My Therapy

I don't want to spend much time venting about things in my life that aren't going well. Thats not why I started this blog. But, I did start this blog and my etsy store and all my recent craft projects for the sole purpose of comfort, distraction, and confidence. I have had a pretty rough 12 months, yes a whole year, but this past summer I realized that I wanted to DO something about it. To start feeling better.

I started an Introduction to Drawing Class through the Continuing Education department at the SAIC in September. It was incredible. My professor, Ross, taught me to be confident enough to draw what I see in my head and all around me. I can't tell you how amazing it was. This helped to push me to apply to architecture school by getting one of the hardest parts of the application, the portfolio, on its way. I started Carson.J Designs around that time to give me a "reason" to make the jewelery I've been creating for forever. I rather quickly lost interest out of frustration and discouragement. I would still feel periods of sadness and loss, especially as I live alone, but the drawing and jewelery making really made me happy. It allowed me to focus on something outside of the pain in my heart and create something worthwhile.

Then in October I was given the perfect reason to bring out the sewing machine, a new baby on the way! My friends told me they were having their first child, a girl, in March and I quickly leaped to the cause and began work on the quilt. These friends, while far away now, mean alot to me, and I like to show people my gratitude, respect, and love by making things for them. What began as a smallish quilt project,quickly expanded into a full on fabric obsession (I have only recently discovered the amazing designer fabric out there) and a sewing project mission. This was it for me. I really began to pull myself out of the hole I had been in and get back into my groove.

I think about what to make, how to make it, all day, and even to put me to sleep and it soothes me. Relaxes, distracts, and comforts me. I am so grateful and fortunate to have the ability, or at least the desire to "create". It has been the most potent therapy, besides my nightly mug of Sleepytime or Tension Tamer tea. Thank you.
-love, j

Sunny Saturday

I took the first sunny day in awhile to take a few pictures to share. The first one is of a small stack of my fabric stash. These are all recent purchases of fat quarters from across Etsy. Floragraphix is my FAVORITE of them all, but there are some Amy Butlers in there and Patricia Bravo. My original plan was to make lots of laptop cozies but I havent gotten around to it. Some day soon I will get a little push I hope!!
The one on the right is a fabric jewelery pouch I made to give my friend Ruthie for the big 2-5 tomorrow. She shares her birthday with the Super Bowl, how uhhhh exciting? Or really just a reason for us to give her a little party without her knowing. There is a little treat tucked inside the pouch. I made it out of Heather Ross Mendocino fabrics I had leftover from the baby quilt I just made. We are also making cupcakes so I thought that cute cupcake toppers would be the perfect accompaniment. I just used some images of the Mendocino line and now all I have to do is find my paper cutter and put them on some toothpicks. Im going to use a cupcake idea from blempgorf and I will let you all know how it goes. Happy sunny Saturday from chilly Chicagoland!

A much needed vacation!!

Yay! Im off to a cabin in the woods of Wisconsin. No cell phone reception, no television, and definitely no internet!! I love going off the grid for a bit. While I'm gone please check out my etsy shop, I made a new pair of earrings that I am in LOVE with. They remind me of the ocean and I think thats a great way to end the summer. Have a great weekend!!!!!

The Gem and Jewelery Show

Also known as the most overstimulating experience I've ever exprienced. I've been to a few of these before, in Utah, Maryland, and DC, but it seems like each one has a different personality. Im pretty convinced that the sellers are exactly the same and i'm pretty sure I saw some strands of beads that I bought 5 years ago. No matter where I go, every single strand of beads glitters and calls for you to buy it. I have done that and now i have a random assortment of beatiful gems and beads I won't use. So this time I tried to be better prepared and get only what I knew I needed. Well when youre put in a massive room with thousands of strands, you lose all sight of the goal.

...Keep an eye out for some of the stunning creations that will come out of my purchases!!

How to be an artist

Well this is my first blog post as an "Artist". Does that sound strange? And really what right do I have to call my self an artist? I guess the truth is that I am just trying to be an artist.

I have begun to put my jewelry creations on etsy.com. I found this website several months ago. I thought, maybe I should TRY to sell some of the many things I make. I have loved Pouncing around and seeing all the beautiful amazing things that people have created. But I have a bit of a self-esteem problem and i thought there is no way that anyone will want to buy what I am making. But that didnt stop me from buying more and more supplies and making more and more earrings only to give them away. So finally I decided to try peddle my wares and support my creative therapy.

Creative therapy you ask? Well designing and creating is what keeps me sane. I have a full-time job but it isn't enough. Through all of the drama that may happen I need to make things.

www.carsonj.etsy.com