Everyone needs a creative break!

Although I wouldn't recommend surgery if you can help it, there is nothing like having a forced break to recharge your batteries.

These last 2 weeks have been the first time in over 2 years I have had a 'mental' break from work. How crazy is that?  Even when on holiday or camping etc, I'd still 'work' in my mind... always ticking over with Mudbird and thinking ahead with work, planning markets, designs and such - but when I wasn't actually physically able to work something happened!!

I sat and spent many an hour looking at lovely creative & fun ideas (I think you may have seen some of those on my last blog) and I have to say it really helped to re-charge creativity. I got my fix of crafty goodness as my eyes devoured blog after blog. Nothing ceramic related at all, in fact I never even came across any ceramic artists at all in my search. There is this great app called Stumble Upon and it just takes to you to random webpages, therefore giving you an opportunity to find things you might not in a normal google search!

I loved every minute.

Before Mudbird was born, I created everything under the sun. I made, sewed, built, photographed, soldered, painted, cooked, hand stitched, planted, assembled, constructed it all. You name it, I probably made it. Every year I designed some new product and usually my family where the 'lucky' recipients of those ideas for each Christmas. I have boxes of supplies left over from all the projects I did, I could probably open a craft shop! After Mudbird was born, clay was my creative outlet and I loved it... still LOVE it. 

But I have to say, seeing all these other lovely handcrafts really got me wanting to make more fun things. I know I can't do it all ( really? lol... ) and I'm not about to start another business but I do have a few ideas that I'd like to do. I went out and bought a few of the materials this week for my new EXCITING project and made a few prototypes. I then floated this idea past my lovely husband, who looked at me like I was a bit mad (not about the idea) and promptly asked me where I would acquire the extra time to make these ?!?!?

To which I replied... 
"Don't ask me about the time, I'm still going to make it - don't worry dear"... 
Him: "but you already have so much to do and catch up on (leading up to big markets)"..
Me: "Yes, but I can do it in my spare time?"
Him: "hmmmmm, what spare time?"
Me: "like when the kiln is firing, or clay is drying"
Him: "When are you going to rest?"
Me "Look, you can't stop me now, this idea is GREAT (and I'm going to make it)"
Him: "ok, well I don't want you to get to busy with another project that you run out of time"
Me: "Oh don't worry about that... that's how I LIVE baby!"

The conversation ended well, because my lovely husband knows me better than myself. Yes I'll get super busy and work till 2am, get a bit crazy, tired & cranky. and then get a boost of energy when I see the fruits of my labour! I'm the kinda gal that works under pressure. I never completed my homework till the night before! and although I DO plan now as a 'mature adult', I thrive on pressure and I always come through if I'm working to the beat of my own drum.

It's all to easy to get busy doing what you do and become SO focused you don't tend to stray. And of course when you have 3 children life gets even busier. My eldest is about to turn EIGHT and my time to make craft in my spare time has dwindled to zero. Sad eh? But I realize I need to make and do other things from time to time. I mean... I can't give Ceramics to my family every Christmas forever can I?

So my new "October" resolution ( why wait till New Years') is to make time to craft!

Here is a sneak peak of what my new project is constructed with. And I'm happy to report that while I was watching TV for a couple of hours (next to hubby on the couch) I whipped up the Flowers.. 

Therefore.. Making in my spare time! 
                       (insert slight smirk of "I told you so"!)

Grey & Red - Mmm mmm LOVE!

Seafoam & Charcoal... Yummy Colours!

All will be revealed in due time I promise. I have a couple of things to get to finish the project. *Spoiler alert to my Mum & Sister.. sorry!* And no.. there is no knitting required here!

So let's just all agree... my itch got scratched and I'm back on board - rearing to go!

xx Gill

Wait for it.... Goodies to come!

That's right, if you know me, you'll know I LOVE giving things away. I love my business and it has blessed me so much. I get to do what I love, to create with clay and play with gorgeous glazes... the ideas are endless. 

Without all you lovely folk, my friends, supporters and customers I wouldn't be here today ( I know I've said that before but I truly mean it!)

So...I'm gearing up for a hugely busy season with stalls at big fetes like the Culverden Christmas Fete & the Geraldine Summer Fete (quietly panicking as they are a week apart!) and then Christmas markets in December and before it gets all mad around here I'd like to do something fun.

[All my markets are listed on my website HERE ] My next one is THIS friday  -  The Paparoa St School Hall Shop me Pretty.

 Entries will be open this Saturday for the giveaway and all the details will be up in a new post. I'll put the link up on my FB page Mudbird when we are all ready to go!

In the mean time... here is a taster with what's on OFFER :-)

xx Gill

Thank you!

Well hello there... this is a long time coming.... trying to find the time to sit down and get this started. What better kick in the pants than a facebook fans & customer Thank you & Merry Christmas giveaway!

Here is a peak of what is on offer!

Adjustable green ring by http://www.Mudbird.co.nz/ on an antique bronze band & cute Cherry Brooch from Random little things

Hummingbird Coffee - I thought this was fantastic, made especially for the Re:START project in Cashel Mall, Christchurch. Money from each sale goes towards the new Court Theatre!

Also Mammalissa's Cocoa Butter... smells so good you'll be tempted to eat it! Cute wee labels from Mixing ink and the FANTASTIC Kiwi Diary from Kiwi diary

"The Kiwi Diary 2012 is a carefully curated 250 page window into Aotearoa's cultural soul. Containing all you need in a diary like a year planner and address book. Every page journeys through the collective New Zealand mind: with every page adorned with art, stories, environmental tips, recipes, music, quotes, jokes and mindfood, the inspiration cycle keeps flowing! The Kiwi Diary is Kiwi culture by the road-less travelled, and epitomises Aotearoa-style, plugging you into inspiration, entertainment and info on the good things in life, along with plenty of space for you to diarise the amazingness of 2012"

...and of course, my new Coral Leaf drop earrings available from http://www.mudbird.co.nz/ and http://www.mudbird.felt.co.nz/

I was the lucky recipient of some of these goodies from The Craft Collective raffle and so I want to pay it forward to someone at Christmas time and added a couple of my own designs. All these goodies total over $140!!! Sorry, this is only available for New Zealand addresses :-)

So why you ask... let me tell you...

It doesn’t seem that long ago when my baby boy turned 1, just a few months ago it seems, and I've just realised that Mudbird has officially turned 1. I remember making, making, making, as much as I could when I was heavily pregnant and wanting to be prepared to launch my Felt shop after he was born. Since then I've participated in about 10 markets, bought 2 kilns, endured over 14,000 aftershocks since the BIG Earthquake in September last year, lost lots of stock due to breakages and 3x caged trailer loads worth of personal belongings... all due to breakage and the dreaded silt which flooded into our storage garage & property and destroyed everything in its path twice, been interviewed in the Christchurch Press/Zest newspaper, launched a website & built a studio outside plus many other amazing things!

Funnily enough, my 1^st Felt sale was a donation I made to ‘Felt like Helping Out’, a Felt store set up to raise money for the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal - since then I have made 100 sales which isn’t bad considering the difficulties I have faced this year- and the fact I work at home with my 1yr old with my eldest son just had his first term at school with his big sister (7).

It was this time last year I was in the middle of prepping for my 2nd Christmas market withThe Craft Collective in the lovely Poplar Lane area in Christchurch CBD. I had my 1st 2 markets there, right next to Julia from Relique Jewellery, who has helped me heaps over the year and fun to have markets next to. Sadly a lot of that area was lost in the 22nd February earthquake - but I've still got all the memories.

Big changes, big challenges and it really has been quite amazing! Also together with all you wonderful folk, we have also raised substantial amounts for the 3 Charities I chose to support through the sales of my Emerge Range.

So I’ve been reflecting on and realising the success of my brand – feels like it fell into my lap and it’s very humbling indeed, but in reality I have worked so very hard to get here. I’m usually up past midnight most nights, with the occasional 2am finish. 18 hour days have been tough, especially since I’m a full time Mum as well. I follow in my mother’s footsteps who is such a hard worker & has achieved so much in her lifetime, still achieving at 70! Next year will be a bit different, bit better planned out, studio times ‘booked’ in and markets spaced out (I mean who books four in a row without looking at a calendar!!) ;-)

So to say a HUGE Thank you for all your support & custom through my Felt shop, my Facebook page and my website I want to have this wee ‘Giveway’. it truly has been an amazing year in all aspects and I would not be here with out you all.

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Merry Christmas Everyone.

xx Gill