Wednesday 29 September 2010

Mediocre

 Has it really been 10 days since I posted?
Yes I suppose it must be.
News in brief: Blodwyn has gone home.
                       Car cylinder head gasket blew in the midst of an immense traffic jam.
                       I had my hair cut.
                       It was Ed and not David.
                       I didn't lose any weight.
                       I created my first Etsy treasury
                       The sun came out twice.

On one of the sunny occasions I was out walking,  along this path past the perfect tree.
 I'm sure someone will hack at it soon, being where I live. Probably they'll think it untidy hanging over the fence like that.
And of course...I've been sewing Harris Tweed for the big order.
Brooches with bound edges and a bit of handstitching with beads.
Round
and some rectangular not many of which have made it into the photographs, the weather has been so bad on the days when the sun didn't come out, too dull to take pictures.
Then onto the hearts which I really enjoy.
Its just a pity they take so long.

The  investment of time is not reflected in the financial returns.
And having seen pictures of the superb work in 'Origin', I really wonder why I bother.

47 comments:

ju-north said...

Your work is great as usual - your individual designs certainly stand out!

Anji* said...

Those hearts are gorgeous, they do look like a lot of work..

Cda00uk said...

Keep bothering - they are beautiful!

Mermaid's Purse said...

Gosh you have been busy ........ congratulations on your big order!

jeanette, mistress of longears said...

Heavens it's gray where you live! Good for you for getting out on that lovely path and taking advantage when you can.

Heather Woollove said...

Oh, sweetie-pie...you sound so blue! Why don't you plan a nice trip to visit me and we'll sit in the sun and I'll cook for you and give you wine and coffee and chocolate and you'll feel SO much better!
Creating for a living can be discouraging at times, but you can be sure that you are an amazing talent and would be sorely missed if you 'stopped bothering'. :(
In the meantime, get an Ott light and sit under it as much as you can. You may just have a touch of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Love, love, love...feel better!!!

Jacky said...

it is a beautiful tree Jackie, hope someone doesn't hack it down. Its a shame no everyone can see the beauty of nature.

Sheeprustler said...

Please bother because they are things of beauty!

Annie said...

You obviously bother because you love what you are creating and your talent would be wasted if you didn't. They are just gorgeous.
Hugs,
A x

J.G.Nieuwenhof said...

Jackie, you bother because: You have to make work: You are good at it: Your work is admired by many (me included). There needs to be something to aspire to, but as long as we don't believe that we can never reach it. We do our best and that is good enough. (In fact, more than good enough). Jen

menopausalmusing said...

Bad news re head gasket! Tree is lovely, hope it gets left alone. Your work is lovely, it is what makes you, YOU! Hope by the time you read this you are feeling a bit more cheery!

Twiglet said...

I hope the sun is shining for you in every sense!! Its fab here and you have also brightened my day by sharing your wonderful work - thanks lots!

Sue said...

Hi Jackie, well done for doing a post, I have not done one for ages and can't seem to muster the energy... completely understand your thoughts and fears for the tree... we have the same problem here as you know... I cannot understand why the same society that appears to revere the idea of a 'leafy suburb' also seems bent on the pursuit of chopping/trimming/lopping/topping out/felling. I could also have a long chat/moan with you over coffee and lots of cake about why we need to create but more importantly, how people aren't prepared to pay what our creations are worth. The words 'China', 'capitalism', 'market economy' and 'not fair' would no doubt crop up. Sending you love and hugs this sunny morning and hoping he also has his hat on in Lancashire :-) xx

Maggi said...

You bother because your work is beautiful, people love it and want to buy it.

Sharne Gregory said...

Dont give up, they are wonderful eye candy and lovely to own.

Gretel said...

You sound as if you've been working far too hard - get this order out and be kind to yourself for a few days - they are beautiful and you would go spare if you weren't making things.

Joei Rhode Island said...

Sorry you feel punky. Sending you some positive energy but don't forget to refill your own tank...that means doing something nice for yourself.

Mary Welsh Hubbard said...

Those hearts really are pretty.

Not really related to the tree, but a few years ago there was a family of deer living in the woods on the edge of a farm that sat on a busy road near my house. Every afternoon they would be in the field eating. One of the babies was albino. So cute. Everyone was talking about it. Then one day some idiot shot it to hang on his wall. So, like I said, not really related - but I do hope that that beautiful tree doesn't become firewood.

hens teeth said...

Hello Jackie....question : does making a big order, sap your creativity? I find it is initially exciting to get an order and then quite tiresome to actually make it! As I think I prefer to follow my nose and make what I feel inspired to make at that time.
Does that make sense? Is it me? Or am I just a grumpy?

hens teeth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kitty said...

Your work is fantastic Jackie - totally unique. I just love that round brooch - blue tweed with the lime green velvet. Yummy!

The picture of the tree is also yummy - such a pretty tree. :) x

Rachel said...

Gorgeous! I hope the Big Order is soon filled and paid for!

Locket Pocket said...

Most of the days when it's managed to be sunny here, I've had to go to work! That's surely not right?! All your brooches are looking lovely! Lucy x

silverpebble said...

Wonderful brooches Jackie. Of course you should 'bother' - look at them for crying out loud!

I hope no one ever hacks at that tree x

Digitalgran said...

Lovely post as usual. Those brooches are to kill for and it would be very sad if you didn't 'bother'. We all love them and your blog.

Heather said...

Oh - you must bother! All the brooches are beautiful and the heart shaped ones are gorgeous, even if they are more fiddly to make. The tree is a lovely shape - glad you had a bit of sunshine to enjoy and I hope the car will soon feel better! Don't work too hard.

Iz said...

Please keep bothering! After struggling with my pathetic handmade felt blobs the other day, I looked at your photo slideshow and showed my husband and said "see - how do I do anything now when it's all been done and so much better than I ever could? Why do I bother?"
So if you don't bother, we're doomed!

lilylovekin said...

Your tree is lovely and I hope it remains that way. I have a tree in my back yard that my husband hacks at and we fight over it all the time. I hope you are feeling better today. And I'm glad you "bother" because your work is lovely.

Gina said...

I'll add my voice to all those that have gone before... you bother because they are beautiful!

Rosie said...

Almost nobody ever made serious money producing hand-made items at home - but you bother because:-
a) it makes you happy
b) because you'd be miserable if you didn't
c) it beats going out to work at something you hate
d) money isn't everything
e) your work is beautiful and gladdens so many hearts (including mine)
h) need I go on???
Love
Pollyanna

Michala Gyetvai (Kayla coo) said...

Beautiful tree and beautiful brooches!
Perhaps because you see the brooches all the time you loose sight of how lovely they are.
M xx

Greedy Nan said...

Really like the hearts and strangely [for me] the circles too. Nothing wrong with circles, just usually prefer hearts. Quite tempted by these - will have to take a look on your sales site.

A time to dance said...

Those wonderful colours call out to me Jackie they look like jewels they are just lovely. I haven't seen sun fir so long and tonight we had a two hour power cut. I thought I was going to miss strictly...hope you are well .. I am taking mum to our cake shop for her birthday... Lots of love H

Jill said...

I LOVE the hearts - so pleased you keep bothering.

Robin Mac said...

Oh Jackie, please don't ever stop making those brooches and posting photos of them for all of us to drool over - they are wonderful. Perhaps is is just the size of the order which is making you sad. Do something for YOU when it is finished just to reward you. Hope the gasket is fixed, and that nobody ever hacks at that beautiful tree.

dog collars said...

no words available to effectively describe how GOOD this is.

Ali said...

Are you kidding? I can see why you bother - because they are glorious! And for what it's worth, I think you'd fit right in at Origin. There is a sense of the personal in your work that gives it that special something. Don't loose sight of that.

artymess said...

great stuff ....what is the big order did I miss a post ???......x

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

People pay to have one of your very special original one of a kind pieces. I love the tree. It's a tree to hug and picnic under

Love
C xxxxxxx

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

ps have a lovely week. I've got Julie down in St. Ives for another week. We are off to a workshop together on Wednesday, should be fun

purplesusie said...

Oh Jackie, you bother because you are uber talented xx
(if you have a bit of your talent to spare I'll gladly have some)
You get to work with the wonderful Harris Tweed,
Your colours are bright and cheery,
If anyone lops the tree we'll get them for you!!
Not lost any weight, heyho!! you didn't say you'd put any on!!
Cars are a necessary evil, well, maybe not necessary........ Dh's 32 year old MG sailed through it's MOT mine cost £400 AND it's a lot younger than his!!!
Chin up chuck,
virtual tea and chocolate and hugs sent to you xxxxx

nimblejacks said...

I'm alive!!!! Posting is awkward to fit in you are right there. If only I had the money to spend on me I'd have about 50 of your lovely things!!! If only 2 small children come first :D Maybe we should all santa's sack and swap our handiwork?

Caroline and Jayne said...

I love the Harris Tweed sewing xxx

DILLY said...

Lots luvly bootful things!!!

¬"

dls said...

Love your art...... it is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing on your blog.

Perpetua said...

I'm posting because you said what I think all the time. It's heartwrenching not to be able to make $ doing what one loves. Twice I packed up shop and said "That's it folks--forget the art". I think once I was thinking of becoming a Tea SHop owner... Anywho, long to short---you Cannot Get Away from it. It just calls you back. So you MUST keep at it. Love your blog. I like your er----frankness!

Sandies' Patch said...

Lovely,lovely work and you have worked hard!
Such a wonderful range of styles and colour, always lots of uplifting colour!
Well done!

Sandie xx



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