Back in Business!

Ok, I'm back from San Francisco and a wonderful trip with my friends. It was great to be in the city and partake in what it has to offer. We were there for the Nike Women's Marathon. My first marathon! I didn't do too bad for the first time out: 5:07. Sadly, I think I've caught the bug. Now I want to be faster...of course. I am so proud of Jen Mac! This was all her idea and we did "just do it!" We're both going to do another one, though I think she will travel and I'll do a local race. This weekend is the Zeitgeist 1/2 marathon and I'll be doing it without her.

What I never considered doing in my life, I have done. It was mentally challenging, physically laborious and really emotional for all of us. What it has left me with is a sense that I can really do anything I set my mind to.

So what's left on my list of big goals? Still the biggest one: ride across the US. It would require taking a leave of absence from my work and I just don't know that this is possible. Especially in this economic time. But alas, I still have the dream. One of our ideas is to buy a bike (tandem) on Ebay, fly out to pick it up and ride it home. That's for the initial taste of what Daren and I might be like on a ride. We did alright on the ride to Idaho City...but riding unsupported without our pals is a whole different matter.

Hills, you gotta love them!

This photo is from the YMCA Christmas Run 2006 and I put it here to remind us all tha a race doesn't have to be done in fancy clothes! My sister is the turkey and her friends and I are the forks. Don't you just love Christmas dinner!

Well Jen-Mac and I were in the hills today on a heck of a run. I think it might be the hardest run to date and it was just 14 miles. What an accomplishment though! We've both ridden our bikes on that trail but who would think of running it. Of course ...me. I compare it to the crazy duathalon idea from last summer.

I went to a party tonight that Jen's sister put on and what a lot of fun that was. It was inspiring listening to all the runner girls talking about marathoning and racing and swimming. I still can't get over the fact that 33 laps is a mile...I might try that, I might not.

Again I'm reminded of how good of friends I have and I go to be tonight thankful for all of them. I wouldn't be here without them.

Running On...

YA, IT'S COLD! So among all the other things I've been doing, I forgot to mention I'm training for a marathon. The Nike Women's marathon in October to be specific. This is the most helpful thing I've learned from Runner's World: the 10 minute ice bath. I wish I had neoprene booties...it gets pretty cold. Yesterday was the last long run before the marathon and we went 23.5 miles. I knew I could run a marathon when we were at the 22 mile marker. It was hard and I felt kind of bad for a long time, but I know I can do it and this is the hardest thing I've ever tried in my life.

Cleaning up the shack

Oh the recovery from Hyde Park ... this morning I'm trying to get the show boxes ready for winter shows and pack away the summer show stuff. It's sort of melancholy. I walked into the studio this morning and thought..ah no pressure, I can make whatever I want.

So off I go!

The Hyde Park Street Fair

Well I spent some good time in the studio on the days prior to the 3 day show. Sadly my best work comes under pressure and I really need to stop relying on that impression of myself to be creative.

The show was great over all, lots of visitors and my friends came out and supported me in full force. I realized how wealthy I really am when I saw my friends come one after another and support my craft. Nothing makes the long days better than a friendly face that knows you.

One of the most interesting booths there in my opinion was the Etsy market. What a lot of interesting stuff they had. Some really trendy, some really classic, all was fun. I looked at my jewelry in comparison to many others and felt that I have a unique style in a flooded market. I'm going to keep on making simple designs like the photo here.

So it's not too fancy, not too plain and just my style. We'll see where it takes me.

Right now I'm watching the program that Frontline put together about the energy crisis. Looks like I'm riding to work tomorrow!

Sitting and spinning

How do I even start? Work makes me crazy, home is full of work...

I sat at my bench tonight and made a pretty cool necklace. I used a piece of turquoise I've had for about 15 years and some copper grounding wire from our house remodel. The wire has a cool old patina on it. It was hard to do and I just kept overanalyzing the thing. Making jewelry is hard. I've done it since I was in junior high...that makes it over 25 years. I should be getting good by now.

I'll post a photo tomorrow hopefully.

Peace

First Day as a crafty blogger

Well I'm giving it a go. Perhaps this will help all sides of my creative business. I've read so many blogs and seen so many creative things on the web, I thought maybe it would be for me too. So welcome to Concentric Creations. I'm a hoop maker, fire dancer and jeweler who works a day job as a manager of an eye surgery center. I couldn't work in two more opposite worlds. That's where the struggle lies. Welcome to my world.