a place to play with them so our parents wouldn't know we'd been dumpster diving - and a lot of native plants and animals to wonder at and catch. Something which made us well known in the pet store as well. Though, I kinda feel bad about it now, we used to catch blue bellies (lizards) and sell em to the pet store for a quarter... which we'd inevitably give them back for the privilege of watching them feed the MataMata turtle - who was supposedly 150 years old! 

Ah, good times. 

This was also a time when my Cracker Jacks were giving up the occasional cool metal toy - like working compasses - and my mother and grandmother were giving me their unwanted extra and broken costume jewelry. Which got even better as I was learning things like how to string jewelry from parental friends during our occasional weekend days at the flea market. Now that was a lesson in finding treasure wherever you looked if there ever was one. It may have even been my inspiration for some of the first jewelry I ever made - from Cracker Jack and gumball machine toys. Mostly earrings, but the occasional necklace too. Still have some of those somewhere. In a box in the garage no doubt. 

Since my mom was also a single one (hi mom!), I was  getting dragged to the field portions of her geology classes around that time too; due to lack of babysitters, and possibly the unending sound of "please take us". That was GREAT! We had our own hammers and got to search for fossils in the shale and sandstone along the creek just like all the adults. Found a geode or two and a fossil here and there. Nothing like banging on rocks to find treasure! Later, every time I went up to visit my mom and sis and aunt and cousins (hi everybody!), I got to wander around Park City finding crystals. Which I eventually learned to wire wrap and started making necklaces and earrings from. 

I still walk around looking at the ground or sifting through the edge of streams and rivers; picking up rocks that speak to me everywhere I go - and sometimes putting them into my jewelry - however, I'm ready to move into a new phase along those lines. So, I'm planning to travel around to all the dig your own gemstone places in the US (everything from diamonds to opals and all the precious stones inbetween!) and incorporate the raw, uncut, might polish them a little first, precious gems I find into some truly unique stuff. I'm aiming to start next Spring. 

I know it won't be everyone's idea of treasure (even though, technically, it will actually be considered precious and therefore: actual treasure) but the raw and found have always captivated me as much as, if not more so, than the finely cut and polished purchases I've made, so I want to reflect that more in my jewelry. 

Now, all I have to do is make my life more conducive to that particular goal.  All help and suggestions welcome! 

A Blog By Any Other Name

Everyone is blogging. 

Everyone. 

Even Phil; who is a man of well chosen words. That means he's pretty quiet, for the most part. Though, when he has something to say, he has a lot of it to say. I think he stores it up. Usually he communicates through his music, art or photography. The last of which is the basis for his new blog, the name for which came to him before the content. Well, actually, when he went to start his blog, there were already two that had differently spelled versions of the same name Phil was going to use, so he settled on this:

Polly Blog Nature

Which is a play on his more well known online moniker: The Polywog

(and contrary to the copyright info at the bottom of the polywog site, I actually took both of the pics of Phil that he uses for each of the two sections on his website. I should probably make him credit me, noh?)

Not a lot of verbiage on this new outlet. Not a lot on his website either. All his descriptions, stories and musings are short and to the point but, I think, pretty interesting. Right now, there's just a small selection of his amazing nature photography (with a lot more to come) and a story of how one set of those photos came to be. 

I'll probably be getting roped in to check for mistakes and even edit those few words from time to time and even though it probably wont be updated on a regular basis, when he does update, he changes and adds a lot. So, if you like what you see, check back regularly - just in case. 

Now, if I can just get him to add his magic touch to the design for my blog...