Pearls of Wisdom

20% off Joie de Bead Pearls all through April!
 

 FIRST Pearl of wisdom? To quote Ferris Bueller "Life moves pretty fast." My daughter turns 17 today. I, on the other hand feel like, uh 105 as I got up at 4 am to take her to crew practice. As you gasp in horror wondering, no, the kids normally practice AFTER school but it has been so windy here lately that they called a practice this morning. Glorious but cold.  The first regatta is Saturday so I am guessing that actually practicing on the WATER as opposed to training inside , is a good thing.

Sabrina Cabada - Featured S&C April Artist

 SECOND Pearl of wisdom? DON'T drink coffee at 4am.  The dock bathrooms aren't open until later.

Mommy Daughter ZipLine Bonding

 THIRD Pearl of Wisdom? Sometimes fast decisions are the best.  When another mom chickened out of the zip line and offered us her tickets, my daughter said, "Sure! We'll take 'em, right MaMa'?"  GULP, "Sure, sweetheart, let's go!"  I am apparently more adventurous than I think I am.  LOVED IT.

Bob's Ganache is the BEST

FOURTH Pearl of Wisdom? My husband is the best cake maker in the world. 'Nuff Said.


Rather be headed toward the sign on the right!


 

FIFTH Pearl of Wisdom? Being Self Employed is not for Sissies.  Yes, there is freedom and creativity, but there is also copious amounts of juggling: family, schedules, finances and decisions.  Hopefully the Lessons Learned from these Pearls are all positive ones.  If not, now, then when we make our millions by perfecting the Ultimate Guide to Getting It All Done.  Now THAT is what I want for my birthday...

More IS More

Figure Studies by TW Stifel

 You know, just when I thought things were getting a little stable around here and I could focus on some of my big long term projects around here I got hit with some major changes.  I was facing the fact that folks that have been with me for years (some since the beginning in this location) literally have out grown their Stifel & Capra spaces and are moving on. 

Twin Oak Studio Signs and "Brooklyn Bound" by TW Stifel

 The myriad of feelings run the gamut. Panic as I am scrambling to find new tenants in the midst of being sick for the first time in years and all I want to do is lay down. Overwhelmed as folks come out of the wood work presenting all of their lovely wares. Chagrined over the feeling that I am rejecting some one's best efforts because it's not a good fit for the shop or my style.  Enthused as I bask in other's artistic efforts.  Motivated as remember how I love to foster creativity in others.  Fear as I wonder whether all of the folks who SAID they wanted to take classes really WILL.  Sad as I recognize despite protestations of getting together I won't see the "departed love ones" once they are ensconced in their new routines.  Grateful for the "thank you for your support" & the "don't worry you will be fine, I believe in you" conversations.

NEW CeCe Caldwell Paint Display

The most overwhelming emotion is one of bemusement.  It bewilders me that people are astounded I am giving out direction postcards to Kelly's new Stylish Patina   home a mile down the road or talking up to new Studios and & Gallery at Gallery Underground in Crystal City .  Why wouldn't I?  The fact that these new venues are opening is amazing.  It means business is hopping and life is getting better for a lot of folks. Two Falls Church gift boutiques closed about the time I opened 5 years ago and I was constantly flummoxed by the people who asked if I was happy they weren't still in business! 

I am a FIRM believer in the "More is More" theory.  The more you have, the more there is to share.  Think of a thriving downtown with lots of dining and shopping.  Think of parties with people dancing, more is MORE!  If you have ever had a meal at the Stifel house you know we believe that there is never enough food.  

Estate of the Nation Chair, Handbasket Yarn Scarf

 I try really hard to provide an extremely eclectic offering of vintage goodies, art and craft at  Stifel & Capra.  I try to avoid having artist work that are too similar in the shop because what kind of choice would you have if they were all alike?  Not these artists & artisans .  With all of the talent in the world and all the great American Pickers out there I think there is room for everyone to be in the business of helping our patrons create happy birthdays, happy anniversaries, happy holidays and happy homes!  Do you agree?


Persimmon Street Ceramics

Thread Painting Latest

As Bob & I only have 2 children, I never went from Parental "Man to Man" to Parental "Zone" Defense.  Obviously with 6 kids Valerie has the logistics thing down pat!

Valerie's brother and wife commissioned me to make this non-traditional family portrait of the kids and the special "tree at the Beach" that they pose in front of EVERY year.  Makes me want to head to the shore!

Let there be light.

 

God Bless my hubby Bob.  He just installed lights at the shop to light up those corners that freak you out if you are a middle aged woman of a certain age...  Love you honey!

I spent the ENTIRE day entering Karen & Christine's inventory.  I am helping them clean up/out their mom's house.  Fun, yet bittersweet.  I am thinking their jaws will drop when I tell them that their little vintage  London Double Decker bus is worth thirty bucks! Like I said, I DO like my day job...

Creating Complex

Sadly my to-do list & call of the urgent totally dominates the whisper of create. I don't a creative block or lack of desire but I don't make anything that is not without a deadline or if all of the decks are clear. Martyr complex? Perfectionism rearing its ugly head? Not sure, all I know is art making seems to a reward for getting the rest of my life in order and caught up rather than an integral part of it. this I have struggled with for YEARS. It's not like I don't know what to do, I just don't do it...

Art Coach Lesley Riley once asked me once if I really WANTED to be a professional artist as I wasn't acting like it (putting it last always). Again contemplating the middle aged mom martyr syndrome.

Steps this week to change? Bringing everything I have to do onto the desk in my studio so at least all my supplies are tempting and taunting me visually. Believe it or not this is working, I am going to go make/finish SOMETHING! uhhh right after I fold the dryer buzzer that just went off... Berating myself for the fact today is Thursday and my week at home is almost over and I am on duty at the shop all week next week...  Good thing I LOVE my day job...

first things first? really?

Sorry friend.  I have grandiose notions of maintaining everything but if I do all those others things "first", doing the books, working, parenting,et al, uuuuhhhh blogging seems to be taking the back burner.

I really have been doing cool things, just haven't had time to write. 

Maybe I will do flashback posts...

*sigh*

A look back...

 I finally stopped moving long enough to download all of the photos from my camera since my last post (yikes, in NOVEMBER) and what did I see? If I don't stop and take pictures I have none. The curse of being the "good" photographer in the family means I am IN none of them either.  I suppose the key is rremembering that I love taking photos (and to bring the camera too,of course).  

Of course my busy-ness pales in comparison to lives lost nationally this year to events both natural and unnatural.  I don't know about your house but it put quite the pall on my season as I think of all those who lost so much this past year. I feel my blessings every day.


There are some good shots in there AND stories to go with them so I will have to post some "blast from the recent past" posts if only to catch up with myself.  We had a family sit down last night where I "made" my husband and children tell me all of their crazy goals and things they wanted to do and have before the end of 2013.  They thought mine was fairly lame as it included keeping the house clean.  But I find that when my space is clear, so is my thinking. 

 I love the New Year with it's clean slate and it's shiny new to-do goal list.