Spring Things.

 Well, hi there!

Can you believe that it's September already? I ask myself the same question every year. Where does the time go?

As usual, I had plans to achieve so much, but those plans were derailed by various life happenings, as is often the case. But that's ok. I'm a "go with the flow" kind of gal, so I'm not too stressed about not crossing things off my loosely scribbled to-do list.

I finished the quilted wall hanging that I was working on in my previous post.  I had some challenging moments when it looked uneven and then I was worried that I had cut my binding too narrow. But I persevered and finished it and I'm very happy with the outcome. It's listed here.

Finished abstract quilted wall hanging ©2024

I had a very different idea for the mounting, but despite spending a few days noodling around in the garage, I couldn't get that idea to work quite how I envisioned it. So I mounted this piece on some lovely scrap timber that I bought off a cabinet maker. I think it's oak.

I tried to get better at using power tools to do some of these timber projects, but honestly, most power tools are not made for small hands (and more so when those small hands are having grip strength issues!) I had to wait for days when The Bloke was available to do the timber work, because what would take me hours, he could knock over in a matter of minutes. I've got a nice batch of timber hangers in stock now, so that the next piece I make won't be held up by my not having them finished and ready to go. I've got a mix of plain timber, which I'll sand and then give a beeswax coating to, as well as some textured ply that I'm playing around with.

Textured wood hangers, painted in grey primer.

Timber scrap with an abstract pattern burnt onto the surface.

Timber hangers with paste applied to create a textured surface.

It's frustrating when you have an idea in your head, but can't work out how to make it a reality because you don't have the skills or the materials to make it work. And on top of that, when you try to do things in a sustainable way, that's an added hurdle to get over. Sure, I could 3D print something, or have it vacuum formed or moulded. But that's expensive, usually made from toxic materials, pricey or too slow for my impatient brain to wait for. The wood burning was a fail because the wood was too hard and the tool got stuck in the grain. If I tried that again, I would use a softer wood, like pine.

The wet, windy days we've had over Winter have been the perfect time to experiment in the garage. I did learn though, that sanding wood creates a fine dust that get's over everything! (I was wearing goggles and a ventilator.) All of the camping gear, exercise equipment and suitcases were covered in dust, so I need to invest in a better extraction fan or cover the stored items in tarps and boxes.

I haven't much felt the urge to start on a new project lately, but I have been working on some packaging/display options for the jewellery collection I made at the end of 2023, start of 2024. I really need to get them listed on my website, but wanted to make sure that if they did sell, I wouldn't be held up sending them off because I didn't have a suitable box to post them in.  I know that many businesses are all about branding and how they can be promoted on social media, but I have a problem with spending huge amounts of money on something that will be put in the (hopefully recycle) bin.  I sourced cardboard boxes locally, then have been using materials that I've collected from recycling facilities to create something to keep the necklaces safe and secure in transit.

Felt and leather jewellery display with cardboard easel. 

The biggest revelation was finally tracking down what I now know are called 'binding screws' or 'Chicago screws'. I had collected long ones from fabric sample books, but was desperate to get my hands on short ones, in a variety of finishes. I asked The Bloke if he knew of them, but his search came up empty handed. In frustration, I searched for "screws used to bind sample books together" and that's when my search yielded results. The screws give a nicer finish than using rivets. I also made some easel stands with scrap cardboard from Reverse Art Truck in Ringwood.  Now I just need to get them listed onto the website and fingers crossed, make a sale or two!  (Go and check it out and subscribe to the mailing list if you'd like to be kept up to date about new items.)

So that's what's been happening at Joystuff HQ. Cheers!

Trusting the process.

 G'day Stuffers! (Is it bold of me to give my readers a nickname? Does anyone else read this blog?)

I've just taken a break from the studio to make myself a coffee, wash a few dishes that I left soaking in the sink and take some pain medication to try and get rid of the headache that is forming.

The very messy studio before it had a major clean up last month.

I'm not sure if the headache is a symptom of my erratic period (hello perimenopause) or if it's from too much computer work/end of financial year stressors.  I finished what work I had to do at around lunchtime today, then headed in to the studio for some creative time.  I've had so many ideas forming in my head lately, but I just haven't had the time to get stuck in to it. I actually have to write myself a list to remind myself to make time for crafting. It's so easy to be distracted by Pinterest or Instagram (although I'm trying to wean myself off the latter, now that Meta has decided to implement AI scraping), and I've often said that I sometimes spend so much time developing an idea that by the time I get around to creating it, the urge has gone.

Improv patchwork made from decorator remnants.

                                          

I've spent the past few months thinking about making things to add to my Madeit store. I was so excited when the site was refreshed and relaunched last year. The new owner, Leina Broughton, has a wealth of knowledge about selling online, and she was happy to give us all pointers on how to market ourselves and our products, how to take better photos and write better headings to make SEO work for us. But the more videos I watched and the more things I read from other sellers on the Facebook page, I began to wonder if it was the right platform for me. The push to constantly post on Instagram, and to create reels and videos of me in the studio, didn't sit well with me. I don't want to be a content creator. I want to make weird little things from the many piles of fabrics I've collected over the years. I don't have a consistent look to my work. It's something that has bothered me my whole creative life. But I've accepted the fact. I make what I make because I enjoy teaching myself new skills. I like to use the things that I've collected. I'm not about mass producing products. And I'm not in it for the money. (Although it's always nice to make a sale and then donate 10% of that sale to a deserving cause.)

So, I keep coming up with ideas and I keep trying to bring them to fruition. But I just don't have the drive like I did when I was making bags to sell at markets. I think it's a combination of an oversaturated market for anything anyone could possibly want, coupled with a feeling of not being good enough, or not having the skills to market myself. 

Improv patchwork piece with added stitching, that I started in May. It's sat idle for the last few weeks.

I'll keep plugging away. I like the fact that when I'm in the studio sorting through fabrics and playing around with ideas, it helps me to destress from 'real' work. It also means that I get some time to myself, as the family tend to leave me to my own devices when I'm in there with the music turned up loud. (I can't tell you how many times they've startled me when they open the door.)
And hopefully soon, I'll have some new items to add to my shop and feel like I've accomplished something.