The Art Mill

These are my newest in progress creations. I had thrown some little cups that I never put handles on and didn't know what to do with them. They were too small for a big girl coffee and too breakable for sippy cups, plus no lids. Soooo... I decided (with a suggestion from mom) to put some pull toy designs on them and go cutesy. They still need to be clear glazed and fired but they're just so cute I wanted to share. I thought my favorite would be the elephants but after I forced myself to try a donkey (the one that looks like a horse) I loved it more. I have two of each design done so far. I even made a clay duck pull toy that stands on fake wheels. Stay tuned to see that one.

I have so much to create for the store, for myself, for promotion and for vendor fairs. I made a list this morning while I sipped HUGE amounts of coffee. I filled up both sides of the paper within 10 minutes. I even wrote it in purple ink to make me feel better about it... didn't work. I had to go lay back in bed and pretend I didn't have to get up today. Again... didn't work.

I made it to the store 10 minutes early (a miracle for me) and I haven't accomplished anything so far. Unless you count checking the messages and filing one piece of paper. I think I have a case of the Tuesday's (Tues. is my Monday). I've been blog hopping all "morning" and came up with more ideas of things to make, inspired by the plethora of creative people blogging. Thanks a lot. No really, thanks... I need a place to go when I get stuck.

I've also come down with a bad case of green with envy. There seem to be so many wonderful women using their creativity to make a living. I find myself wanting to call each of them to find out their story. See how long they worked at it before anyone new they existed. What crazy things they did to get noticed by national magazines. How they get their hair to lay so nice... the usual.

I came across this quote that I keep on my desktop to keep me going. So for those of you out there trying to do your own thing and make a living doing what you love, copy this down and tape it to your forehead on those tough days.

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow--You may succeed with another blow, Success is failure turned inside out--The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."