My new Etsy shop!

I finally did it! I've never liked my original Etsy shop's name...mybusyfingers. I'm just not known for coming up with clever names. I originally was just going to have one shop and I needed a name that encompassed everything I did...I like to try my hand at anything (I think it's a disorder for me), hence the name and yes, I realize I could have come up with something better but...ugh! No. Let's face it, I couldn't have come up with anything better. So, after months of agonizing over the idea of opening a second shop, I did. And I'm glad I did. I needed to separate my artwork from the rest of the stuff I make. Etsy doesn't recommend opening multiple shops but they also recommend continuity...so I had to do it. My new shop's name is artbycrixie. It's going to take me four months to move everything over, but I figured this is a good time to make the move since I don't have a whole lot of traffic coming through my doors.

To list or not to list

Yes, it happens. Occasionally I'll work on a piece that I just don't like once it's completed. I really admire those artists out there whose work seems effortlessly created and each one appears to be a masterpiece. Maybe I don't know what it's really like for them. It's possible that they allow the world to see only their very best. Well, I guess I'm just willing to admit that sometimes I fail. I actually fail a lot, especially when I'm trying something new, but as long as I don't give up, it's the only way I'll really learn and eventually get better. But still, what do I do with the tiny painting that took me three hours to complete. It hurts me to just throw it away...I just can't do it (but I don't want it). I've learned in the past that just because I don't like something, it doesn't mean someone else won't. I've also learned that just because I'm exceptionally pleased with one of my paintings, it doesn't mean that others will feel the same way. Art truly is subjective. So eventually I'll be listing this ACEO, whether I like it or not.

Another ACEO completed!

Yesterday afternoon I completed another ACEO that I'll be listing in the near future. Off to start working on my next one!!

Spring Cleaning

This was the view out the back door from my studio one morning last week. I really just wanted to add some color to my post and this was as relevant as I could get. I love Spring! I also love not having to run the heater or the air conditioner.

Business is slow at my Etsy shop, and even though that's not necessarily a positive thing, I will make the most of it. It's the perfect time to work on cleaning out my extremely cluttered, messy and overcrowded studio (which tends to stifle my creativity). I'm making a little bit of headway which is encouraging. I'm also using this time to work on some new inventory that I will list in a couple months or so. Below is one of my latest ACEO's that will be up for sale when I start listing new artwork again. Off to work I go!

Here goes nothing!

Okay, I am not much of a writer and I never thought I'd see myself blogging. But I'll admit that at times I've found myself on someones blog, learning a little more about the life of another fellow Etsier or artist or crafter (and enjoyed it), so I thought maybe, just maybe, someone may want to learn a little more about my life. Well, quite frankly, my life is nowhere near as exciting as most bloggers. My days are filled with taking care of my family (daughter Abby and husband Chris), the house, the dogs, the cat, the mouse, doing every day mundane chores (which sometimes I quite enjoy, and when I don't, I still don't mind doing) and working on something for my Etsy shop. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be an artist, but I have a hard time considering myself as such. Sometimes I feel like an impostor because I've had minimal training. I just love art and I'm so thankful to get paid to do it. I may not be super talented, but I'm able to put food on our table with what I earn through my Etsy shop (in a normal economy, I must add). I feel like I'm babbling so it's time to sign off. Ugh...I'm still unsure about having a blog. Well, here goes nothing.