Sunday, September 25, 2011

Newtown Suburb Monday with Mira






Thank goodness the rain let up today. Yesterday was wet, windy and cold. Today there were pretty, puffy clouds and 60f/18c degree temps. Mira had to drop off her scholarship application at the student center so we decided to stroll around Newtown afterwards and get some art supplies for screen-printing some of our designs that we have both been planning. The first photo is of the roof of one of the beautiful buildings on the campus of University of Sydney. After we dropped off the paperwork, we headed to a nice little shop in Newtown called Art on King/Modern Times. It is an art supply and book store combo. I got a beautiful card to send a friend in The States and I saw a book called "Textiles - The Whole Story" (something to put on a Christmas list). We also got the paint/ink for printing. I have an old screen and squeegie that we can use. We had lunch at Luxe cafe. Delish goat cheese, shaved fennel root and fig jam sandwich with tea and linzer torte for dessert.
I was spaced out and not paying attention to the scene, but Mira noticed two "knit bombs"! Look it up if you haven't heard of it. I am posting a photo of one of them. It is a scuzzy looking pay phone dolled up with a little crochet on the cable. Also I am posting Mira's little work of art - her original drawing/embroidery of the cat from one of her recent reads called The Master and Margarita. The other photo is of a creatively dressed old woman I saw walking by with her shopping bag. I loved her wild colored skirt.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

My Job

The last ten years I have been mostly self-employed. I ran sewing and textile arts classes. I had an on-line business selling eco-friendly bags that I made. During that time I worked hard designing, sewing, doing all the advertising, business, and networking necessary to keep myself going. It was hard work but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed being creative, in charge, and having a flexible schedule. I didn't enjoy being mostly on my own and having to be the one always making every decision and keeping myself motivated even when things were tough. So, with this move to Sydney, I decided to try a new approach.

I am working part-time at a shop, spending my free time doing art, getting involved in the amazing events and activities that this city has to offer, swimming in the ocean, and hopefully, spending time with any new friends that I meet. Having a schedule for a few days a week will help me get out of the house, structure my time, and motivate me to make use of the days that I do have free.

The first few weeks of my job were, frankly, a horror. I was not used to going, non-stop, for almost 9 hours, and they had me working full-time so that I could get trained. I didn't know what the hell I was doing, and the store was so busy that I basically had to learn as I went. I am not good at doing things that I don't understand. So, it was a challenge for me to endure, but I did and now I am settled into a pretty low stress groove.

I even ride my bike sometimes to and from work. I have a special map of the city that shows the bike lanes and secondary roads that are safe for bikes. I used it to figure out a winding path to work. I go by neighborhoods, shops, old buildings, and parks that I never would have seen or known about. It reveals the charms of the city that you can't see driving on the main roads.

The shop is a fabric, yarn and craft store so, I get to be around some things that I can imagine working with, and I get to talk with creative customers about their projects. I like helping people and I like making the shop look nice. Not everyone is nice, and not all the items in the shop are to my liking, but I try to make the best of it. I do think that no matter what work you are doing, the meaning and the enjoyment and fulfillment comes from within.

For now, I am enjoying the work and the learning experience. I have started two projects for textile designs. I will post them when they are further developed. I have also gotten 2 tips on screen printing classes that I will do. Thanks to my job, I have the money to pay for it.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

A New Blog for A New Chapter

Since I moved to Australia, about 3 months ago, several people have told me I should have a blog to post about my adventures and misadventures. I tried to revive my old blog that was based on my Shecological business and my love of travel and textiles, but I found it pulling me back. This is the start of a new approach to recording and sharing my life. I hope to post at least once a week so that I am not backtracking.
I heard somewhere that the secret to good blogging is to remember that the blog is not for the writer but for the reader, but I can't bear the thought of approaching the computer screen psyching myself up to be clever and pithy so that some anonymous reader will find it engaging. I will just write as if I am talking to my friends and family (because that is primarily who I expect will be reading it) and I hope that they will find my honest, natural approach clever and charming.
I plan to write about the areas of my life that are interesting to me and that I want to focus on:
1. Exploring and appreciating this new part of the world
2. My social/human/friend contacts
3. Physical activities - swimming, biking, zumba, etc.
4. Textile arts/ Art.

Stay Tuned...