The Gradient Scale of a “Mess”

The Gradient Scale of a “Mess”

Someone commented on my Youtube channel about messiness, saying that she was happy my work area isn’t pristine as that would be intimidating. And it made me think about the various stages of messiness.

The gradient scale of messiness, because this is important.  

1. Kind of “messy”, but it’s not a problem and anyway to my mind, this is actually incredibly neat. Everything has its place, I know where things are, it’s easy to work on my current project and all is well with the world.

2. Okay, okay, things are getting “messy” but really it’s all subjective and yes, I’m having trouble finding things, but nothing I can’t handle. Besides, I’m working here and a certain degree of messiness is to be expected and even necessary.

3. Messy is to some, what neat is to others, I tell myself, and I’m working and anyway I just grab whatever is easiest and closest and call it a “prompt”. However if I’m being honest it’s starting to be a problem and I can’t find things I want to use, though I will never admit this out loud.

4. The tipping point: things have gotten out of control. I know it, in my heart, but I still continue to work, despite the mess, because the work takes priority and anyway I know what happens once I start “cleaning” things up. Still this has gotten beyond “messy” and I’m spending more time looking for things than actually stitching.

5. Clearly something has to change. I can’t even find the piece I’m working on and so resolve to clean everything up… tomorrow.

6. A thorough cleaning is done. I carefully put things in places that seem reasonable and make sense to me at that moment.  It’s all so neat and tidy, I hardly know where to start!

7. My work area is clear of everything but the piece I’m working on, only now I can’t find anything and spend hours looking for things that I knew were “just over there”.

8. Begin ripping the place apart in search of various much needed items.

Repeat steps 1-8.

You’ll be relieved to know I’m currently hovering at around a 3. Totally doable!

❤️

Life, Balance and Road Maps

Life, Balance and Road Maps

It all comes down to what you’re willing to say out loud. Which, one could argue, if you’re asking yourself this question it’s probably best left unsaid. You know?

However, never one to stay quiet, I did just post a video regarding The Ice Cream Situation. You can view it below.

So there’s that.

Do you ever feel like there’s so much going on you can’t really keep up and so you end up being less productive rather than the reverse simply because it all feels like too much? It’s all about balance, I think. That’s kind of what’s been going on around here lately. Nothing bad, all good things, but just a lot of things. So I’m scrambling, and feeling a bit like a hamster on a tread mill, moving quickly but not really getting anywhere. That’s how it feels anyway. I know this isn’t the truth, but it feels that way. Feelings are not facts. Hence the deep dive into The Ice Cream Situation. It’s okay, I’ve extricated myself and am now ready to face my never ending “To Do List”.

I’ve written about the To Do List before. It’s kind of an essential part of my day, a kind of road map to follow and then whatever doesn’t get done gets rolled over to the next day. Kind of like frequent flier miles or data storage on your phone, except there are no hidden costs. A win-win, right? Well, sort of, except that sometimes that to do list feels like an anchor so then one has to ignore it or make the decision that it’s a “to do tomorrow” list. But you can see where this leads, can’t you? Fortunately I don’t often procrastinate and my To Do list can be very bossy, but in a good way.

To Do List: email so and so.

Me: Right. I’ll do that in a few hours.

To Do List: follow up with a phone call.

Me: Yes, ok. I’ll do that in a few hours.

To Do List: Give it 24 hours then email again.

Me: Oh all right. I’ll send them an email now.

To Do List: Work out cost of thread kits

Me: Ugh.

To Do List: Work out cost of fabric kits

Me: Isn’t there anything on this list that is actually fun?

To Do List: Work on improv piece.

Me: Oh! I can do that!! That will be fun.

To Do List: Work on Abstraction piece.

Me: Oh, yes, another fun project. I’ll pull that out.

To Do List: Clear up sewing machine desk area.

Me: Right, now where is my improv piece?

To Do List: Website Issues – (and then a three page list of things that I need to learn, figure out or actually do)

Me: I love my improv piece. That’s what I’m going to work on.

And so it goes. I’ve found that if I put at least a few things on the list that I really, really love doing then I can usually start on that and then work in a few of the not so fun things in between. Kind of like when you’re hiking and get a blister and then keep going anyway because you know the view at the summit is going to be spectacular and you don’t want to miss it.

Just like that.

When Life Gets in the Way, There’s Still Art

When Life Gets in the Way, There’s Still Art

Life is busy.  We are homeschooling our twelve-year old daughter.  Best decision we ever made!  (For more about that you can read our group blog where Emma writes many of the posts – Emma’s Hope Book.)  I continue to juggle my business and its needs and demands with parenting, homeschooling and writing.  As I no longer have my jewelry in stores, I am doing trunk shows. There are not enough hours in any given day and things fall through the cracks.  Still…  art bleeds through in myriad ways to make life even more exhilarating and exciting.  In preparation for this last trunk show, whose theme was Halloween, I roped my family into carving pumpkins and helping me cook halloween treats.

Art?  Crafts? Who cares?

Let’s begin with a little Halloween fun.

Grinning Pumpkin ~ Carved by Richard Long

Grinning Pumpkin ~ Carved by Richard Long

Our son tries his hand at carving…

Nosy Pumpkin ~ By Nic Z-L

Nosy Pumpkin with Rotting Teeth ~ By Nic Z-L

I'm a purist and went for the more traditional pumpkin.

I’m a purist and went for a more traditional pumpkin, which means I googled “cool carved pumpkins” and found one resembling this and copied it.  🙂

Originally I wanted to paint this wreath black and have a few snakes and rats poking out from the foliage, but this idea was vetoed by all but my 14 year old son…

Welcome to Fall Wreath

Welcome to Fall Wreath

And since that was so much fun, I went a little “wreath crazy”…

Entryway to my pre-Halloween trunk show

Entryway to my pre-Halloween trunk show

Who-doesn't-love-candy-corn-Wreath

Who-doesn’t-love-candy-corn-Wreath

Raven's Nest Wreath

Raven’s Nest Wreath

And then there was cooking that needed to be done…

Trunk show treats - Yes, I made them.  From 11 o'clock going clockwise, Pumpkin granola bars, Spider Web Cupcakes, Pumpkin Blondies, Delicious, decadent fudge and Pumpkin Scones

Trunk show treats – Yes, I made them. From 11 o’clock going clockwise, Pumpkin granola bars, Spider Web Cupcakes, Pumpkin Blondies, Delicious, decadent fudge and Pumpkin Scones

In addition to the halloween treats, I made my spectacular Bloody Mary’s garnished with large green olives, celery and lime.  They were a big hit!

And finally jewels…  lots and lots of jewels…

From the Dauphine Collection - An Aquamarine Ring to rival ALL.

From the Dauphine Collection – An Aquamarine Ring to rival ALL. R46 – 18 Kt Brushed Gold & 83 ct Aquamarine

From the Dauphine Collection - Gold, Amethyst & Spessatite Necklace

From the Dauphine Collection – Gold, Amethyst & Spessatite Necklace  N97 ~ 18 Kt Gold, 55.48 ct Amethyst & Spessatite with 18 Kt Gold, Apatite & Spessatite Clasp

For all of you who would like to be included on our mailing list so you don’t miss out on future trunk shows and events, just say so and I will add the email you use to comment to our email list, or send me a different email, if you prefer.

Happy Halloween Everyone!