How to Fail Gracefully Revisited

This was a post that I wrote last year. It helped lift my spirits at time when I was particularly frustrated with my perceived inability.

We are all attempting something at one stage or another...new job, new hobby, new relationship...heck, maybe it's all old things but with new obstacles and we're having to learn it all over again. Whatever stage your at, I hope this helps a bit and that whatever perceived inability you're struggling with gives way to a new realization and new success. (maybe not today, mind you, but eventually!)

 

 

 

I blame it on the technological age.

Instant gratification and perfect results have taught us that failure is unacceptable and that something should be done right the first time no matter how difficult or arduous the task.

Or...maybe it hasn't taught us that and we've just come to expect it.

Either way, it's hard to fail at any task and I think too often we equate the failure of an activity with the quality of the individual.

Untrue.

Sometimes it's the necessary result because there are very few lessons learned in success.

Most successes are just another attempt after a string of failures.

So....how to fail?

First of all, don't get angry...it serves no purpose. Step away from whatever it is you're doing, make yourself a cup of tea, read a book, go for a walk, but...don't...get...angry. You'll need that energy for later.  

Secondly, figure out what you did...go back and think about the steps you took to get there. Or, if you're following instructions or directions, sit down and read them through entirely without even starting the project or looking at your materials. Sometimes your mind can work through problems if it's only focusing on doing one thing at a time.

Third, try to figure out what went wrong...if nothing comes to mind, then try changing something to see if you get better results. (remember what Einstein said..."The definition of insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting different results.")

 

Fourth, write down what you did....and if you change something, make a note of it, if it works, it'll serve as a reminder to always do it that way, if it doesn't work, you can cross it off your list and keep moving.

 

Fifth, try again...eventually you will succeed.

I think the most important step is the fifth one.

I'm also learning that just because I've learned how to do "A" pretty well and could probably do it in my sleep, that doesn't necessarily mean that I can do "B" and the two are probably not as closely related as I had previously imagined.

 

Meaning you might have to take on a whole other skill set in order to achieve your goal This doesn't mean that you as a person are somehow lacking in some specific skills or talents, but that the specific skills or talents you have developed can only take you so far and whatever task you've dedicated yourself to at this point is going to require a little stretch on your part.

 

Try something new today, and don't be afraid to fail, there are lessons to be learned.

all photos via antontang

Super Sales on your Christmas Creations

UPDATE:

I have extended the tutorial sale until the end of today, October 27. Keep reading below for more information!

 

I got some great info in my inbox today and I wanted to pass along some of the good news to you!

Can you believe it's already almost November?

Me either, but it is, which means for those of us making Christmas gifts this year for our loved ones, we've got to get the ball rollin' (nothing like putting the last minute touches on gifts as your family is downstairs with hot cups of coffee patiently tapping their toes).

 

So, here's the good news.

Interweave is offering some great deals on back issues of their magazines, both digital and print.

Here's the link to the sale.

These are two of the issues that they've got out with some of my projects in them.  

 

Dec/Jan 2011/2012

 

 April/May 2012



 

There are four or so more magazines with my projects in them, but a couple were Super Beadwork, and I didn't see any of them offered in the sale. However, I'm sure if you browsed the shop, you could locate those issues. If you've got a specific project in mind, send me a note and I'll see if I can track it down for you.

But, here's the catch! TODAY is the last day for these deals from Interweave so get 'em while they're hot!

 

 

And, for a little celebration on my end, I've decided to offer a discount on my Etsy shop tutorials also for TODAY only!

More good news!

 

Here are some of my favs for Christmas and Holiday giving:

My Tila Flor bracelet woven up in some steel gray and crystal white would look just like a ring of snowflakes around your wrist. Oh, and this tutorial also includes instructions on how to make one of the components into a super sharp cocktail ring! 

What about my Shooting Stars doesn't say sparkly holiday glam?

Focus on high sheen metallics when you make this for a piece that just jumps off your wrist. Or, make super sparkly earrings to complement that black party dress. 

 

Weave up my Spanish Lace in golds and garnets and call it Luxe Lace, that special someone will love opening that package on Christmas morning!





 

So, what's the deal???

A full 30% of ALL of the tutorials in my Etsy shop.

(Offer is good only for tutorials)

 

Here's the code you'll need when you check out:

CHRISTMASCRAFT

 

Be sure and check out my shop, even if you're not a fan of the bracelets above, I've got rings and pendants and each one is fully customizable with your colors and creativity.

Oh, and speaking of colors and creativity, guess who has every Size 11 seed bead in their shop on sale?

Fusion Beads!

 

I went through and picked some of my favorite Holiday shades for you to browse through:

(clockwise from top left)

Silver Lined Matte Pale Amber

Silver Lined Matte White Round

Silver Lined Garnet

Metallic Sage with 24K gold!

Platinum Plated (luxe!)

Metallic Gold over Transparent Light Amber

 

I shop Fusion constantly and they have great selections on other materials as well such as Czech beads and Tilas.



 

So now what's your excuse??

Huh?

You could get all your Christmas shopping done for the ladies in your life today and at completely discounted prices. It's the perfect time to get started creating your Christmas gifts and when the malls are packed, you'll be sitting with your feet up and your presents wrapped ready to go!

Remember, this is a one-day sale so spread the word! 

Rote Memorization

I woke up this morning quoting lines from this poem.

 

I know that sounds odd, but as part of my middle school education, I was required to memorize poetry. It annoyed me then, but now when phrases and verses pop into my head that were planted there so long ago, I'm thankful for the strong words of comfort or encouragement that appear like old friends when I need them most.

 

Incidentally, I was dismayed when I began teaching to hear that rote memorization was no longer valued and that it was considered an "uneducated" way to impart knowledge.

I disagree and firmly believe that it will always have a place in the education of willing minds.

I hope this speaks to you as it has to me all these years.

 

 

If

Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!



Compare and Contrast

Compare: to examine in order to note similarities and differences

 

I've had a lot of time on my hands lately and it's mostly been down time.

 By which I mean I haven't been able to do a lot actively other than the things that are necessary.

 

So..I have filled in the gaps with a lot of reading and internet browsing (mostly Etsy and blogs written by artists I admire) and I realized the other day that I had fallen into this rut of not just looking to admire or inspire, but I found myself comparing not only one artist with another, but all of them with myself.

 

 XtraVirgin

Now, this is dangerous. For a few reasons.
 I will expound upon them here because no matter where you are in your creative journey, you've done this, admit it.
And it does absolutely no good for anyone.
Here's just a peek into the games my mind plays with itself:

"Wow. Her beadwoven patterns are so intricate and elegant. Mine look so amateur compared to that. I could never create a pattern that complicated. I'm sure she used herringbone stitch. I suck at herringbone stitch."

AnnaPopovich

 

Oh, and then there's this one:

 

"Holy Smokes. Did you see how many sales she has? She's got like triple the amount of sales I do, and her shops been open like a year less than mine! What is she doing right that I'm doing completely wrong? It must be her photos. She's totally nailed the white background. I suck at the white background."

 

Oh, and now that I've started metalwork, my mind has two different disciplines on which to dwell on my shortcomings:

 

"Oh, man...how in the world does she get that gorgeous finish on her jewelry? Does she tumble? She must tumble. I don't understand how her patina can be so even, is she painting it on?!

That filigree is so delicate. How in the world do you get filigree to solder onto sheet, shouldn't you have solder running all over the place?!

I must suck at soldering because I could never get those tiny pieces to stay in the right place even with a third hand. What am I doing wrong?"

jenreeseSEVEN

 

Oh, and then when you start reading blogs...well...cue floodgates...

 

"She went where and did what? I am so jealous. There's no way I could ever learn that technique, I'll never be able to take that class! I can't travel to Timbuktoo!"

 

 

"She met WHO?? Oh my goodness, she's like the best of the best. I'll bet she knows all her secrets now and her jewelry will be perfect from here on out. Man, there's no way I could ever hope to be that good or manipulate metal the way she does!"

 

You get the idea, it's a vicious cycle and the one that'll send you spinning down the road to nowhere.

I think it was at that point that I realized that comparing was doing nothing for me, that it wasn't boosting my self-confidence and it wasn't feeding my creativity, not to mention the feelings of artificial restlessness that it creates in your soul.

 

That was when I realized that I should be contrasting, not comparing:

 

Contrast: to compare in order to show unlikenesses and differences; note the opposite natures

MyBlueMind

 

You see it is the contrast that makes for beauty. It is contrast that allows us to really see the differences between things that can hold us captivated by one thing or the other.

It is the contrast that allows us to find the unique and original in what we do and helps to shape our creativity into something that is distinctive to us.

 

So, yeah, her beadwoven designs are intricate and delicate but I pride myself on creating pieces that lend themselves toward experimentation. I like to give my students a template and then let their color sense shine through in a way that makes the project all their own.

 

And yes, she does have like triple my sales, but what of it? I have numerous repeat customers who come back again and again (sometimes in the same week!) and each purchase is a vote of confidence that my patterns work, that they understand what they're doing when they create a piece of mine and they want to try their hand at something different.

 

And as far as metal goes, I've only just begun to experiment with copper and silver. I know my work isn't like that of a seasoned professional, but I can tell you, there's a certain pride that I feel each time I wear a piece of silver art that I've sawed and pounded and heated and finished.

I know it's mine that the work came from my hands and for that reason it has plenty of value (at least to me!).

 

Oh, and the life comparison thing?

Yeah, just don't. We are all at different places in this journey and one is never better than the other.

(Oh, and as far as classes and experience, did you know that some of the best teachers in the world at all different disciplines have started creating and teaching online courses complete with videos and forums and interactive interactions? Well, they have. It truly is the future of learning and it will only continue to grow with time.)

 

I say all of this to say this:

The next time you're tempted to compare yourself to another artist, or anyone for that matter, try contrasting yourself instead. Find what makes you uniquely you and your art uniquely your art.

That's one compare and contrast you'll never regret.

 

 

(P.S. In case you were wondering, I typed "contrast" into Etsy's search engine and came up with the pretties above in the photos.)

 

 

 

I haven't forgotten...

 

It sounds redudant to say that your hands haven't forgotten how to do something that they've been doing quite well for the past four years and yet it feels good to know for sure that it's true.

 

When everything else in your body feels a bit off and your legs are achy from not enough activity and your back is sore from too much sitting and you're tired...oh...tired.

It feels good to know that some things are still working just fine.

(Consequently, the ability to do laundry has not left me at all!)

 

But I was pleased when my hands produced these last week in the few moments that I was able to sit in front of the beads and just create.

 

I purchased two of these pretty litte bee beads from Alison and my initial plan was to make tiny pendants out of each one and then I remembered the Dragonfly Dance that goes on around here all summer. I imagine it's a mating dance (I'm not sure as I'm not a dragonflyologist), but they chase each other around the front yard right on each other's heels, ahem...tails.

 

They aren't small dragonflies either, they're the big kind and two of 'em comin' at your face is a bit overwhelming. They're happily engaged in the Dragonfly Dance while the rest of us are Dragonfly Duckin'.

 

Now, I know these aren't dragonflies, they're honeybees or at the least the workers, but I like the idea of them chasin' each other around huntin' for something and I like the fact that the pendant hangs just slightly askew. I added this one to the shop here if you'd like to see more photos of my little bees.

 

 

It is also scarf and sweater weather!

Which means??

Brooches!

My mother is a huge fan. She likes to wear them the way her mother did pinned to the lapel of her warm winter coats. I like them against sweaters, holding down scarves, and I've even used them to jazz up a boring brown bag.

 

 

 

This one is a good size and the colors are spot on for fall.

I happen to love Creek Jasper for that very reason.

I've also added it to the shop here.



 

Oh, and guess what was in my inbox today??

This is the Craftsy Newsletter and look who the "Favorite Pattern Pick" is!

Charlotte's Path!

I do love little Charlotte. She's a beaut and very quick to work up.

Here's my little corner of Craftsy, but if you've never visited, I highly suggest that you do so, there's a wealth of info there and tons of online classes in all kinds of mediums if you're interested in learning something new.

 

 

 

Have a great day, all and I haven't forgotten about the promised giveaway, stay tuned!

-Marcie

 

A Return to the Comfortable

 

Sometime last week after struggling for a few months with white balance and F-stop and props and trying so hard to make my shop front page worthy, I realized it wasn't me.

 

I like texture.

I like it in my life and I like it in my work.

Layers and layers of beads that weave together deceptively simply but I know when I see them the truth of what lies under the surface.  

So I went back to an old background, but definitely my favorite.



 

It's actually a history book that my Grandmother used as a high school student growing up in Tennessee.

 It is in fact the history of Tennessee and its pages tell the stories of wilderness, slavery, secession, nullification and lines drawn between man that would ultimately demand their blood. 

I also found tucked between the pages a list written in her hand with the class officers laid out for the whole year.

A record of something that would have been so important to her at the time, but that time itself has absorbed until there is no one left to remember the meetings taking place around wooden desks.



I think of her everytime I hold that book and I'm glad that I abandoned the stark white for layers.

Layers of time, layers of history, layers of color, layers of texture.



 

I feel like it's much more a reflection of me, literally.

And I think my grandmother would have been proud not just to see her old book or her list of classmates, but to see what the hands of her grandaughter had created.

 

Oh, and somewhere in the middle of this, I reached a milestone for my little shop.

800 sales

I know numbers are just arbitrary and it's really the feedback that moves my soul and makes me feel like those of you who have supported me don't regret it and that you're enjoying weaving things from my pages of instructions, or you're proudly sporting that pendant or bracelet (and maybe it's become one of your favs).

 

Either way, please stay tuned, there will be a giveback of sorts coming up. 

Enjoy your weekend, friend.