Jewelry for Lucy's 19th birthday, 23 October 2011

copper_polymer_clay_jasper_FWpearl_bracelet, a photo by Annclinations on Flickr.



copper_polymer_clay_jasper_FWpearl_earrings, a photo by Annclinations on Flickr.

The nature of habits

boohoo, a photo by Annclinations on Flickr.
With the start of school just around a very close corner, that multitude of unstructured leisurely hours to do what I want is nearly at an end.  At work (I am a teacher), it was decided that I would move to a different classroom.  While the new location has lots going for it, there has been a huge amount of work involved in getting it settled.  So my holiday ended a fair bit sooner than usual and I am already mourning the curtailment of my time for Annclinations activities.
This summer, while joining in on Traci Bunkers' 30-day challenge (previous posts), one of the things I learned in the process was that being an artist and creating art is a choice.  It needs to be overtly practiced or it risks being down-classed to a pastime or hobby.  During the 30-days, there were times I really had a hard time "getting my art on."  No matter, snatched bits of moments here and there were all it took to have "something" to show for my time.  The commitment to blog it really helped.  Now that my work-a-day-world responsibilities are looming on the horizon, it is my intent to do more of my art in small snippets.  Here's where I'm realizing, as so thousands have before me, that regular blogging can really help.
It has already been 11 days since my last post.  The photo above was taken on the 23rd.  While the disintegration of my beloved veneer was frustrating, it wasn't that which kept me away from Blogger.  It was lack of habit, I guess.  Habits are tricky things.  Bad ones are nearly impossible to get rid of and new ones just as difficult to establish.  Any insights into the nature, creation and maintaining of habits would interest me greatly.

Finished!

aire_le_lignon_fc_necklace_bracelet, a photo by Annclinations on Flickr.

Good day today! I finished the bracelet and necklace for soccer player granddaughter. The cane motif is the logo for her team: Aïre-le-Lignon.

Now on to other projects.

Steal away

Bijou in the bush, a photo by Annclinations on Flickr.

I didn't do anything artsy today. No, that's not completely true, I did do some online research to help me in a couple of my current projects. I just didn't have time or the emotional energy to be artsy.  With this admission, so too comes the realization my days of artsy abandon are soon to be transformed into the real world.  Like Bijou, who likes to settle herself in secret corners, I would like to steal away to some such place and extend my stay-cation just a little longer. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and do look forward to getting back, seeing the students, my colleagues and meeting the challenges of a new year. That said, one of the aspects that I do love about my amazing job are the vacations!

However, it is the middle of August after all and the school year begins full-tilt in a couple of weeks. In fact, there are a lot of places in the world where school has already been in session. So, I have no right to moan.  It's just that I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've done / learned this summer, particularly that "doing" art has to become overt and intentional or it remains merely an interest, a hobby or a pastime. I hope that as my schedule becomes more complicated with the responsibilities of my work-a-day world, I can build that artful intentionality into my routine.

Polyclay play

Polyclay play, a photo by Annclinations on Flickr.

What a busy and fun day playing in the clay with C. and E.! They had great ideas and were a pleasure to do this activity with!  They really kept me hopping and were so, rightfully, proud of their treasures.

Aïre-le-Lignon FC, take 2

aire_le_lignon_take 2, a photo by Annclinations on Flickr.

On day 21 of 30 Days to Get Your Art On, I made another version of this cane. I learned a lot about what not to do.

1. Minimum of 5 centimeters tall really helps cane reducing.
2. Clay used in cane needs to be the same brand and of the same consistency.
3. Clear contrast in colors is really important, particularly if the cane is going to be greatly reduced.
4. Letting the cane relax is vital.
5. Taking one's time and being patient during actual reduction is crucial.

In addition, I found the suggestions made by Tami Shvat in her article, "Wrapping and Reducing Canes" very useful.  So, too, were Julie Eakes pointers in both her free and paying Craftedu broadcasts extremely practical.

Can't wait to put the jewelry together for granddaughter, E's, birthday!  I have enough cane left to make things for her entire team!  Hmmmmm.

Day 30 of 30 Days of Get Your Art On

Day 30, a photo by Annclinations on Flickr.
I made it and now I understand what my 30 Days of Get Your Art On predecessors experienced at the end of their run of the challenge.  Though I ran it much much later than any of the rest of them and though there have likely been few followers, it was a very worthwhile experience.  I learned a lot and accomplished many tasks I probably wouldn't have otherwise.
The principal recurrent theme which met me at nearly every turn was the very steep learning curve I found myself on most of the time.  Is that what art is?  Does it get easier?
Today's activity was a case in point.  I edited my blog banner and got my web-site up and running.  Talk about an uphill trek!  No matter.  A simple page can be found at www.annclinations.com.  Hopefully, adding to it won't be as challenging as getting it going was!
Before signing off, I want to thank Traci Bunkers and all the other artists who inspired me along the way!  I intend to continue.