Paperwork Procrastinator Blues

I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork.
Peter De Vries
     I totally relate to this quote.  Whether it was during my teaching career, or now as a jewelry artist, the paperwork part of my work tends to really frustrate me.  So as a result, I tend to procrastinate till the last possible moment. 

     On each piece I create, I have to photograph it, inventory what materials I've used in the piece, name it, write up descriptions, create descriptive tags, inventory what's in and what's sold, and enter it in my online stores etc......When you are a paperwork procrastinator, it means instead of one or two pieces to create a paper trail for, it's twenty or more.  I know what I should do, but I get into the fun creative part of my business, and put off the more "painful" parts.  I spent one whole day this weekend, cleaning up the records of my inventory for a local shop.  It's a good thing that my studio walls don't have ears, they would be burning.

    On another note (speaking of fun things to do), I've mastered a new stitch....a right angle weave and was really pleased with the end results

I've named the bracelet Cleopatra. Have I put it into inventory, or any of the other steps?  Not yet, I'll wait just a little bit longer.........I have a design in my mind for a beautiful peach colored bracelet with pearls and crystals......hmmmm....I can hear my work table calling to me....

Patience is a virtue!

Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself. Saint Francis de Sales

     When I first began making jewelry, I was sure it was going to be easy.  All I had to do was to visualize the piece I wanted to make, select the materials and begin putting the beads on the string. Right.......I quickly learned there were critical steps I had to take to make sure my piece didn't fall apart the first time I wore it.  (Like the time I was up until 1:30 p.m. because I had to finish the three strand necklace.  I hurried through the crimping part to get it done.  Marveling at how beautiful it was, I went into bathroom to check how it looked on.  When I attempted to attach the ends, one of the strands let loose and tiny beads showered over the tile floor......it wasn't a happy moment.)
     Fortunately I found great teachers (and artists in their own right) at local bead stores Shelly (whose store is no longer open) and Jennifer at theguesthousenh@yahoo.com.  They were extremely patient with my A.D.D. tendencies to hurry or switch gears in the middle of a piece.  My work area was usually a mess and beads were frequently knocked onto the floor.  I learned the hard way the value of taking my time whether it was setting up my mat and materials, the process of making the piece,or taking the time to organize my workspace for the next project.
     As my skills advanced, I began experimenting with different techniques.  I stayed away from the more complicated aspects of jewelry making,(stitching in beadwork) because I didn't think I had either the dexterity or patience to make it through a piece. This year, I have discovered not only can I make these complicated pieces, but actually enjoy the process.  I still feel at times as if I am the slow learner in any class I take.  There have also been too many times where I've begun to hurry and ended up having to go back and redo.

Spiral weave bracelet with Swarovski crystals and pearls

     But when I do take the time, the end result is a piece I can look at in awe that I actually created it.  Patience is a virtue!

Dreamscape Jewelry Design:
Thoughts from a late blooming artist.....
When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.” – Linda Naiman

    Red Trillium (My logo)


    The Beginning: Although my daughters are both artists, I never called myself an artist until I reached the age of 50.  Although I was a passionate gardener and creator of miniature room boxes, I stayed away from any type of "art" making.  Professionally I taught my students (elementary and graduate) how to develop the artist in each fo them, but stayed away from actually practicing what I was "preaching."  Noting my avoidance of painting with them, a first grader was the "teacher" who told me that "I was an artist too and all I needed to do was to try ."  In the years that followed, I began "experimenting" with water colors and sketching in my nature journals.  As long as I told myself I was "playing", it opened up the gates of  creativity and risk-taking. 
          In 2009, I was looking for a bracelet to wear to my daughter Katie's wedding.  I wandered into a bead shop which was beside a jewelry store.  Noting the wedding was in two days and my search in jewelry stores had been futile, I ended up designing my own bracelet.  The whole process from envisioning the piece, to the act of stringing was intriguing.  When I finally put the bracelet on, the thrill of creating something beautiful and unique was overwhelming.  I was hooked!  I continued to make jewelry throughout the winter.  People noticed what I was wearing and requests began to come in for pieces of my jewerly.

         The Name:   In the spring of 2010, my husband and I were walking down our camp road in northern Maine, we disovered red trillium (my logo) blooming by the side of the dirt road.  We had named our newly purchased cabin Dreamscape (it had always been a dream for us to own property on East Grand Lake, and it was a "great escape....hence Dreamscape). The sight of these beautiful & unusual flowers blooming in the midst of the dregs of winter, planted the seeds for creating a business for custom jewelry.  The name of our business and the logo began that day.

     The Business of Creating Wearable Art:
     Dreamscape Jewelry Design was created to provide my customers with unique alternatives to the mass-produced jewelry which has been flooding the marketplace. I specialize in custom designed, reasonally pricedand one of a kind jewelry; necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bridal sets and children’s jewelry. My designs are directed by the “stories” found in either the unusual focal lampwork beads or semi-precious gemstones.

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Branching Out:
I love the whole process of jewelry design. Creating a business doing something I am passionate about is an incredble gift at this stage of my life.
In addition to sellling my one of a kind jewelry at craft fairs and stores in Maine and New Hampshire, I have begun exploring the realm of the Internet.  I will be selling on both Etsy (Shop's name is Dreamscape Jewelry) and a website is soon to be up and running (dreamscapejewelry.com)
Needless to say, my venture into cyberspace is both daunting and exciting!