Before my workload switched around, writing was always catch-as-catch-can. Generally I had 3-6 dedicated hours a week, thanks to a work-sharing scheme with a friend. That meant that writing-time had to be focused to a fine point, goals set ahead of time, no distractions. And it took over 3 years to finish Porcelain Dog, but it’s finished, subbed, bought, and is coming out next month.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so focused as during those 3-6 hours. It was excellent practice for now, when I keep a writer’s schedule. If I hadn’t had to force that camel through the needle’s eye, I’d probably fritter away these precious, hard-won hours and take even longer to write the next one.
But all of that focus takes a toll. I’d forgotten just what a devastating effect sitting on one’s ass all day can have on that ass. I have a nervous, active constitution; I’m not built for sitting around. Martial arts helps. But it also helps to have a manual creative outlet, hence the handbags.
Between edits for Porcelain Dog and the proposal for The Left Hand of Justice, tournaments, and…oh yeah, life, I haven’t been doing a lot of creating. But I got the proposal off a week and a half ago, and I’ve been firing off some new handbags. The economy has been taking its toll on the business, as it has on everything, so instead of large bijou bags with expensive components, I’ve been focusing on things that have been selling at Majestical Roof–that is, small bijou bags with perhaps one expensive component. Here are a few samples.
(1) A small, lined pouch with postmark fabric and metal adornments
(2) Another one, this time with tapestry fabric
(3) A tribal-looking bag with metal, scrimshaw, and buttons cast from watch movements
Had a few abortive attempts at local markets (logistical problems preventing) and a visit from my dad, who brought me a trunkload of his handmade jewelry. I’ve put a few pieces up in my Etsy shop, which, quite frankly hadn’t been refreshed in far too long. As ever, click through on the links for a closer look.
Jess Faraday 