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.

Elise + HCB 4L!

I used all the willpower I possess to put on boots and trudge through the snow (leaving my toasty home and mountain of Argyle Whale projects behind) to go to my part time bakery job. I nearly made myself late watching Hodge fuss with his new fort (our coffee table that I covered with a long tablecloth). Propelling myself to work would have been much easier if I'd remembered that hot cross buns would be making their annual debut today. Oh the sweet reunion!

Dance of a thousand hearts

I got some bad news recently that put me in a fretful state but I got a big dose of cheer when I came home today. My Argyle Whale shop has accumulated ONE THOUSAND hearts (also known as favorites). I can't help but shout a little because that is a big thrilling number of folks who like what I make.

I appreciate every single heart that has come my way and I promise I will reward the attention with a bunch of new treats to share. Going to my first big craft fair and hitting this milestone has me more inspired than ever to make make make!

I have more time and enthusiasm than ever and (if I may) Argyle Whale is about to explode. I was pushed off a cliff that I planned on jumping off of anyway (someday) and I am equal parts thrilled and terrified.

Argyle Whale is now my full time job. I must turn myself into a crafting animal.... a machine!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Photo by Rick Stevens/SMH

Well, I haven't posted in ages but that isn't because I didn't have anything to say. Justin went away on a trip and our computer decided that it couldn't live without him so I was left stranded, husband-less and internet-less until he came home. It was pretty lonely!

I have a handful of updates to catch up on before I can get back on track.

First, and most dramatic, is my decision to leave the Cinema Cafe project that I've been working on for months. It's pretty devastating to leave a job that I've put such a tremendous amount of energy into but I had to leave as an act of self preservation. I found out where the end of my rope was and how long I could go on being optimistic about a grand opening. I'm tying up loose ends this week and training their new manager but after that I'm washing my hands of the place. I learned a whole lot and I'm glad I did it (I think).

Then, I slinked back to my trusty old bakery job and I was given some work. It is so nice to be back at the bakery especially since it's apple tart season!

I also expect I'll be having a new job at a downtown natural baby goods store. I will be working on their displays and such so that will be fun. Babies are a bit out of my comfort zone but I know I'll adapt.

I hope that this job shift will leave me more time to focus on Argyle Whale. The Cafe was sucking so much of my time and creativity up that I barely had any left for the shop. My feelings are bittersweet but I'm optimistic that my creative pursuits will benefit from losing the cafe.

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!

Somebody needs a makeover.

As some may remember, I have a job working at a tiny cafe inside our local cinema. I work there one night a week and basically, it's my alone time. We have virtually no customers. I've spent many evenings at the cafe imagining how it could be different and what I'd change if I had a say in things.

Well, I'm so pleased to say that my ponderings will soon be put to use because the owner has decided to revamp the place and has given me the opportunity to plan the new design. I'm nervous and excited about this responsibility and I've been spending lots of time mulling over fabric patterns and wall color options. The above pictures are how the cafe looks now. It is painted a dark dusty sage with darker plum and there is a black ceiling. Needless to say, I hope to add lots of brightness to the room. I think the brick floor is a neat detail that I'd like to play off of and I've already been given permission to destroy the big glass case with fluorescent lighting. Smash city!

It is a huge challenge to plan a whole new space (and menu!) when the owner has already put so much into it. His wife spent many hours adding loving touches to the decor; she made the curtains and seat cushions and everything. So, it is difficult to remove personal feelings when being critical about the current design. I think that's my biggest hurdle with this mission.

Still, there is a lot to be excited about and no matter if I have to concede to things I strongly dislike (for example, my boss would prefer to keep the ceiling black) it will still be improving and I get the chance to actually use some of the information I've absorbed from watching years of HGTV and reading design magazines and blogs.

I'm happy and optimistic about this and it is great that a job that I took pretty much solely so I wouldn't have to be alone on Friday nights (Justin works in the main part of the theater) turned into something I can be proud of. I'll reserve pride until I see how it all turns out though.

Ideas, suggestions, hints and tips are more than welcome! Pretty please designer friends?