No muse, no mojo

I've tried everything to get myself to make some jewelry. At first I thought I was merely distracted by other things, then I started making excuses and I really haven't sat at my bench much since the end of January. I started the year with a grand plan to find materials that were less expensive than fine silver to make jewelry out of. I tried polymer clay and just could not get the hang of it. I was not happy with anything I made. Then I tried resin and that was a bleak failure, too. I told myself then that if I would just get out the good old silver clay, that I know inside and out, I would be sure to make something that I liked.

So, I spent three weeks working on a couple of silver rings and a few necklaces, which is a pitiful amount of work for that amount of time (for me). I thought then that I was relaxing into a slower pace and didn't give it much thought. I used up an entire 100 gram package of copper clay and those pieces have been sitting, waiting to be fired for at least a week. I just haven't done it.

Then I got out the Art Journal and joined the Sketchbook Challenge. Jewelry didn't cross my mind for a long time. I started feeling guilty for doing nothing but collage and painting, so I cleared all the art supplies off the kitchen table and spread out my taxes. (My kitchen table is the only space available to do stuff like that. Someone once asked me if my studio was in my home and I said "No, I live in my studio!") Taxes done and off to the accountant. Good girl! Something productive was completed. Now go make some jewelry.

No. The Art Journal is back occupying the kitchen table again:

THIS IS NOT ART THAT I PLAN TO SELL!! I berate my self, yell at myself, try to trick myself, make bargains with myself, promise to reward myself. Nothing has worked. I usually spend the winter stocking up so that I have inventory to sell in the spring and summer when tourists are here. Uh oh. I might not have much to offer this year if I don't get with it. Jewelry is how I make my living!!! And, I have a show in April!!!

Maybe what I need is a kick in the butt. That's why I'm putting this out in the blogosphere - maybe someone else can help jump start my muse. I've been ignoring her for so long, that I think she's gone to live with another artist who will appreciate her. What is WRONG with me????

Here's another distraction: A cute picture of Lola and her toy mouse. That thing looks real, doesn't it? Scares the crap out of me when I step on it in the middle of the night...