Learning
09/21/2014 12:21
I have spent most to the weekend playing with Rapidweaver and trying to polish up my web page. I always have a level of frustration in learning a new activity, I want to go from no knowledge to master status with none of the work required to get to that level. Although I can intellectually understand the learning process and work involved, it only “sort-of” alleviates the feeling of impatience. I finally got to the point where I was able to get into the zone and things finally started to click. There is still a lot of work to be done but at least I don’t have that deer in headlights feeling anymore. I found a great manual, RapidWeaver 5 Beginner’s Guide by Joe Workman that has been able to give me a better sense of the basic functions of RapidWeaver and boost my confidence that I can gain a working knowledge of the applications.
I am trying to push myself out of my comfortable little rut and start stretching my creative muscles. I plan to start carrying my camera with me every day and take at least one picture a day. The goal is to capture textures and inanimate objects that provide a jumping off point for my designs. Will start to post some of them to the blog. The other task I’ve assigned myself is to draw at least one design a day. I had started producing a design a day but after a month I started to let things at my day job take over my spare time. I need to re-set the boundary between my day job and my creative outlets. My goal is really develop my design skills and also produce a backlog of jewelry designs that I can then produce.
Finished The Happiness of Pursuit, by Chris Guillebeau. I always find Chris’s take on life pretty inspiring and this book was no exception. The underlying premise of the book is “take control and make your life be about something”. Much easier said than done and like every goal I have ever reached for, there is a fair amount of blood, sweat and tears to reach the goal. Self-reflection is not one of my favorite activities but the book was able to nudge me into some self-reflection and got me thinking about what is more important in my life. I have always just sort of gone with the flow and now I see the need to start swimming against the tide to move into the direction that provides more fulfillment in my life.
What’s playing through the headphones: Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins and Andrew Jackson Jihad
I am trying to push myself out of my comfortable little rut and start stretching my creative muscles. I plan to start carrying my camera with me every day and take at least one picture a day. The goal is to capture textures and inanimate objects that provide a jumping off point for my designs. Will start to post some of them to the blog. The other task I’ve assigned myself is to draw at least one design a day. I had started producing a design a day but after a month I started to let things at my day job take over my spare time. I need to re-set the boundary between my day job and my creative outlets. My goal is really develop my design skills and also produce a backlog of jewelry designs that I can then produce.
Finished The Happiness of Pursuit, by Chris Guillebeau. I always find Chris’s take on life pretty inspiring and this book was no exception. The underlying premise of the book is “take control and make your life be about something”. Much easier said than done and like every goal I have ever reached for, there is a fair amount of blood, sweat and tears to reach the goal. Self-reflection is not one of my favorite activities but the book was able to nudge me into some self-reflection and got me thinking about what is more important in my life. I have always just sort of gone with the flow and now I see the need to start swimming against the tide to move into the direction that provides more fulfillment in my life.
What’s playing through the headphones: Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins and Andrew Jackson Jihad
Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn 2014
09/14/2014 12:17
Ed, myself and the puppy were able to visit the Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair today. We haven’t been able to make the fair for a couple of years (since the McCarren Pool days), so we wanted to check out the new venue and soak in some Brooklyn ambience. It was a gorgeous, clear, cool day and it felt great to get out of the house/studio and just walk around.
The trip was also a reconnaissance mission. I am trying to get ideas for both a booth design and displays….and it was also an opportunity to check out the other jewelers and fiber artists. The one thing that I noticed is that I am a lot less intimidated by other artists work than I have been in the past. Some of this is because I have been able to steadily improve my technique and also I have a better sense of self worth and feel like I have found my voice. I continue to remind myself that this is a journey and everything is a learning experience if you are open to it.
Even though we were just going to look, I ran into a great little booth with two of my favorite things.... plastic and monsters. Timid Monsters had the cutest little polymer clay monsters so I snatched up a few to add to my collection.
The trip was also a reconnaissance mission. I am trying to get ideas for both a booth design and displays….and it was also an opportunity to check out the other jewelers and fiber artists. The one thing that I noticed is that I am a lot less intimidated by other artists work than I have been in the past. Some of this is because I have been able to steadily improve my technique and also I have a better sense of self worth and feel like I have found my voice. I continue to remind myself that this is a journey and everything is a learning experience if you are open to it.
Even though we were just going to look, I ran into a great little booth with two of my favorite things.... plastic and monsters. Timid Monsters had the cutest little polymer clay monsters so I snatched up a few to add to my collection.
Welcome to Short Puppy Design Blog
09/13/2014 12:16
Welcome to the short puppy design blog. This blog is just a place where I can provide updates on new designs/work, document processes, share photos of my projects and design inspirations and provide a place to think out loud.
Just started The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau, one of my favorite authors. The book is about identifying your personal “quest” and how to make it a reality. Chris’s books and blog postings are always inspirational and keep me going when I start getting bogged down in a rut or start feeling overwhelmed by either too many or not enough choices. Chris has a great blog you should check out at chrisguillebeau.com
For the last month or so I have been neglecting my jewelry projects and have been playing around with sewing my own bow ties. I love bow ties and have been wearing them exclusively since 2007. I had been getting most of my ties from either Beau Ties or through Everyday Bow Ties. Geraldo, the owner of Everyday Bow Ties, is a great guy and is also a source of inspiration for me since he started up his craft business after he had a successful “normal” business career.
Hope to have some process shots of the bow ties up soon and also have some listed in my Etsy shop shortpuppydesign.etsy.com
Just started The Happiness of Pursuit by Chris Guillebeau, one of my favorite authors. The book is about identifying your personal “quest” and how to make it a reality. Chris’s books and blog postings are always inspirational and keep me going when I start getting bogged down in a rut or start feeling overwhelmed by either too many or not enough choices. Chris has a great blog you should check out at chrisguillebeau.com
For the last month or so I have been neglecting my jewelry projects and have been playing around with sewing my own bow ties. I love bow ties and have been wearing them exclusively since 2007. I had been getting most of my ties from either Beau Ties or through Everyday Bow Ties. Geraldo, the owner of Everyday Bow Ties, is a great guy and is also a source of inspiration for me since he started up his craft business after he had a successful “normal” business career.
Hope to have some process shots of the bow ties up soon and also have some listed in my Etsy shop shortpuppydesign.etsy.com