Almost...

Years ago, when I opened my little craft store, I moved most of my craft stuff out of the house and into the second floor studio of the store. When I got pregnant last year, and couldn't go to work at the studio anymore, I moved my stuff back home.

Well it's been a year of trying to reorganize and create a workspace here at home, and I am still not done. Can you believe it took me a year? I've been hoarding so much craft stuff and thingamobobs over the past 10 years, they've all been sitting in bins and boxes and odd containers. It was hard for my preggy self to make any real progress last year (no lifting of anything heavy, no getting exposed to possibly hazardous materials, etc.)

Finally, January of this year I had some decent storage made.

But it was only last month that I got to seriously sort through the chaos that was my giant craft stash.

It was a mind-numbing, heart-wrenching process. It was like going through a journal. In every old piece of jewelry I unearthed, in every tupperware of beads I opened, I saw a life that I once lived. Who would have thought cleaning up a craft room can be so melancholic?

Well, time for a clean slate. I'm almost done. There are still a handful of bins to sort through, and the books need arranging. But at least I can see the floor now. Ha!

A class with the Queen of Hearts

I've been in awe of Tejae Floyde's encased hearts ever since I saw them in Polymer Clay Daily many years ago.  I couldn't figure out how she made them, they were so intriguing! Well a few weeks ago, I was finally able to enroll in her online class.  This was my little reward for myself for finishing my article!


So far, I've only tried making an encased heart once. No time to clay yet. I'm not too happy with how it turned out - the textures aren't any good, and I botched up the paint job. I don't quite get yet how to achieve that painterly effect Tejae Floyde's hearts are well-known for.

Hopefully, I get it right the next time. The great thing about this class is you can view it at your own pace. I watch a few minutes of it at night while the baby snoozes, pause the video when it's time to nurse. When she doesn't go back to sleep, I watch the video whenever I have free time.

The downside is you only get to watch it 12 times - they put a limit as a safeguard for piracy I guess. So I hope I can nail the texturizing and coloring before my views run out!

Time for change

So much change has been happening around me, it's hard to keep up. I am still adjusting to my "new normal" - so still no crafting beyond the tiny projects that take me 30-45 minutes to create.  But I do have something to show you!

I did a writing gig a few weeks ago, and needed to include a web address in the writer's profile.  Problem was, my old website (the one for the store) was in all sorts of dysfunction (still is). For weeks now, I've been wanting to update it.  But since I do not have time to wade through the clutter of outdated information in the old website - not to mention a now-forgotten HTML/CSS code - I decided to just go ahead and start from scratch.

Last night, while baby was asleep, I made a simple splash page.  I wanted it to look whimsical but simple, like cotton candy. What do you think?

This blog is next in line - it's begging for a redesign.  Question is, when will I find the time? Hopefully, within the next ten years. Haha.

Practice makes... cupcakes

Trying to make my cupcakes again. The last time I made cupcakes, I think I was in my second trimester!

These are far from perfect. I need lots of practice to get my mojo back. I hope the baby sleeps quietly again tomorrow night so I can play for a couple of hours!

How pinteresting!

I started pinning lovely online finds on Pinterest. It's addictive. I love how it's like a virtual mood board. Follow my pins there: http://pinterest.com/beadladymanila/

Is claying like riding a bike?

Trying to hop on the "bicycle" again after four long months. The gears are rusty now. It will take a lot of oiling before the ride is smooth again.

It took me two long hours to make 2 tudees and the bead above. Two friggin' hours for 3 puny pieces.

They say when you learn to ride, you never forget. I wish it's true with polymer clay. Because I'm not sure if I still know how. :(

New blog!

I'm moving! Temporarily.

Here's the reason I've been quiet the past few months!

www.beadbaby.blogspot.com

Follow me there. :)