What do I do? I sculpt.  I go for long walks in the country and collect leaves which I preserve and use to imprint polymer clay to make wearable art pieces.  I also have begun to create jewelry, which I am finding to be loads of fun.  It is a nice way to make some money and I get to create and wear some pretty unique things for myself.  Never mind that gift giving has become a breeze…

The challenge I find is downsizing my life and deciding what I need and what I can let go.  It’s tough when you tend to be a bit of a pack rat.   As an artist , I can find a use for everything and will talk myself into justifying why I “need” to keep a certain thing many might consider tossing.  (just created a nifty pair of earrings from an up-cycled sterling silver watch band)

The easy part has been cutting back on what I spend and becoming more aware of how I spend.  I find now I eat better,  sleep better, and am happier.  I have chickens who help out by providing me with eggs and are a comical group in themselves.  I hardly need to use my car so I’m saving on repairs, gas, tires.  Big surprise, I’ve gotten to know my neighbors much better and by putting resources together (ie. gardening, bartering, pooling).

Is it easy?  No, not at all.  Some weeks I make a sale and some weeks I don’t.  So it’s a constant ebb and flow of adjusting and readjusting my finances.  Is it  worth it then you ask? Yes.  To be able to create a living from what you really love to do is extremely satisfying, and that my friends, makes all the difference in the world.

So buy hand made art when you can. You never know when you are helping someone realize their dreams and allowing them to pay the mortgage.

I heard someone say that Nature has a way of taking care of itself and watching my chickens gives
me a true appreciation for them. In the past the only concern I had for chicken was if it was to be fried, broiled or baked. I look at these funny feathered fiends now, and realize that they each have their own quirky personalities and mannerisms. How would I ever have known that by looking at that chicken leg quarter on my plate what I was missing?

Does that mean that I’ll stop eating chicken? No, probably not, (I don’t eat it often to begin with) but it does mean I’ll give them just a little bit more respect and will be a little more grateful when I do.

Did I say I love my chickens? Yes, I do… indeed I do!

And here are my two newest “peeps”. They are nine week old Rhode Island Red hens. After living for a week in my shed they’ve made the transition to the “big” house where the pecking order has been established with no blood shed yet, lol.

Clara was most vocal in her opposition to the newcomers and Belle hearing her sister holler chimed right in.

If you’ve never seen a hen pitch a fit of jealousy, well let’s just say I have never laughed so hard in ages. I’ll post some new pics of the “girls” later this week.

Valerie