Standing in your own way

Over the years I've often wondered why I struggle with learning new concepts or with difficult tasks. I consider myself to be bright, yet I'd rather play it safe and do the things I know I'm good at rather than risk failing in a new challenge. That's not to say I don't love to learn new things, but I do so best when being mentored and learning in a hands-on way. There is teaching and correcting, there are illustrations, demonstrations, explanations, and practice exercises. I don't feel alone while exploring and I know there is a safety net.

So what got me thinking about this today? A friend posted a link to this article, The Trouble with Bright Girls. I had an "AHA!" moment. There is a difference in the way girls and boys learn something particularly complex or foreign.

"But in my experience, smart and talented women rarely realize that one of the toughest hurdles they'll have to overcome to be successful lies within.  We judge our own abilities not only more harshly, but fundamentally differently, than men do.   Understanding why we do it is the first step to righting a terrible wrong.  And to do that, we need to take a step back in time.      ....<snipped>....

"Researchers have uncovered the reason for this difference in how difficulty is interpreted, and it is simply this:  more often than not, bright girls believe that their abilities are innate and unchangeable, while bright boys believe that they can develop ability through effort and practice."

You really have to read the article to understand how we are conditioned this way. After all, I don't want to quote the whole thing here and it is worth the read.  But if you're like me, maybe you'll have an "AHA!" moment, too.

A different kind of crafty day

Each day that I don't make something new with my glass and kiln, or with my jewelry supplies, or that I don't try out something new (like PMC or glass clay), I feel a little bit guilty. I don't always have the time or the energy, or sometime there's just no sign of my muse and I stare angrily at my supplies willing them to make sense once again.  And then there are days where you just have to go in a different direction altogether. Today was one of those days.

Valentine's day is coming up, so I thought today would be a good day to see if I could get a picture of him that would be worthy of a Valentine's Day card to send to our family members. And what better background addition than paper hearts? Adorable! Plus, he loved ripping them apart and making a big mess with all the paper.

The bead show of all bead shows!

A friend of mine went to the bead show in Tucson a few years ago. Said it was the craziest thing she'd ever seen.  I want to go.  But there's no way I'll make it this year and I probably won't be able to afford to do it next year.  However, ArtBeads is having a contest and it is worth checking out:

Road to Tucson Sweepstakes: Enter to win a trip for two to Tucson, Arizona to attend the Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase! The prize package includes round-trip airfare to Tucson, Arizona and 3 nights accommodation. You will attend classes with well-known beading instructors and have access to the biggest shows! Spend 3 days in Tucson surrounded by gems, minerals, fossils, beads and other bead lovers just like you.


Me! Me! ME! PLEASE! Pretty, pretty please! Pick ME!

Wishlist

There are always new glass supplies, metal clay supplies, or gemstones/jewelry supplies that I really, really want.  Right now it's mostly glass and metal clay supplies, and, boy oh boy, is it easy to get carried away.

For example, I would love to have some of the following tools for my new metal clay obsession (so, I haven't even opened the packages of clay that I got for Christmas, but I can still dream about designs I'd like to attempt:

• Embossing Cutters Calyx Petals Set
• Embossing Cutters Ivy Leaf Set
• Tool Leaf Cutter Set
• or any of these other Stencils/Pattern Cutters from Rings & Things  
• Can I just get one of everything here, please? 

I get lost for hours at a time when looking at supplies and sketching ideas in my head. And I don't even know where to get started as far as looking at glass supplies goes this evening. I suppose I'll save that wishlist for another time.

Maybe I'm crazy...

...but I think I'm about to attempt some super-mom-like activities.

In addition to my 14-month old, two large-breed puppies, two cats, and hubby, this stay-at-home mom and part-time jewelry/glass artist is about to attempt to juggle two more really big things.

1) Jewelry classes for a friend and her granddaughters. Eight lessons. I think I'd be a lot more comfortable with six, but eight was non-negotiable. I have some neat projects planned out and I hope all will be happy with what I've chosen, but I haven't taught in a while and this is a big deal. If it works out, I might branch out and offer more classes for kids in my area. Could be fun.

2) I haven't worn my technical writing hat since I was pregnant, but another opportunity may be coming my way. It's hard for me to pass up such challenges. I like learning new things, I like being exposed to new software, I like keeping my writing and editing skills polished, and I like keeping my resume current (just in case, ya know). And I can do it from home, while the little man is peacefully playing or napping.

It's a lot to juggle for me, but I used to tell myself that I thrived in chaos. Let's see if that still proves true.

Another mom, another blog

As I hesitate to create yet another "this mom's blog," I think why not. Maybe someone out there will find me interesting, helpful, inspiring, or will just laugh as I encounter many of life's FAIL moments.

Some days I think I'm just one smelly pile of diapers away from packing it all up and escaping to a tropical paradise with no forwarding address. Then my little man, the light of my life, runs over and tackles me in his version of a hug. And that makes it all better. I never imagined I'd be living this life. But do any of us really? All in all, it is a really good life, too.  I'm really lucky that way.

So, what's the point of this blog, eh?

• For me to vent, scream, rant, and rave
• For me to share my proud and not so proud moments
• For me to talk about my non-mommy side (jewelry, warm glass, PMC, etc)
• For me to not lose myself in being a mommy

So stay tuned. Who knows, maybe you'll stumble upon something good enough to share with someone else. Or maybe you'll just have one of those "Thank goodness it isn't just me" moments. Either way, here's hoping this will turn into more than just another one of life's FAILs.