Life Happens

Wow. It's been about a week since my last update. So, what have I been doing that I haven't had time to blog you ask? Well, the Little Dude has been sick, so we've spent a lot of time snuggling. He also hasn't been sleeping well -- waking up every few minutes, waking up every time we put him back in bed, waking up too early in the morning -- and that means we don't sleep well, and that means I don't get much beyond the necessities done. And that's ok. I know it's just a phase we are in at the moment, and that things will change soon. We're trying very hard to stick to a nap schedule and bedtime ritual. I was reading a mama blog yesterday, and Moxie, the author, was talking about development spurts, sleep regression, and separation anxiety. I think it's what we're in the middle of now, and she assures us (moms in general) that it won't last forever! Here are links to a couple of the articles I read: this is one that talks about the 9-month sleep regression, and this one explains what sleep regression is. Moxie also recommends a book called The Wonder Weeks that Sean and I ordered. Here is the link to the book on Amazon, but I think you can find it cheaper at Barnes and Noble's online store or Alibris (that's where I ordered it from).

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Where was I? Oh, right. Sleep regression. Developmental changes. Restless sleep. I think James is teething again. Lots of drool. I'll leave it at that.

Where am I at in my projects? Stalled. Which is sad, 'cause I have a commissioned piece I'm supposed to be working on. Tomorrow I may have an order for another project. And that's awesome. I am excited to be getting the work. For some reason, I don't sound terribly enthusiastic, but I really am happy to be getting the orders in. And, once I get working on the books, I'll be excited to be in the middle of the projects. I think the lack of excitement comes from the chaos that is my work area. And the kitchen. I don't even want to think about the kitchen.

Tonight I decided to be a little more organized about it. (Hah!) I decided to put together a Planning Book. In it I will keep samples of the patterned paper along with information about the paper -- like the brand, pattern name, what projects I used it for. Oh! I can color code! Also, the book will contain samples of the paper guts, samples of the thread I can use (or fishing line? yep. I bought some.), a menu of options, and a break down of the cost for each piece. This will really be for my information, because I always have trouble when it comes time to set the price for a completed book I list on Etsy. Finally (I think), I will put a section for commissioned books that will have a page or two for each project, the desired specifications, and the task list.

I have so many ideas for projects! Pocket jotters, flip-top jotters, single-subject notebooks. And super-specialty notebooks. I can't share those ideas just now. I want to find out if they'll work first. Oh! I got a fabulous idea at Ikea today. I love wandering around that place. It gets the wheels of my mind turning.

That's all I have for now. I will try and post again soon -- maybe tomorrow or Monday.

Until next time!

Setting Up Shop

Hello again, blog land. I officially set up my Etsy shop a couple of days ago. It was a pretty overwhelming experience, probably because I was over-thinking it. I have a tendency to make things more difficult than they need to be. Anyway, I have items listed for sale. It's a relief!  You can check it out here. I am having a fun time with this new adventure.

Though I am new to this -- blogging, selling, arting -- I am already discovering how difficult it is to balance everything. There are so many things that require my attention: my husband and son, the shop, this blog, my creating. My family needs to be my top priority, and I don't feel that has been the case the last couple of days. I've been working on the shop and picking up supplies. I want Expositus Spinae to be a success but at what cost?

Maybe I need to start scheduling things. Up to this point, I have been using every available "spare" moment to obsess over my new project. The new plan: schedule time to create and time to do business. The question: how much time is reasonable, practical? I guess I'll figure it out.


Today I made my first Etsy sale. That was an exciting experience! Here it is all wrapped up:

My first Etsy sale, wrapped and ready for delivery.

 I find myself obsessing over the stats. They show how many times my shop and listings have been viewed. I think I should try and avoid looking at those too often.


It's so fun to watch James develop. He's making new sounds. The latest? "Ayayayaya." He draws out the vowels in the cutest way. Today he almost took a step without hanging onto anything. He's so close to walking! He makes laps along the furniture in the living room. He also likes to try and play with Mommy's art supplies. I have proof:

One day he'll figure out how to open those drawers. Then I'll be in real trouble!

Now I am obsessing over this post -- thinking about transitions and the organization of content. I have spent too much time on it, already, so I'm going to call it good-enough.

Until next time!

Introductions

Hi. My name is Sarah and I am addicted to paper. And pens. And paints. And decorative tapes. And --

I could go on and on. I am a stay-at-home wife to a handsome, supportive husband, mama of a beautiful baby boy (who's not quite a year old), and a creator of beautiful, messy things. Currently I am in the middle of wife-ing and mom-ing, writing a fantasy novel, starting an Etsy shop where I'll be selling hand-crafted blank journals, and playing with paint. 

I decided to start (another) blog because I want to be more involved in the online art community. The more I see what other people are doing, the more I feel the desire to join in. I have found that it is so easy to become isolated as a stay-at-home mom. I often keep my art to myself, and it seems that now is as good a time as any to share it.

I've just begun setting up an Etsy shop. Though I don't want this blog to be a marketing platform, I thought it would be fun to let people see what I'm working on. Here's a sample: 

I put into each sketchbook, journal, notebook a lot of time, energy, thought, and love -- so much that I almost don't want to sell them. I want to keep them for me. I like to see them lined up on my desk -- the spines of various colors a constant rainbow. But it's time to let them loose in the world to collect and protect the work of other talented creators. 

So, welcome to my blog. I'm looking forward to sharing my many adventures with you and keeping you updated on the progress of my many projects. I'll try to post regularly but make no guarantees. 

If you've read this far, thank you. I hope you come back! Also, I'd love to hear some of your adventures. What are you up to?

P.S. Thank you to my lovely friend, Zlata, for taking such beautiful photos of the journals I made.