oops!!

Holy moly!  I am embarrassed to see that 2 months have gone by since my last post...well, life, summer and kids have slowed me down.  But, as with all things, distance can give you new perspective, and I have had the chance to think alot this summer.  
Both kids left for camp this year and you would think that 10 kid-free days would equal quality productive time, but you'd be wrong!  Although many things did get organized around the house...unfortunately my studio wasn't one of them!

So, yesterday I had this big reality check in the shower. (Side note...shower time is like yoga for me...the only place in the house I can tune out all the distractions and it's best place to think!) Ok...so I realized that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up...I'm 43, by the way...and I realized that's really ok.  Today I spent all day in my studio doing metal work and it was fabulous.  But on  some days I'm a chef, others an art instructor, some days I feel like painting and drawing, other days I bake or sew.  I am food critic, travel agent and social coordinator.   And some days I'm just mom.  I do consider it a gift that I get to wear so many hats and I want to embrace that even more.  And that is really what "Once Upon a Blank Canvas" is all about...the ability to create myself every day and enjoy it rather than feeling frustrated that I don't fit an exact mold...


Here is a look at what I was working on today:

These are going to be yads which are pointers used when reading from the Torah.  They are for my niece and nephew who will celebrate there bar/bat mitzvahs next month.  

Finished pieces

Blank Canvas Project #2 is complete! I love      the way these necklaces turned out and can't wait to make more...

Blank canvas project # 2

What to make with these lovely little pieces of carved tagua nut?

Leaning instagram

The past 3 weeks have been quite a learning experience for me! Setting up an etsy shop, linking it with facebook and now venturing into the land of instagram...I love it!!

Here are a few of the pieces I have finished this week...more to come!

Whew...it's been a busy few weeks!  I am extremely excited to announce that my etsy shop is now open for business and my facebook business page is also up and running.
You can find the links on the right sidebar...

Getting back into the studio has been amazing, and I'm not quite sure what took me so long to do it...I think I was really nervous about starting over.  I still am!  But I know if you don't ever try you can't ever succeed.  I have recently been re-reading the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and just yesterday read the following:  "in order to do something well we must first be willing to do it badly".  This really hit a nerve for me since I am so constantly worried about the results and worried about failing that I lose sight of the process and won't let myself try something new.  I am trying to let down my guard a little and just create.  This is where I struggle.  I find myself listening to the advice I so often give my children...don't be afraid to try new things, make mistakes, perfection is overrated!  If they can grasp this hopefully I can too...


One last item for today...my Blank Canvas Project #1 is complete!
Here are the hear pendants I have completed:

Reality check...

Sometimes life gets in the way of progress...spring break and the flu have really made the last 2 weeks rather unproductive!!  But a trip to San Diego definitely provided some much needed inspiration and motivation.  Monday will be back to business as usual, hoping everyone is at school or work so I can be too!  In the mean time, here is the progress(or lack of) on my pendants:

PS...anyone have any advice on how to not let life get in the way of progress??  If you've found a solution I'd love to know it!!

Ugh...I have to confess that actually getting work done is proving to be more challenging than I had hoped!  Every day new distractions (aka life) keep popping up to pull me out of my studio and my time evaporates into thin air.  
On the up side, my etsy shop (marciART) is now active with real items for sale!  YAY!! I've been working all week on photographing some pieces to have for the site...hopefully I'll have  a link up to that soon, just have to figure out how to make that happen...it's on my ever-growing list of things to take care of!
So, since there's no progress on the metals front, thought I'd share some baking success.  These were a big hit for Valentine's Day:

One day at a time, I keep saying it so I don't forget to be patient!  

In the studio...

Yay!  After a 7 1/2 year maternity leave I'm back at work!!  (Yikes...doesn't seem like that long!)
Here's the work in progress:

Keepin' it simple for right now...just fun to be back in the studio!

Serendipity

Last week, after some Asian food for dinner, I cracked open my fortune cookie.  Look what I found inside...

I thought this was a perfect sign to receive on the day I created a blog about art and at the time I have finally decided to get my jewelry work back up and running and really resume my artistic pursuits after so much time away...

I'll take inspiration where ever I find it...sometimes it just falls in your lap!

Blank Canvas Project #1

I've been thinking alot about what my first project should be, and so, inspired by Valentines Day...it's hard not to get caught up in the spirit of the day...I have decided to work on 5 heart pendants.  Something simple...my goal is to just have some fun playing/working in my studio.  (And also to have some fresh, new work when my etsy store opens...coming soon!)  And since hearts have always had a place in my work I figured it was a good place to start...off to the drawing board...

I am so excited about this project, I just can't stop thinking about it!  My head is swimming with ideas...

I love the idea of the BLANK CANVAS...the opportunity to always create something new, or start fresh.  Be on the lookout for my FIRST BLANK CANVAS PROJECT...I'll have it up soon.  

Once Upon a Blank Canvas...full of potential, possibility, ideas. It is about the process of creativity, and the ability to lose yourself in the work.  The material itself is irrelevant...it is the process that moves me, a journey of starting with nothing and coming out with something.  A transformation of materials into something new that didn't exist before.  It is a blend of what is new and what is familiar.  Consider it creative therapy...

So here I am...I finally decided to start a blog...I know I'm a little late to the party...but I made it a new year's resolution.  And, yes, I know it's already February, but 'better late than never' are words I live by.  My "canvas" changes constantly...from metalwork and clay to paper and canvas...even from art supplies in my studio to cooking supplies in the kitchen.  I try to let all of my many projects serve as a creative outlet.  And judging by what I see out there, I am not alone in this pursuit of creativity!

Be patient as I figure where I'm going with this...