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Friday, January 7, 2011

New Directions- Week 1

Where to begin?
I am lost. 

I have been stuck in a rut of my own creation. I have been questioning everything in my creative life. Why do I make jewelry? Do people really like my jewelry? Should I bother making more jewelry? What is my style? Who am I as an artist? What is next for me and my family in this creative journey? How would people describe me? My jewelry?
I have not made anything in a few weeks and I am pretty sure the holidays and the cold weather here in NY are to blame for my slump. That and the bad cold I had for New Year's add in self doubt and a teething 18 month old and you can probably see why I am surrounded by question marks.
I have decided to start a new journey in 2011- 52 Weeks of Blogging Your Passion by Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl.
I first read about 52 Weeks on Brandi Girl Blog and wanted to do this myself. I desided the best time to start would be January 1st so I bought the e-book for an affordable $15 and decided to jump right in.
The first task was to write a mission statement for your blog and to share it with your readers. I have no idea why I was paralyzed with self doubt and fear to do this task and almost gave up before I even started. I had to push through. It took 7 days but I finally wrote a mission statement I am satisfied with. It may change or evolve but for this time, this place I am in it is good and I am happy.

The purpose of my blog For My Sweet Daughter is to capture the fleeting moments. 
To share with others my story, the things that make me happy, inspire me and make me who I am.
To connect with artists and those who love and appreciate handmade items 
and to share my handmade jewelry, components and other items with the artisan community.


There it is and it was not an easy thing to write so my brain is mush. I did finally make a bracelet today though so maybe I am starting to break out. I was inspired by the snow that fell today and a piece from Nancy Schindler of RoundRabbitExtra. As soon as I can I will take pictures and share.

~Shannon

5 comments:

Judy said...

Shannon, I think we all go through what you are feeling, some admit it some do not. I like your mission statement, I know how hard it is to write one, I too have struggled. Sometimes it just takes an inspirational piece like the Round rabbit piece that can get your creative juices going. I look forward to hearing more about blogging for passion.

Amy F said...

I think your jewelry is lovely. I think these questioning moment are part of growth for an artist. I know my darkest moments (why am i doing this? is anyone paying attention? am i making anything good?) come before great burst of creative energy.
xoxo

Unknown said...

I think we all struggle from insecurities from time to time. I know when I look around at all of the great designers that I follow I feel like I am just a little fish in a big pond and maybe I shouldn't be trying to accomplish what I am with getting my jewelry business started and building a business. I then try and remind myself that the world is a large place and there is room for all of us creative souls. I want to thank you for talking about 52 weeks of blogging your passion, I just ordered it after reading your post. I started my blog last March and originally most of my focus was on books and doing book reviews but I know in my heart what I really want to do is expand my readership by getting more jewelry designers and bead makers so that is my goal for this year. I don't know if you have heard about Christine Kane and choosing your word of the year that also seems to be a great way to get your life focused and achieving what you want.

Thanks so much for sharing, good luck with your 52 weeks of blogging. I look forward to reading more of your blog.

Penny

Barbara Lewis said...

It's easy to get swayed from the stimulation we experience every day on the internet. I have some suggestions ... stop looking for a few days ... play at your work with no intention ... see what surfaces ... remove yourself from the stimulation and let the inner voice out ... it is your voice and you will hear it.

Tara P. said...

You brought me out of lurkdom with this post. I know I'm a bit late, but I'm very behind on my Google Reader. I think we've all had moments of these types of periods in our lives. I think the way to get through it is just to go through it and hopefully you learn something and are better for it. Good luck - anxious to read more from you.