This was my clay play time in the studio yesterday.

The Taliswomen – 2nd picture, top rack left and bottom – are going to be a cross between steam punk and light catcher goddess.  I do’t really know how they’re going to come out (two have sayings on them, the rest don’t) and will really have to wait until I get them physically in my hands after they’ve been through the fire.  And then play.

While I’m waiting for the drying and the firing, I will be meandering to the jewelry bench and the copper in ferric chloride thing I learned with my art gals last month.  It etches.  I haven’t even begun to figure out the possiblities there – mostly because it’s rather like a blank page of paper and me a deer in headlights.  I need an entry into the process and I also know the only way in is to just do it, mistakes and unuseables be damned.  Fear shows up in the oddest places (it’s that old:  if I can’t do it perfect the first time, why bother thing with me)!  I plan to practice my good-enoughism.

The hearts will be glazed and can be wire wrapped with the larger  hole or hung by a bale from the smaller hole.  I’m also play with clay rolled in the manner of paper beads (did you know you can make paper beads? – talk about saving money!) and then some smaller Taliswomen focals.  They are thin thin clay.  I’m not sure how they’ll hold up but then yesterday was all about play and experimentation, not about cranking out wares for sale.

Girlfriends is a repeating wall sculpture pattern I use.  There is no template.  Each is hand cut by me and then decorated and glazed.  But when I need to fill up a kiln load, it’s an easy fall back and they sell well at $110.00.

Because I’m playing, tomorrow I should have some etched copper to share.

Shame on You!

Perfectionism

(More From Brene Brown’sThe Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are )

“Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best.  Perfectionism is not about healthy achievement and growth.  Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.  It’s a shield.  Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from taking flight.

“Perfectionism is not self-improvement.  Perfectionism is, at its core, about trying to earn approval and acceptance.  Most perfectionists were raised being praised for achievement and performance (grades, manners, rule-following, people-pleasing, appearance, sports).  Somewhere along the way, we adopt this dangerous and debilitating belief system:  I am what I accomplish and how well I accomplish it.  Please, Perform. Perfect.  Healthy striving is self-focused:  How can I improve? Perfectionism is other-focused – What will they think?”

Wylde Women’s Wisdom

Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there is no such thing as perfect.  Perfection is an unattainable goal.  Additionally, perfectionism is more about perception – we want to be perceived as perfect.  Again, this is unattainable – there is no way to control perception, regardless of how much time and energy we spend trying.  Brene Brown