Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

When I was a teacher, I hated the paperwork.  When I was an interior designer, I hired someone to do my paperwork.  Now that I am retired and having fun with my Etsy stores and jewelry making, I find it a challenge to "do the paperwork" required.  The last two days have been spent entering items on my handmade etsy store and anyone who has done this knows how much time it takes.  Take the photos, write the description, enter everything on the site.  If I did a couple a day perhaps it would seem to take less time and that is what is recommended. But I get carried away with the making and the finished products start piling up.  I'd like to say I'm up to date!  I will say that I am closer and that is why today's post is short with few pictures.  The best I can suggest is to click on www.etsy.com/shop/lindabrittdesign and see what I've been doing.  Lots of pictures there and fun things too!  Enjoy!

This is the time of year I try to set realistic goals that are achievable.   Probably you do too.   These are not the overwhelming ones like I used to make – lose 100 pounds, make 5 art projects a week, make $100,000 a year and on and on.   No, now I make goals I think are possible – have fun with whatever I am doing, learn something new, share kindness, eat healthy and exercise (almost) every day and acknowledge joy.   I still have timelines that are measurable and I give myself a little wiggle room.   I’m in charge of my happiness and what I want to accomplish.   I used to forget that.   It is so easy to try to please others and so difficult to look inside and understand what pleases me.   Losing 50 pounds would please me but not at any cost!   Making lots of money would please me but not at the cost of focusing my life on that.   So now, I look at what really brings me joy, happiness and pleasure. Last year a friend of mine and I ended each email with a statement:   Joy

Last Friday I shared by first sterling silver clay project - the bead end caps that I formed by hand.  This Friday I wanted to share my next experiment with bead end caps.  These are made with fine silver clay and I used a 2 part mold mixture from Cool Tools instead of hand forming them. The mold I made 2 parts to the mold and rolled my clay to 2 cards thick.  Placing the clay into the deep mold was more difficult than I anticipated.  The clay cracked and I had to repair it in several places.  It was a little scary taking the two parts of clay out of the molds.  After I wiggled the silicone mold, both pieces popped right out.  While they were drying on the cup warmer, I rolled the clay for the next end cap.  This time I rolled it 3 cards thick and it was easier to put into the mold halves.  It did not crack. Drying in the mold Drying on the cup warmer After both halves were dry, I attached them with clay paste and set them to dry again.  Sanding and smoothing and t