Creating for Creating's Sake

Around Art and Soul time, and Christmas time (which are pretty much neck and neck) I feel so pressured to create that by the end of December I'm ready to down the craft supplies, find some chocolate, a good book and a great load of wood to use in the fireplace. Seriously, I'm tired of creating and crafting by that point.

Why do I do it? That is, why do I create in such a rushed and forced manner? I'm not really sure. Perhaps I get so busy throughout the year with teaching, grading, keeping home, teaching childbirth classes, acting as doula at any number of births that I just get pulled too thin. Perhaps it's the emotions of the holidays and knowing it all won't be "just so" and so I get tired of trying. But, more realistically, it's just that every year I question myself. I wonder, "Am I truly created to create?" "Do I truly give people joy through this?" "Is it worth one more year of toil and prep to sit all day at a show and possibly sell almost nothing at all?" And, if the answer is 'yes' to any of these questions I then follow that question up with another, "Why?"

And that leads me to the title. Sometimes it is simply fun to create for the sake of creating. It's fun to see something old take on new life. To see parts become a whole. Conversely to see a whole become parts, and then a new whole, or several new wholes... And the list goes on.

Last year I thought about doing a crafting day with the college ladies from my church. And life happened. And schedules. And doubts. And it never happened. This year I've been trying to host  a small crafting day with two of the young ladies... no longer in college!... for several months. And, just when I felt myself asking all those questions and thinking I should just cancel I decided instead to forge ahead.

You know what? We had a great time. None of us finished a single project, but we all started. We talked about what we liked to create. We talked and talked and listened and listened and became better known to each other. Truly, it gave me joy again in creating at a time when I doubted.

Now, a few weeks later I find myself the proud owner of two new craft books. Gifts from my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. One is a general crafting book and the other an "upcycled" jewelry book. And, deep inside where my feelings lie hidden I realize that someone else has seen into my heart, has learned more about me and has given me more than just books, but, in the oddest sense given me "permission" to craft, an incentive to craft, a push to craft, to create, to fall in love with this wonderful hobby/gift all over again.

I've straightened my table, redone my shelves, studied my inspiration board and begun planning for the new year. I don't have to make the same old thing all the time. The last creations I made were actually homemade spa gifts... bath bombs, bath soaks and bath sugar scrubs. Oh my, sooooo much fun. Still creating.. not only the product, but the packaging and all. Perhaps a new venue for Art and Soul next year. Or, perhaps, simply new gifts for family and friends.

But, I've learned that it's okay to create simply for the sake of creating. It gives me joy, peace, a sense of something accomplished (that won't be readily undone like laundry or dishes!) and it gives me happiness. Not a bad trade off!

Blessings,
Kim

Exodus 35:30-35

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Bezalel and Oholiab

 ³⁰ Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³¹ and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— ³²to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ³³ to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. ³⁴ And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. ³⁵He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.

Art & Soul... my booth in picture form

And yes, this is for my mom and aunt who ask every year. Enjoy ladies. While my sales were few my display made me smile. See if you can find the touch of "Schalf" in the display. I have some every year...

 This year I added a small side table for Christmas items. I am so grateful to my church for allowing me to borrow these lovely table skirts!

 This is more of a frontal shot of the booth. I was able to be stationed just inside the entry doors. 

 To the left of me was "The Bath Hour." This was Sheila's first show ever. Hope she did well as April and I spent the last two years coaxing her to come. Sheila runs "Yellow Moon" a wonderful antique store in Franklin, IN. 

 Here's an array of necklaces... the natural stone necklaces are a first this year. I have a number still available in "jasper" and "turquoise." They are $25 a piece, and not yet listed on Etsy.

Here's the "Touch of Schlaf" this year... Grandpa's silver tea service from the Illinois Central Dining Car. Last year I used the table cloth from the dining car and the year before I used some vintage Christmas pieces. 

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!
Love, Kim

My Etsy shop has reopened!

It was an interesting sale in which I learned much about pride and plans vs reality and the economy. Ah well... there were some lovely new booths at Art and Soul this year and I hope that they did very well and continue to do so.

For myself I've some merchandise that I've listed on Etsy. So, take a peek at the sidebar and you'll four of my items shown there. Simply click on the link. If you see an item on my blog, but not on etsy, simply email me and I'll happily work with you.

Praying you all find much to be thankful for this week!
Blessings, Kim

Creating Frenzy...

I'm not sure whether that means I'm creating a frenzy, or in a frenzy of creation. Either way works. My basement? It looks like arts and crafts threw up all over... my kitchen counter has a soldering station, my piano bench has a jewelry display, the floor by my "work" table is covered in scraps, receipts and bags from the local crafts stores, the other side on my hubby's weight bench I have my paper trimming station, along with inks, glues and some glitter. By the couch I have a table full of dominoes waiting for decor, and on the floor are 2 canvases drying, and several glittered letters also drying waiting to be turned into "JOY" canvases. In the corner is the beeswax pot where I melt the wax to coat my altered art/assemblage bottles. I have a small wooden box full of vintage flowers turned into hair clips and corsages waiting for the sale, along with some leftover memory boxes and bags of buttons. It's a LOT O' STUFF! I mean... art... HA!

And all this? It's for the 3rd Annual Art & Soul Artisans and Crafters Fair, Saturday, November 19 from 10-3 at Chapman's. Wow... run on sentence anyone? Um yeah... of course there are no new photos because I've used all my AA batteries and need some more for camera purposes. So, stay tuned. I may actually whet your whistle for the craft show with some photos. I may also show the mess and see if anyone volunteers for clean up.Or to pay for me to attend "Crafters Anonymous." Just kidding. Kind of. I would take free clean up help.

Actually, I'm quite excited for this year's show. There will be a number of other crafters and LOTS of goodies to buy for gifts for that special someone on your list.

So, I hope you all will join me. And, watch here for photos in the next 4 days... I hope.
Love, Kim

Dear Friends and Readers, Today's sale was a huge success. I so appreciate all who came by, even just to say "hi". I felt loved and supported. Dear and WeeOne were in to visit, helped to haul out to the car, and generally happy encouragers. Yesterday, set-up day, MMH and WeeOne helped as Dear had to work. They didn't even complain when I left ALL my tablecloths at home and we had to go back before we could even begin to start unloading. Then, after all their help the girls went grocery shopping and I even received a 45 minute foot massage from WeeOne. I'm telling you, I just feel loved and spoiled.

The new location was AMAZING, with much room, ample parking and a happy atmosphere. We had 35 artists, and boy were they talented! Without sharing numbers I'll just happily say that my sales this year almost quadrupled from last year. Thank you to all my customers. It was encouraging to speak with some of the people who stopped by and commented on the "Christian slant" of my art, along with a number of other artists. I'm glad that people saw testimony of God's truth in some of my pieces.

The big hits of the day are pictured below.

A Bit of Charm necklaces

Amazingly, this year people preferred the more expensive versions.

Go figure.

Domino necklaces

I happily sold half of all I had made of these to one customer.

I hope the recipients of these enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.
Afterwards I sold even more to other customers.

This was a good batch of domino necklaces!

I was able to sell this set as a gift.

I hope the recipient knows how much love and thought went into this purchase.

A sweet sweet story.

All in all it was a fun and fulfilling day. Comments on the display were gracious and generous. Comments on the wall art warmed my heart. While the wall art didn't sell this year, my bottles began to sell and those didn't move last year. We'll see what comes next.

Be watching...

Blessings,

Art & Soul

Now don't go falling down in a faint. I'm actually here and posting. I'm so sorry about the long silence, but life just gets busy sometimes and one has to live it rather than write about it. So, that's what I've been doing. I've journeyed spiritually through questions about my creating, and in the end, I'm back to creating and very happy about it.

Next Saturday I'll be hosting my booth at the second annual Art & Soul Holiday Craft Fair. And the above are just a sampling of what you'll see. My prices are reasonable... Christmas tags/ornaments as low as $1.00 and wall art no higher than $65.00. There's something for everyone, and if you don't see it there I'll do my best to create it for you... yes, even in time for Christmas, Lord willing!

So, visit Art & Soul Holiday Craft Fair online on Facebook and invite your friends to come and wander and enjoy the many booths you'll find there. Hope to see you there!