March 22nd, 2006
I’m exhausted. In typical “Tammy Fashion” I’m working myself into a lather trying to get ready to leave for Arrowmont. Of course, I must cram everything possible into my one week at home so I can maximize my stress. Today’s list consists of getting slides ready to send to Best of MO Hands and an art fair in St. Louis. I think the art fair application is due on April 1 so it must get in the mail this week. I’m also stressing (as usual) about product inventory. I had an appointment at Waverly House today and they bought a bunch of my latest line, “Mod Circles” (pictures to come). So now I’m feeling the pressure to produce. I know, I know, this is what my studio assistant is for. But she was at Arrowmont last week and won’t be here until Thursday. Plus, I’ll be gone next week so I’ll have to make sure she has enough work to do. Maybe this is why I keep my boring day job and don’t pursue the jewelry business. I may have the artistic talent, but I don’t think I have the business sense. Anyone want to volunteer to take over?!
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March 21st, 2006
It’s becoming more and more obvious to me that I need to quit my day job. My boss is wonderful and it’s a nice place, but my heart just isn’t in it anymore. I think 14 years of doing graphic design is enough, thank you very much. I know I’m staying for the paycheck security and an obligation to my boss but I’m so done. I need to be at home working in my jewelry studio (which pays me nothing) or writing for 417 Magazine (which pays me a little). Friends and family have been dogging me for the past year to leave and I think it’s a combination of security, loyalty and chickenshitness (yes, that’s a word - at least for me it is) that keeps me here. I’m not ready to give up my extra money because it affects my social life. Enough of my pity party. I just wanted to get that off of my chest.
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March 20th, 2006
Friday I was in Des Moines visiting my sis and her two adorable kids (I feel compelled to always describe my nieces as “adorable” because they are). Anyway, mom and Ralph were taking the kiddos to the Community Center for playtime and Ralph suggested they drop me off in Des Moines’ East Village so I could browse all the cool boutiques and galleries. I wasn’t really expecting making a jewelry contact; I just wanted to relax and take in the area. I was in From Our Hands, a gallery, and the owner commented on my bracelet. I mentioned I made jewelry and 30 minutes later I had a new contact who wants me to do a trunk show in May. I told Ann, the owner, I’d be back in Des Moines over Memorial Day weekend and she suggested a Friday night/Saturday afternoon trunk show. With East Village being located just a few short blocks from the downtown Farmer’s Market, the traffic potential is amazing. Right now she doesn’t have room for my line, but is planning to clear up space in here jewelry case so mine can be displayed. I’m not sure which lines she’ll be carrying, but we both thought the trunk show would be a great way to test the waters on what will sell the best. I’m really excited about this, especially since she had no other jewelers who make anything like mine. I think this will be a great fit.
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March 20th, 2006
Back in college I was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Things went well until my Junior year when I became more disillusioned with the group, rebelled and eventually was kicked out. Naturally, I have no warm fuzzy feelings towards the group or any fraternal organization since that incident. The Pi Phis have long been associated with the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN which they started in 1910 and still fund today. I knew about Arrowmont in college but never really gave it any thought until now. On Sunday, March 26, I will visit Arrowmont for the first time where I will attend a week-long metals workshop. I admit I feel a bit weird about the whole thing. Here I am, a former Pi Phi, crossing over enemy lines to work on the other side. I know the sorority isn’t as involved in the school as they once were, and it’s not like I’m going to be branded a rebel by anyone there, but it is an unsettling feeling. Will I see a bunch of stuff with arrows or angels on it (Pi Phi symbols)? Will anyone ask me if I was a member of the sorority? Does it matter? Im the big picture, no. I’m a much different person now than I was in college. Today, I’m just an artist who wishes to attend a school to learn more about my craft. I won’t be posting next week since I’ll be knee-deep in metals work, but look for stories from TN and hopefully lots of pictures the first week of April.
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March 20th, 2006
I’ve been on a quest for the past year and this last weekend I found my handbag Holy Grail. When the metallic craze began I wanted a handbag that wasn’t too gold, not too silver, not too shiny and not too bright. This perfect bag also had to be leather and affordable. So while shopping at Jordan Creek Mall in Des Moines, I kept an eye out for that elusive bag. We were on our way out when I mentioned I wanted to breeze through the handbag area of Dillard’s before we left. Immediately, my eyes were drawn to a shelf of Michael Kors bags from this past summer. They were all in soft metallics and were simple in design. The sign read “33% off” but I stopped anyway. They had one bag left in a hobo style that was a soft pewter metallic leather. It was marked half price, but the gold bag next to it was marked 75% off. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask if it had perhaps missed a markdown so I took both bags over to the counter and asked the saleslady if they were supposed to be the same price. Score! The bag I wanted had in fact missed the markdown and was supposed to be 75% off. It was mine! Now I have my perfect metallic summer bag at a price I wanted to pay. It’s leather, a hobo style, affordable, and stylish. I just love it when a plan comes together!
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March 19th, 2006
My nieces are just adorable and my sister is a wonderful mom. I have so much respect for both my sis and brother-in-law for the terrific job they’re doing as parents. First, it’s exhausting. Second, you never get any rest. So, hats off to you, sis and thanks for taking the “kid” responsibility off of my shoulders. Keep up the great work.
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March 19th, 2006
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we took an alternate route back from Des Moines which forced us to finish our journey on Highway 65 rather than Highway 13. This was one of the most harrowing trips I’ve ever taken. First, I hate to drive. Second, I hate long car trips. Third, when I’m done with my weekend I want to go home. All of these things came in to play when we met my cousin and his family at Marshall corners in Marshall, MO at the corner of I-70 and 65. While I may sound straightforward that we would get on 65 and go South to Springfield, it must be noted that the “highway” is mainly two lanes and it cuts through the center of every single town, speck and burb on the way forcing the drivers to slow down to 35-45 miles per hour. It’s bad enough that the regular highway limit is 60, but slowing down every 10 miles makes it worse. Forget passing as the road is curvy and hilly. Oh, and I was driving my mom’s car which does not have a CD player so I’m forced to try and pick up random radio stations along the way. So my journey of 133 miles took about 2 1/2 hours without stopping. Needless to say, I’m worn out.
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March 16th, 2006
My husband asked me what the deal was with all the song titles so I thought I’d explain. I didn’t set out to be cute or funny but after the first one was titled, I thought I’d challenge myself to see how many I could use that pertained to the subject. I doubt this will last forever. You’ll know when I’m done when I use the title of a particular Don McLean song. Stay tuned!
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March 15th, 2006
I have no idea who the design wizard was who invented Crocs sandals, but they have gotten completely out of control. For starters, they are butt-ugly. I don’t care how comfortable they claim to be there are more dignified and stylish ways to achieve comfort. Hell, they make Birkenstocks look chic. That’s a good indication of how awful they really are. To make matters worse, I’m now seeing them on men! Eek! Plastic shoes with holes haven’t been this prevalent in fashion society since the jelly sandals of the ’80s. For the beauty of our world, please stop wearing them!
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March 15th, 2006
Ok, I’ve faced the music and am ready to rejoin Weight Watchers. I have now signed up for their online tools, created a profile and entered my food so far today. This is pretty damned cool! I have access to over 27,000 foods and the site automatically tells me how many points I’ve used, how many I have left, what my flex point amount is and tracks my exercise! Plus, I can access it from any computer. I also used the Recipe section to find out how many points were in the Tostadas Steve made the other night. I think the points were a bit high since we had calculated 3 less than the site did. While not perfect, this is very cool!
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