Creative Burnout
Posted by Leah on Feb 8, 2008
I think every creative person suffers from burnout once in a while - days, weeks, or even longer when the urge to create something new just doesn’t strike.
I’ve been feeling burned out the last week or so, I’m sure because I’m 8 1/2 months pregnant and lacking energy, so I thought I’d make a list of things I do to get inspired again. Maybe making the list will get me excited to make some new work before my baby is born!
- Get together with friends who are creative
- Look at art/craft web sites
- Clean the house - this works because I hate cleaning & eventually my mind wanders into things I’d rather be doing. Plus it’s productive, so if it doesn’t work, at least I feel like I accomplished something.
- Read a magazine, or flip through articles and pictures I’ve torn out of magazines
- Sort my stash of beads and other jewelry making supplies. Sometimes seeing something I’ve forgotten about gives me ideas.
- Listen to some good music
- Watch a really good movie
- Go for a walk, or just get out into nature somewhere. The coast is always a good one for me.
- Get some exercise, especially yoga since it helps me feel more focused
- Just start something - sometimes making something simple, like head pins, will get me in the mood to make something more creative
- Take apart a piece that didn’t work
- Take a nap - sometimes being tired is what is blocking me
- Talk to my husband, who is an artist, about where we’d like our creative careers to be in five years
- Fantasize about the perfect studio
- Work on paperwork for the business - my least favorite thing to do - but it makes me feel productive, which sometimes gives me an energy boost once I’ve gotten it over with.
- Write or sketch in a journal
What do you do to get over creative burnout? Leave me a comment, and a link to your art/craft site so I can see what you’re up to.
Info for craft business owners
Posted by Leah on Jan 7, 2008
There is a great blog for people with etsy stores, Etsy for Everyone. It is written by an etsy shop owner, and has lots of information. Some is specific to selling handmade work in an etsy store, but a lot of it could be useful for anyone trying to run a small business.
Now if only I had time to do everything she recommends…
Lead in Jewelry
Posted by Leah on Dec 11, 2007
A new law is going into effect very soon in California to protect consumers from lead poisoning in jewelry. Many base metal and plated or painted products contain lead, so to be safe, when purchasing jewelry *ask* what it is made of and if any materials contain lead. Once the new law goes into effect, jewelry containing lead will have to be labeled as such & have a warning about the effects of lead.
Silver, copper, and gold do not contain lead. Some metals that may contain lead are silver plated, gold plated, and pewter.
Pearls and gemstones do not contain lead.
Most glass beads do not contain lead, but many crystal beads such as Swarovski crystal, are made with lead. Unlike plated metal, however, the lead in Swarovski crystal is not ingestible, according to this notice on the Rings and Things website about lead in jewelry products. In other words, it appears that Swarovski crystal is safe despite being made with lead, because it is impossible to ingest the lead. I recommend reading the entire article on the Rings and Things site about lead - it is very informative.
When purchasing jewelry or other gifts this holiday season, use common sense, and never put something in your mouth if you think it might contain lead - and don’t give jewelry to young children if any of the materials could contain lead.
Win a gift basket full of handmade goodness
Posted by Leah on Dec 7, 2007
A group I’m a member of on etsy.com, the Designing Swanky Moms, is having a scavenger hunt. The prize is an amazing gift basket filled with lots of handmade gift-worthy items. Check out the details here. The contest ends on the 9th, so only two days left!
Why buy local?
Posted by Leah on Dec 5, 2007
I could write a post about this, but there is a great article already posted on the PCM blog here.
Jewelry on Etsy Team
Posted by Leah on Nov 28, 2007
Just saw a list of all the Jewelry on Etsy (JET) team members over at the team blog. Wow, there are a lot of talented jewelry makers in this group! Take a look….
Moving
Posted by Leah on Nov 8, 2007
I posted this on my main website, but wanted to also announce on my blog: I am moving! If you need to send me something via snail mail, please contact me for a temporary address. I will post a permanent mailing address once I’m settled at the new location.
In the meantime, you can still order jewelry from my etsy store or email me for a special holiday gift order, or set up appointments to see my jewelry - I just can’t have you over to the studio because it’s kind of a mess and filled with boxes.
I do have a holiday show coming up in Pleasanton on December 2nd - Artisan Affaire. Check out their website for details, and check back here for more information soon!
Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas
Posted by Leah on Nov 5, 2007
I’m lucky to be a member of a group of etsy stores called Designing Swanky Moms which is full of talented moms making just about everything imaginable. If you are looking for inspiration for holiday gifts, check out some of the shops listed below. You can also search etsy for “dsm” to find the latest items added to stores run by members of this group. It’s like an online mall filled with handmade products!
For jewelry:
My etsy store (Michon)
Cindy’s Creative Crochet - Jewelry Crocheted from Wire
The Empty Nest - fabulous jewelry & accessories
Hope Renewed - jewelry & paper goods
Michelle’s Jewelry Designs
Morning Sky Jewelry - beadwork and chainmaille
Handbags and accessories:
Just Add Charm - lots of accessories
Carissa Black - great purses
Crafty Bags etc. handbags and accessories
MJD Boutique - a little of everything, purses, jewelry, and other accessories
Domestic Goddess Creations - crocheted accessories and clothing
Bath and Body products:
Fireside Soaps - Handmade soaps, and also quilts
Cozy Moments - bath and body
Vintage Body Spa - bath and body
Ivory Magnolia
Two Rivers Soap Company - made with fair trade shea butter
Home decor, gifts for kids, and much more:
B Inspired Boutique (brag books, photo albums, etc)
CraftMom - paper products, scrapbooking supplies
Valerie’s shop - felted “pottery” - you’ve never seen anything like it
Nikki’s Nacs - home decor, including nursery/children’s room decor
New England Quilter - quilts, hand sewn gifts for kids
Chamberry Cherry - stockings, sewn gifts, and more
Tada Designs - home decor including handpainted signs
Klymyshyn Design - handknit baby & kid apparel
Suzanne’s Special Kids - gifts for kids w/ special needs
Mona’s quilts & gifts - handsewn gifts including baby blankets and bibs
Candyragz - cards, altered art journals, and more
Berry Creek Candles - candles, home accents
Links for metal artists
Posted by Leah on Oct 24, 2007
I just found a fantastic blog post with a list of links to sites that can be useful to metal artists. Many of them apply to artists and crafters in general too. Here is a link if you want to check it out.
Many of the sites listed, like myspace, are ones everyone knows about, but there were a few I wasn’t familiar with.
Maven Fair Wrap-up
Posted by Leah on May 17, 2007
Maven Fair last weekend was a blast. So much talent in one place! And a well-organized show, with great gift bags for customers, and freebies from sponsors BUST and CRAFT: magazines.
But you don’t have to take my word that it was an awesome show. Check out my friend Andrea’s very sweet post about my work from the show.
Also see what Andrea had to say about Raquelle of Pretty.Fun and Delia of Catholic Guilt (LOVE that name, by the way).
Andrea is a friend and fellow jewelry maker I met through the Pleasanton Craft Mafia. She sells her beautiful jewelry on her website, Dreams and Jewelry and at craft shows. I’m glad she wrote about Raquelle and Delia, because they were in the upstairs room and since I was downstairs I didn’t get a chance to check out their work in person.
Another Craft Mafia member, Jeannine, had a table across the room from me. Jeannine makes really fun, funky, colorful beaded jewelry and uses vintage and recycled elements along with her own handcrafted metal pendants. You can see more of her work at Designs by a Hummingbird. *edited to add: Jeannine also has a post up about Maven, on her myspace blog with some great pictures!*
The booth next to me was Absentman Designs, sewn clothing and accessories made by Hanya. I liked one of her bags so much that I traded her for some of my earrings at the end of the show.
Those are just a few of many talented designers from Maven. Profiles of a lot of them are up on the Maven Fair blog.
The next Maven show will be around the holidays. In the meantime, the Pleasanton Craft Mafia is coming to San Jose for a show on Sunday, June 3rd. Check the PCM website for details!
