Small Victories

I don't know about the rest of you but these last couple of years have been challenging with the recession, no money for enjoyment, and everyone feeling the pinch. I woke up one day and said that I was no longer going to live that way, I was going to make some changes. There are so many things on my plate, so many have to do's on my list of to do's, it gets so overwhelming sometimes. Even this blog, I couldn't believe that it's been so long since I've last written. But, here I am now and that's all that matters.

One of the changes that I did make in my life was to take my life in little bite size portions, chunks of things that I had to do. I called them my "small victories", because I believe that if I can fit enough of these into my day, that I will accomplish a whole lot more than feeling overwhelmed by it all and wanting to step out of my life, run away, and hide.

Since my commitment, I also decided that I would once again write in my morning pages as prescribed by Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way. Finally, things have been turning around for me. I am actually signing up people for my classes, making sales in the gallery, and all the while enjoying my "small victories". When I start to feel overwhelmed by my life, I say, "small victories" and it settles me down long enough to accomplish something. Try it. I made a bracelet to remind me of my newfound motto!

Happy New Year, Happy New Class Schedule!

I always like starting off another year. January 2010, I think I'll say twenty ten, it's short and sweet. And with each new year, a new beginning, hope for the future, hope for the things I wanted to accomplish but didn't last year, leaving the crappy stuff behind, starting fresh.

I have been concentrating on getting my Precious Metal Clay class schedule up and going. I feel so much more alive and "together" when I teach; who would have thought... For the next three months, my schedule is done. I want small classes of four to six students, and I am offering full days of Open studio on Wednesdays with three hour Open Studios on some of the other days. Open Studio is where one could spend some time here, using the equipment, kiln, whatever I have to create jewelry, for those with some experience.

I have some beginning classes in Precious Metal Clay, with some intermediate and advanced classes. Guest instructors, Julie Harmon - Viking Weave, Terry Cook - Enameling, and Geri Colgrove - Bezel Setting in Precious Metal Clay, and Mary Heldenbrand - the Byzantine Chain mail bracelet class also added this month. These classes are project based; you will create a piece of jewelry by the end of class or at least get a pretty good head start on a piece.



My Riveted Cuff Bracelet workshop is being offered this month, Friday, January 22nd. It's a fun class that gives you a sample of working with Precious Metal Clay, Riveting, and working with sterling silver. Fun Fun!

I'm also teaching on the road this month at Brio Fine Arts Center. I like to teach just short and sweet classes when I am away from my studio. This month is the Hammered Cuff Bracelet.

I've made a class brochure to hand out and/or mail, but still need to put it on my website. A multitude of things to get done...but for now at least visiting my website (www.huntressexpressions.com), and clicking on the google calendar will take you to the most updated schedule and pricing.

Whew! Now that that's done, a million other things need tending to but mostly and importantly, I want to fill my classes. Spread the word for me or better yet come in for a class!

THE LOFT Art Studios and Gallery - The Ghost of the Past

Ever since moving into my space in the Kiva Courtyard three years ago, I have been intrigued by the occupants of those who began their business here and have moved on to bigger and better things. I have had the good fortune to hear individual stories about the past, about how a perfumer was here in the Courtyard, a furrier was here as well, and just this morning, I met a Mr. Bill Treacy, who happened to be the person that helped to create the fabulous stained glass door upstairs in my studio. Not everyone ventures up there but those who have have gone ga-ga over the door. It is beautiful. I spent about a half hour with Mr. and Mrs. Treacy and he related that he had just gotten out of the Army and came to work for Mr. Lincoln who owned GlassArt Studios back in 1965. He said the Courtyard was THE place to go in Scottsdale back then with the stores, the fashionistas, even having a chance to meet Claire Luce Booth who came in to his workplace.

Bill also explained how the door was built and the process. It's such a great door. He cut each individual glass and labeled them, chipped them, and put assembled them. There are hundreds of these pieces of glass. Then he put modeling clay on each glass piece, then poured resin and sand to make the frame. At that moment, it was Ah-Ha. Because the whole time I have been here, it has been a mystery. Imagine my excitement to find all this out! And, he told me where everything was set up and where the artisans worked. It was such a great story and I wanted to share it with those that may have an interest in downtown Scottsdale, especially those in the Kiva Courtyard. Built in the 50's, the Kiva Courtyard was originally artists' demonstration studios (confirmed by Bill now), and we are attempting to bring that part back to life. Bill and his wife live in Texas and were visiting Scottsdale for a conference, when they decided to just walk through and see what the changes were from his past. I'm so glad I came in early this morning!

What a great idea to have the entire back half of the courtyard be for artisans once again.

Doing Something Different!

Since announcing that I will be closing my studio, I have had a chance to sit back and re-evaluate the last year and see what I was doing and what was actually happening. While it hasn't been pretty, it has given me a change to catch my second wind. And, someone approached me about turning this into an artist's co-op, I have received numerous emails that artists would like to be involved in the first meeting to see if it would be a good fit for them. I am also examining doing business a little differently, maybe if it doesn't turn into a co-op how I could keep this place up and going. Perhaps splitting the entire gallery and studio with a couple of partners and making into a working studio. So many options but one thing is for sure, I want to keep this place, I want to continue to teach, I want to sell my art - I just have to do something different in a different way. I must learn from this and move forward. And, through all of this, I have found my entrepreneurial spirit again and I am willing to go the distance. I am asking for help though. I found a financial coach and we are just beginning but I am again excited. I know I can turn things around! Economy, Sheconomy, bah. Finding joy through all this has been my wonderful lesson.

Building Character!

Yes! I have joined the ranks of those that have had to close down their businesses this year due to the economic downturn. I am sad to say that THE LOFT Art Studios and Gallery will be closing at the end of this month. I had such high hopes, envisioning artwork from our Arizona Artists flying out the door making people happy, teaching my jewelry making classes, getting other artists to teach their field of expertise, offering space to other artists as they work on their masterpieces. Ahh well, it was not meant to be. It's upsetting, sad, and scary all at the same time.
Now, after ten years, I will have to find an avenue of making regular paychecks, a J-O-B! (It used to be a curse word but now, it just might save my life!) Yikes, a job! Will I really be able to work? Is it going to kill my creative enthusiasm? It really has been a long time. Will I be able to get a job that pays me money enough to live on? Oh, dear, such fear!
So, for the next month or so, I must not even go into that "fear", I must just remain positive in the face of these uncertain times. (I'll just get into my "Zena, Warrior-Princess Mode".) I must find a job, find opportunities for me to show my jewelry, clear out my business space, let everyone know, and work, work, work. I'll have to enlist friends and family to help me get through this but you know, I do have friends, I do have family, and I will get through this.

I know that right now, this is a "character-building" exercise. This episode or phase n my life right now will pass. That, I do know for sure. What I do with it now and what I learn now will determine how well it turns out for me. Soooo, No Fear! Just do it! Stay positive and most importantly be happy, I have alot to be grateful for, and move forward.

I will keep you posted on my newly embarked journey! It should be a wild ride for sure!

By the way, stop in for a visit. Visit my website, www.theloftartstudios.com. We are taking 20% off all original artwork!

Labor Day Shenanigans

Okay, today is Labor Day. We celebrate the laborers around the Nation. Some are lucky enough to have the day off from their work, some are lucky enough to work, and then there's the local merchants. Like me, I chose to work today, thinking that it would be a good day for those that are on a three day break, to do some shopping downtown. But the opposite is true, the streets are bare, and other merchants have chosen to go home.

So now that I have some free time... not really, I do have "work related" stuff to do but instead, I started playing with pictures of my beautiful cat, Polly. I call her Polly- Wolly- Doodle- All- Day! She loves it. She's two years old, is a polydactil, which means, she's a Hemmingway cat with six toes, big ole mittens on the end of her legs, and she's a rescue. Found her online through AZ Rescue. She's my company these days and loves to talk. I wanted to take a picture of her with emphasis on her feet and got this great photo, which turned out very blurry. But, a little adjusting in photoshop and I have a great picture! I think I will print a few of these up and sell as greeting cards, with the caption, "Polly Loves Toe Dangling".




So, that's the extent of my "labor" this Labor Day!

Class Handouts - Should We or Shouldn't We?

I had the opportunity to be a teacher this week with seven students at Creative U in Cave Creek. I sometimes go "on the road" to teach a class. It gets me out and about in the community. I can renew my friendships and find out what is happening in their neck of the woods. Handouts were not given out at this class, mostly because I felt that it was more about the creativity; we were making a riveted cuff bracelet that required cold connecting three components with three rivets. Simple enough?

The weekend before that, I taught at MADE Art Boutique in Phoenix, the crocheted earring class. I didn't have any handouts for that class either because the process of crocheting with wire gave a lot of room for play as they crocheted. Simple enough?

In both instances, I received some "suggestions", or "advice", that I should have had a set of instructions for the class. Hmmm. Interesting.

I also participated in a workshop held by Kate McKinnon in my studio this past weekend. I was the hostess but more important, a student, learning along side eight others; all of whom are my long time friends, my previous students, and accomplished artists every one of them. Kate didn't pass out instructions either. Nor, did anyone expect them. Some jotted down a few points, some took copious notes, and some just watched the demonstrations.

Kate McKinnon Workshop




Which got me to wondering which was the better way? To give handouts or not to give handouts? I do not have instructions for every class that I teach, which is mostly Precious Metal Clay classes. I give handouts on specific information like firing schedules, firing with gemstones, and other pieces of information. I believe that I actually only have one set of instructions and that is the crocheted bracelet class because it has set steps that need to be taken in order to get to the next step.

So how do I really feel? I don't think I'm that into "instructions". I want the student to be creative with their own work. And, I also think when the student feels the need to remember something that she will write things down. Isn't it better for them to write it themselves so they will be able to reference back to it in their own hand, in their own words, in their own mind's eye?

So now what. Perhaps other people's opinions may be helpful here. Which I welcome. From the student? From the teacher? Anyone.

By the way, I'd like to thank Creative U, and MADE Art Boutique for allowing me to teach in their place, with or without instructions. And, Kate for coming to teach us at my studio, with or without...