nesting

  i've felt more quiet than usual, this week.  the weather has been overcast and makes daylight come later, evening fall faster.  everything has taken on a muffled, hazy look, and that's okay.  it's coming on winter, and i'm circling like an animal, i am beginning to slow down - thank goodness, i am finally to the point of slowing down, of nestling in for a while.  i had thought that once i was finished with The Studio Upheaval, once everything was out the door that needed to be, or in its right place (and already being forgotten, these right places), i'd be raring to sit down and tackle the next batch of ornamental inspiration.  it hasn't happened, thus far.  i'm feeling a little like the proverbial deer in headlights, frozen.  which way do i turn?  how to proceed?  but i'm not worried.  it is once again a quiet time for me, and for that i am forever thankful.  i find myself wandering into the studio, such a lovely little place it has become, and i am tweaking this storage or that, moving one tin box to set another in its spot, rearranging a divided drawer, writing labels for reminders so i will not too soon forget what goes here or there.  (the tintype above was a gift last year from a student and sweet friend, cori kindred.  can any of you guess why she thought of me when she saw it, why she purchased and gave it to me?)

having just unburdened myself with a tremendous amount of overflow (years' and years' worth), i did a ridiculous thing today:  there is a thrift store in the area that used to call me like sirens from the sea, and after nearly two years had passed, i parked the car at the curb and walked through the door.  i went in to see if i could find a blue one-piece jumpsuit vintage uniform for a christmas present for my son, but of course it wasn't there; i should have turned at that point and walked right back out that door.   of course, everything i bought has a good and solid purpose - vintage hooks and eyes, metallic trim, an old milk glass jar with a turquoise lid that will hold my tabletop glue;  an old tin box that is large enough to hold cans of spray paint and fuel, that will keep them in their designated spot with a little bit of rustic flair.  a wonderful old tea tin, waiting at the sink to be washed, waiting then to be filled again with loose cinnamon and orange market tea.
  gold metallic embroidered stars.  a remnant of an embroidered pillowcase (there were birds, white on white - how could i resist?).  one of those old plastic-drawered storage sets of tiny drawers that my father used to favor for errant nuts and bolts.  another tin for tea.  how could i resist?!  it is, i realize now, an addiction:  the search for what lies waiting on a shelf, hidden from the everyday eye, the find, the score.  but, this time i've brought these things home, i have put them in their place on shelves and sewing baskets and drawers, i have sworn i will not let the clutter take over again.  and by saying this to all of you, i am holding myself accountable.  do you hear?  i've struck a chord with countless readers, this much i know is true.  many of you wrote to say you were beginning this process of purging and cleaning yourselves, having read that i had declared war, had won the latest battle.  it does my heart good to hear that my own shortcomings, and the motivation to do something about them, has triggered a positive response in quite a few of you.  goodness prevails, i say.  let order win!  yesterday was another first:  teatime in the studio, actually IN the studio, at the studio table.  how novel!  and how wonderful as well.  there was room on that once-buried flat space for a tea tray, a beloved cup (a custom birthday gift from friend delila, made by another friend julie, whose lovely work i avidly collect) filled with cinnamon orange spice tea, my little square zero japan teapot (another gift, from friend kathy, who knows me oh! so well) that sits on a vintage hammered aluminum tray, bought years ago at another thrift store in beloved wisconsin.  do you know what a treat that was for me, to have tea under my little moon lights, to sit quietly and sip warm comfort, surrounded by peace and calm?  it was a first.  and i swear it will not be a last.  i wanted to close this post by giving my dear friend lesley riley a tremendous thank you for her incredible suggestion to sell boxes of things from my studio.  many of you have written to say what a marvelous idea i had, but let me assure you - it was not my idea, in the least.  lesley has been my good friend for nearly eleven years, ever since i taught my very first class so long, long, long ago.  she is still a good friend, and has now taken on the monumental task of being my creative coach.  so much of what she has to say is profound; she is helping me to realize that i'm still able to conquer fears, to accomplish major goals, to pursue big dreams.  and all of this, at the ripe age of 55.  i don't even know what else to say about this, except - goodness, lesley.  you were absolutely right on about this, and have been so right about so many other things.  you've brought sanity and calm back into my work life, and for that i will always be humbly and mightily grateful.  i can't wait to see what lies in store for me just down the road.  xo

Comments

[sabrina]

oh so lovely to sit and enjoy a tea break! for me it's afternoon coffee,and right now i am especially enjoying a winter blend full of spices!

[Tina in McLeansville]

leaves are falling and blowing here...the ground looks like it's covered with gold coins(i wish!!)...your nest is perfect for you, and absolutely lovely.
how peculiar...or maybe not ;) that i also spent time in an antiques store today with scott, who is home for a week...looking for vintage fire department things for his new home. great minds, you know.... hugs...xoxo

[lorraine]

Hi Nina,
So glad to hear of your "war", I myself, have been wanting to do the same thing.. send stuff out for others to enjoy. Like You I know that I will still haunt flea markets, thrift stores, etc.. for the treasures that spark my eyes, my heart, my hands.. my future creative explorations! Congrats! I still am trying to figure out how to "release" all my goodies, I have taken so much time to collect.. You are my muse for this endeavor!.. xoxo Lorraine

[herhimnbryn]

I think that tintype looks a little like you Nina!

As to flea shops ( or Op shops as we call them here)......Once a gatherer, always a gatherer!!

[sandra]

I enjoyed this post...

Your work area is a nice gathering place for your thoughts and tea. Sounds luscious.

Enjoy the space between your creations.

There is a time and place and space for everything.

[gayle]

I think that tintype looks A LOT like you......... what a wonderful gift!!

[lilylovekin]

There is a time and place for everything, I'm glad you are enjoying this time of peace, quiet and tea drinking. That is what this time of year is for.

[Julie Whitmore]

Oh Nina, That tintype! Its so extraordinary.
I'm so happy you are enjoying Delila's gift too. I'm clicking my teacup to yours across the miles
xx
julie

[LeAnn]

Nina, this process you've gone through has been so enlightening for me. Not just the purging and organisation. But to see this lightness of being that you've achieved through the process. It is quite profound that you speak of being 55 and see the future and dreaming big dreams. I will be 55 in just 2 short months and quite often question those dreams of mine. Thank you for giving this great gift of yourself. It truly is uplifting for me to think that at a 'certain age' there is are still dreams to be had.

[Barbara]

Oh, Estrella Nina, your courage and your passion are just ... so much more than amazing. I say 'courage' because (if you ask me) the hardest part of purging and cleaning is facing up to the memories and dreams of some other time and place. You deserve that pot of tea, and so much more. Just sit and breath in all the space you've cleared for wonderful, wonderful things. We 50+ women have many great things ahead of us!!! (that tintype is astonishingly like you!!!)

[Mommie4five]

The tintype is an incredible likeness. I'm your age and I know we have so much more ahead of us. I just finished helping my fifth grade grandson, on the phone, in another state, work on his math! (because I just finished college algebra last semester with a 4 point!) Who knew I could do it. Not me! We keep learning and teaching. That's what this life is all about.

[gina armfield]

Nina I have to say you are kicking some butt girl! An inspiration to be sure! I am excited to see what comes next - xxoo g

[Tracie Lyn Huskamp]

Sending you many moments of "brewing hope" in your refreshed creative space...xoxoxo

[julie]

happy your tea has a nice new home. Mmmmm.

[vickie long]

I would just like to quote: "Turn, Turn, Turn, To Everything There is a Season."
You have experienced so much of it; embraced so much of it.
vickie in kc

[Denise Petersen]

Nina, I have been reading your blog and thinking about your studio and how wonderful it looks. It must feel like a big weight had lifted off your shoulders. I am now inspired to clean out mine but must say a little overwelmed at just the thought of it. Thank You! Denise at: reinventedobjects.blogspot.com

[Delila]

Nina, you are so lucky to have such a antique store nearby. i LOVE treasures like that, things that hold stories within. the girl on the tintype is beautiful, just like you Nina; the girl looks so much like you! thank you for adding that 'Artist Success' page, it looks truly helpful. I feel that i would need sometimes artist coach, especially when i think what to do next.

i find that these quiet times in studios; wondering hat to do next, leads us to new kind of ideas and flow of inspiration.
hugs.

[Dinahsoar]

The photo looks like you!...noticed the resemblance immediately. LOVE the tea cup...also really like the Japan teapot. Your design space looks great...I've been purging my craft space too...it feels good...like the Flylady says--you can't organize clutter, it must go to a new home. Also, I'm a wee bit older than you and still learning wonderful things about life. In my thinking one is not old until he is 90...70 and 80 are getting older. We have a lot of good years left, wonderful things to discover about life, and much to look forward to--as long as we don't let life get us down. When it kicks, kick it back, shake your fist and declare war...LOL.

[Teri Mahl]

I say "ditto" to everything above but I would also like to know what process you used for your photos in the post? Wonderful! They look like they are hand-done.

[Cece]

Beautiful post.

[Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig]

Oh how I love a good thrifty find...or 5! lol Your treasures sound lovely... Glad you are having some time of peace...and quiet...it's good for the soul...xoxo

[Sally]

I have to say you are kicking some butt girl! An inspiration to be sure! I am excited to see what comes next!!

[Sue]

OMG, that tintype - are you sure it isn't you?! The likeness is uncanny.

I am delighted to hear you are enjoying just being in your new studio Nina....any time now the magic will reveal itself - trust me! xo

[Katrina]

The tintype is astonishing! A lost relation perhaps. I have just finished purging one room. Unfortunately there is still the sewing room and studio to attack, but I will get through that. I have adopted a program of something in, then something MUST go out. It's sometimes hard to stick to, but so far so good. With more 'white' space around my treasures I enjoy them more. I am also enjoying gifting others with things I was hanging onto. A good friend said to me, let it go, think of life as a river, you can dip into it whenever you need to, there will always be an abundance of what you need. You don't have to hoard anything. Wise words indeed.
Congratulations on your success. Enjoy your downtime. The muse awaits.

[julie savolt]

I took a class from you at Valley Ridge years back and think of you often as I work on jewelry. I haven't ever read your blog and came across it today. Still have tears in my eyes as your studio journey was written about so beautifully! Our spaces are so important and can really lift us up or drag us down. I work in chaos and lots of layers on my work table. I can only dream of sitting down in a beautiful setting as yours. I hope you are inspired and will create many wonderful new things. I'll be watching! Thanks for the inspiration to get my studio space in order. There may be hope for me yet!

[Emily]

Ahhh yes, to purge and then to refill.
This is my life too Nina!
Lesley is a wonderful friend.
I'm glad you have her.

[Sue]

Nina, I so enjoy your posts. We too are at the point of needing to purge, but it is so difficult to let go. Congratulations on your success.

[linda]

You are giving me inspiration to organize my work space. I can never figure out how and why I let it get out of controll. Lovely photographs on this post! and....... I am with everyone else. That tintype looks an awful lot like you!

[Red]

congrats on going through all the layers to get back in order to work.
So need to do that myself.

Beautiful photos as always. The tin type is uncanny. Could be a lost relative. You never know.

OXOOX,red

[rachelle]

Enjoy your lovely space. Your creativity will return. I have faith in you and all you do. I am loving these photos of your home. And you. I'm changing things up too and its gonna get messy but I am confident that we need to shift gears and move to a new level in our lives. At the moment it feels like we're trying to turn the Titanic around though! ;)Happy Thanksgiving my dear friend Nina. God bless you as you enter a new season. xxx

[ilene harris]

I chuckled deeply at your post. Thank goodness you've left space in your heart (and the studio for more treasures. I, myself, love "the hunt". Yes, the tintype looks like a kindred spirit - or relative of yours. But, the way you displayed it is what touched me the most. You have such a knack for finding the most interesting way to show your finds. I've been by myself for Thanksgiving - volunteered at a community dinner, while Dave is in Albuquerque with his Mom - and met a few new friends in the meantime. Life is good...

[Jan]

Still nesting? I drop in regularly to see how you're doing, and I hope all is going well.

[sandy]

Just checking on you.
I've cleared out my closet, my armoire, my kitchen drawers, my desk area...all because of you. One project at a time.

What's funny...now that I've got the closet organized I am putting things back into their spaces.

But I've got this "box full of beads and old jewelry" that I need to go through and figure out how to organize things so I can make assemblage jewelry. I need some tips from you on that.I'm getting inspired...smile... But I'll patiently wait.

Take care now.

[Ina]

we know that you are probably busy, just saying we miss you--