"Why can't you be normal?"

How many times have I heard that sentence throughout my life?? "Why can't you be NORMAL?", always used a not so subtle putdown to whatever it was in reference too-"why can't you be like normal kids and play outside instead of sitting in your room reading too much?" "Why can't you act normal instead of having un-natural colored hair?" "Why can't you be like normal people and bake in the sun instead of looking like Elvira?" etc, etc, etc......

What IS normal? Apparently, it was nothing I was. As a child its painful to be considered an outsider, as an adult I laugh at people who say its not 'normal' for me to be ME.

I heard a profound statement yesterday that reminded me of all those years of feeling like some kind of weirdo "Normal people don't make history." HOW true is that??? Can you think of anyone who as made a name for themselves being part of the herd mentality? I can't. So if someone has ever said to you "why can't you be normal?" Thank them for reminding you of just how amazing YOU are.

Speaking of amazing people, I have to tell you all again how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE and HIGHLY recommend Alyson Stanfield's book "I'd Rather be in the Studio". If you are doing anykind of creative work, business or thinking about starting one do yourself a HUGE favor and go buy it!!!! Right now, go on- you can come back and read the rest of the post later. She is like the best friend we wish we all had-someone who challenges you and supports you at the same time, who knows what she's talking about and happy to share the info so you can be as successful as you want to be. I've read a TON of books about how to move forward as an artist, alot highly recommended that left me flat, alot ok, some pretty good and I can say from the bottom of my heart that this is the best of them all. Its a small $25 investment into yourself, and you are worth that!!!!

Today I conquered my fear of the propane torch and used it to solder bezels onto about 20 Wanderlust pendants. Went alot faster. My fear? that I'll blow the house up or or myself or something will burn down. I know its irrational but its my fear and I just punched it in the face LOL. I bought a torch for MAPP too that I hope comes soon so I can use that to do some rings I have in progress and need more heat.

Heres a pic of the raw pendants in dirty pickle...so much firescale.

Lookie at me in Artful Blogging Mag!!!!

HOW flattered am I that Artful Blogging Magazine has picked this blog header as one of their faves??? THANK YOU Artful Blogging! I feel like mine was so boring compared to the others chosen, and now I want to glam it up a bit. I love seeing how people make their blogs so pretty and great representations of their artwork. And while I have the Butterfly Handspun Yarn in mine, I think it lacks OOMPH, so I'll work on that this weekend. hopefully that is!

And this blog in general could use a sprucing up too. Blogger is great for having templates, but I need to tweak it a bit. I don't really know how to do HTML, and know nothing about CSS, so I'm trying too look at peoples hacking tutorials and adding stuff. I think I may just try to find someone to create a new template for me.

I've done about 1/3 of what I call "the great movearound of 2008" i.e.-switching things around this little apt. My bookcases and books are in the upstairs loft room, and my desk/computer and one case are out in the front downstairs. Next-clearing out more stuff, organizing, moving out the work table/kiln and assorted stuff from the studio. Then put together the new headboard, bring down the bed, take up the couch and move clothing around, clean clean clean LOL. The goal is to have it done by the end of the month......we'll see. I still need to be able to work on spinning yarn and making art and jewelry-but I haven't done much of that this month as it is, so I guess I shouldn't stress over it.

Its amazing what stuff you can let go of when motivated. I went thru my books and have a stack to sell and 2 bags full that went to Goodwill. Why was I holding on to books & maps on London were printed in 1993???? Was I afraid that was my only connection and I'd never go back? I think so, so off they went. Why do I have computer diskettes (remember those!) from the first HP I got when we got married TEN yrs ago?? lordy! A suprising amount went out this weekend without much effort at all which is nice and I have a stack of stuff to sell which will go into the Wales Trip fund (even nicer!!!!)

overwhelmed

as much as I am trying to fit it=I'm overwhelmed. Organizing this show is SO time consuming, you can't imagine, and I never ever thought it would take up as much time as it has....Crazy.

Speaking of-please feel free to right click/save this image and post it on your blog or whereever! Its also on our website: www.sfcraftmafia.com

I have so many things I need to get done for ME-submit for upcoming deadlines, MAKE stuff, make NEW stuff, explore, craft, create, art for swaps, etc..let alone get stuff together for this show, and the other fall shows, website and holiday gifts and clean/cook/laundry duties..

I can't complain, I like having all these opportunities, I just wish I had a washer/dryer in my loft, hairless cats, invisible livein cook/maid and a clone!

Thursday is my busiest day of the week. I am taking pics of the yarn and stuff, resizing, writing descriptions and updating the website. I should be doing that now.

Last night, our power went out because of the 40+mile an hour winds whipping thru San Francisco. Rob wanted to take me out to dinner but I had planned on sitting on my butt, reading magazines all day and ordering in. Since we had no power-we had no phone or internet and no way to order food. We decided to go up to Amici's for dinner, since the fancy restaurants on our street-Coco 500 and Fringale had no power either! Amici's has good Italian food, nothing super fancy but good.

I want to give a HUGE congrats and a hug to my friend Tara Finlay for her jewelry article in Belle Armoire Jewelry #3 magazine!! WOO HOO!! they look lovely!

Fly Away!!!!

WHEW! Its been a BUSY couple of months!!! No real let up in sight (and thats OK!!!) but lots of projects are flying out the door, and it makes me happy! Just like these happy birds, flying away!!!

Magazine art submission-flown away
Art for Paper Book-flown away
Book Art Submission-flown away
Press Releases for Scrappy Cats-flying everywhere
SFCM Trunk Show-hatching

Today I MUST SPIN for I have nothing for tomorrows update. So many other things have sucked up my spinning time this week. But today, after I go throw the laundry in the dryer, I will focus on just spinning.......Not even gonna cook today=Rob will pick me up a salad on the way home. I have a ton of yarn ideas floating around my head, and they need to get out. Also, I have a couple of consignment opportunities to fulfill and a friend wants me to do a Dr. Who's 'The Master' signet ring and I need to work on a prototype for that this weekend.

So I best go start my day!!! All the bird pins are available for adoption too-if you are interested, just email!

I'm SO busy!!! I have a press release to issue tomorrow and I'm scrambling today to get prepared. Its for a good cause, I'll post the details here tomorrow.

Had to do some last minute unexpected stuff to get the SFCM Mafia Made vendor application up=Rob aka "The Saint" is working on it, and we'll have it up in a couple of days. SFCM NEEDS a real webmaster, so if you are talented, creative and hardworking-please let me know. We're starting to get responses from people for goodie bags=WOW I'm so excited!!!

Also, want to give a big HOWDY!!! to Collage Cats new headquarters! Add them to your blog links!

ok=back to my grindstone and camera...............

Last night, Jessica and I went over to the Whole Bead Show downtown on Van Ness. A very small show-with only 18 vendors. I have to say I wasn't too impressed. Most vendors were pretty pricey (one had costume chain at $44 a FOOT!), high wholesale requirements and the selection was very bleh.

There were a few highlights - a Venetian glass seller, an Asian porcelian artist, and a great gemstone dealer. It was at the gemstone table that I got this SCORE. Aren't they pretty??? I ALMOST plunked down the credit card for a $330 strand of rubies, that I REALLY wanted...but we need to buy a couch (still!) and couldn't justify the purchase....I did dream about it last night too. Also are 3 vintage enamel rosebud beads, begging to be made into a necklace

I also got a FABULOUS head/hood from Etsy Seller "Pillbox Productions". Kristen creates headgear out of rescued vintage fabrics, as well as alot of other pretty art. Check our her etsy shop HERE.

Here I am in my gorgeous 50's Barkcloth hood. Man do I need a real stylist, make up artist and photographer!

Isn't it cute?!?! She is killing me because theres a leopard one up, a black with bright floral print and an orange pillbox hat I am LUSTING after. So, if anyone feels the need to buy me something-theres a mini list! LOL

ok, must go work now. Laters!

Some FAB books from Amazing People

I wanted to talk about some great books by people I admire greatly, and are either out now or will be soon.

The other day I posted about the newest Pluckyfluff book-Intertwined. I sent in a skein for it and HOPE to have some yarn in that book. Lexi said that she was 200 pages OVER, so things got cut. I know its business, but doesn't that publisher understand-wez fiberz peeeplez LOVEZ OUR YARNZ and we'd buy a massive book of it! I can only imagine how amazing the book would be in the original form! But NOOO worries, everything that gets cut from this book, will go into the next book of Lexi's so its all good!!!

Then there is my brother in rust-Michael Demeng's new book "The Secret of Rusty Things" is in the bookstores now. Its SOOO cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if you aren't really into assemblage, you have to buy it because it will inspire your creativity in other areas like color, composition, juxtaposition, etc.... Check it out at your local bookstore, or order one on Michaels site. If you are taking any classes with him you can probably get one from him or at least have him sign your copy with a personal note.

Don't forget, Michael will be over in Berkeley this weekend, teaching 2 classes at Scrapbook Territory , June 8 & 9th. Soda Pop Icons and Contemporary EX VOTOS a.k.a. Thanks For the Miracle. Michael’s classes sell out quickly at venues like Artfest, ArtUnraveled, Art & Soul, Valley Ridge Art Studio, etc….This is his only Bay Area teaching gig, so if you want to take a class with him-call the store and see if there is room!! As an added bonus-you get to meet me, I will be Michael's teaching assistant this weekend.

Back to the books:
Second on the list is by my friend Susan Lenart Kazmer. Her book "Connections" is done and will be released on Sept 1, but you can pre-order it thru her site now. If you have ever taken a class with Susan you know what a genius she is, and you learn SOOO much from her.

Also, my girl Jane has a book coming out too in Sept-Altered Curiosities. I haven't gotten to see inside this yet, but since I know Jane and her art-Im sure it will be amazing.

I'd love to hear some other great creative books to buy-so post some comments! I may do a book review of Michaels book on the next Fluff-a-licious podcast, but forgive me if it sounds totally biased LOL

Speaking of the podcast, Natasha and I are gearing up to do another, and we promise it won't be an hour long. We're debating talking about dying, among other things-so if theres anything you want to hear us talk about directly-leave a comment over there or here or Natasha's blog.

More listing!

I'm very slowly getting back into "work" mode. I've been pretty lazy all week!

I did make a sample scarf. So many people want to see the yarn made into something. I've been bad about doing it because I'm not really a knitter or crocheter but more of a yarn hoarder LOL. But I have made things for other people and have only one necklet to show people, so I did need some more examples. Also=I want to create a customer gallery, so if you've made something marvelous from my yarn-please send me some pics!!!

Yesterday, Jessica and I went out to Capsule Fair. Some people we knew were vending so we went to check out all 140 vendors. It was really cold & foggy and I only had on a sweater and a scarf I made. I assumed it would burn off by Noon like it has the past few days-but now...I froze LOL.

We are both glad we checked it out and glad we didn't apply. It was mostly t-shirt vendors, jewelry artists and handbag makers with a few plushie people thrown in. I felt bad for the vendors with so much competition. I think some diversity in the vendor group would have helped everyone sales.

After an hour 1/2, I was too lethargic to do anything. So I came home, had lunch of a Lean Cuisine and a bagel and promptly fell asleep for 4 hours. Too many carbs!!!

After I woke up, I worked on pics and listed 8 resin pieces on etsy. All pretty retro looking birdies and skulls. I wish Etsy would streamline the listing and allow you to "sell a similiar item" so you can bypass repetitive steps. A dream for the future! Anyway-I've also put up some new stuff I'm working on-Belt Buckles. Check them out!

Heres what I've been up to the last couple of days

Not much, but resin takes 24 hours to dry....and for some reason my pinks never ever fully cure...they are flexible..Ok to use for some things but not others darnit! They still lots of work to do on them-sanding, polishing painting, adding findings, etc....



These will all be available at the Bizzare Bazaar/Maker Fair in SF May 19th & 20th-but if you see something you love, email me about it.

New Spinning Fibers!

I actually got some work done today!! not much, I STILL don't know where my day went. I couldn't wake up until 10 am (10 hours of sleep!) and its 9pm and I can't say I accomplished much of anything!

I've got one batt and a few bits of dyed roving up on Etsy right now..however theyare done until midnight 1/23/07 so you'll have to look at them tomorrow. The link= http://barbesaintjohn.etsy.com/

But here are some pics-the first is 'Rainbow', the second 'Tender Heart', and the 3rd is 'Battered & Bruised'

ok, I KNOW I said "no excuses" today...

but that was quickly squashed into the ground. Got into a....don't even know how to term it, lets say a miscommunication with an online friend that quickly deteriorated into a meltdown and drama. The emotional negativity of that left me with a massive headache this afternoon and I was in NO mood to be around anyone let alone try to dance. Its still hard for me to shake, very toxic and I'm just not USED to being around toxic anymore...So when it comes into my life it affects me alot more than it use too... shudder....

I tried all day to think of happier/positive things and it was a real battle. I still am feeling bleck, but at least I am not in a negative mindset anymore.

So today was another where things got done SLOWLY....Tomorrow I need some retail therapy..BADLY. I have gift cards to H&M and DSW burning holes in my pockets. I want to stay home and work, but I think I need a break more......

I also have to hit the postoffice tomorrow and take a large bag of stuff to drop off. Luckily theres one a block away from H&M LOL.

Perhaps I can get something done tonight.. I have one yarn for Friday update and I haven't been updating like I should because I've been sick for so long.

I need a good espresso machine, doesn't need to be fancy just GOOD.