Organize Studio Day

We had the perfect weather to organize and dust my studio today.  Camp Crafty Diva starts in two weeks and the last minute preparations begin.  First and foremost I needed to get my house and studio organized.  Next on the agenda is to get my plants planted in the yard, then start the camp.  My studio four years ago was a perfectly organized and decluttered vacation house studio.  Everything was in place and everything had a place.  It was 'Virgo perfect.'  This last year moving twice and filling it up it became a cluttered mess.  Now that it's become a full time studio/office space I needed to get it organized.  Yes, I admit it 'my name is Michelle, and I am a craft hoarder.' I'm ready to let go of that identity and this fall I will be decluttering my studio and my storage unit  of craft supplies.  For now I have walking space, sitting space, computer space, sewing space and maybe room for a couple of visitors to sit down.  I'm relieved and enjoying this creative domain.  Yes, the shelves and walls are 'packed to the gills' with yarn and paint and glitter but I can see the endless creative possibilities now instead of overwhelm.

Where I create....

I have been working in my studio this summer.  Creating art and writing workshop curriculum.  I'm dispointed that the workshops did not get filled as planned.  I'm not discouraged though.  It was fun to get prepared and relaunching my business and myself was invigorating.  I had been in a healing hibernation for the past couple of years and this year I was committed to putting myself out there.  Which I did in full imperfect glory.  Now, I have to switch gears again I am once again in the process of relocating.  The lady who owns the house that I rent in Durham has to sell it so I have to move out now.  Don't cry for me, I am taken care of.  The Universe is placing me right where I need to be.  It's scary, exciting and full of possibilities.  I'm moving into my studio, my happy place, 30 miles off the mainland on a barrier island.  It's not where I wanted to raise a teenager or live full time, but I'm ready for the experience.  Now I get to create and explore my artistic side unencumbered by time constraints.  I get to live my dream of  living the life of a real artist.  I'm looking forward to finally shedding my past and finding my own rhythm.  Stay tuned for the adventures...

The first Crafty Diva Cottage

Today for throwback Thursday I'd like to present the first Crafty Diva Cottage which was located in Prescott, Az.  I had always dreamed of having a little 'shotgun shack' to create in.  A grownup 'dollhouse'.  When I found this little cottage it was the beginning of me really understanding how your dreams can manifest.  I had placed in my journal years before the concept of a little cottage to have my business in.  I traveled high and low looking in five different states trying to find the perfect place.  I went to Arizona to study Art Therapy at the college there and lo and behold I found my little cottage.  It didn't last long, life events took over and my stay in Arizona was cut short, but the Dream had manifested.  I knew that if it manifested once there would be another one more suited to me and my business goals and dreams. P.S. There was!

Working at Home

This week has been an emotionally challenging week for me.  I have been setting up my home office and attempting to provide structure to developing my new business model.  I have been out of the small business circuit for the past couple of years due to my on going health challenges.  I decided to get some support and not try to do everything myself and participate in a business coaching program. I've already owned and operated a very successful business in the past.  So I know the basics.  This week I have found it very difficult to adapt to setting up a business model while being physically challenged.

I stopped taking pain medicine over a year ago in order to rebuild and restructure my life.  I had developed a routine to manage the day to day activities of my life after my relocation.  I had just gotten in a grove and was feeling very upbeat and positive.  Almost pain free.  Feeling like I was ready to move to the next level and get more focused in my business.  I was ready to go on Monday, new laptop and printer, new office chair designed for comfort, trash bags to get rid of the clutter, music playlist ready.  I watched the training videos, cleaned, wrote organized from morning til late at night.  My office assistant 'Nala' observed this new routine.  I was feeling good and giddy from my new work day.  The kids commented on my clean office.  I gathered my things and began to walk up the stairs and boom.  Pain! Lots of it.  I crawled to bed.  Reluctantly took Tylenol and tossed and turned all night.  The next day I woke up lots of pain.  I said that I would rest today, I sat up in that chair too long yesterday.

 I started feeling low, low energy mentally and physically.  That's what happens when you are in pain.  I started to question my ability to accomplish my goals.  I let myself get confused.  After a day of rest and knitting I went to sleep.  The next morning I woke up feeling better no longer low energy, positive outlook.  I realized how much pain affected my mood and my outlook.  I realized that I'm not a sad and depressed person.  Being in pain lowers your energy and causes you to be melancholy.  Now it's Friday the week is coming to an end.  I didn't accomplish everything that I wanted to this week, but I did realize that it is very important to find my own rhythm and design and develop my own work style.

New Edition

I began designing and developing this Journaling workshop in 2005.  This was the second edition of my "Weave Your Dreams Workshop".  I launched it in 2008 and have facilitated workshops and have personally used this journal since then.  It is now torn and tattered from traveling and lots of use.  My life circumstances have drastically changed since 2005.  I think it's time this year to began work on a new edition with a 2015 launch.  Wow, ten years have flown by!  I'll revise, revamp, renew and rejoice with this new 'Dream Journal.'  I can't wait to see where my past experiences (the good, the bad and the ugly) will take me in this new phase of journaling.

Mama's Chair

No family room is complete without a space for Mama to relax, regroup, read and create.  This is my new space.  I finally have a comfy, cozy chair all to myself.  For the past 27 years I've shared all of my sitting spaces with wiggly arms, legs, hugs and kisses.  But now that my kids are almost 'growed up' I have my chair all to myself.  It feels strange, spacious and scary all at the same time.  This is my new space of the future where I'll sit, dream, nap, knit, read, chat and contemplate new beginnings.

Today

A corner of my office this morning.  Letting the sun shine on new ideas.