Lazy Days...

I am on holidays at the moment - term break. And I have been taking it easy, reading, blogging (My other 2 blogs) and torching. I always plan to stock up on my inventory on holidays, but I sometimes find it hard to get going. I have torched quite a bit this week, but I have been experimenting, playing around with some new ideas, which isn't always hugely productive. But, I will have new beads up on auction this week. I have also been busy job hunting last week, and lots more applications to write this week. The whole process is very ironic. You have to build yourself up in your application, and be the most self confident you can be... and at the same time, the whole process is one that can very quickly strip your confidence away. Interviews and applications, its all very stressful. Especially when you are torn between the jobs you want to do to fulfil your career goals, and the ones you have to consider for financial reasons ... and all the associated politics. Ugh, I think I'll just head back to the torch where I can forget all that. Yep, Queen of Procrastination, that's me! I have just realised I didn't post a pic of my most recent auction. Its a Modern Savages set, 'Wildflowers in Bloom', and it has been re-listed this week.

Are we really in the 21st century?

Why is it, in this day and age of supposed equality for women, when we have female politicians, pilots, surgeons, astronauts etc, that women do not seem to be able to breach that last bastion of manly endeavour, the TV Game Show Host?

Seriously, the only game show in Australia I can think of with a female presenter was the Weakest Link - and she was there for the fear factor for sure! And reality TV is no better. I happened to see an episode of Dancing with the Stars last night. Daryl Somer's hasn't changed his act in 20 something years, and frequently his jokes fall well short of not only the humour they were aiming for, but also the standards of political correctness of the current decade. Sonya Kruger on the other hand, who 'mans' (woman's? ugh whatever) the green room, seems smart, witty, and can think on her feet. I'm sure the whole show would be much more bearable to watch if she was hosting. (I wont go into what would have to happen to the dancing & judging to make it bearable to watch - last night had some terrifying moments!). So, what is it going to take for Ed Phillips to give up the podium on Temptation to Lavinia Nixon? She has far more experience as a TV presenter than him.....

Linking Up

Im working on some blog publicity this morning, so this blog is now listed with Blogarama . Apparently I get a higher ranking if I link back...so here goes.

Good Intentions...

The theme for Modern Savages this week was 'intent'. I am quite happy with my MS blog post this week, discussing the intent behind my current set, 'Wildflowers in Bloom'. But it got me thinking about some longer term goals - the intent towards my beadmaking in general. I have had a few new intentions lately - to have auctions up constantly, and create new work regularly...and more recently, to really work towards developing some new work that is uniquely 'me', an idea that I revisit and reform, and that will perhaps grow into a series of work. The Wildflower beads are a step in that direction, and there may be a few more ideas on the burner. Hopefully the challenges of the weekly themes on MS will be another tool to help me grow in that direction. The first 2 themes didn't really extend me - I had the Fall beads made already (its a very logical theme for this time of year, when most of your customers are from the US), and while they are really relevant to the theme, a they are the fulfilment of my 'intent', the Wildflower beads were made upon my return from the USA, not in direct response to the theme. But the next few weeks hold some very different themes - some involving artists whose work is nothing like the style I use in my beads. So there are definitely some challenges ahead....

Better Blogging

I have recently joined a couple of 'Ning' communities relating to education and blogging. Ning is a free site that allows users to set up their own online communities, with similar resources to those found on sites like My Space.Through one of these communities I have found a link to a post about a 31 day challenge to better blogging, so I will probably be working through some of those suggestions in the near future. One suggestion I noticed when skimming the site the other day, was to return the favour when your blog gets linked to or commented upon on another blog site. The Modern Savages collective I mentioned the other day was blogged about today by Michele on Blog about Crafts, so I wanted to return the favour. Looks like some interesting discussions and good advice on promoting craft work of various kinds.

A new blogging outlet...

I have become involved in a new collective of mainly glass bead artists, who will be blogging together on the creative process, and creating work for sale on a shared theme each week. The blog can be found at http://www.modernsavages.com/ . This week I have been working on my share of Modern Savages, updating my edublog and mainly, getting ready for the SCA event I am running this weekend. My husband has organised a 2 day fighting symposium, with guest presenters from the United States, and my event is the feast on Saturday night. I was at a friends cooking till after 11pm on Tuesday night. I'm heading back tonight, but hopefully it wont be a late night - it only desserts on the agenda tonight (hmm, and cookies, and the pie filling....). Hopefully next week I can get stuck in to some serious torch time....

There is a distinct lack...

...of exciting news to report I'm afraid. Work has been a bit quiet since I returned, although I was able to get stuck into a new project today, which was great. I haven't torched a lot lately - but I do have one more new auction up (and a few relists), 'Cosmic Stones'. I am running an SCA feast next weekend, so I am involved in a lot of planning for that, and will spend several evenings next week cooking in preparation. The kitchen at the hall is not great, so cooking most of the meals in advance is the way to go. I am missing all my American friends. It was great to finally get to meet them all, but its harder now to be so far away and not be able to have quality girl time. I guess it will inspire me to sell lost of beads, so I can go back another year and catch up again. In the meantime, Australia is a wonderful place to visit girls!

New Education Blog

From now on, all posts regarding education will be made at my new edublog 'Let's Talk eLearning'.

I will be getting some new auctions up this week, starting with these ones.....

Feeling poorly...

I am home sick from work today - there seems to be a nasty bug doing the rounds. I managed to finish editing some photos last night - so I am adding them to the relevant posts from the trip, so scroll back a bit if you want to see them. I'm afraid I have nothing exciting to add....

Here is a pic I took in the plane coming home.

Home Again!

Well, I am settled in back home in Melbourne again now. The last week of my USA trip was amazing, but very busy and tiring, so I didn't get a chance to Blog. As I mentioned, Julz and I drove to Minneapolis over 2 days, taking our time and stopping along the way. On the second day of the trip, we didn't take off until lunch time, and drove straight to Minneapolis, only stopping at Cracker Barrell for an authentic country breakfast. The next 5 days was filled with trading beads, socialising, buying tools and glass, volunteering, trading beads, dining out, trading beads, buying tools and glass, buying beads and some more eating! It was a whirlwind few days, tiring but lots of fun. The bead bazaar was mind blowing - to see that many top quality beadmakers selling in one room was something that simply does not happen in Australia, and it was a great experience. I sold for my friends Fay and Julz, and booth-sat for others as part of my volunteer hours. I both traded and purchased some awesome pieces - I will post some pics soon. I'm going to go back and add in photos to my earlier entries, so make sure you scroll down next time you visit. Now I am back at work, and getting ready to get stuck into my beadmaking with renewed vigour (and hopefully creativity!). It was very inspiring to see, fondle, buy and talk about such amazing glass art, and the demonstrations were great for information and inspiration also. Plus I cant wait to play with my new tools and glass. So hopefully I will be posting about new work for sale shortly - this weekend is torch time!