Time management

How do you find yourself managing your time? Is it something you plan out in a day planner perhaps? Or do you wing it? How's your method working for you? I've started using a day planner over the last few months and I have to admit it's made quite a difference in my time management. I also have been following Miss Trenchcoats You Tube video's on time management for small business and have gotten some good ideas from her. Is there any time management guru you follow?

Messy workbench

Yes that is my workbench today. Messy isn't it? For the first time in a very long time I am ok with the mess. Usually I cannot focus with clutter, but lately I am a bit more inspired and find myself working on several things at once. While paint is drying on an art card I might start some links for a chain. While the chain is in the pickle I might move on to watercoloring some Christmas cards. Which creates clutter, which today, makes me smile. How about you? Do you find yourself liking your creative clutter?

New Facebook Group

Today I am a part of a unique Facebook group Slabs and Cabs holding a trunk show. It's a unique page where sellers al allowed to sell finished pieces. There is also sales of cabochons there on several days of the week as well. Some very talented people showing work in this FB page. Worth checking out.

Sleek Leopard Boro Bead Mini Tutorial

Sleek Leopard Borosilicate Beads by Nicole Valentine Rimmer

Glass used

Silver Strike 5

Caramel

Clear

Purple Luster Frit Fine

Amazon Bronze Frit Small

First make a twisty. Start with approximately a grape sized gather of silver strike 5, make sure you burn off the haze on it. Stripe with 3 thin stripes of caramel. Heat through and twist into twisty.

Make a base bead using the twisty you made previously. Make sure to burn off the haze on it. Roll once in purple luster frit fine. Heat and roll once in amazon bronze frit small. Melt frit in. Encase in clear, heat to HOT, cool, strike gently until colour blooms. Pop it into your kiln to anneal.

Trunk Show Coming Up

I have a trunk show coming up on Nov 1st on the Glass Open Market Facebook Page. I'll have new earring pairs, sets and ring toppers!

Surround Yourself With Cheerleaders

What does this mean? I’ve been tuning into an online summit about artists and business. Today’s video conference was with Sark and Dr Scott and they both talked quite a bit about surrounding yourself with cheerleaders. This resonated with me, quite profoundly. The last 10 days have been a bit of a struggle creativity wise for me, things seem to spiraling into a ever increasing negative space. What stood out to me when I hear the comment “surround yourself with cheerleaders” was, I’ve had a lot of nay sayers in my personal space this last little bit.

So what does this mean? For me it means being more careful where I invest my time. Do I really need to reply to every single message from people with all sorts of demands? Is my time really best spent trying to convince someone I am the best choice for them? Might my time be better spent and more positive if I encourage those who support and build me?  This has nothing to do with money and everything to do with positive support. Not every idea or creation of mine is amazing and I invite criticism.  That criticism though needs to come in a positive and caring form, otherwise it’s time I let it go. My focus needs to be on what builds me as an artist and person, not on what drags me down.

Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving here in Canada. For me it signifies the beginning of winter, one of my personal favourite seasons. Hence the white pumpkin picture. Winter is a time for me to hunker down in the studio and focus on work, creating and inner thoughts. 

I am thankful for a lovely studio that brings me joy and a place to be myself. Thankful for winter and all the opportunities it brings for comfort and hermitage. Thankful for my family and friends who support and encourage me along my path.

Happy Thanksgiving 

Born of flame

Today things got a little messy in the studio. A few things might have burned up. A few things might have been born of flame.

What am I up to today?

Wondering what is going on in the studio today? Lots of drilling, little tiny holes.

Time well spent?

I have been spending a bit of time lately trying to sort out a better schedule and manage my time better. But, am I spending more time managing time than I need to? I bought a Happy Planner which I happen to love. However one of the things I love about it is the aspect of decorating the pages. Which I seem to be doing a lot of. I keep telling myself once I get the daily, weekly and monthly routines down in it I'll have my time much better managed. Or am I just spending more time than needed playing with it? Time well spent?

Todays studio snippet

Todays studio snippet......way outside my comfort zone.