Opportunity to fail

When I limit choices in making things happen:
* I get very frustrated because there is nothing I want to use
* Visual plane fails
* I have to make things work
Its at that time when my brain grows.
I get to fail. This place of failure is familiar. I have to move past it. I am working in a page of my journal and it cannot be abandoned. I love that about a picture plane---I can layer over, I can tear things off...those events of process are the very things that make the picture plane so rich to me!
By the end of this week when my fun game of table scraps is over I will be able to see this page as the beginning of the struggle....

Table Scraps

It dawned on me that my spaces are quite the mess. My journaling space has become constricting because of my resistance to throwing things AWAY.
I find them too lovely.  It's time to make use or toss.
They have a week.
I'll try to use them all.
I'll try NOT to use any other paper only table scraps.
Good exercise for my brain.
Good exercise for my psyche after a holiday season of wanton collage consumption.

EEK!

A bit of everything that I make:
Frida Dog Calendar
Found Object Jewelry
Mosaics
Cornell Boxes
Journals
Zip Pouches
EEK!


I KNOW there is a Niche for the things I make, but it is not here where I live.
I've had a day job that has allowed me to fail at craft shows.
Making things specifically to sell has been violent poison for me. I've tried it and suffered for it.
Now I have the luxury of time and I am listening to my Impulse to make. That Impulse gets to be the leader.
New Adventures!

Muertos Promenade

Last year at this time I was in Albuquerque in the Dia de Muertos parade. It was stellar; an experience to remember. This year I wanted to see how it would go in my small town. Two friends joined me. We carried handsome info cards as educational tools as well as parasols edged with pompoms.
I love an event! I love making life special. Its what I did as a children's librarian and hope to continue as I transition to a full time artist-maker.
Its back to making next week. I think mosaics need my attention. Lots of fish to grout.

I don't know until I try!

Is what I say when I try something and it doesn't work. Yesterday I tried sauteing radishes because I read that they can taste like potatoes. (I really miss potatoes but now I am a Keto-Eater and potatoes have too many carbohydrates) THEY DON'T TASTE LIKE POTATOES! So all that good butter right in to the compost! Ah well the microorganisms will enjoy them!
Same with the brilliant idea I have to re-make a wide-brim-inexpensive-straw hat into a Boater.

Its because I want to wear one and I had the straw hat and found a tutorial and I love to make...so...The Boater is not done. But maybe it will work, but if I didn't try I wouldn't know.

Today's journal page led to new discoveries about surfaces! I love when that happens! I've been using stencils in unusual ways to add depth to plain paper backgrounds. I have been inking the stencil, misting the page and burnishing the stencil to transfer the negative area of the stencil. Its so beautiful to me.

Frida Dog calendar is nearly ready for photos! Its a low-tech job as is most everything I do.

Zip Pouches

50!
50 colorful zippers from Amazon! I shared half with my brilliant sister. She makes zip pouches of the most beautiful sort and inspired me to give it a try. Thought I could make pouches from my mountains of scrap fabric but it turns out I like to buy fabric that would make lovely zip pouches!
To get really good at something I must make about 50. Am only half way.
Fully lined.
Sweet. Sweet.

POOF! Journal Entry # 3997

Am visited by negative voices that tell me yuck about myself and my work. It seems to be a common occurrence. I understand the usefulness of such insights but many times its unproductive and dangerous. I really don't want to censor my ideas. I'd rather let them see the light of day and make them better.
Made a journal entry about it.
My creative energy (purple poof) has sent it scurrying!
Frida Dog calendar is all printed. I am waiting for the binding rings to come so I can bind them together.