Lost

You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
~C. S. Lewis

Lost Vilnius by Levas

Smarty Phone

Trying to keep up with technology Husby and I invested in something I've been afraid of for years...smartphones. Or is it smart phones? See? That's how out of it I am. I don't know if this object is called a "smartphone" (like "telephone"), or if the phone is described with the adjective "smart."  Whatever the case, we both got one. 

They scared me for a long time, the smartphones, but I figured I'd never need one anyway so I could just ignore their existence in the world.  And the thing of it is, these aren't smart phones, they're computers that can also be used as a phone.

But look who I'm talking to.  I'm probably the only one of all of us who doesn't know how to use one of these things and I'll tell you what ~ you're all going to have to suffer for it because I can't type for sh!+ on this thing.  My Facebook and Twitter entries are nothing but gibberish because I can't type with my thumbs.  Yes, that would be me, the oldster who actually took typing class in high school and know the home keys and everything.  I could probably even learn how to type with my thumbs on a regular keyboard, but on those tiny screen keys?  Forget it.

Then we found out the phones we bought, which were introduced last year, are going to be discontinued in a month or two.  ???    Back where I come from something that's been out a year is considered a new model, but here in the 21st century it's considered a relic.

Amazingly I figured out what apps are, I learned how to create contacts, and now I'll even be able to accept credit cards at the craft shows I do because I took a leap into the future, which of course is now.  It will take a while to master, but I'm kind of proud of myself for taking the steps I needed to keep up with the times, especially for the sake of my business.

Funny, but every time I use this amazing piece of technology a song from the past, about the future, rings through my mind.  Enjoy this oldie, and dig those Miami Vice threads!

Wordless Wednesday

Impromput Visit

All this stuff I've been writing about regarding scheduling and getting things done...I have to say there's something to be said about spontaneity.

I usually put so much emphasis on what I do and don't get done that I sometimes lose track of living.   Someone said  "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."  This weekend I was reminded of that.  I got a call from my friend Ruthie, who rarely calls me on the phone at home.  She said her husband Ray might have a tool which could help me in the production of my bottle cap drink charms and magnets.  She also said they could bring it right over if I wanted it.  Of course I would love a tool which could make my production run quicker; I said "come on over!"

So they did.

They arrived at our house around the dinner hour.  Usually not a great time to be dropping by, but Husby and I thought it was perfect as we could at least offer them some food in gratitude for their kindness.  We ordered a couple of pizzas and opened a bottle of wine for Ruthie and me and cracked open a couple of beers for Ray and Husby. 

I took one sip of that Pinot Grigio and knew a glass of wine was just what I needed ~ it was an almost rebellious break from the demands I've been putting on myself lately.  What was intended to be a drop-off visit turned into a six-hour fun fest with good friends.

By the end of the evening we had finished up two pizzas and some Girl Scout cookies (Thin Mints ~ perfect after pizza), two bottles of wine, a bunch of beers, and a whole bunch of yakking.  Neither couple planned on spending the entire evening together.  I know Husby and I enjoyed ourselves and we hope Ruthie and Ray did too.

The point is, while it is important to accomplish things in our lives, mundane or obligatory or mandatory, it is equally important to leave a little wiggle room for spontineity.  Don't let an impromptu visit freak you out.  (The laundry can wait until tomorrow.)   Live in the moment and grab your opportunities to live life as it comes to you.

Featured Shop ~ Rainy Day Yarn Shop

I love rainy days, and today's featured shop is an especially lovely rainy day.  Rainy Day Yarn Shop has a nice variety of  items featuring beautiful handspun yarns as well as ready-made items created from wool and yarn.

With the recent snow springtime seems to be a bit off in the distance here in Minnesota, so you might as well cozy up with a hand-knit neck warmer like this one:

Coral Scarflette Neckwarmer

The cable knit looks so warm and the wooden buttons give it great character.  It's perfect for bundling up in chilly winter weather.

If you'd rather make your own scarf, mittens, or hat for cold weather, the Rainy Day Yarn Shop offers many varieties of beautifully colored hand-spun yarns.  I would love accessories made with these yarns created from very fine roving.

Falling Leaves Handspun Yarn

The shop also carries something for which I have a new love, felted beads.  These would be a wonderful element to use in creating your own jewelry of a most unusual style.  Felted beads are all the rage and the Rainy Day Yarn shop has several varieties available for you.

Mixed Colors Felted Beads

So much fun to be found in this shop.  Check out Rainy Day Yarn Shop to find something expertly created and ready to wear or find something you can use to create your own woolly accessories. 

The Rainy Day Yarn Shop has a sister shop too!  Take a gander at Bath & Beads Etc for some soaps, jewelry, and more.

This article will soon be published on the HandmadeMN blog, a blog I'm sure you will enjoy.  Not only do they publish my Featured Shops, but have lots of giveaways and interesting articles presented by many Minnesota artisans like me. 

Pick Something And Do It

I wrote a post a little while ago that mentioned my ongoing struggle with organizing and scheduling. Charlotte gave me some tips on how to actually get things done. Her way involves a little planning and a lot of doing. My way has been spending countless hours planning and list-making and finding no hours at the end of the day to accomplish anything.

I also mentioned in that post that I had seen a video put out by Etsy regarding the same thing. It's right here, everyone. The advice given first by Charlotte is reiterated by April Bowles in an Etsy symposium. With a combination like that you can't go wrong.

The trick is to chip away. To actually get things done instead of staring like a deer in headlights at the never-ending to-do list. To realize what must be done today and what can wait until tomorrow.  And guess what?  Not getting everything done today isn't going to stop the earth on its axis.  As a matter of fact, Charlotte says the only thing that really must be done today is an emergency trip to the hospital.  If you don't need that, give yourself a break and lighten up.  This is not a point about procrastination but of relieving yourself of the paralysis caused by an overwhelming list of things to do.

Charlotte and April can articulate it much better than I can.  I can't get Charlotte to present a lecture on the subject so I'm offering April's presentation.  I haven't mastered the practice of organizing and discipline yet, but am working on it every day.  I've had good results, mastered or not.

This lesson is a little lengthy, so be sure you have about an hour to devote to it.  Oh come on, what are you gonna do instead?  Waste more time?

April makes references to Etsy and shop owner practices. Fear not. Her techniques can be applied whether you are an Etsy seller or not.

This is a good motivator that will inspire you to accomplish some things this weekend.  Me?  I'm going to start my spring cleaning!

Watch live streaming video from etsy at livestream.com

Music To Dream By

Sometimes, when it's quiet and I'm all alone, I listen to music ~ music that is so overwhelming to me I get a little scared.  It pulls out the feelings I've been holding deep inside me, forcing me to come to terms with them.  It leaves me in awe of the genius behind the compositions and the talent required to execute such masterful creations.  It reminds me of who I am.

I was in Craftland working on a very repetitive task.  I decided to turn on Jean Michel Jarre's Equinoxe.  I've loved this album since it first came out in 1978.  As the music played and my hands performed the repetitive task, my mind began to wander.  Jean Michel Jarre's music makes me think of really big things, like the ocean or outer space.  With such big things in my mind's eye I couldn't help but dream big for myself.  With every track of the album I would dare myself to dream on. 

By the time I was done with my project and the album came to its finish I was ready to take on the world.  I had a new motivation and inspiration.  I was ready to take big chances and give myself opportunities.  All of this because of a guy in France and a synthesizer.  Jean Michel, thank you.  You fuel my dreams.  Not only that, you're kind of a cutie pie.