Keeping My Head Above Water

Tide by Faith Evans-Sills found in her Etsy shop leaves and feathers

I'm volunteering as a GED writing teacher, and I spent the weekend creating a curriculum for the six-week program.  The ad for the position clearly stated that a curriculum and materials would be provided, but I was informed a day or so before the first class that I would have to turn in lessons for the remaining set of classes by Tuesday of the following week (tomorrow).  Although I've been out of the classroom for a while now, I'm still a teacher at heart, so I'm quite capable of creating a series of lessons and goals that will prepare adults to tackle the writing portion of the GED with respect for their strengths and anxieties.  I have a co-teacher for the one-day-a-week, two-hour course, which obviously means the responsibility is shared.  

But, I can't help but feel that the Universe (God) is sending me a message, but I'm not sure how to read it just yet. I've been out of the classroom for three years and have been job searching for almost two.  My Etsy shop turns five on August 14th (also my mother's birthday), but I can't say that it is a successful shop. In fact, I've come very near to closing it down several times in the last few months.  With the state of the economy and the eight million jewelry designers in the world, running a handmade jewelry business is difficult.  Yet, something keeps me going.  In the midst of all this, I'm now volunteering to do work that I used to get paid to do.  I'm not sure how to process it all.  

For now, I'm inspired by the messages in the paintings from artist, Faith Evans-Sills. She combines acrylic paint, ink, and positivity to create beautiful and spiritual affirmations.  Even her shop tag, "Art to Inspire the Soul," is in keeping with her purpose.  Remember -

Strength and Beauty Surround You

And remember to - 

Dream

Vintage Lust

Lovely vintage 70s floral wrap skirt from The Greedy Seagull

I have a quiet, unspoken obsession with vintage clothing.  I've been in denial about it, but I've finally admitted it to myself and accepted it as fact. It dawned on me a while ago that I need to blame this on my mother.  When I was little, my mother would take me to second-hand or thrift stores for shoes, clothing, even household items.  There was one particular second-hand shoe store, Laura's, that we would go to almost every Sunday.  It was our little outing, and we would spend hours trying on shoes.  I was never embarrassed about wearing second-hand clothing, probably because my mother was and still is a genius at spotting quality (I even got the point where I could pick out things on my own; purses were an early addiction), which I understand is the distinction between the words "vintage" and "thrift."  I get it on a philosophical level but not always on an economic level.  

On Etsy, there are vintage shops in every price range, so I've managed to indulge my obsession fairly well.  The shops I go back to are those where the clothing is "old" but modern looking and can meld in with what I already have.  Anyway, the hardest thing for me to find is a skirt because...well, I'm not skinny and older cuts are smaller.  The above skirt, besides being gorgeous, has a 28-33" waist. I'm thinking I could squeeze in it so I pulled some of my other vintage "favorites" to make a couple of outfits.

In one outfit, I'd wear the skirt with this denim vintage Ralph Lauren shirt from Olive, this vintage straw bag from Omnia Wears (I had two of these in high school; loved them both), and this cute vintage loafer wedges from Fab Gabs (all on Etsy).

The second outfit would be the skirt, an adorable, oversized tan and white Gingham shirt and a classic, red vintage Coach satchel both from Pineapple Mint completed by these gorgeous vintage woven sandals from Omnia Wears. What are some of your favorite vintage shops/items on Etsy? 

Pretty Colors

I'm thinking of adding some embroidery thread to my jewelry projects.  As I stated in yesterday's post, I'm bored with things, and I think adding a little decorative element to the metal and lace in my designs will elevate my spirits.  I'm not going to do any full-on, full-blown patterns, but I have been looking to a few for inspiration.

Lovely vintage embroidered wall art from bylina

Combination screen-printed and embroidered wall art from fricdementol

Tapestry landscape embroidered wall art from Nerina 52

I'm blown away by the colors and handiwork exhibited by these pieces. I'm even more impressed that I found all these beauties on Etsy, the current home of my shop.  In fact, I favorite (and buy) a lot of really spectacular handmade wares from other sellers daily.  I'll be sharing some of them here.  In the meantime, what's got your creative juices flowing?  How do you maintain your own interest in your craft?

Inspiration...

...is in short supply around here. In a word, I'm bored. Blogging, tweeting, even jewelry making is leaving a lot to be desired.  That's another good word - desire.  Up until today, I've been doing all of the above in survival mode, just trying to keep from falling (read: failing).  I've been doing it all without any true desire or passion.  And guess what? I fell (read: failed)...hard! I made the above treasury to remind myself (and others) that within the darkness there is light and color.  So...how do you stay motivated? What keeps you from falling?

"Athena"

...or Mikey to those of us who know and love her.  And believe me, to know Mikey is to love her.  As with Jackie, I met Mikey in college.  We were both communications majors, so we had a few classes together (we were also on the yearbook staff, but we ditched the staff photo... in the yearbook).  My undergraduate college was short on African American students, which often meant she and I were the only two pepper flakes in class.  Naturally, we were friendly, but I never thought we would be friends.  Like these earrings, Mikey is a true Gemini and all brass.  Although the pitch of her voice - cute and some what shrill - is not intimidating and her stature - little - won't make you shake in your boots, Mikey was, and is, tough.  Back then, she said what she felt to whomever needed to hear it, and I didn't think our personalities would gel.  When we became roommates the following year, I realized my assumptions were wrong.  Underneath the toughness, I found a funny, smart, introspective, loyal friend who was capable, at times, of an unnerving sweetness.  Add Jackie and Monica (more on her later), and my senior year of college is still one of the greatest times of my life.

Mikey and I are still friends.  While we have seen each other through a lot of life changes, there was a period when I was too selfish to allow her to be a real support to me at a difficult time, which almost ruined our friendship (long story).  I used to pride myself on being the strong one - putting aside my issues or problems to be fully available to my friends or never discussing things that were bothering me.  Mikey has taught me that the best friendships involve an even exchange of strength and vulnerability.  Vulnerability allows your friends to connect to you on a deeper level, to empathize greater.  She taught me that if you are not being vulnerable with those closest to you, then you are not really being your full self, which short changes everyone involved.  As I stated above, "Athena" is tough and can endure just about anything.  But don't let the toughness fool you :-)

The "Athena"

"Jackie"

We met in college almost twenty years ago.  When we first met, I made it my business to say something mean or roll my eyes at her every time she spoke or walked in the room.  Then, my reasons were that I felt she was silly or annoying or naive.  After all, I was a big time college junior, and she was a mere freshman who seemed to laugh at everything and talk to everyone.  In retrospect, I can admit that I was jealous.  Unlike me, she wasn't hesitant or reserved around strangers.  She didn't shrink or second guess herself, and she wasn't the type to brood.  At that age, she was innately confident in ways that I still struggle with.  That is one of the things I love and admire about her. Later, she told me that despite my early rudeness, she knew we were going to be friends.  Although my senior year would have been miserable without her (and two other girls, one of which I will write about shortly), the moment that told me we would be friends forever happened after I graduated.

To make a long story short, I started my post graduate life in Charlotte, where we went to college, with an apartment, a roommate, and a really cool internship in television news (certainly a story for another post).  I ended it with nothing but the things in my bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment after my roommate moved out with every thing else (literally, me, my clothes, and my bedroom furnishings with no living room or kitchen necessities; an even greater story for another post).  Jackie was still in school but working during Christmas break.  She had a few weeks to spare before going home to West Virginia and needed some where to stay off campus.  I also had a few weeks left before my parents would drive up to take me back home to Georgia.  Though I tried to talk her out of it, She opted to stay with me in my embarrassing, pitiful situation.  I had a pretty sizable closet, and she made a pallet in that closet and slept there as if was the grandest hotel.  That's a real friend, and I am confident in saying that.  Jackie is sweet and sassy, stylish and classic, delicate and strong.

The "Jackie" in Turquoise

The "Jackie" in Purple Coconut Wood

The "Jackie" in Patikan Wood

"Jenn"

Have you ever met someone so genuinely sweet and kind that she makes you want to do some soul searching?  I'm talking about a person who asks questions that others asks out of feigned politeness, like "Have some?" or "Do you need anything?," but she really means what those questions imply?  That's my sister-in-law, Jennifer.  Graciousness and generosity must be attached to her DNA because she practices both of them the way the rest of us put food in our mouths - often and without complaint. She was just raised right, you know.  Jenn is sweet, feminine, and strong (not to mention, the best thing to ever happen to my brother).

The "Jenn" in white

The "Jenn" in bone

The "Jenn" in vintage acrylic w/golden accents