Eternally / Internally at odds with myself!

Okay, so how many of you have been pigeonholed into a stereotype? Well I was always good at math so of course I had to go to school for Engineering...and now look at me! I am a stay at home mom who has turned her jewelry and metal crafting "hobby" into a business. Not very engineer like of me. I have often struggled with the Artist and Engineer in me but never had something to quantify it (okay, that is a little on the nerdy engineer side).

I was reading another blog written by a fellow etsy artist Loose Wire Studio and she had these test results showing what percent of her life was controlled by the left vs right lobe of the brain. Well I had to take that test and here are my results...

No wonder I have such inner turmoil between my artistic side and my anal engineering side, I am a 50 /50 split. How about you?

You Are 50% Left Brained, 50% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

What did I get myself into!

Okay, so today I was cruising the Etsy forums and came across one that was entitled Tell us secrets about your shop. Well I HAD to look. One post by Martha Haskins Designs really caught my eye. She admitted to having a secret stash of supplies for projects that have not yet been done.

Unfortunately, I share that same deep, dark secret. I have a closet of shame in my guest room! Yes, I buy stuff when the notion strikes me for a fun project to do, then I stash it in my closet never to see light again. My husband knows this closet exists, but it is a don't ask don't tell policy since he too has his own closet filled with airplane and car models.

Well, Martha called all of us project hoarders out to accept her challenge...make something by Friday from our secret stash of supplies. She even started a thread called Creative Push to try to drum up other Etsians willing to take on the challenge.

Keep an eye on her blog to see what she creates! And check out her Etsy shop, Martha Haskins Designs, for more fun items like this "Spring Trio" of colorful birds.

Pinch me, I made it into Trunkt!

Okay, so I decided to make a few new items and redo photos a little. I was soo pleased with the results that I decided to try AGAIN to get accepted to Trunkt. Well low and behold, I was accepted! I was floored! Now I feel motivated to re shoot more pix and create more lovely items! Follow this link to see how I look on Luster

Flickr get up and Go

Okay, I am not not so savvy yet on all of these methods of online networking, but I am trying! I had set up a flicker site a while back just to load a ton of photos in of an old house I found that I thought my parents would like...it seemed to be a much more effective way of showing them the photos over the email way.

It worked soo well that I decided to look into what else Flickr had to offer. I actually impressed what all there was! I have now loaded a bunch more photos and joined a few groups. It has inspired me to get back to further investigating blogs. So here is a link to my , site!

At the Bench

Last night I got to have some quality time ALONE at my bench. What a welcome relief after dealing with a cranky toddler all day! Well that lasted all of 20 mins before the shop was invaded by my son, hubby, and his friend. They came in to work on their old cars. There went my meditation time...

I do have an 12' wall section of our 60 x 40 barn as my shop...the rest is my husbands domain. I am happy to at least have this much, but I dream that someday I have my own space to do with as I please. I also dream about having time to actually spend at my bench! But that won't happen until the little one is a bit older!

Currently my "shop" furniture consists of a work bench that my husband made for me and a really cool old set of storage drawers that came from the University of Illinois Geology Museum. They relocated and renovated so there were several old storage units like this for sale at the local architectural salvage store, PACA . It is the perfect size to store all of my copper, silver, brass, files, hammers, saws and blades, sandpaper, etc...you name it. The bulkier items fit on top or on my bench. Other goodies I have are a dapping set, bracelet mandrel, ring mandrel (always set up in my large vice), a lazy Susan (no pun intended) filled with fire brick to do my soldering, of course the tank and goodies to solder with, 2 pickle pots, a little drill press, a fire extinguisher, and a few tools of my husbands that have made their way to my area!

With Rings on her fingers...

The other day I decided to make a bunch of rings and do an experiment with texture. I was very please with the results. Now I have a physical reference of the different effects that I can get out of the different hammers I have.

I decided to list these as the 7 sister. Why? Well first the obvious...there are 14 rings with 7 styles of hammering. 7 are left in a Matte finish and 7 are oxidized. The name "Sisters" comes from my mom. She collects vintage Danecraft silver bangle bracelets and she refers to them as "The sisters". They are all different but from the same family. I liked how that sounded, so I borrowed the phrase.

A batch of coordinating earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are in the process of begin made. I am working on a set that are a high shine finish as well.

My first Blog

Well it is early in the morning my son is watching cartoons so I thought I'd try to get with modern times and figure this blog thing out! It is funny how "technology" changes so fast! I am not that old, but sure feel behind the times when it comes to this forum of communication.

I have just listed a new necklace I made on my Etsy site, Luster. . It is a hand formed and hammered copper heart just in time for Valentines day!

I am an avid crafter and am trying to make a go at the jewelry and photography arena. My husband and I just met with the Lawyer and Accountant this week to make it all an official business. WOW what a hassle! I am afraid to see those bills! I better get making stuff to list...

Keep in touch and watch as my business develops! Until then come check out my etsy shops Luster, .Jewel of Wisdom, and Surprise Finds..