Luck is a funny thing.

Such a long time away from here - big apologies!! Not only was I so much sicker than I thought last time I posted (I was out of action for another week) but last weekend some horrible things happened to Sparky and we've been trying to sort ourselves out since. It could have been much worse but thankfully it wasn't. But I'm pissed nonetheless...

Anyway, bright side now - we're going on holidays at the end of this week so if there's anything Trovey you may be wanting to make your own, orders close on Tuesday 27th May!

And now that my mind is slipping away from bad things and towards the goodie goodness of a holiday, I decided to put together some beautiful things that I wish I had the money to buy and take with me...


First up are these comfy, scrumfy socks from knitwit4eva on Etsy. I really just want to put these on with a big, cuddly jumper and a pair of leggings, drink red wine and sing Paul Simon songs with Sparky.



And, to be honest, I don't even know what I'd do with these very sexy knitted thingies, other than feel really, very cosy in the calf department, but yeeouch! New York's yearofthegoat is my new favourite seller. Check out this most excellent offering - The Medium is the Message Tunic Sweater!! I am in lurrrve!!





I really just want to stomp around in these awesome vintage boots. I can see it now, black leggings, grey knee-high socks, these boots from Canada's own cookiesandcream and a big, old woolen turtleneck jumper my mum gave me last year. Hmm.... And I think I need a hat. Yes...


dahliasoleil is my go-to girl for awesome hats and this Mary Jane is no different. Creamy, soft and with a dash of my favouritest colour in the world - green!

So now that I've made myself sick with lust, I am going to have a coffee from downstairs (it IS only 7.45am after all) and get cracking. I have a school fete on tomorrow (Our Lady of the Way in Emu Plains - if you're in the area, pop in, say hi, buy stuff) and so, so much to do.

I hope all weekends are without crappiness!!
B xx

What a...

..great day! I'm finally starting to feel like myself again, and that makes me so very happy!

I was featured on the front page of Etsy again today - my happy little Barcelona Cocktail Ring made the grade. Nice start to the week.

I'm also feeling rather chuffed with myself, as my pieces are currently featured in 7 Etsy treasuries. I feel that has a LOT to do with the fact that I focus on really good photography, and that there aren't a billion other sellers making the same products I make. There are a couple of pieces that are getting featured regularly at the moment...

The perennial favourite Summertime Studs...

The cool, minimalistic Horizon d'Ivoire Necklace...

And the prettiness that is my Joli Rose Necklace...

Enough horn-tooting! I've got a monster to-do list to write for tomorrow:

- Cut new studs
- Seal
- Pour
- Polish 200 pieces
- Package up parcel for Georgie Love (I haven't forgotten, Sal! Promise!)
- Photograph new pieces
- List new pieces
- Order supplies from RG
- Pour new all-resin beads
- Barnes - Buy BQueen resin, mixing cups, respirator filters, pigments
- Filing
- Update monthly figures
- Write list for Glenbrook Markets

I think that's it...

xx

New Week...

..New Projects!

I'm still feeling fairly ordinary, but nothing motivates like a new beginning. I've got a to-do list as long as my arm and I'm feeling excited.

One thing I'm particularly excited about - I'm currently reading up on writing a business plan, and have decided to pitch to Etsy's zine, the Storque about writing a How-To series that takes readers through the process of writing a business plan, possibly using my plan as a template. I think it would be so helpful to so many small business people, as it really gives a sense of direction and a concrete plan to follow, taking a lot of the guess work out of running your business.

I'm also heading off to the studio to play - and work.

Gotta make dinner first though, and spend some time packaging up the weekend's purchases.

Oh, and tell you about my newest favourite Etsy seller, ellynelly, whose decals are amazing. I particularly love this Framed Wall offering and can't wait to get it on my studio wall.


Off to dance around the house to Vampire Weekend and get busy!!

xx

As a dog...

Sick as a dog, that is.

I've been wiped out for the last week. Not working, hardly producing, not sleeping, feeling terrible. I've had a sinus infection and throat infection and still feel about 50%. But I am on the mend, and am excited at the coming week. Glenbrook Markets this Saturday - yay! Fun!!



New items have been selling like hotcakes over the last week and I've skipped past my 50th and 60th sales before I knew they were upon me. I really feel there is a momentum building up behind Trove, and I've gotta say, it's exciting!!

So last week wasn't an entire bust for me, I did upgrade my Trunkt portfolio to a Premium, as I really want to start pursuing wholesale accounts and I'm really impressed with the aesthetic of Trunkt and their genuine links to quality retailers, particularly in the States.

I also started working on some delicious shapes for new, all-resin pendants and earrings - exciting!!

I'm so tired. Off to watch the rest of 'Flight of the Conchords' and then to bed.

xx

Boy, oh, boy...

I've been a very naughty blogger, haven't I?

I've had a wedding, a cold and a busy, silly week. And, I'll be honest, I've been feeling a little deflated due to the fact that I was knocked back for Hope Street Markets. (Boo! Their loss...)

But I'm back, I'm motivated and I've taken the coming Monday and Tuesday off work so I'm on the edge of a four-day weekend! Big plans ahead:

- Monster Cut
- Mammoth Pur
- Gigantic Sanding
- Enormous Polish
- Operation CUYG
- Start on Trove's (official) business plan ahead of business registration
- Market Prep
- Restocking at Georgie Love


Much, much more.

Feeling cruddy right now... Will be back to show some more of my new gold pieces shortly...

Happy to report...

..that I am back.

After a rather busy week and an unfortunate migraine, I'm on the mend and back on track. My lil ol' corner of the world was looking slightly neglected.


As promised, I have been working with some gold pieces and have started listing them in my Etsy store. I'll be really interested to see the response, as they were super popular at the markets I did over the weekend.

Speaking of markets, I've yet to hear from the good folk at Hope Street, but I'm building up inventory like a crazy woman in the hope that I get the green light soon.

In the meantime it's pedal to the metal filling my store with new additions, soldering cufflinks (what a bastard of a job - seriously) and preparing for my sister's wedding on Saturday. All the while trying to get over this hideous migraine.

So I shall take my leave, but before I do, these two pieces were *just* listed on Etsy and I've been astounded by the view count!




xx

CUFF! I love this CUFF!

As promised, this is one of the resin pieces I made during my workshop yesterday. It still needs a little buffing and polishing, but I really love it! I'm thinking of introducing a line of chunky resin pieces in the coming month - what do you think?? I'll work on some more shapes and see how it progresses anyway.

I also made a couple of rings...


This is the matching ring for the cuff, and I'm really impressed with the shape. I haven't taken it off since yesterday!!

What a weekend!!

Oh, what an awesome weekend I've had!! Firstly, I got a haircut and colour - not the most spectacular news, but when you consider it's been 10 MONTHS since my last one, and that I walked into the hairdresser a blonde and came out a brunette, it certainly put a little wiggle in my walk!

Today I had the pleasure of taking a bqueen resin workshop at Barnes in Newtown, where I learnt the basics of casting more sculptural pieces of jewellery (and consequently have been inspired to get cracking on that range too). It was a LOT of fun and I'll post a photo of the sweet cuff and rings I made tomorrow when it's light enough to take a good photo. I was rather impressed with myself!


When I got home I had an email from Jess at modamuse saying my work had been added today. I must say, the photos they've taken are great - really crisp and clear. So stoked to see Trove represented on another wonderful Aussie site!!


I also had a very pleasant surprise last night to see that art & design blog indie has my Life Aquatic Earrings featured as part of the promo for a Georgie Love birthday giveaway! (Check it out - you can win a $50 voucher for GL = shopping fun-ness!!)

Another busy Monday tomorrow - soldering to do, plating to pick up, 5 million acrylic shapes to cut and some excellently fun new papers to play with!!

These are a few...

..of my newest favourite things!!



Argh!! Is this vinyl decal not the most amazingly sweet thing?! Sir Rabbit is my favourite, with his little floral jacket, but the range of decals to be found at stick meon include sweet little hummingbirds and squirrels. GORGEOUS!!

New Friends!

A couple of posts ago I sent a little shout out to Paloma in Brisbane but can now officially say (once Australia Post delivered my *ahem* Express Post parcel) that Trove is being sold on newest kid to the indie shopping block, Yradier (pronounced ira-dear)! I love new friends!

Yradier is establishing a really great range of works, including some amazing art from students at the Queensland College of Art. Check out these amazing lino prints from Luke Kidd - amazing!

Looking forward to seeing Yradier grow, as I'm sure it will - Paloma is doing a wonderful job getting established.


On a Trove note, I've just boosted my Etsy store with a handful of new products - many more on the way. I really love my Rouge et Noir Necklace. Love the darkness - kinda like a vampire novel or some such scary thing... Maybe more Vampire Weekend??

B

I am the greatest!

I've had one of those productive mornings that just make me feel like the Queen of Being Awesome (and Modest, obviously).

By 11:30am I have:

- Done 2 loads of washing
- Cooked dinner (Chicken Chasseur - oh yeah!)
- Cleaned kitchen
- Made lots of errand-type phone calls
- Blogged
- Sanded bezels
- Glued
- Drank coffee
- Contacted Modamuse about my soon-to-be shipped parcel
- Ordered supplies from Rio Grande

I have 3 hours till I start work and I'd like to:

- Package up orders
- Go to Post Orifice
- Do a small pour
- Cut Shadows shapes
- Eat lunch
- Pat myself on the back

Best be off...

Toodle-pip!

I See A Little Silhouetto of a...

..chair...

I am BIG into silhouettes at the moment and while my Shadows range is looking more at the cutesy, sweet silhouettes, I'm loving the idea of some quirky shapes too. These Barcelona Chair Notes from the very cool annacote really floats my boat.

The Cat's Pyjama's award this evening, however, goes to London's Lottie Frank...

..with her gorgeous neighbours print. I can't describe WHY I love it so much, but I really, really do...

The lack of English skills signifies that I really need to get to sleep. So much to do in the morning. ARGH, MONDAYS!!!

x

The Winter Cometh

Well, not quite yet, but - BRRRR - it was CHIIILAY last night. Not even my favourite vintage leather boots could keep my tootsies warm! But geez, I loved wearing them for the first time in quite a while.

Despite having a renewed love affair with my boots and my amazing hand-knitted Mary Jane hat from Dahlia Soleil, I am still clinging to the memory of summer and coveting all that is bright and fresh. Enter Sydney's own Shagpile, with their beautiful clutches - such as the Stephie, in all it's citrusy glory.


Sweet, huh??

But just as I think I'm packing my bags and moving to the warmer climes of Cairns (or Koh Samui), where I could swan around in a caftan all the days, I see this...

..the Cynthea kooky clutch, in all her autumnal glory. A girl is spoilt for choice isn't she??

On a more Trovey note, I've spent that past couple of weekends getting my studio set up, much thanks to Sparky's help. (I think more than anything he was just tired of not having a dining table to dine at...) and it's starting to take shape. I'm already feeling more productive and efficient, which is brilliant considering how much I have coming up in the next few weeks. Markets, a wedding, a BIG wholesale order, consignment, Hope Street Markets (hopefully) not to mention a range of cufflinks and my sweet-as-pie Shadows range. Peel your eyes, they'll be here soon!!

x

The return to Blogland...

..is a triumphant one!!

I was accepted to Modamuse!! (Cue excited screeching) I'm just finishing off the Not-So Mammoth Pour (otherwise known as Son of Mammoth) and will be getting a small range of my work listed there shortly. It's very exciting and so, so nerve-wracking to be grouped with such wonderful artists and crafters. I'm feeling rather chuffed though, I must admit.

Chuffed and tired. I've had an attack of the dizzies all week (possibly caused by the post-Easter chocolate-belly strangling my blood supply and keeping it from my brain) and have felt rather washed out. But I'll be back in full swing tomorrow, with a post about an exciting new store who will be carrying some Trovey goodness...

*waves to Paloma in Brisbane*

I'm sending my application off to Hope Street Markets tomorrow, and I have to say, I'm feeling a little intimidated. They're just so freakin' fabulous and the artists so bloody splendiferous that I worry about how I'll be received. But the organisers are certainly not going to knock on my front door and say, "We were just wandering past and thought we heard the sounds of a jewellery creator. Would you like to hold a stall at our fabulous markets?"

If they did, I'd be freaked right out.

Talk enough...

..and I may actually talk myself into doing something...

For many a month I've said I was going to apply to sell through two wonderful indie/handmade websites. One of which is the wonderful Georgie Love, to which I was accepted amidst much screaming happiness, and the other is kick-arse indie-blog-turned-store, modamuse. And this evening, I finally completed my challenge. I sent off my submission to modamuse and now hope to greet my acceptance with as much screaming and jumping as I did when Sal emailed me. (Dork? Why, yes, I am.)

As with any indie site, my mouth started watering almost immediately with the brilliant array of amazing goodies.


I particularly love these ceramic bookends from NZ designer Chan Andreassend. Modern, textured, a bit sexy. Very nice.


I also have started my application process for the upcoming Hope Street Markets being held in Sydney on 16th and 17th May. I still have a bit to do between now and before getting my application in (namely more branding materials) so I need to get my butt into gear.

Actually, I need to get my butt into bed.

xx

Done and dusted...

My pep-up worked!! I just packaged up my orders, ready for the post orifice tomorrow, tidied up (a little) and replied to all my wholesale inquiries. Yay, me!!

The crapness of the situation being that it's now 12.15am and I start work at 7am...

The upside being that I just made my first sale to Canada - my most favourite country in the world (apart from Australia, of course). A pair of my Theatre Earrings are on their way to BC. Ah, Canada, how I miss thee...


This is where Sparky and I worked. Pretty sweet office, huh?

Monday-itis, on a Tuesday??

Bleh...

Short weeks always go so slowly, don't they?? Only three days left of the working week, but it really feels more like 267.

And again, here I am, after my late finish, avoiding doing all the things I need to do before I go to bed. Packaging, invoicing, tidying...

I need to reinvent myself as a go-getter I think. Go get 'em, BMC!!

xx

Phew... What a weekend!!

I had such a crazy, busy, fun Easter long weekend. And to make matters better, I ate very little chocolate!! Now, that IS amazing!!

I spent all of Good Friday cutting, gluing, cutting and pouring while Sparky played in a lawn bowls tournament (yes, I married a lawn bowler) and then spent half of Saturday pouring. As a result, I will soon have (once drilling has been completed) a grand total of 200 new pieces - around 50 new designs plus some wicked one-offs. That was certainly one heck of a Mammoth Pour!!


A brand-spanker is the Horizon D'or (Gold Horizon) Necklace, a vertically challenged version of my Naboo. A customer asked for a piece like this and I must say, I really rather like it.

Keep an eye out for these new pieces, as they'll be hitting my Etsy store over the next few days.

I'm also working on a new range of silhouette acrylic/resin pieces (necklaces, brooches, bobbie pins) which are fun, fun, FUN! Think ponies, bunnies, frogs and puppies. Cute factor of 200+

I'm also starting production of a range of cufflinks, in response to a HUGE number of requests. So, please, if you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Before going, here is my newest favourite, the Life Aquatic Necklace. Yay, Steve Zissou!!


xx

List

Somedays I feel like my world is one huge list!!


I like journals and when I get overwhelmed, I really feel the need write everything down. That's probably why I've taken to blogging like Sammy Davis Jr Jr taking to the act of masticating her tail. (Everything is Illuminated again, I tells ya, it's in my head!) AAANYway, my life is currently just sheafs of random paper and I feel that I could benefit from a good journalisation. I do love this journal from staceyhandmade but needed a fix right NOW. So I just bought a $2 lined office notebook from the local newsagents and I feel better already. Now to just use it.

One such sheaf of paper that has been the bane of my life lately has just been plucked from my messy, messy handbag and I will now divulge the (mostly nonsensical to anyone not me) items on this list.

- Post Office
- Buy zuchini (x3) and yoghurt
- Organise money (HAH!)
- Pack for weekend
- Cut remaining S
- Reply to:
* Gail
* Pearl
* Shez
* Brooke
- Photos
- Glue
- Pour coloureds
- Cut paper
- Seal glued and paper
- Pour
- List required stock
- Washing
- Clean bathroom/kitchen

Now to stop procrastinating and start doing...

Or...not.


I'm trying to guess which of the newly listed Etsy items will sell first and I think I've decided that my money is on my Minami Cocktail Ring. I'm not entirely sure why, just a feeling.

OK, I really had better go now. May not be in over the Easter Weekend, so I hope all those you love stay safe and well and that happiness abounds.

xx

Another Day...

..another night of minimal sleep.

I really dislike the nights I work night shift, because I get home and have so much I need to get done and before I know it, it's 1am, my shoulder's seized up from sitting at a computer that's in the world's most annoying position and my eyelids feel as though they're made of sandpaper. But, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't want it any other way because I am one of those sickening people who loves what I do!

I've just started fattening up my store again and here are some of the highlights, for mine:





I am so freaking tired I don't even have the energy to link these right now, but I will...later...I promise. Right now I still have my Flickr account to update.

xx

Days like these...

..will take a toll on my mental stability, I swear!

I had so much to do today, and got only about half accomplished before I had to go to work, so instead of manufacturing the Z's (I'm reading 'Everything is Illuminated' at the moment, so excuse me if I slip into some Ukrainian-tinged English now and then) right now, I'm doing everything I should have done this morning. Packaging, polishing, writing, cutting... BAH!!


On the upside I just relisted one of my favourite pairs of earrings - these Eden Earrings and I'm always happy when I get some of my faves back in stock after a dry patch. I hope to get a heap of new stock on over the next couple of days.

xx

New stockist across the ditch!

Anyone who lives or will be visiting the South Island of New Zealand, namely Invercargill, keep an eye out for local store, found my way. Trove will be stocked here within the coming weeks and I couldn't be more excited!! The store stocks a great range of labels, local, handmade, independent and just plain awesome! I'm so excited to be onboard and can't wait to see what my first Kiwi retailer brings.

This week is shaping up to be hecTIC! Tomorrow, I've got a few custom orders to finish, a morning of solid shipping (Georgie Love, found my way and Nectar Boutique) and Enormous Acrylic Cutting Sesh. I'm exhausted thinking about it!

Tuesday is Monstrous Pour (larger than aforementioned Mammoth Pour) and OPERATION: CUYG day. Ahh, I can't wait...

The rest of the afternoon has been set aside for ironing and eating.

Gold is good

Today I sold a LOT of stock and all because of one little symbol on the periodical chart - Au - gold. My Aunty G ordered a heap of gold pieces at Christmas and today, finally, I was able to get them to her. She loved them and now wants me to provide pieces for a Christmas fundraiser and to provide stock for her jewellery party-planning friend. Definitely worse days.

Choose Your Own Adventure

(Or birthday present) Despite Sparky's determination to choose something for my birthday from Etsy, he has revealed the, in fact, no, he did not buy me anything from my faves list and would prefer me to choose for myself. Now, Sparky has very, very good taste (he married me, after all, AND bought me Lindt choccies for my birthday) but this news has made me very, very happy because I can't actually remember the last time I bought anything for myself. After MUCH thought I have decided on two things (may as well get as much out of it as I can).



This kick-arse knitted hat from foxy New Yorker dahliasoleil. It makes me wish I was back in Canada (where Sparky and I lived for the better part of a year... Ah, the life of a liftie... How sweet it was.) But I'm sure we'll have a few chilly days in the not-too-distant future.


The other purchase being a mineral make-up starter kit with both mineral concealer and foundation, from Etsy's Mineral Makeup. I've heard very good things about them, and considering I have NO (none, not one drop or crumb) of foundation left, I guess I should have ordered it yesterday. I shall let you know how it goes.

Needless to say, I'm very excited!!

I have a ridiculous amount of work to do now, so I'll be off. Enjoy your Friday arvo, all.

x

Loverly, loverly.

Yesterday was my birthday and I had such a lovely day. (This in spite of the fact that I had to work). Sparky woke me up with a little gift session. Vampire Weekend's album and a HEAP of Lindt dark chocolates. Argh! Yumminess overload!!! I got through a workday with little to no bother (I wish every day as a TV captioner was as easy as a day of captioned 'Days of our Lives'! So freakin' easy!!) and then Sparky took me out for dinner at MillioRe Korean restaurant. I'd never had Korean before and I can now officially say that Bibimbap is my new favourite dish. Ever!!


I've also been working on my new pieces, ready for debut over the next few days, as well as a tonne of custom orders - it is wicked to have such a large family!! The new resin and my new papers are just amazing. I can't believe the change in my drive since I changed products...

Stay tuned for new bits and bobs soon...

Progress.

OPERATION: CUYG (see below) is continuing at a rate of very slow knots. We had a spare hour over the weekend, so got so far as to throw out a bunch of crap and clear the floor to a point you can see carpet. SEE! CARPET! Si, carpet.

Next on the agenda is storage solutions. A long workbench stretching across the window wall and around the corner. Bookshelves, hanging racks for all my papers and wire drawers to keep things organised. Oh, and a filing cabinet.


Yesterday, I found some more WONDERFUL paper and a local plating company, so it was a good day all round.

I can't wait to get some of this pretty lilac and aqua paper in action. I had a pretty big session yesterday and this morning I'm ready for (Not Quite) Mammoth Pour #2. I'm loving this new resin too. Finally, I don't feel apprehensive as to how much I'll lose. Amazing!

Off to finish my consignment order for Georgie Love and new stock for my Etsy store. Keep your eyes peeled!

x

So inspired.

So, so inspired. So tired too. But so inspired.

Our suburb is wicked and tonight we had an open-air screening of a film called 'Erskineville Stories'. It. Was. Amazing.

It gave such an insight into the stories that surround us. Stories that go untold. Stories that can change the way you view the world. Stories that are real.

I will write more tomoz, and I know this makes no sense, but I'm all aflutter.

xx

Decisions, Decisions

So it's my birthday in a few days and Sparky has asked for some gift suggestions to add to the things he's already bought be (bless him...) Now, while this sounds like the strapped-for-cash woman's dream, I admit I'm finding it quite difficult to choose. I've looked through my Etsy favourites and found a few, but cannot narrow it down. Help, please??

A-Ha!

I've cracked it!!

For as long as I have been making jewellery using resin, I have suffered a loss of approx 20 - 40% of each production run due to due this ridiculously mysterious bubbling in my products - particularly my Still Life range, but all were afflicted to some extent.

Obviously, this was INCREDIBLY frustrating and I just assumed it was par for the course when working with resin. It was disheartening though, particularly when working on custom orders or large runs. Sometimes I had no choice but to bin all of a run (upwards of 60 pieces).

But the aforementioned Mammoth Pour has cracked it!! Not one bubble. Not one loss. I am stupidly happy. I was using a new product and I think I've found my pouring Nirvana.

A shout out to kick-arse Aussie Etsian, estasketch for the use of her Ideas Book. I bought three of her Super Heroes pieces for Sparky's birthday last year. We love them. Alot.

My dinner is smelling delicious and I have a glass of semillon and the promise of Underbelly on TV. One of the best Australian dramas in...forever.

I'm sure I'll be awake gleefully drilling my perfect pour until the wee hours.

OPERATION: Clean Up, You Grub.

My name is Brooke MC and I am a messy schmuck.


I have a multiple choice quiz for you. We moved into the Sparky MC lovenest almost a year ago, and our spare bedroom was:

A) A spare bedroom
B) A dumping ground for those wedding presents we weren't quite sure what to do with.
C) Extra storage space
D) All of the above

Ding, ding, ding! The answer is D, all of the above!! All well and good. So recently we got rid of the spare bed and tried to have a clean up in order to convert the spare room into a studio/office. The above image is what we've ended up with. Hideous, isn't it?

So I'm still working at our dining room table. (My husband loves me.)



It is my hope, nay, my QUEST to turn our hovel into a well-organised, creative workspace. I'm thinking bookshelves, long workbench along the wall, computer desk, filing cabinet...

The rest of our home (except the dining table for the moment) is really very neat and lovely. We have some reno's to do, but we love our home. It's just this room and the ensuing creative spread that shits us both to tears.

So I will keep you updated on OPERATION: Clean Up, You Grub.

On the upside, Mammoth Pour has been successfully completed.



I can't wait to get my Dremel into these little resin suckers. They won't know what hit them.

xx

Trunkt Trove

So a while back I was chuffed to have been accepted into Trunkt, an online showcase of independent designers. I had previously tried for it but was knocked back, so I dusted myself off, made improvements and went hurtling back towards them head-first. And voila! The brick pillar disappeared and I found myself at Platform 9 3/4. (Sorry)

I've not only had a spike of increase as far as wholesale/consignment orders go, but I've also discovered some amazing artists through Trunkt.

baby Hepburn

This designer, Kcoline is freaking amazing! These clothes make me feel all New York chic. Kind of like I live in an-oh-so-hip quarter of the Village and work at an edgy fashion magazine.

Not that I'm projecting my dreams or anything...

Sparky may one day have the opportunity to work abroad (most likely New York or London) so I have a running fantasy of doing just that. It gets me through those days of doing the groceries in my tracksuit pants and feeling as though a burger at the pub (across the road) is a "night out".

But it would almost certainly put an end to my other dream of opening a retail store/studio/gallery/creative space here in our little suburb. So we shall see. I've had absolutely NO success in choosing where life will take me (except with Sparky, that was a foregone conclusion the first time we saw each other) so why would I start getting it right now!

Ask me 10 years ago and I would be working in the film industry. Ask me three years ago and I would be running my own commercial florist. Ask me two years ago and I would have been working in events. Now I'm a TV captioner and working my butt off to get my jewellery business off the ground. I wonder where I'll be in 2 years...

Argh!

I love my life, but sometimes I feel like there is too, too, too much to do. Lordy knows what it will be like when we have little Sparky MC's.

Hrumpf, off to work with a 6ft long list of unticked to-do's. Maybe I'll forgo some sleep tonight.

Hrumpf!!

Done and dusted

We had such a lovely weekend visiting Leap Year Boy up the coast. It was so re-energising to sit around with good company and just laugh till your stomach hurts. That, plus eating chocolate brownies, drinking wine and toasting marshmallows around the hottest campfire I've ever come across. LYB is an extremely talented musician and sang us a few tunes. My particular favourite was "Be My Rich Shampoo, and I'll be Your Intensive Conditioner". I feel exhausted but fresh.

A big week awaits, so I was glad to have had the break. Tomorrow brings grocery shopping, cleaning the house, the much-anticipated Mammoth Pour and packaging up a few orders. Then I go to work.

For now, it's a beer, some pizza and watching the cricket.

xx