Metamorphosis

Definition of METAMORPHOSIS

1a : change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means
1b : a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances
2: a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching

Sometimes I feel as though I exist in an endless state of metamorphosis, constantly withdrawing and reemerging, slightly altered. My head fills with ideas that I hesitate to execute for fear they will fail, so I close myself off. Once in a while I let something emerge which is lauded and applauded, so I stick my head out. Then insecurity strikes and back inside the cocoon I go, trying hard to reinvent the wheel. I can be my own worst enemy.




This state of constant reinvention can be a bit stressful. The endless closing and opening of the door tires the muscles, like a repetitive muscle injury. But the little company may have become a little stagnant and I think it needs to be freshened up. So it's time for a little metamorphosis. Of course, this entails a lot of thought and execution, much research and development, and some retooling -- all the things I thought I got away from when I left corporate USA. And don't confuse metamorphosis with growth - we're talking noticeable alteration versus gradual, progressive development. Believe me, constant growth is much simpler than metamorphosis any day!




There is a HUGE list of things to be done just to get the ball rolling. My poor website waits patiently for its remodel. My Twitter page has been totally neglected. My Etsy store is starved for attention. I need a fan page on Facebook. New patterns have been drafted but not marketed, much less stitched. Off the top of my head I've got three teaching proposals due by the end of the year that need samples completed, then instructions need to be typed (these are the ones that have been sent. I still have more to hunt). Housekeeping? To paraphrase my dear friend Cat, if you see a mess you clean it up. These are the times I wish for a replicator just to have a couple more of me to get everything done.




So it comes down to this: it is time to fully emerge and get something accomplished. I can't say for sure what it will be. After all, the journey is the thing, right? So, in another paraphrase:

Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy ride.

More Etsy Love

My Coral Reef Bracelet was once again featured in an Etsy Treasury. Many thanks to Shelley, aka The Bear and The Bug for the exposure. Hers is a brand new Etsy store, so be sure to visit and check out her goods. The different hues of orange in this treasury just rock, don't they?


Feelin' the love!

Introspective Friday

A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden.
Buddha

I admit that I heard this on one of my favorite television shows the other night, but it resonated. What else can I say? Beads are calling and time is running out, so "yikes, and away!"

I Am Drowning . . .

in a sea of beads! My entire work surface is covered right now as I pull and cull, trying to make appetizing mixtures for an upcoming jewelry party. I told T-man this evening that no matter how much I make, I am still going to end up feeling like it's not enough. My biggest problem is that I don't like doing cookie cutter inventory. I really want my customers to walk away with one-of-a-kind pieces even if it's just a pair of bead-on-a-headpin-dangle earrings. Who wants to wear something that you're going to see on 100 other people? Not me! There are a few pieces that are similar but they are still different and, yes, there may be a very few that are identical. So I sift and sift, match and match, put together and take apart, looking for the unusual combos to mix up with the unusual chain, clasps, ear wires -- nothing blah here! I've been working for a couple of months now and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I am pretty darn sure it's a freight train.

Oh, and did I mention that yours truly has been *ugh* stringing?!?!? (Okay, once in blue moon won't kill me, right?)

Pictures next month -- right now I must concentrate on finding that elusive, just right, unusual color combo for a new necklace! Later, beadlings!

Etsy Love

My Coral Reef bracelet has been featured in three Etsy Treasuries this summer, two of those just last week! I am very grateful to these fellow Etsians for the exposure. On June 18 fissionchips created Aqua & Orange. I would love to link to her shop, but she's an Etsy buyer! Of course I love the color combo here:



On August 28 athenaknits created Sea Creatures. Check out her nifty knitted items. I love the creatures in her treasury:



And on August 30 mamzellefifi created Blue Dream. Check out her crocheted creations. I love the different blues here:



I am definitely feeling the Etsy love right now.

Sale!

This not an exciting post, but it might be a helpful post. I have put most of my loom and peyote stitch patterns on sale. There are some at Bead-Patterns and some more at Sova Enterprises. Some of the patterns at SE will be going away forever after the sale ends. The patterns at both sites are under all my beading aliases: Theresa Buchle, Bumble Beads, and Tabby Enterprises. The bunch at SE includes LOTS of holiday patterns. Quick! Christmas is right around the corner! Happy beading!

Weekend Photo Journal . . . .

What did you do this weekend? I was supposed to go with him:


and her:
to visit them:
and them:
and go here:
Sounds nice, right? A nice little family get away to the Texas coast with the hubz, the kids & the grandkids. That is not how it happened.

He:
did not get to go because our air conditioner decided to die Friday night. Insert frowny face here.

Instead of this: :
we got this:
Look at this:
and this:
and this:
He was a BIG surprise. He also threw a big monkey wrench in the plans. Insert Ariel's frowny face here.

But we stayed an extra day, and she:


got to go here:
which resulted in this:

What did you do this weekend?