What's new this week at alamode - where I've been and where I'm going

This morning, I found myself on the Australian blog Kasiabear.  I really like this collection of typewriters and typography products curated by Kasia and thought I should share it with you.  Please hop on over to her blog to see it in detail.  Thank you, Kasia!

This week I mostly spent my time fulfilling wholesale and retail orders along with ongoing production and developing a new line of clutches.

As it happens, more often that I'd like, I also got a bit sidetracked with projects and materials that seemingly called out to me.  We recently changed two bike tires and I couldn't part with the rubber inner tubes.  I've seen some really great things made with these and "had" to make something myself.  This necklace below was the result:

I still have a lot of rubber left and plan to make more necklaces and earrings.  I won't be selling these, but I will give them away!  Stay tuned.

After spending a lot of time dabbling, I was so happy to come across this great post by Cameron on the blog Cottage Industrialist.  She talks about being easily distracted by projects that in the long run may not  yield obvious, immediate, or worthwhile benefits.  This struck an immediate chord with me, especially since I spent several hours this week trying to make things for the heck of it.  Often, people will ask me why I do things that don't connect directly to the bottom line.  Why do I blog, tweet, and promote other sellers?  Why would I spend time making something that I don't intend to sell?  The answer, as Cameron points out, is simple.  It's because I'm doing what I want to do.  I'm satisfying my own curiosity and desire to create.  I'm exploring the possibilities.  I'm pushing myself.  Yes, it may be time consuming and ultimately unprofitable, but for me it is cathartic and meaningful.  It is necessary.  And it is okay.  I highly recommend Cameron's post.

Next week, I'm heading to Reno with the family.  We are going on trip number 2 [1st trip post here] in our quest to find C's next job and our new home.  C has been offered a job at a great practice out there and we want the kids to see the area.  I'm sure I'll be tweeting and blogging during our trip.  I'm also planning to meet a good Twitter friend, Angie of Jumping Jack Designs.  I love how the world wide web has created a global community of friends.  I'm excited to put a face behind @modernpaper!

A glimpse into the alamode STUFF studio

I'll admit I'm a voyeur when it comes to looking into people's living and work spaces. I love to see how people organize and decorate their homes and studios. When Allisa of the blog Quiltish asked me to share photos of my work space for her Studio Peeks post, I panicked.

My studio, the 4th bedroom of our home, is generally a mess. Cleaning and organizing it is always on my "to do" list. I'd like to blame it on space. There's just not enough room to spread out and work. Inventory and supplies take up much of the area, too. Perhaps I've always had the "temporary aspect" of the space in the back of my mind. Or, gulp, maybe I'm just not as organized as I'd like to think I am. Yeah, that last one is probably it.

Since I make many different things (handbags, jewelry, switch plates, pillows, etc.), I'm always in the middle of about 5 different projects. And, when I work, I like to have my supplies spread out all around me. This makes for a very messy, cluttered work area. I'm familiar with the piles but anyone who enters this area may consider it a disaster zone [Now the truth comes out about the origins of this switch plate.].

Back to Allisa's request. I wanted to be a part of her post. I figured it was a great excuse to get organized. Honestly, a bit of humiliation would do me good in point.

My work stations are set up so that I can literally turn (swivel) from my computer, to my switch plate/jewelry station. Just beyond it is my sewing machine area. In the middle of the room is a cutting table that is never clear enough for me to cut fabric. On the remaining two walls are my fabric supplies and inventory. I make due with what I have and it has worked for me. My dream is to have a wonderfully large, bright, modern shed or industrial looking loft someday. [ I do believe that thinking big can be the impetus to dreams coming true.]

see these pictures with notes/tags on flickr here.

Hop on over to Quiltish to see more pictures of my space along with other very bright and organized spaces. Be sure to check out Allisa's bright and beautiful bags on Etsy, as well. Thanks, Allisa, for including me in your post and lighting a fire under me!

Additions Style Feature - Artist to Know...me!

Valerie at Additions Style featured me in her blog yesterday as the Artist to know. I'm so flattered. You can see the featured post here.

I've been a fan of Valerie's work myself. She uses hardware, one of my favorite materials, in her jewelry. She is also from my old haunt, Chicago! Chicago friends, look her up! You'll love her work!

You can visit Valerie's Etsy shop, Additions Style, here. Click on the pics below to see each item.

Thanks, Valerie!!