The power of the break.

I think we're all feeling the pressure to get our sites and studios ready for the shopping season.  I know quite a few of us are practically living in our workspaces right now.  This is my first real holiday season and I'm working hard to have a nice variety of items listed.  I'm also shooting for that 100 items threshold.  It's a lot of work but I know it'll be worth it in the long run.  It's certainly a balancing act to get regular orders done as well as the additional items.  I'm having a blast with the fast pace though!

After my regular job, I stay pretty busy with RockBug work.  I've been forcing myself to take breaks for about 45 minutes at a time though.  It's enough time for me to watch a favorite tv show or get in a little reading.  It helps me recharge a bit.  It's especially helpful after I lay something out that I'm just not sure about.  I was totally stuck on a bracelet and was ready to give up on my design idea and when I came back to it, I figured out how to make it work.  So the lesson I've learned?  Don't underestimate the power of the break!



Here's my most recent piece, I love the colors!

Recharging...

If you're looking for inspiration, you'd be hard pressed to find a better source than the natural beauty of the Northeast, this time of year.  We recently spent some time taking it in while hiking in a state park and camping.  Obviously, I had some fun with the camera too.

Before this trip, my idea of "roughing it" was not having sweetener for my morning tea.  I certainly have some perspective now.  The temperatures were a little uncomfortable at night, at around 35 degrees.  It was a bit chilly.  Needless to say, the campfire was a welcomed source of warmth.  The meals also tasted a little better after a long day of hiking. 

I work day after day in an office setting.  Spending a little time in the great outdoors really recharged me creatively.  I came home and immediately finished this piece.