To say that we've been busy is an understatement. BUSY...that's probably the word that I've typed most often in the past few weeks. I know that I've been saying it here...post after post...as the reason why I've been such a spotty blogger lately. And in emails to friends who have been waiting for-evs to hear back from me, this is a very common phrase: "sorry, but we've been so BUSY!..." ...and I'm not making hollow excuses nor am I exaggerating in the least. It's the truth. We've been in the studio for hours and hours, days and days, and they're all just melting into one big designing/drawing/painting session. Seriously, the only "free time" goes to writing a blog post, such as this one, or if we're cooking a meal, as seen in the handful of recipes I've blogged recently.
And what's really nuts is that while we've been this busy, somebody hijacked the calendar and all of the sudden it says "September"!! How did that happen?? And in our line of work, wherein one makes pretty things for the seasonally savvy collector, September means that Christmas is just round the corner! Seriously. I can't believe that next month me and Aaron will be teaching down in Atlanta! Time has flown! Yes, the Sweethearts on the Homefront event is next month and there are still a few spots available...we'll be there getting all sorts of crafty with some fabulous people...and there is still time to join us! So get on it! : )
Just thinking about that makes us so happy. We are so grateful for our occupation. Getting out there and making art with friends, face to face...that's just a dream. But also, these locked in times...these tight deadlines and hours and hours of stiff necked concentration...we're just as thankful to be able to do this stuff as well. We get to make use of our talents...we get to share them with everyone. Designing pieces for our shop that will end up in homes or shops around the world...or designing imagery that we license to be made into beautiful lines of paper, stationery, gifts, etc... Or making kits and putting together supplies and directions so that other people can take a bit of what we do home with them and then they can create art. Or writing the book! Jeez, almost forgot how cool that whole idea is! This book that we made for EVERYONE. There is definitely a project in there for everyone...there is at least one thing that will hit you in your creative sweet spot.
But yeah, it's a busy business that we're in. You make it up as you go along. There isn't a set itinerary or playbook. Sometimes you get a little overwhelmed and maybe you can't clearly see which way is forward. And it's in moments such as these that we wish we could hit a pause button. Just pause everything so we can get the normal parts of life caught up. All the dreams and goals cannot come to fruition simultaneously. In fact, we wouldn't even abuse the magical pause button. At this point I'd like to use it just so to take a moment to breathe and appreciate the little things a bit more.
Well, unfortunately, the clock is still ticking away, and we gotta get back to the busy busy busy.
If you need us we'll be in the studio...
Love from the NJ Shore,
xo Jenny & Aaron