Sparkle in a shitstorm

Things have been bad. So so bad that I stopped even writing about all the bad things because I didn't want to be a drag. "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all." as Thumper would say.

I'm back because I've found something to celebrate. A little sparkle in the shitstorm if you will.

I found a really good job! Meaningful, local, artistic, reliable employment! Last week was my first and it was just as good as I hoped it would be. I'm working in Peabody, MA at the new ArcWorks Community Art Center as manager of the gallery shop and occasional workshop instructor. ArcWorks CAC is a part of the Northeast Arc which provides lifelong support to individuals with disabilities and their families and the Art Center is it's newest offshoot that aims to bring the whole community together through art and craft. As you can expect, I'm ALL ABOUT THAT!

I'll be showing more of what I'm doing soon but this is just an enthusiastic introduction. The photos above are from a workshop I led last week on image weaving. I was so pleased with the way the art turned out and all the individuals who participated LOVED what they made and traded with the other participants. I'll post a tutorial soon if you want to give it a try.

a little big news

If anyone has been thinking, "Where is Elise and why has she abandoned her store and blog?" let me say that I have been too darn busy to devote energy to what I love. Argyle Whale has suffered in this past month of cafe renovating sprees, vacation and my other job at the bakery. I kept cramming things into my life and not letting anything go. The result was that I felt myself become unhappy in all of my usually pleasant jobs. I stretched myself too thin and everything in my life got less than it deserved.

I needed to let go of one of my commitments, so I quit my job at the bakery where I have enjoyed working for the past two years. I am a little sad to be leaving but I'm also filled with a nervous excitement. This move means I can devote much more energy to my creative pursuits!

I'm scared and thrilled at the same time to be heading towards my goal of having Argyle Whale become a serious business that I rely on. I know that making this work will be even more challenging than working three jobs but I hope it will be as fulfilling as I expect. There is this line in a song by The Strokes that says, "I'm working so I don't have to try so hard; tables they turn sometimes." that I always related to. Now it's time for me to try really really hard!