Archive for July, 2010
Yesterday, I was catching up on some reading, and I stumbled upon this article from Tara Gentile about the reward of taking risks. It made me think back to my own “Big Risk” when I left my full time position as a high school art teacher to pursue papernstitch full time. That was just over a year ago.
I had been running my business on the side for almost a year already at that point and it was growing. Really growing. So, I knew it was feasible. I had crunched the numbers over and over again. Spent endless hours coming up with a plan of attack. And all of that. It was a calculated risk.
But the REAL risk, the BIG risk, (which I didn’t realize until later) was what would have happened if I hadn’t quit that teaching position. I was unhappy there. I felt confined and unable to truly express my thoughts and ideas. “But at least I had a stable income,” I would say to myself. But what is that really worth? Your happiness? My happiness? No. Absolutely not.
So, even if I fell flat on my face, I decided it was worth a shot to go after something that I really believed in. “Give it a try,” I thought. And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll just do something else. Simple as that.
And now, more than a year later, what has happened? Well, I am still here. Still chugging along. Making a living doing something that I absolutely love. I am happier than ever before. I can work from anywhere. I am my own boss. I control what happens in the future. Never been better.
This isn’t everyone’s story though. I understand that. Sometimes we take risks and they don’t pan out. We fail and are left wondering why. But at least now we know. Right? That is the point of taking risks in the first place. Isn’t it? To roll the dice and take control, instead of waiting on the sidelines for “it” to happen to you.
What risks have you taken or struggled with lately?
—
Image c/o Rosie Hardy
This week, Room by Room with FormFire Glassworks takes a look at a gorgeous modular seating bench by a oft-forgotton icon of the Modern movement, Charlotte Perrriand.
Charlotte Perriand was an integral part of the modern scene in the 50s, collaborating with such greats as Le Corbusier and Jean Prouvé. Perriand was a furniture designer and architect in her own right, and created this gorgeous, malleable system called the Refolo. Based on a slat bench system, upholstered armrests, seating cushions and backrests are added and connected through the slats as desired, allowing for a multitude of possible configurations. One of my favorite looks is shown here, as the base bench becomes an integrated side table. The base is available in natural or dark-stained oak in three lengths, and cushions are sold separately to suit your personal configuration. Distributed by Cassina, this piece from 1953 is a stunning example of modern design.
The clean lines basic forms of this seating system require that the materials used are of high quality, and that was my inspiration for today’s handmade picks. Walnut plywood shows off its amazing grain pattern in an ampersand decor piece which can sit in a shelf system or hang on a wall. Squat stoneware vases beg to be touched, while a hand-printed canvas pillow adds a graphic edge. A felt and leather sleeve is the perfect laptop accessory, while walnut and powder-coated metal make the everyday tissue box a piece of art.
Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.
(POST UPDATED with BIG discount) One craft that I’ve been meaning to get into for years now is embroidery. But it seems that every time I pick up a needle and thread, I find myself distracted by something else almost immediately.
I guess I just don’t have the patience. But one person who does is Mandy from Moxiedoll, who makes these wonderful hand-stitched works of art.
I can picture a whole wall filled with her embroidered drawings. Lovely!
BIRTHDAY SALE! In honor of Mandy’s 33rd birthday today, she is offering 33% off anything in her store. The discount will be refunded to you after payment has been made.
Colorful handmade again this morning.
I know I mostly post interiors for Workspace Wednesday, but I had to make an exception here. This is someone’s real workspace. It is not ripped from a magazine. It is someone’s REAL office space, that I accidentally found via one of my endless flickr binges. I would do almost anything to work here everyday. A perfectly uncluttered cube, with an insane view.
How would you describe your perfect workspace?
I’ve mentioned these wreaths by Itz Fitz once before, but I just had to write about them again. Love the color schemes and all the tiny, handmade flowers that are incorporated throughout. I was just thinking what a nice house warming gift one of these wreaths would be.
Visit Itz Fitz on etsy and papernstitch for more.
We’ve got another great guest post from Celeste of Crickets Creations today. I don’t want to say too much, so take it away Celeste…
Time management is a weak point for many “artsy” types; yet the more quality work we can produce in a streamlined manner, the better chance we have of making a living doing what we love! Here are some tips that assist me in my daily creating (I handknit five scarves with impeccable worksmanship in a typical day)…
