Long Time No Video! A YouTube Vacation

"The ant is knowing and wise, but he doesn't know enough to take a vacation." - Clarence Day

I don't wanna be an ant.

But I didn't plan a vacation from YouTube. I really didn't want to break from it. But you know how it is... life gets in the way, things happen, responsibilities shift, and all the fun stuff gets pushed aside.

Okay. Let's be honest, I was doing loads of fun stuff with jewelry and loads of fun stuff after it. I started a new website for a passion project, and I've spent oodles of time filling it with content, blog posts and photos. I've been writing a ton of really horrible, self-indulgent poetry, and journaling about writing self-indulgent poetry! I've been sketching. I've been shopping because I've lost an amazing 95lbs and I'm really proud of myself and I deserve a new wardrobe. And, you know, sometimes we just need a break from those daily routines so deeply embedded in our lives. Jewelry, while immensely enjoyable, is still a daily routine. Sometimes I'm so invested in it, I neglect all the other things that bring me joy... including my family and friends. So I even went on vacation with my husband and camped for a week at a medieval re-enactment event. Which was super fun until the weather made it not fun anymore.

So, this month was pretty light on the jewelry front. And that's okay. I'm giving myself permission to indulge in all the things that please me, even if only for a day or a week. It's important, I think, to show ourselves a little love, relax into the process of something creative for no other reason than we can.

And, really refreshed, I stepped back into the comfort of my wire wrap work. Although, oddly, this video (my first real video tutorial in two or three months), isn't wire wrapping at all. Just a look at some sheet metal processes. It's quick, it's fun, it's easy (and who doesn't appreciate easy?). And I hope you enjoy my latest into video.