Libzoid Blog

I started writing a really whiny post the other day, but I have tossed that into the ether.  We’re supposed to be on the second leg of our glorious child-free/dog-free vacation, but instead we are home.  I was sick last week, and we decided that it just didn’t make sense to travel when I’m not feeling great.  So, now that I have gotten over the terribly undignified and childish desire to stomp my feet, pout and throw a temper tantrum, I spent yesterday and today in the studio.  (and, frankly, I am still completely reveling in the child-free/dog-free atmosphere)

Yesterday’s stint in the studio was remarkably unproductive.  Actually that’s being generous.  Almost everything I made ended up in the garbage can.  The day was saved by the fact that I was able to salvage one pendant whose covering veneer got really muted during baking.  As a final attempt to salvage the piece, I made a simple piece to layer over the base veneer.  After all the junk I produced yesterday, I was surprised to discover how well the whole piece works when assembled.

It got me thinking about rejects, the process of tossing a portion of your creative work.  Judy Dunn has a great piece today on her blog entitled “Attachment” that deals with this subject.  I think I have said it before, but I throw out a lot of work.  Honestly, to progress artistically I think you have to be able to be critical about your work, and able to chuck the stuff that doesn’t work.  Fortunately, polymer clay is relatively inexpensive so you’re not out a ton of investment except in time.  And time spent in creative failure can be a good learning experience, painful perhaps, but definitely educational.

Today I worked on several metal base pieces.  It’s a good thing I’m happy with how they turned out because silver is a lot more expensive to trash.

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