Balance

I've been thinking a lot about how to achieve some balance in my life.  Everything seems so busy between work, family, and my Etsy stores.  There never seems to be enough time in the day.  During the work week I'm usually so exhausted after the day job it's all I can do to get any button purchases packaged up and ready to go.  I don't know how people do it.  I don't even have small children any more.  I really want to do it all! 

Today I took the time to make some homemade ice cream.  It's vanilla (from our Mexican trip) with a whole chocolate mousse chocolate bar added in just for fun.  I also made some pear jam - which looks like it will be better as an ice cream topping :)  I've been trying to master jam making all summer but can't seem to get it to thicken enough to be a jam consistency.  Oh well - I have some very yummy ice cream toppings so even my mistakes aren't too disheartening.  I am determined to figure out this jam thing!!!!!!!!!!

On The Darker Side - Handmade Buttons

 

 

 

I've recently opened up a second button shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/onthedarkerside?ref=si_shop   These have the type of resin buttons and jewellery as my other Etsy shops but these images are a bit on the darker side.  I've even called the shop On The Darker Side.  I'm working on this shop with my son and I'm incorporating buttons and jewellery items that have unusual or weird designs.  These will appeal to people who like things which are a bit more out there.  My other shop Buttons By Robin still has all the cute designs but these are something very different.  I've never seen these type of button designs and I'm hoping these will fill a niche for people that like these designs.  The shop is just getting started but I'm pleased with the amount of interest people have shown in it so far.  I particularly like getting design suggestions from people. 

The Last Of Summer







Green Bird Buttons

It's been a busy summer.  As I'm enjoying this last long weekend of summer I'm looking back and can't believe how fast it's gone by.  I've been busy over the summer and especially the last few weeks.  Now that summer is winding down I'm getting back to the buttons and gearing up for the holiday season ahead.  I've been busy listing buttons this weekend and I've got so many ideas for buttons and jewelry dancing in my head.  Tomorrow is the last day of the long weekend and I'm going to see if I can get some "play" time in.  By play time I'm talking about experimenting with my crafting in mediums other than my usual resin buttons.  I do feel a bit guilty as I've got a few custom orders that are waiting to be completed.  I do think I need a day just to play and experiment.  The problem with this is that so far my experiments haven't proven to be successful in my shop.  I've got some gorgeous glass buttons but I think the price point is a bit high for most projects that people make.  I do understand that.  Unless it's a really high end garment how can you justify a $10 button.  I sure wouldn't.  I do enjoy playing with the glass though.  I'm anxious to try some stamping on some ceramic buttons.  It's a new technique I've recently discovered and I have everything to work on the buttons.  I just have to have the time to try it out.  I've also stocked up on Halloween stamps and cookie cutters and before you know the Halloween buying season will be gone and I won't have made hardly any of the items I have in my head.  Oh well.  Even dreaming about these ideas keeps me excited and interested in my craft.  The bird buttons above are some of my latest creations.  The colours (colors) are almost jewel-like.  The truly are beautiful.  OK now I'm going to finish watching - Eat, Pray, Love.  I find the movie inspirational and often have it laying in the background as I create.  One of these days I'm going to have a vacation place in some exotic land and this movie reminds me of that.  Enjoy the rest of your long weekend everyone!