Lethargic Sluggery

I celebrated a year of no smoking last week. If you smoke and want to quit check out The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. I never thought a book could help me quit smoking. I chain smoked while I read it then crushed the half a pack I had left, threw them in the trash, and never looked back.
This week I decided to quit my remaining vice, caffeine. A cup or two every morning is fine, I think, but I was addicted. I got anxious thinking about having to function without coffee first thing in the morning. No matter how much exercise, healthy eating, or sleep I get I still feel tired in the morning and drag in the afternoon. It's too soon to tell, but I'm hoping abstaining from caffeine helps with that. Two days in and I'm a cranky, lethargic, and unmotivated. I hear that clears in about a week. I'll keep you posted.
Okay, I need to get my unmotivated butt to work. Hopefully I'll have pics of some fun new lamps soon and a couple pictures of the completed melting clock coffee table.

*Update* I am back to swigging caffeine every morning and loving it.

Columbus Doesn't Like Me

I got notice from the Columbus Art Show that I didn't get accepted for their Summer Art Fair. I'm surprisingly not disappointed. The pride part of me that doesn't like rejection isn't too happy, but I wasn't real excited about handing over $450+ for a booth, not to mention what I would have to put out for supplies to build inventory, plus hotel expenses, and hope that I made it all back. Why did I apply then you ask? Because I thought it would be worth the risk. Instead of that bundle of stress I will invest in building clock inventory for the fall and winter and I'll play in lamp land for awhile. I like making illuminated artwork. A lot.

On a completely different note, check out my biggest custom order to date. The melting clock molded coffee table. This one is a beast. I can't wait to get some lacquer on it tomorrow because then it will really pop. I'll also get the legs either tomorrow or Friday and put the whole thing together. This project has been in the works since early December. I'm sure the customer is more excited than I am to have it completed finally. Hopefully he likes it!

First Pair if Vintage Frames Arrives

One of my new pairs of eyeglass frames came today. I like them, maybe not love them, but hey, they were only $12. I think they make me look older. Not a good thing when 30 is knocking on the door.
*Update* I have come to my senses and realized that these glasses look terrible. I give up on giant eyeglasses. *sigh*
Karina got in on the eyeglass action as well:

Still Lamp Obsessed

Lamp number three! This is actually lamp number four, but number three sucks so you don't get see it. I am totally digging the lamps. I actually get to use nails and measure stuff and feel like I'm scratching at real woodworking. I don't count clocks because they just involve cutting, routing, and sanding. Melting Clock Tables are closer because I build the bases. Now if only someone would buy a lamp.............................

Lamp Number Two

I was so inspired by my lamp from last night that I made another one tonight. This time around I had to actually make the lamp not just paint it. I show it hanging on the wall, but I think it will be better suited sitting on a surface like table or dresser. I need to put a back on and then it will be completed and ready for sale.

My First Electrical Fire

I made my first lamp today. I didn't actually make it, I guess. I just painted it, but that counts I think. While working on it the switch on the cord caught on fire. Hence, my first electrical fire. The lamp is probably 10-15 years old so I wasn't really surprised. I unplugged it and no big deal, but the bummer is now I have to replace the light socket thingy and I don't know anything about that. Time to learn, I suppose, because this lamp has inspired me to build and paint more lamps. Gotta stock Hot Mess Express with some serious items! What's better than lamps that feature sultry hotties? Nothing.

I had to jerry rig it a little for the photo since the light wouldn't work anymore. So there is a bendy desk lamp pointing down into it.

Hot Mess Express

I have officially opened my new Etsy store. Well, I opened it a week ago, but it now has a whopping six items in it. I even got featured in a treasury today. Fantastic! Feel free to check it out and stock up on gifts for yourself and everyone you know. Or yourself and five of your friends.

www.HotMessExpress.etsy.com