Canes are my Therapy

Whenever things get tough I get creative.  It's like therapy.  So last week after an emotionally trying few days spent worrying about some loved ones I spent some time with my clay.  There's something cathartic about  reducing great big hunks of cane.  For now, the worries have subsided and I have a new flower design to play with. The inspiration for this one came from a Chinese flower motif I saw and enjoyed.  I have no idea if it still has a Chinese vibe to it but I like how it turned out.

 

I had an extra challenge with this being the first cane I've made since my five month old daughter discovered she can grab things.  Only took one close call for me to remember to put the blade out of reach of her chubby little fingers.

I'm excited to create more jewelry from this flower, and it's lead to lots more ideas and sketches of more projects.  Only thing holding my up now is that my "studio" is still in the process of moving into it's new designated spot in the basement.  I'm not letting myself make more until it's done, I thought that would motivate me to get it done.  And now I'm hoping that the public declaration of finishing the setup will motivate me further.  I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

My First Listing!

After an impromtu photo session with my mother-in-law and her fancy camera, I finally have pictures to start selling with.  The picture above was my first listing and in less than a minute I had two views and 1 heart!  I was pretty stoked about that. Still am.  Now I'm encouraged to get more necklaces like these out there.  I'm not so nervous to do this now.

Nerves?

I finally have the ability to post items for sale, but now I'm feeling very shy about it.  And there's this issue that I've never actually purchased anything from Etsy so I'm unfamiliar with the process.  Not that I've never wanted to, but budget considerations over that last few years made it too much of a luxury.  If I purchase something now, is it possible to write it off next year as a business expense? I could call it "Training" or "On-going Education".  Then maybe my husband will be more open to the idea of me buying pretty things from other people when he'd be one of the first to say "Don't buy that, you could make one". But let's be honest, when do we ever get around to making one?

It's time to invest in some fresh clay and make some raw canes to sell.  Seems like a good market for them and it is something I love to do.  If I could devote more time to making canes and less time to finishing beads and jewelry then I'll be a much happier mommy.

I've also considered the fact that it's easier to hold a baby while making canes than while sanding beads or stringing necklaces.  Having her on my lap will probably increase my efficiency as I attempt to finish things before she gets bored with me.  Or it could decrease my efficiency if she starts grabbing everything and then needs to be nursed. Now if I could just get my two older boys to fill the position of my missing pasta machine motor I'd be golden.  I wonder how long it would take for the fun of turning the crank to wear off... I'm going to set up my new studio area next week and find out. 

Until then, enjoy this picture of one of my most popular designs, the sunflower.  I made this cane almost seven years ago.  I made a lot of it too, I'm still working my way through it!  Good thing , because my style of caning is kind of organic and free flowing and doesn't lend itself well to duplication.  I can try to recreate it, I might come close, but no two canes will ever really be the same.