Welcome to Studio Saturday! Each week one of our contributors gives you a sneak peek into their studio, creative process or inspirations. We ask a related question of our readers and hope you’ll leave comments! As an incentive we offer a free prize each week to bribe you to use that
keyboard. The following week we choose a random winner.
This weeks winner is Lynda from Fresh Baked Designs. Congratulations! You won one of Jennifer’s owl buttons! Send Jennifer your e-mail address and she will send you the owl button.
This week we are at the studio of Cindy Gimbrone
Good morning Readers! I’m sure your first question today is, Cindy, where have you been? Like many of you because the economy is bad and due to lay offs, I went to full time work. After years of part time, it’s been quite an adjustment. I had to cut back on many things including blogging regularly.
But I didn’t stop creating. Here are a few things I’ve been up to:
Making briolette flowers for a project I have in mind:
Etching copper disks with eco-friendly vinegar:
Collecting natural elements for textures and molds:
Testing out a new media for beadmaking:
Working full time doesn’t interfere with my creativity but it does interfere with my telling you about it! Are you able to find time to write about your creative projects? Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win one of the white bird beads shown above.
I look forward to reading your comments!
Kristi Bowman
April 28, 2012 at 1:01 pmI've been working full time for many many years, started my jewelry business on top of it and often feel like I'm stretched too thin. I admit that blogging sometimes takes the fall when something's got to give unfortunately! Love your birdies and good to hear from you!
beadrecipes
April 28, 2012 at 1:38 pmI'm trying, I really am trying! Started blogging this year AND went back to work, only 3 school length days a week, but with a toddler and 2 school kids, I feel like I'm working 2 full time jobs. The beading seems to happen here and there, and the blogging too. Oh well, I know it will get easier as time goes on (and the kids get older!).
Bead-Mused
April 28, 2012 at 1:40 pmCindy, I know exactly what you're going thru. I have opted for part time plus teaching at the LBS. we all do what we gotta do. I really have to schedule beading projects & I'm a bit behind on the blog but it should all even out for both of us.
T
Janet Bocciardi
April 28, 2012 at 2:36 pmYou gotta take care of you first… then us (with blogging) ; )
Love the birds, too. Very curious to hear what new material you're trying. I've been playing with air dry clays and firing them, too as I gotta get my kiln some more use.
Michelle W
April 28, 2012 at 2:55 pmBeautiful work Cindy! I have just started getting into jewelry making. I work full time and have found it hard to find the time to wokr on it.
Erin S
April 28, 2012 at 4:18 pmI've always had a full time job and jewelry is just a hobby for me. I always have way more ideas than time to create them. Its a balancing act. I've never had a blog–its just too much commitment for me. Just find your groove–whatever you need to do to make your life work (financially and creatively) without too much stress.
LisaS
April 28, 2012 at 5:40 pmSorry to hear that Cindy!
cindy
April 28, 2012 at 9:32 pmI do, but I tend not to have the time to do all the "social networking" that I would like. I tend to blog 2 times a week. And like you, the effects of the economy is making me think of going to full time work instead of my part time "day" job I currently have.
Urbanscapes...
April 29, 2012 at 3:36 amCindy, Inspiring to see the variety in your creative thoughts…and love the bird!
I tend to succumb to my beading habit on weekdays after full-time work hours (which often means post 9pm!) and on weekends…it often leads to delaying meals and chores, but just cant help!
Been wanting to start a blog, and for now just being creative in describing my jewelry on Etsy and emails to my mom in India 🙂
Kaushambi @ Beaditi on Etsy
Beaditi
April 29, 2012 at 3:37 amCindy, Inspiring to see the variety in your creative thoughts…and love the bird!
I tend to succumb to my beading habit on weekdays after full-time work hours (which often means post 9pm!) and on weekends…it often leads to delaying meals and chores, but just cant help!
Been wanting to start a blog, and for now just being creative in describing my jewelry on Etsy and emails to my mom in India 🙂
Kaushambi @ Beaditi on Etsy
Shannon Chomanczuk
April 29, 2012 at 3:54 amI feel your pain, I work and have an almost 3 year old. I committed to 2 craft fairs and a consignment deal with a store so blogging has been difficult. I tried to blog everyday in April and almost made it but boy is it hard. I started finally friday to make sure I at least blog weekly and I am loving the discipline and creativity it has given me.
I love those birds! I want one 🙂
The Beadjar
April 29, 2012 at 11:52 amLove your work and glad to hear from you again. Can't wait to see more of your new things!
Therese's Treasures
April 29, 2012 at 3:31 pmHi Cindy,
We do what we have to do. I have been working full time for the last 18 years. I have always made room for creating it is an outlet for my stress. Glad to hear from you and to know that you are doing well and creating up a storm. Those little white birds are very pretty.
Therese
Mackin-Art
April 29, 2012 at 6:58 pmI live in a seasonal resort area and the "season" will be starting soon – it definitely impacts both the time I have to create and the time to blog. I just keep doing what I can and that just has to be enough! Love the birds!
Linda
April 29, 2012 at 8:06 pmI work part-time and even with that it is still hard for me to keep up with everything. I'm impressed with all you've been doing while "gone".
Kristen
April 29, 2012 at 9:09 pmI work in an elementary school and I'm lucky to have vacations and summers off which leaves me some time to create. I'm trying to build my supplies business but sometimes I'm over loaded! Just recently I made a resolve to blog more and it's going well but it's hard. I don't clean my house the way I used to that's for sure! I love the birds, I have a small collection of bird beads and I would love to add to it 😎
Designed by Vera
April 29, 2012 at 9:33 pmI commend you Cindy. I have been in your shoes. Though not the blogging part. I am trying to get a blog going..designedbyvera.blogspot.com..I think that is the address. I am also into jewelry, crocheting, and some sewing. I am semi retired (56) as my husband is disabled and I am needed to take care of him, and my elderly parents. So they keep me busy, but the beading is my outlet. Love the birds and the briolets. Thanks for all the good info.
Elaine
April 30, 2012 at 1:08 amSome years have been better for blogging and writing than others – trying to make 2012 one of the better – but it is also what falls away first when I have to focus on other things.
I'm lucky that my day job is creative pursuits including my beads… but sometimes there's only so much time to also blog creatively!
Jen V.
April 30, 2012 at 10:38 amMy blog used to feel like my touchstone…then, it became a bit of a burden. I'm back to finding a good relationship with it, and the other bloggers out there, because I realize how much I miss the community! In addition to writing about creating, it's also important to me to be able to read others' experiences. I'm happy to report that I'm out here in blog world this morning enjoying some coffee and some good reading!!
Ciao!
Jen
Meadowland Designs
April 30, 2012 at 6:38 pmLove your briolette flowers & can't wait to see what you do with them!
As a college student, trying to run a business can be a little hectic sometimes but it works. I do write a little about my design process, lately I've been sharing more about the materials I use.
KayzKreationz
May 1, 2012 at 1:38 amLately, I haven't had time to blog much or create much either. I'd love to learn how to etch copper, especially like you did with vinegar. So I guess I'll add that to my list of things to try to get done. 🙂
Beading Mommy
May 1, 2012 at 10:10 amLOVE your work!!!
SueBeads
May 2, 2012 at 1:00 amI do not have time to write about my projects, or submit to magazines, or do much of anything right now. I wish I could, though. I wish I could journal about ideas I get. It was just never part of my life. I used to write all the time, had some great poems, notebooks, etc. Love your new medium and work! The birds are great!