The first week

I think this is going to be good. I walked about 11 miles last week, and did one day of The Firm boot camp (cheesy but good). I feel really good. I like being outdoors walking. I forgot how much I like feeling the air and having time to think. It feels good to have a motivation for exercise as well. I do work out, but its so easy to make it last priority or go a week without it. With the motivation of the Marathon, I really don't want to miss anything because race day will not be fun if I skip training sessions.

Shannon, Kristen and I went for our long walk on Sunday and it was super fun. We went on a trail I didn't even know existed, and it felt like we were in this hidden world nestled in the heart of Pike Creek. We think we did about 4 miles, and with my new cushy running shoes, it was a great walk with no pain. I am excited to keep building our distance and getting better times.

I just keep reading about marathons, and shoes and clothes that work best for long distance, and its kind of an overwhelming world. I can see how the sports related industries make so much money--there are many accoutrements to make a simple and free form of exercise expensive!

We'll see how everything progresses, but I could see this being a new yearly event. And there are marathons all over the place--maybe London next time?

Am I crazy?

So I had casually said to a friend a few months ago that it would be fun to walk a half marathon. I like goals, and I like a challenge and a half marathon sounds much more attainable. So cut to this week, and this same friend sends me an email asking if I really want to do it. I thought about it for a few minutes. All kinds of excuses came flooding into my mind. I mean, come on, do I really want to walk 13.1 miles for fun? I still get nam flashbacks when I smell freshly cut grass on a summer morning from field hockey pre-season in high school. It makes me think of whistles blowing and torture. That is how much I love running.

But then the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment that I know I will feel came to the forefront. I want an excuse to really get in shape, and I think not wanting to fail at the race will motivate me to walk lots and lots up until then. And this isn't running, this is walking, and although it can be just as grueling, I feel much more capable. I've got strong legs, and I am not afraid to use them!

So we start this week. We have a plan, and we will hopefully stick to it. It will be fun to hang out regularly with my friend, and I think we will both come out on the other side very pleased with our selves for doing something so challenging.

We are tentatively doing the Prevention Marathon in Philadelphia in November. Another milestone for my thirtieth year and I can't wait!

The Moon and me

Let me tell you about the moon. We have a tense relationship. When I was small, I thought that I was looking at a reflection of earth. I could see little countries, and I was sure that the sky was like a mirror reflecting our image. I loved it when the moon was big. It felt like some weird thing, and reminded me that outer space was not that far away.

Now the moon holds a whole other set of feelings. When its a sliver, I feel at ease. When it is full, I know that people will turn crazy. I know that the likelihood of getting yelled at goes up exponentially. I become aware that the need to have people escorted out by the armed guard will probably become a reality. I might be told that I have ruined Christmas, or just plain old destroyed someone's life. I will have messages from people that I haven't heard from since the last full moon. I look in the sky, and know that the mood will be tense, the people insane.

That moon has some power. I still think its magical, but in a much different way.

Oh what fun!

Last night we were in Lens Crafters and stumbled upon a most magnificent pair of glasses. The new store in the mall is all modern with great lighting and trendy everything. However, tucked in the very back corner in the "budget" section were some beauties. Of course I made the boy model them, and he obliged for my amusement. There were other more incriminating shots, but probably too horrifying to post here without the explicit permission of the subject. For your viewing pleasure.....

Places to go

I have been thinking about travelling the last few days. Not really planning a specific trip, but pondering different places, sites and climates. I think when I start to feel trapped in any area of life, I start thinking about other countries. Wht the weather is like there, if it would be a fun place to visit or even live. It makes me feel like there are options. I have been thinking of Florence the last few days. My iPhone tells me it is sunny and 90 there-has been for the last week, and looks like it will be for awhile. So I don't want to go there now, but thhe spring or fall would be divine.

Last time I was there, it was about 8 years ago while on a backpacking adventure with a friend from college. Florence was magical. There were fireworks over the river the night we arrived, it was like nothing I have ever experienced. It was beautiful, the art was famous, the food delicious and the gelato to die for. Ahhhh. Makes me peaceful just thinking about it now.

I think I need to plan a European vacation. This time hotels and not hostels!

Fireworks make me happy

So there isn't really too much to say other than that. I just love fireworks-mainly the bigger beautiful displays rather than the random ones shot out of someones backyard. They seem magical, like a fairytale. They sparkle and shine-which automatically makes me fall in love.

I havn't gotten to properly see fireworks in years. It has been my goal, my hope every year, and somehow it hasn't happened, until now. It was touch and go there for awhile, but after a romantic dinner at Taco Bell, Chris drove me down to the riverfront to fullfill my dream. We were really close to the start time, so we went in the back way. It was perfect. We watched from underneath I-95 and it was magical. Sparkles, shooting stars, gleaming cascades, explosions, and color. Hopes fullfilled. Sad but true.

So yeah....

So it has been a time since I last posted. Life got a little wild, and by wild I mean stressful, and by stressful I mean close to nervous breakdown level. I think between sewing 5 hours a day, working about 50+ hours a week, it all got to be too much. I am learning about burnout, and taking time to relax. I think I have been completely burnt out for at least a year, just willing myself to keep going. But a girl can only do that for so long. I think I am slowly getting to the point where I can tread water again vs drown, but I really want to be swimming and enjoying life again.

I think I might even start sewing again this weekend-there is a sign of life!

And ps-if you havn't seen wall-e you really must. I felt unfortunately akin to that little guy.

YAY!!!

It is officially spring outside, and that is wonderful. I like the feel of a cool breeze blowing across my face even when lounging inside. It makes it feel as though all is well with the world. I feel a peace coming as spring invades the world, and it is really one of my favorite times of the year. For some reason, every time spring rolls around, it seems as though I have never experienced it before. It always seems new and exciting. I hope that continues every year.

In honor of spring, I have made and added some new spring things to my shop. I have more to add, and some new ideas to come. I hope that everyone else enjoys to pretty little things to come.

A Few More Things

I made some more things. More earrings, and now some pins. I am waiting for the rings to arrive so I can add them too. I LOVE these new designs. And since this is my blog, and I can do whatever I want, I am posting more pictures. I am hoping that a certain person who's name begins with "mere" and ends with "dith" will especially like the Meredith Pin. You can see more on etsy.

Oh how I love thee...

My iphone is really wonderful. It gives me my stock information, the weather for the next five days for all the cities that I care about. It takes beautiful pictures, which I can easily download. Text messages look like IM's for easy viewing. I can check my email anytime. If I am lost, all I need to do is hit the little map icon, and my iphone can figure out where I am, and then I can get directions. My calendar is there to keep me organized. It will wake me up in the morning with its alarm. And yes, I can even make a phone call. I love it. The only thing I can't do is get picture texts. And it won't talk to me either. I am just so glad that Chris got it for me, or else I would be sorely jealous of his. I promise, I am not so shallow and superficial that a $400 little computer will make me happy, but it sure does make my life much easier.

Something Sweet

I had this idea for my fabric scraps......

These are earrings from fabric covered buttons. Not only am I not wasting fabric, but I can make super cute earrings, rings and also pins. I ordered the parts I need for the rings, and various sized buttons to cover for pins. I was thinking the pins would be cool to add to my bags for embellishment, or anything really. I like them, and they are currently for sale on etsy.

Breaking the rut

I feel like it is so easy to get into a rut. Some people are just always spontaneous and doing new and interesting things--I don't think I am one of them. A lot of things I do take a lot of planning, preparation and/or hoping before they ever happen. I don't seem to do anything quickly. Not that my life isn't interesting, its just not spontaneous, and when i find something I like, I want to do it all the time, or get more of it. I like routines and I like being comfortable. Its not that I am NOT open to new things, it's just that I don't really seek them out as often as I would like.

Chris is even more into ritual than I, and together, we make traditions or rituals that we love..otherwise known as ruts. We were really into House, so we watched all the DVD's we could get our hands on. We like Chick-Fil-A, so we go there at every opportunity. Then there was Tasti Thai (this is still on-going). Its a delightful Thai place around the corner, and for awhile, every time Chris would come over, he would have shrimp pad Thai in hand. So much so, that once I went to pick it up, and the little Thai lady said "shrimp pad Thai?" when I walked in. THAT time it wasn't, we got Green Curry OK?!?! We DO branch out once in a while--gosh!

But all this is going to change.....I bought one of those entertainment books with all the coupons inside. It was only $15 and they have coupons for Tasti Thai, so I knew we would at least get our money back. I know, I know, that isn't helping. BUT they have coupons for all kinds of other restaurants, the Philadelphia Art Museum, Grand Opera House, and places you have never even HEARD of. I know. Amazing.

So I got it, knowing that I hate to waste things, and therefore, I won't want to waste the savings awaiting me inside. Perhaps my dearest partner in creating ruts and I, will in fact, do more of the things we have always meant to do, but never got around to.

Traditions are a wonderful part of life, ruts are not. Here's to getting into the rut of doing something different.

New Jobs

I wonder if anyone really LIKES starting a new job. I really don't like the awkwardness of not knowing exactly what and where you need to be. A promotion is sort of like that, but then add in the dynamics of jealousy, change and new roles. It is a recipe for weird. Weird things like co-workers who no longer talk to you, or supervisors (not your own) yelling at you for not doing things. Things that she has no say over, and you were specifically told not to do anymore. You can gather, there may or may not have been a few altercations up in my world. It's funny how people can be syrupy sweet to your face, and then curse you behind your back. I really don't want to be that kind of person--office politics are dumb and off devil.

Technically Speaking

So I just got a promotion today. After 4.5 years at my job, and 3.5 years in the same position, I am now one of the Technical Experts. I think its an awesome job title, and I hope to use it in general conversation as much as possible. Just as someone has authority in medicine as a doctor, I think that I now have shown my expertise in all things technical. This is gonna be awesome. The money is going to be even cooler.

And there is light!

I love it when the clocks change in the spring. I don't like losing that hour, but the light that is given in reward, is worth every minute lost. I feel like a new woman. I mean, it was light at 7!!! Very exciting. I think that I need more light in the winter. Next year, I am going to invest in those light things that make you feel better.Now, if we could just do something about the cold....

I made this over the weekend...along with two others I posted on etsy.


As Christian would say, its fierce. I want to keep it and never let it go. I have two more to finish up. I feel like I am unable to get more than 20 bags on my site. Don't get me wrong, I adore sales, but I really want to get my numbers up to avoid the frantic feeling that there won't be enough inventory. I mean come on people, I'm not a factory here!

Oh snap!

You should check out my interview on the Arts in Rhode Island blog. They are featuring an artist from all 50 states, and there are some really cool artists featured. It was very cool of them to include me.

A little something

I made something over the weekend......


I am really excited for this week because I have come up with some new color combos. In fact, I did something scandalous and made myself a bag that is perfectly divine. Its a burnt orange velvety chenille, with light green large dots on a cream background for the interior. (For those of you who chilled and maxed with me in the 90's...you know...G & O forever). I usually keep the lame prototypes, or the mess-ups for myself. I get the dredges. So I am really excited to have one that I love. No pics of it, sorry. I know, dear fans, please hold back your tears.

I am pretty excited because I also got approached by a shop far, far away (very mysterious I know) that wants to carry my bags. It motivates me to see if local places here would have an interest too.

I have to say, life has felt pretty lame recently. And by lame I mean torturous. My real job, although extremely stable and well-paying, is sucking away my life. I don't really care about people or most things. Its really difficult to explain, especially when I am not at liberty to go into detail. So suffice to say, this little side 'hobby', is possibly the best thing ever.

Plus, when Chris talks about his business (which is way more exciting and cool), I can now talk about mine. Relationships are all about competition. :)

Unstoppable

My sister and I both got featured this week on different Etsy related blogs. Pretty cool!

I am featured here:



And Caroline is featured here:

Etsy Art

We are busy bees up in this piece!

Etsy is everywhere

Ok--I this blog will not be all etsy all the time, but it appears that in the real world, everywhere I look, I read about etsy. The founders are going to be on Martha Stewart tomorrow and there was an article about it in the Financial Times. It seems that its really about to get mainstream. I think its really exciting times for artists, designers and craftspeople in general. I cannot say enough, how amazing the whole concept is. I don;t even know HOW i ever stumbled upon it, but I am extremely glad that I did. This is a dramatic statement--be warned--but I think etsy has made my life better. Its just really nice to be making things, and being creative again. And to do it in a way I never thought possible.

You should also check out the philly artblog because my sister is in it yet AGAIN. Pretty cool. They seem to like her a lot. They have good taste.

Relieved

At last it is friday. You would think I would be all rested from having 4 days off last weekend, but apparently, a 3 day week is just as intense as 5! I am relieved.

In good news, I got a spot in an Etsy ad that will be in the wonderful magazine Craft. They also have a really great blog, which i highly recommend for anyone who loves crafts and making things. You can find it here. It will be on news stands starting May 1, and it comes out quarterly, so it will give me 3 whole months of exposure. I hope that I can get some good sales out of it. I am pleasantly surprised at the traffic I get, and how many I have already sold in my first month. But this can only add to that humble success. Its a fun time.

I just found this on etsy today.....so beautiful. You can see many more one of a kind blown glass items on Juln's site.

The American Public....

....are a weird crew. Very weird. That is all I have to say, or am at liberty to discuss.

Days off

So today I did not go to work. I love having long weekends, and today turned out to be a good one. I basically sewed all day. It was wonderful. I completed four bags, photographed them and posted them to etsy. It is such a feeling of accomplishment. Drinking coffee, the whir of the sewing machine, and life doesn't get much better!

Some of my handiwork....

Making things

I like to make things. When I have a new idea, its like it gnaws at my mind, literally, until I can get it out. Sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with me. I have to get it out quickly, or else I might lose my mind from even the thought of making it. I think that is weird.
Even a color combination will pop in my head, or I will see it in the color of a tile, or a picture, or food, or clothing, and I will HAVE to find fabric to create something similar.
Luckily, I got two new designs out of my system last week, but it was touch and go there for a day or two when I had no time to actually make what I had in my head. I feel it coming on again. I think I need to make something new today.

One thing that frustrates me about making bags is that I can't really make them irridescent and sparkly...well, I could, but they would be ugly. I wish I could translate this necklace by nutraj into a bag.

My birth

So....today is the day. The first of my thirties. I think I am ok with it. Last night, not so much. It hit me hard. Like a ton of bricks. The last day, last night, of my twenties. That decade is young. It is youth. I felt as though I hadn't done enough, hadn't done everything I wanted to. I mean, I guess finishing college, two masters degrees, moving to london, getting a great paying job in my field, buying a house and starting a creative business is not considered 'enough". I realize that sounds rediculous--don't worry. I realize that I have high standards for myself, and this is good. But I think I will let myself off the hook for a little while. I have a feeling that my thirties are going to look pretty good. If these first few hours are any indication, I think I am going to feel a lot more free. I had so many deadlines on myself before, but I honestly have never thought what these next 10 years should look like, and I don't think I am going to. Lets just see what happens. I think it's gonna be good.

One more thing

Sweet little lemon drops from Stella Designs. I love her jewelry. Its romantic, and perfectly fitting for February 14th. I only wish i could wear them right now!

Valentines Day!!!!

I love this necklace...I would wear it everyday. You can see more really cool items at sarawestermark.etsy.com


I love Valentines day...I mean really love it. Its all flowers, pink and pretty. I have always loved it. When I was little and I would get valentines, it was the most amzing thing in the world. I don't care if its created by card companies and chocolatiers...it is the best day. Except for tomorrow, which is my birthday. Which leads me to my next statement. I only have a few more hours of my twenties left. Its a little wierd to face. But I am excited to see what my thirties hold, and I think its going to be good. Really good.

I want you.....

Pretty pink necklace......
This is from Dana Leblanc designs
and I think it is divine. I like being a girl.

I am really going to do it this time....

So I have started making my bags for real now. It is really fun to try different colors, textures and patterns. I have realized that I have always wanted to do something where I can use color all the time. And what better way then using colorful fabric to make something really cool.

So I am selling on etsy, and I really love it there. I think that it has the potential to be a really amazing place. Not that it isn't now, but for it to become a household name. Its just frustrating figuring it all out sometimes. There are so many different types of people, with different levels of skill, and obviously differing goals. Some sell their items for dirt cheap, and others sky high. I guess everyone has to make their choice. But for those of us who really want to make a go of it, its difficult to sell a beautiful handcrafted bag for $80, when someone else is selling theirs for $30. It just doesn't seem fair. It seems that this is always the great debate, both on Etsy and in the world. Everyone is trying to make it, and there is always someone else trying to get there before you. Ahhh capitalism.

And I begin again....

So I am going to start going for it. I don't really know what "it" really means, but I think it means making fun things with fabric. I have always loved color, and how colors interact with each other. Making things with fabric allows me to put colors together. I think that half the reason I am going to make these bags and sell them is so I have an excuse to make more things, and experiment with more colors. So that is all I have to say now.