Battling the 9 - 5 Blues

Juggling a 9-5 job and maintaining an Etsy shop and art career on the side can be difficult. For many artists, myself included, it is the reality. Keeping the creativity going when you are tired from a days work can be so hard. Ideas may be swirling around, but the energy and lack of time can really get in the way of getting the ideas out and bringing them to life.

For me, I have learned that I can not force myself to spend time in my studio at night after dinner if I am not feeling up to it. Those thoughts appear "but I have to make things" or "I haven't listed any thing new yet this week" and that feeling of being unproductive creeps in. It used to be that I would stay up late, work on projects and then have a horrible time getting up the next morning. My mood and attitude during the work day become cranky. This in turn crushes every last ounce of creativity I may have to work on a project that day when I get home.

I have found a way to keep my creativity going during the week and not overwhelm myself with projects that I can not devote the proper time and attention to. I started working on small scale projects. Collage pieces mostly, like the 3 seen in the photos here. Whether I work at my table in my studio, or take my supplies downstairs and work while I watch TV, these pieces are just the right size to work on. When I am not making a small scale collage, you can find me painting ACEO's.


For me, creating something, even if it just ends up being a study that turns into a large scale project one day, is enough to keep my artsy side happy. Thinking small, I can set out with only an hour or two to work a day and actually complete a piece. My more ambitious projects... well, I will admit I plan those out in my head during the day at work sometimes. I may even sketch out a few things. I save my big stuff for my precious days off, the weekends, or a Friday night after drinking a bit of coffee.

New Work & New Opportunities

It's about time!!

New mini mirrors are here.....

Click the pictures to check them out one by one, or take a look at my Mini Mirror section in my Etsy shop.

And I am happy to announce that my work is now available at Meiklem Kiln Works Clay Studio. It is a fabulous studio offering classes in many mediums, it has a yoga studio and an amazing gift shop featuring unique work from several artists. I am excited to be a part of it. Check it out if you are in the CT area.