I'd thought about teaching for quite some time. Indeed, I'd revisited that idea every time it was mentioned to me. For various reasons, not the least of which was lack of confidence and lack of desire to teach, I haven't taught many people. However, circumstances converged in January to convince me otherwise. A few chance encounters in town helped me to realize that perhaps I do like teaching and that this may be a direction I want to go. So, I've offered a Beginner's Beading class through my local Continuing Education facility. I offered two dates, one in February and one in March. The February class was canceled for lack of participation. I haven't heard about the March class yet. Initially, I took this a bit personally (as is my wont) and was sad. However, there are many reasons circumstances work out as they do and we rarely have the opportunity to really know all the whys and wherefores.
As I visited my local Art Center to print out materials for my upcoming visit to stores and shops for consignment and wholesale opportunities, I was invited into a class being held by a fellow wire-working artist for the local school children. I hovered in the background, as I waited for the printing to be finished, listening and watching. And walked away feeling rather good about the design and materials I had prepared for my class. And feeling rather pleased about my skills as a teacher. So, if this March class is canceled for the same reason as the previous class, I'll still move forward with the teaching; consider what other classes I might offer, when and where.
I'm including this picture of Leonardo Di Vinci's work in this post as his sketches have always seemed to me to be wonderful teaching materials. These sketches and drawings are lessons in and of themselves. Portraits of a brilliant mind and bright ideas.
I'm using this post to mention my progress on reorganizing my space, business and life.
I've felt compelled, as of late, to do this clearing and reorganizing. It has become more clear to me what does and doesn't work for me right now and I decided to take some time to help my space work for me.
I have reorganized a great deal of my beading station. After brainstorming about ways to improve my current workbench/area, I took the time to put ideas into action. Also, I now have excellent computer capabilities and I'm running entirely on Linux or Mac. The last is important to me. It is just another way I can reinforce my 'indie' business as well as have good-quality tools at my disposal. I cleared off my desk and it is now Admin Station. It is here that the computer, keyboard, etc. reside and any necessary paperwork, etc. I've still got a bit of tweaking to do, but the clear space is WoNdErFuL!
I also took the time to clear off the two tables that are set in an 'L' shape next to my Admin Station and contain some of the beads and tools I need to create. I have that down to one table. This was important to me as
a)I wanted a clear space with only ...oh... 10-15 projects in my immediate bead area. This helps me feel less cramped and overwhelmed and lets me focus better on the projects at hand. It also helps me sane. If I can find what I need, when I need it, I'm less likely to ponder if I've forgotten something important in the jumble of life things.
b) Since I share this space with other people and where those two tables are is an EXCELLENT Sunny Spot, I wanted to keep one table clear for others to come over with a laptop, book, or whatever and a cup of their favorite beverage and hang out in the sun.
I have a proto-type shipping station in this area, too. I'll see how this works for me and adjust as needed.
One last reflection:
Personally, though the economy is still in a downturn and many resources are limited; I can appreciate one aspect of this time. If it encourages many of us to take a thoughtful look at how we spend our resources (our time, our money, our emotions, our energy, our very lives) and jettison what no longer serves and reclaim what does or will serve us (including our politics, our governments from the local on up, where we shop and with which company and so forth), then I am happy about this, indeed. I believe that there are too many of us just surviving. Certainly I would say this both of those I care about and those I have yet to know. I would like to see more of my friends and more of this world *thrive* (with positive changes).
So! Remember that wonderful box of vintage watch parts I posted about a little while back?
I have creations with a few of those components to show you!
The first is titled: Red is the Color of War.
Ingredients:vintage watch parts, glass, aluminum jumprings, Sterling Silver earwires.
These watch parts remind me of war machines of some other time and place.
Next up is: Clockwork Jewels
Ingredients: vintage watch parts (with synthetic garnets inset), natural garnets and Sterling Silver.
Garnets are used in some watch parts due to their harness and therefore durability and resistance to wear.
Finally, Wheel of Days
Ingredients: Vintage watch calendar wheels, vintage metal stamping, glass, natural brass wire, Sterling Silver jumpring.
I fell in love with this Art Deco style vintage metal stamping and knew it had to come home with me. Months later, when I saw these calendar wheels, I KNEW I had to do something with them.
When the title popped into my head one day, the rest of the creation followed rapidly!
