Matchbox Swap Giveaway

My family god bless them are so helpful with my art journey. They have put up with me roaming the isles at stores and finding something that usually is made for something else that I am going to use with my clay pieces. They have put up with me throwing clay under their bum to warm it up while they are lazing on the couch. They have helped me with design and color schemes and are always there to give me their honest opinion on my creations.

I was not ready however for the reaction to my latest creation from my son.

‘Whadda ya think Fouad?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes I want to know what do you think of this it is part of my new spring collection.”

“Mom do not take this the wrong way but in all of the years with all the things you have brought to me this is the worst thing ever.”

“What?”

“I am telling you that it is the worst thing ever!”

“Let me go change my shirt” ………..me running, changing, and coming back to ask again……”So whadda ya think?”

“What part of that is the worst thing ever do you not understand? You can change your shirt all you want that will not help it is the design that is wrong. Colors are good but the whole design is wrong. What is this sticking out? Mom you need to go back and try again.”

“Where is my phone I am going to text dad and ask him?”

“Go right ahead text him he will tell you the same thing I did.”

“I know I will wear it to work tomorrow and ask them they will tell me.”

“Mom if they are your real friends they will tell you it is ugly……if not then they will say they like it and be lying.”

Flash to the next work day when I wore it to work and got the honest opinions. Thumbs down 100%.

 

I know I told you there would be a giveaway this week and there is YEA.

To enter for MY matchbox swap giveaway just leave a comment about one of your experiences when you asked someone for advice on your art and they gave it to you no holes barred. This piece will be unveiled next week when the winner is announced as I am still waiting for an overseas participant to get their swap box. We want it to be a surprise. You do not have to have a negative experience to win any memory will be fine.

With our designs we struggle sometimes creating what we think is wearable art. I still like what I made and think it looks great with my hot pink shirt but ya just never know.

Cool colors

Here are some cool colors I mixed.

Could not figure out what to do with them so I made some slices that turned out real nice.

And the finished bracelet.

Both the matchbox and Carol Simmons Class swaps are finishing up. Remember my new goal to give away on the blog when I do  a swap. You can expect the first giveaway announcement next week!

Happy claying.

What Do You Like Dislike About Your Workspace?

Yes I asked it? The question what do you like / dislike about your workspace?

Don’t answer the question unless you are going to be honest with your self and your art and change what is in your power to change. Not everything can be changed that you do not like but you owe it to yourself to change what you can so you have a space that you can feel good in and create the wonderful art that you know you can.

One of the best things I like is that I can do it!

Not all of my attempts are perfect and my claytime is limited but you know what I did it and learned along the way which for me is very fulfilling. One of my other favorite loves is to teach others with how to’s which have led to many tutorials on my blog and being published two times in the Polymer Cafe Magazine.

While thinking of the things I love about my work space I remembered that I love that I can wheel from the pasta machine to the work surface with the chair I got a couple of years ago at a thrift store. It is the little things that make me happy sometimes and I really love that I can wheel between the two and I do it all the time. .

I love these drawers! I got them one day while returning from dropping off my son they were put out with the garbage. Half of the drawers had tools in them still. And to think I did not want to go get son that day and I was very upset with him telling him he was lazy for not walking on such a nice day. Score for crazy mom.

I love that I have a space that is all mine. I do not really remember how or when it happened but that room is now all me and my art. Guests sleep in my sons room not the extra bedroom anymore. I will have to ask hubby what he remembers of it all that should be a fun conversation.

I love the fact that I now tell hubby what I want for gifts and get some cool tools. Mothers day is coming and mama wants a new high-speed buffer baby is what I told hubby last week. I am looking forward to moving into the basement so I can have room to properly use and store my tools.

I love the fact that sometime in the next year god willing I will be able to have as much time as I want with my art as I plan on retiring soon. What a wonderful feeling.

What do I hate?

I hate that currently I do not have the time I want and need to spend on my art. I can see how I will really enjoy this when it happens and how my creative side will come out and play for real.

I hate that I get scared when my work table is clean. Is this why we leave it so messy? I hate looking at it empty and not knowing exactly what I want to do next. I love what comes off the table once I work through the block when it happens but boy when it is going on it is weird to stare at the empty table.

I hate the piles under the workable. I mean they work in my current space but I lose an entire table that could be used for creation because I have crap on top of and under it. Goal for next workspace is clean floors like so clean I can sweep them when I want to with out moving crap.

I have a love hate relationship with my drawers. I hate it when I go looking for something and it is either not in the drawer it should be in or I misfiled it in my mind. Recently I looked for a while for something and when I found it the place made sense just not while I was looking for it. With as many drawers as I have you can look for a while before you find it.

I hate not finishing so many projects. But I do love it when I revisit the project and it turns out better because of some special touch I have learned by doing other things. I look forward to finishing more projects in the coming year it will be fun.

I hate the fact that I am going to retire and concentrate my efforts on this art thing. I know it is on the love side too but it is a scary idea quitting your job and spending your time creating. Not sure how to fix this one……….time will tell.

So what is it that you love hate about your workspace? More important what are you going to do to change it?