I feel like I've arrived.

We signed the lease and got the keys today.  I'm still in a bit of a state of disbelief -- about the space, about the gallery, about the new neighborhood -- all of it is so overwhelming in the best way.

We went to lunch at Native Foods (god, I'm going to go broke with this spot only a short walk away), and took a walk to the park that must be the neighborhood's namesake (Wicker Park).  It's so exciting to have a whole new neighborhood to explore!

I'm so relieved that the waiting is over, even though it means that the packing and cleaning is starting.  So I'm pretty tired, and I don't know if I'll be posting a lot this week (out of excitement) or not posting at all (out of exhaustion), but when the time comes, I can't wait to share more pictures of the space with y'all.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a free season pass to the Randolph Street Market HERE!  I've extended it to the end of the month, because I know I'm going to be busy this week.

Okay, time to be lazy on the couch.

The time has come, the walrus said...

Can't wait to post this: This post has been on my MacBook for a few days, just waiting to post.  The power of positive thinking, people!!

I've been waiting for what feels like forever, but realistically has only been two weeks, to say this -- I'm excited to announce that I will soon be part of the great community of creators in the Flat Iron Arts Building in Wicker Park!!

That means I will be opening the doors to my studio for the First Friday events, and will also have open office hours for anyone to come meet me, visit me in my studio, see how I work, and purchase items on the spot.  I'm also looking forward to hopefully starting some sort of "social club" where other artists in the Chicago area can gather, talk about their art, discuss marketing and all of those un-fun aspects of creating that need to be talked about (and get tips from others), and drink lemonade and eat berry pies on my couch.

But before I get carried away on all of these ideas, big and small, I need to go do a happy dance!  An extended, arm-flapping, foot-stomping, twirling happy dance!

The main living area, with the studio space to the left (through the French doors).

Those are our windows!!

My absolutely amazing new building.

What to do...

I've wanted to write something for the past week, but I've been at a total loss on how to start it... I haven't really got anything to say, because this thing I'm thinking about hasn't happened yet, but just the thought of it is getting me all riled up.

I went to see an art/living space.  I really liked it, and as I am prone to do, I got a little... obsessive.  I think about the place almost constantly, and I've made more pros/cons lists than I care to admit to.  All of them come out the same, with the pros outweighing the cons.  I've also made quite a few hypothetical budgets.  Oh, how I love making budgets.

But at this point, I'm having way more anxiety about it than it's worth.  I want to get on here and tell you how excited I am, how it's totally going to work out, and post pictures of this beautiful space, but for now all I can do is wait.

I'm awful at waiting.

So if there is anyone out there reading this who believes in positive energy, please send some my way, because I could really use it right now.  I want this to work out so badly, but not at the cost of my sanity, or my boyfriend's sanity more likely.

I appreciate you in advance.  :)

Weighing the Options

I kind of forgot to mention that I'll give you a 40% off coupon code if you buy your ticket to this event through my artist profile.  Oopsy!  Anyone who had previously purchased through my profile has been contacted, but in case you needed that little extra motivation, there it is!  If you purchase a map pendant at $25, you're basically getting your money back on the $10 ticket, so it works out quite nicely.

click through to visit my artist profile and purchase your ticket!

One more little detail... after you have selected "buy a ticket for this artist", my name (the Big City Bumpkin) should be on your drop down menu where it says "Pick the artist you are supporting!".  Please be sure that my name is selected, or it will not count toward my total, and you won't get a 40% off coupon code.

Okay, so what else is going on?  I've been trying to get ahead of myself a little bit, and get a good look at the Summer festivals I want to participate in.  The two I'm pretty sure about right now are Wrigleyville Summerfest, and Randolph Street Market.  Which means, it's time to buy a festival tent (ugh, money), and figure out how I'm going to transport it on the CTA (ugh, effort).  Dave has been trying for ages to convince me that we need a car.  I don't disagree with him that it would make things easier, but it would also make things more expensive, and I really enjoy living right at or below my means.

I suppose I wouldn't say no to this little honey...

It just seems like a really big decision.  There are a lot of benefits: I would be able to pick up a LOT of groceries at Trader Joe's, I could take a trip to IKEA without having to worry about getting my new bookcase on the Pace Bus, I could go camping in the Summer, and yes, I would have an easier time getting to shows and festivals.

BUT, I would also have to worry about gas, insurance, and repairs, not to mention the initial cost of a vehicle.

I don't really know what the best choice is.  I think one of the cool things about living in the city is that I can take a bus, train, or my bike pretty much anywhere I want to go.  In fact, last Summer, we even went camping for a weekend at the Indiana Dunes, with our dog, and we got there by Metra.  So it's not like living in Virginia, I don't need a car... but it really would make things a lot easier.

I suppose I'll keep my mind open to the option.  But I swear, once I get a car (if I get a car), don't all of y'all start asking me to help you move, or pick up a dresser!  Unless you're going to reimburse me with white wine and fresh vegetables, that is.  ;)

The itch...

I've been getting it again, the itch, the desire, the absolute need to create something... sometimes it can be so frustrating to feel this way, when I don't necessarily have to focus to even pick just one thing, or the means to support it once I do.  Thankfully, after a few experimentations, it ended up not being too entirely expensive, and I'm really excited to see how it turns out.  No photos yet, I'm waiting until I can hold a finished product in my hand... but, I'm really excited!  So get excited with me, and then look forward to pictures, in a day or so!

Countdown!

It's kind of funny how I start actually looking forward to being laid off toward the end of the Cubs season.  I mean, not the dirty reality of it -- looking for a temp job, being broke, having way more time on my hands than any human really should -- but then, this year, it's going to be a really great opportunity to work on my pendants (and other things! coming soon!) and maybe hopefully fingers-crossed develop this whole thing into a "real" (read: highly profitable) business.  I don't expect anything miraculous to happen over night, of course, but I think a lot of hard work this Winter might start to pay off.  The opportunity to actually work at a craft, as an artist, to be my own boss (because goodness knows, I don't like anyone else being my boss) is so great, and rather than hopeful, I want to be determined.  I really want to do right by myself, I owe myself a genuine solid effort.

So the countdown?  About a month, give or take a few.

Ugh... oooh...

I'm feeling icky-yucky, which means I have plenty of time on my couch right now to blog-blog-away, but no real progress to speak of or pictures to show off.  ;)  A catch-22, no?

Well, I am determined to make this weekend as productive as possible.  I really want to get to work on an update of my Sticks & Stones pendants.  It's amazing how difficult it is to find tiny little stones in this city!  All I really needed was an excuse to go to the Lake, right?  Excuse obtained!

I've also got a friend-date (I find this term almost unbearably cute) on Saturday.  I feel like I need to pick out an outfit or something, but I don't want to overdo it.  Strange how difficult or awkward it is to make friends once you become an adult, but at least I'm being proactive about it!  It's too bad we can't all just go up to each other and say "I think you look neat, wanna be friends?" without people thinking we're off-kilter.

Is anyone doing anything interesting this weekend?

Oliva will be reading this weekend... or at least hanging out on a book shelf.

Etsy Listings...

Nothing interesting to say today (I'm in a righteous mood, let me tell you), but I did list some nature photographs in my Etsy shop.

Etsy.com 

Etsy.com

What I'm Doing... Having a Fun Day!

Food and culture... good times!

More photos (and details) at Decorate, Eat & Repeat

Foie Gras Dog, Hot Doug's

Macaroons! at Intelligentsia Coffee

Chicago Cultural Center

Nice boots, on the Brown Line

Randolph & Wabash