Laziness.

I should be getting ready for work right now. I'm sure I'll get to it... eventually. It doesn't even seem worth going, though I know I need the hours. Because of the slow season, my hours are being cut by a ridiculous amount. I can't skip work, especially since I called in yesterday. I had good reason though; I worked at my other job instead. One less hour, about 10cents more an hour, but more gas to get there. Yes, I have to work today.

I haven't done much in my art room this past month. All the frantic work I did before Christmas caught up with me and made me exhausted, and frankly put me out of the artistic mood. Last night though, knowing I had some projects half-finished, I stepped in the room, cleared off the dust, and got to work. It felt tedious at first, but it didn't take long to get back into the swing. When my friend walked into my house, I didn't want to leave my art room at first. I did, and soon fell into what has become my usual habit - watching old sci-fi shows on the internet as I knit small projects for family and friends. I suppose I could have worse habits. At least I'm still creating. Yet I feel like I'm not paying attention to my business, and that has to change.

I've been telling myself this past month that I don't have time to get into the art room. Two jobs and barely any days off leave me exhausted, and the days I do have off are spent with my husband, whom it feels like I rarely see anymore. Really though, I get home at a decent hour and have a couple mornings off each week. I could be doing a lot more with that time. Instead I let my laziness get in my way. I tell myself, my friends are here, my husband is here, it would be rude to ignore them by working in my art room instead of hanging out with them. Rude? Maybe a little, but there's a tv in my art room, and I could hook the laptop up in there, and if they really wanted to hang, they could hang in there with me. Besides, wouldn't it be rude of them to deny the fact that my business is a business, basically a third job at which I must put in hours if I expect to make any money?

That said, I'm making a renewed effort to get in there and get stuff done. It's been months since I even listed anything new on Etsy. Mardi Gras is coming up soon, and bridal shows are everywhere this time of year. I need to go through the list of craft fairs going on this year and start putting in applications. Being lazy is not an option. I have a list about ten miles long of stuff to do. Maybe that's part of what's been holding me back, that intimidating list. I know that if I take it one step at a time, it doesn't have to be so intimidating.

I have also decided that in the name of networking, I'm sending some care packages of my work to some of my favorite artists/musicians. They are all into artwork, handmade goods, and self-expression; so I'm hoping for a positive result. If they happen to wear something I send them in a picture that happens to end up on the internet, I would be thrilled beyond belief, even if they don't mention my name explicitly. I'll know it's mine, and I will be happy for the exposure. I'm not expecting life-changing results, just the knowledge that my work is out there, hopefully bringing a bit of joy to the recipients.

Now I really really have to get ready for work. What will I be doing after work? Crafting in my art room, of course, and this time I really really mean it.

Listening to: Kim Boekbinder
Pics: None this time, I'm lazy after all. More pics next post, I promise!

Tattoo Tuesday

So you know that tattoo I was talking about awhile ago? The one in honor of my grandpa and grandma, with the ship and the lilies? Yeah... I got tattooed today. It took a lot of saving and resisting the urge to spend all that Christmas money, and two hours of pain, but it was worth all of it. I am so thrilled with every inch of it. My tattooer, Aaron, is amazing and really brought it to life. http://www.evolutioninked.com/

Other than that, there's not too much new going on right now. Just keeping busy like always. The Christmas rush may be over, but I'm working on that commission painting in full force now and also preparing for Mardi Gras, coming up soon enough in early March. I plan to have quite a few more masks in the shop; pretty extravagant ones if my ideas come to life like I intend!

I'll keep updating you as I go with those projects. That's all I have to say for now :)

Now Listening To: Aerosmith
Pics: New tattoo of course!