Displaying Motivation

“Intention is not something you do, but rather a force that exists in the universe as an invisible field of energy- a power that can carry us. It’s the difference between motivation and inspiration. Motivation is when you get hold of an idea and don’t let go of it until you make it a reality. Inspiration is the reverse - when an idea gets hold of you and you feel compelled to let that impulse or energy carry you along. You get to a point where you realize that you’re no longer in charge, that there’s a driving force inside you that can’t be stopped. Look at the great athletes, musicians, artists, and writers. They all tap into a source.”
~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

When I get an idea in my head I have to follow it or it acts like a burrowing worm and bores holes in my brain until I burst! I am totally believing in this quote today. I am always floating in a sea of inspiration, and I always have good intentions. But when my mind latches onto something I have to follow it until I make it happen or at least until I can gather enough information to let my mind rest again. And boy, am I motivated right now!

I have been in the throes of getting ready for my one and only art show that is coming up in less than three weeks. Three weeks! Talk about motivation! It is earlier than normal this year and I think that as of Tuesday I hit a panic button. My brain is screaming "Not ready!" I have set a goal for myself to create 5 things a day - earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants. I also have to keep in mind that I have custom orders pending and some jewelry that people are waiting on me. It is not for lack of ideas (I can't shut them off) nor is it a fault of not having enough raw materials (I actually have too much, if that is possible, and I can't stop myself from buying more!). I had the muffin tin system set up for the past year or so, each tin holding the beginnings of a project. But that is just collecting dust and getting in the way so I am constantly moving it around. I have this new system of organization that I am working on that includes a couple of these awesome rolling drawer carts

{Stanton storage cart from Home Decorators}

with each drawer containing multiple flocked jewelry display trays of varying sizes. I still have to put everything into the trays, but I have a lot that are empty. So I have at least one drawer that has my starters in each slot. So even if I just work through what is in those drawers, I will have plenty to show. And the bonus is that I can make muffins again. ;-)

It is a juggling act constantly, this push-me-pull-you of my designing vs. my available time, but even more so when I am struggling to prepare for something like this. And I still have mouths to feed and school meetings to attend and dance lessons to drive to and football games to see. I have to-do lists upon to-do lists. I rarely come up to see the light of day and usually I am in bed so very late that I miss my entire family. No balance. But that is what you do when you are building an empire from your basement. :-)

I know that this early show sets the pace for the holiday season for me and I create a lot for this that will go on to other venues so it is all good. I am always making jewelry and there is plenty of that to stock a booth with, and plenty more where that came from.

{Super fun, easy to use, works on any metal. Great possibilities!}

My daughter and I have been playing with the embossing folders and the new patinas from Vintaj and I have to say that I love them! (Although, I would love to see a few other colors, like bright red). I noticed yesterday that my work is being heavily influenced by my friend and mentor, Heather Powers and her awesome book Jewelry Designs from Nature. (Seriously, the book is one of my favorites. You will love it, too!) I think that there will be a forest, garden and sea theme happening. So how to tie it all together? I have not been all that jazzed about my booth design, it is just a table with some displays and black cloths. I wanted something fresh. So off to Pinterest I go!

Pinterest is my crack. There are days when I don't pin or even look at a pin, and then all of a sudden, there that little "Pin It" button will be staring at me and I can't help myself. I recently saw a funny joke that said that Pinterest is like Hoarders on the Internet. We pin things and keep repinning them until we  have buried ourselves in images. But do we ever do anything with them?

I have a Display Ideas pin board that I have been adding a lot to lately. And yesterday something finally clicked with me. So I ran around and scouted options for my display and I think that I am on the road to a new look for myself.

I am working with wood, upcycled furniture, office supplies, fabric, paint and ribbon... so far. I will go a bit deeper in my searches today. And if it all works out as planned then I will show you here what I did. ;-)

But here are some pins that I posted recently that are influencing my design choices...

{I want to make these out of MDF and paint. Now to find someone with a jigsaw...}

{Very cool idea for my simple truths pendants on chains in a book that says "Open me"... simple truths that tell YOUR story}

{I could put simple truths pendants on simple chains on these little wooden holders}

{For the prefinished simple truths or even earrings}

{I sure wish that I could draw... or knew someone who did. This is gorgeous! Wouldn't different poses and pictures look great in ornate frames?}

{I have a bunch of new rings I am designing and this is how I will display them...}

{Love the mini clothespins. Now to find a way to use that for my earring display cards...}

{This is the display that started all my scheming...}

Off to the thrift store... and the fabric store... and the hardware store... and the office supply store.

I sure hope that the vision in my mind and the way it works through my hands will be craftacular instead of a craftastrophe! And come in under budget and be completed faster than I ever thought possible... otherwise I will have a cool booth and nothing in it!

Your turn...

What is the coolest booth display that you have seen? What items have you repurposed into a display with a little paint, glue and imagination?