Tangible Tidbits 2012 #2: Better Late Than Never?

Hi, everyone! Sorry I never made it here last week, but I had a persistent headache that started mid-afternoon Thursday and continued off-and-on throughout the weekend. I'd taken Friday off from work and stayed in bed all day. I'm planning to get my eyes checked, since I haven't done it in something like three years. I can't say for sure that caused the headaches, but it could have made them worse. :\

I was on a wire-wrapped ring kick last Wednesday...I made six rings in one night, and I've already sold two of them! Whoo hoo! :) I also made a new bracelet with wire-wrapped Crazy Lace Agate and Blue Ribbon Jasper beads today. I've taken photos of everything I've made to date, but I am really behind in uploading them to my computer, editing them, and posting them to Facebook and the website. I think my "new" New Year's Resolution is not to start any new projects until I finish my UFOs (unfinished objects) and clean up around here. In finishing the pieces I've started, I am slowly cleaning up my work area. I have/had a bunch of materials piled up for those projects -- so I wouldn't have to look for them in my huge stash of materials -- and I can finally put them away as I finish each one. :p

Earlier today, I finished the large aluminum earrings I mentioned in my last post. They were probably 75 percent completed before today, so I decided to finish them up. After all, they will generate revenue! ;) I go through phases of incredible productivity, and then phases of incredible inactivity. I think I'm feeling productive because the office is closed tomorrow for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so I have an extra day this weekend. :)

As you may recall, I was going to pick up pieces in Jersey City last weekend. Mom came with me, since she used to spend a lot of time in Jersey City with Dad. She also went to school at Jersey City Medical Center and Jersey City State College, now known as New Jersey City University. Not surprisingly, we got lost both ways. :p Dad was undoubtedly looking down on us and shaking his head at me. I have a decent sense of direction, but that doesn't help me with all of the ramps, circular roads, and multiple highway intersections near Newark Liberty International Airport. Even with good directions, the signage is terrible. Anyway, I didn't sell anything, but the owner of the gallery said that it was due to the economy. The highest individual selling piece was $90, which is apparently low.

I'm exploring an opportunity that may help me get out of debt quicker and also allow me to go back to school in the fall. Don't worry...it's nothing illegal! ;) However, it will mean restructuring my schedule and my priorities. I'll keep you posted as things become more concrete. Right now, a lot is still up in the air. :\

With the doctor's blessing, I'm heading back to the gym this coming Friday for "light workouts" on my knee twice a week. We would have started on Tuesday, but I had already made appointments for medical scans I need -- strictly routine. ;) I hope I remember to take my gym clothes with me on Friday! :p

I hope those readers in the U.S. enjoy the rest of the three-day weekend, and all of you have a great week! :)


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Tangible Tidbits 2011 # 28: Wireworking, Girls' Softball, & A New Car

Hey, folks! Boy, am I glad this week is over...but next week looks to be just as hectic!

As I mentioned last week, I attended a five-hour workshop yesterday. It was taught by Suzanne Banfield (sb designs), one of the teachers of the Madison, Chatham & Florham Park Adult School classes I took last year. I learned how to make a wire knit chain and to wire wrap a cabochon pendant. I'm so excited! These two skills will help me immensely, as they will open up a lot of new options for me in creating pieces. :D

Sales are picking up again with the help of a couple of ladies in my office. They both like their accessories to match their outfits, so they are always adding to their collections! ;)

I joined the CraftEdu Community this week, a Ning-style group for crafty people. One of the BSNJ members is teaching a class through them and sent the link to the Society's Yahoo group, so I checked it out. I wasn't really planning to be an active participant, but one of the instructors asked me to post pictures of my work, so I may as well get that exposure. ;) I also asked to be put on the outreach list for the South Amboy Arts Festival in September, after another BSNJ member passed on that information to the Society.

As expected, I ended up working really late at the office Thursday and Friday, and I will probably end up working late at least four out of five days this week, since we are short-staffed in our department. I didn't get online at all after Wednesday night, since I had the BSNJ Board meeting on Thursday and I was totally fried on Friday night. I ended up staying up until 3:30 a.m. last night going through 155+ emails after my all-day workshop! Needless to say, I hope to keep up better this week to avoid that situation again. :p

Did I mention I got a new car? I leased a 2011 Nissan Sentra (6-speed manual) after being told that my 1997 Nissan Sentra GLE could not pass inspection the week before. It was really time, even though the car had less than 75,000 miles on it. The visors didn't stay up without Velcro and duct tape, the rubber pad was affixed to my clutch with electrical tape, and the "check engine" light had been on for three years -- ultimately the reason I failed inspection. There was also a slow leak in one of the tires, so I was monitoring it regularly to fill it with air every few weeks. Needless to say, I am thrilled to leave those issues behind me, even if the car cost more than I was originally led to believe (not surprisingly, of course!).

I spent this afternoon out in the hot sun watching my younger niece play softball at the Bridgewater, NJ stadium where the Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League of Professional Baseball) play in a fundraiser for the Patriots Children's Fund and local softball programs around the New Jersey. Her team won 15 to 6! The coaches pitch in the tournament league, so she wasn't on the pitcher's mound today. She did make a few really impressive plays and batted at least one double! :D It's a nice stadium...I hadn't been there before.

That's about all I have for now. Have a great week, everyone! :D

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