Nicole Hanna Jewelry
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This (Several) Weeks in Words

12/25/2015

34 Comments

 
What can I say? The last two months have been.... something.

In October, I built a new studio for myself. Not a studio exactly. I'm still at a desk in my living room. But I took a chance on myself and invested in my art. And for the weeks following, I received new cutters, a dapping set, sheet metal, files, chasing and repousse tools, a glorious set of hammers, even a loom... just because.

I feel, however, as though I've been incredibly unproductive. No new videos. Very few new pieces. In my defense, I've had two sick children and a sick husband and then a sick me through the entire month of November. Bronchitis and Strep decided to reacquaint themselves with the Hanna household and invite themselves in for dinner. Then, before I knew it, I found them them in my bathrobe two weeks later, using my toothbrush and drinking my coffee. We've all had those guests!

On Thanksgiving, low potassium sent me to the hospital, so I've been dedicating my time to my health and, you know what, it's been good. It's been fulfilling. It's been.... well... downright satisfying. I haven't had starches for two months, and I eyeball every loaf of bread I see as though it's the last I'll see, but I've been biking and eating healthy and my blood pressure is finally normal and I've watched a ton of fantastic movies and spent my evenings talking to my children instead of texting them, and sharing actual meals with my husband, and playing with my cats and visiting the local animal hospital to take photos for their staff and their pets, and I've actually finished my first sketch in 9 months and my bookkeeping for the 2016 tax season.

And I have so many plans! Plans for an amazing contest. Plans for videos. Plans for new work. My head and heart are swimming with potential! Not that unproductive after all!

So what have I learned these two months? That it's okay to love yourself. It's okay to pause for a bit, in this crazy world, and enjoy what life has given you. It's okay to stop working on one thing and improve your life in other ways. And you don't have to feel guilty. Ugh. The guilt! Such a silly thing to hoard. There's a quote, I found appropriate, by Andre Gide "Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better". This sings to me. Though I don't need permission to take time for myself and create a safe space, both emotionally and physically, this captures the essence of allowing the process to occur in whatever way it's pleased to do so. Sometimes that means stepping away from the process all together. And it's okay. Because when we make ourselves better, we make better things.

I'm looking forward to making lots of better things.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. And lots of better things for you as well.

Nicole

34 Comments
Victoria
12/23/2015 02:13:51 am

Hey Nicole, thanks for sharing your life changes. I whole heartedly agree that sometimes when you take a step back from doing you can open up to a whole world of living. Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year to you and your family,

Reply
Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:30:29 pm

Thank you! It's amazing how many unhealthy habits we can get trapped in. It's been a good couple months, sickness and all.

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Barbi MacDonald
12/23/2015 04:17:18 am

Great post. We all need to take time for ourselves & family. Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Looking forward to all if your fabulous creations in 2016. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:30:57 pm

Thank you both for the compliment on the post and the holiday wishes.

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Donna Shorkey
12/23/2015 05:15:13 am

So glad you are feeling better. Sounds like you have been productive in all the ways that count! Merry Christmas, Nicole. May you enjoy your family and friends and may the up coming new year be the best yet!

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Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:31:31 pm

Thank you for the holiday wishes! I think 2016 is going to be amazing!

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Renee Sosanna Olson link
12/23/2015 06:38:32 am

Taking time for ourselves is something that we often forget. I'm glad you've had an opportunity to put back in. After all you cannot pour from an empty cup. Love your work and can't wait to see what is in store for 2016. Have a wonderful holiday and a very happy New Year.
Blessings

Reply
Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:32:15 pm

Thank you! We definitely do forget to take care of ourselves until it hits you like a freight train and forces you to listen. I'm learning not to wait for that to happen though!

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Beth Johnson
12/23/2015 08:11:38 am

You began your new year early! That is really good! Merry Christmas! So happy that you are feeling better; physically, emotionally and spiritually. 2016 is going to be a fabulous year!

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Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:32:58 pm

Thank you! I never wait for new year resolutions to make changes. Though sometimes I don't make changes as quickly as I should. lol.

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Pam Hayes
12/23/2015 08:49:14 am

So glad you're feeling better. Continue to take care of yourself. Much love and festive blessings. x

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Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:33:29 pm

Thank you for the well wishes and holiday blessings. I appreciate it!

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Pam Kriner
12/23/2015 10:27:24 am

Thanks for the reminder...it's good to find a balance in all things.And taking care of yourself is important too! Happy Holidays!

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Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:33:57 pm

Thank you! It's definitely better to take time for ourselves BEFORE our body makes us! lol

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KJ
12/23/2015 11:13:47 am

This just sounded kinda wrong but I did not know how else to say it so I apologize.... other than being sick that sounds like it was good for you. Honestly, I am sorry that you were sick but I am glad to hear that you took time for yourself and I am sure it was time well spent. I love seeing your work (and I like your new pieces with sheet metal) but we are all overwhelmed this time of the year so what better time to devote to yourself. Have a great holiday.

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Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:29:16 pm

Thank you! Isn't it strange sometimes how being sick can be a GOOD thing, and force us to take care of ourselves?

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Maria La Cavera
12/23/2015 11:45:39 am

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Nicole! Glad you are doing so much better. And thank you for all your wonderfully gifted talent that you share with us all!

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Nicole Hanna
12/23/2015 02:29:40 pm

You're very welcome! And thank you!

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Jill Hunter
12/23/2015 02:41:05 pm

I have been combing over all of your tutorials and the infinite references to you online and am stunned that someone as prolifically creative as you could possibly feel unproductive. Thank you for your transparency as it is truly appreciated by someone who is stuck in the research stage and has yet to begin my first project. It is reassuring to know that someone as adept as you also struggles with motivation. Thank you for being inspiring and generously sharing your designs with us all. Have a Merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing what you have planned for the future!

Reply
Nicole Hanna
12/25/2015 09:35:09 pm

If you're a creative person, you'll have some stagnancy from time to time, no matter how long you've been at it. Rest assured, you'll get started and will create some amazing pieces!

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Care Bedford
12/23/2015 05:36:34 pm

Hi Nicole!
Thank you for sharing your insights with us! Your work is truly inspirational, as is your creative mind and spirit!

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Nicole Hanna
12/25/2015 09:35:36 pm

Your welcome. And thank YOU for the compliments!

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Donna Gordon link
12/24/2015 10:40:55 pm

Wise words from a wise woman. Glad you're better and here's wishing you a fabulous New Year!

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Nicole Hanna
12/25/2015 09:35:59 pm

Thank you for the well wishes! I hope the same for you!

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Colleen McLauchlan
12/30/2015 08:46:59 pm

Your struggles in November sound exactly what my family has been through ....I had to pull myself away from making jewelry as my fiancé unexpectedly was fighting for his life here in British Columbia, Canada. Nov 23 he had a routine colonoscopy ...he's 46 yrs old and was having minor issues he wanted to get checked out ...we weren't given any paper when he was sent home of things to watch for...he started having pain Nov 24 in the morning but we assumed it was gas...he went to work even worked OT....930pm he started having pain again 36 hrs after the procedure ....we called a nurse hotline she suggested if it got worse to call the surgeon in the morning ...well it didn't make it till morning ....11pm he tried to use the bathroom and his screaming started I called an ambulance and long story short he screamed for 6 hrs in emerg no pain meds helped a CT scan showed his intestine had ruptured ...infact the surgeon had cut his intestine in two places with the scope...2 1/2 hr emerg surgery 9 " incision and a colostomy ....his lungs collapsed he developed abscesses in his body and had sepsis....only 20% of people this happens to survive such severe complications...the surgeon even tried to send him home & I had to fight for his life as he didn't know at the time he had abscesses inside his body...had he gone home he would have died....this has been life changing for us...our wedding cancelled in Cuba in Feb...he's off work for atleast 6-8 months as he has to still have colostomy reversal surgery ....I still can't believe this happened to him...he's gone from a healthy 5'11" man to weak and 32 lbs lost....I myself have MS and he was my rock ...he did most of the heavy housework now I feel lost....my children have been changed for the better realizing financially we are struggling and Xmas was not like other years ...infact it was the best Xmas ever....he was home and we had all family here and even had a white Xmas which isn't usual in this part of BC ...all in all I've learned as well that life is precious...tomorrow is never guaranteed and we all need to slow down and appreciate everything & everyone around us ...we aren't machines & life needs to be more than making money...yes we r stuggling and can't get married in Feb but we have one another and that is everything.
I pray for you and your family Nicole and wish you good health and happiness in 2016 ...thank you for giving me the love of wire work & bringing out a creative artistic side to myself I never knew existed...it's helped my depression coping with MS and for that I thank you :)

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Nicole Hanna
1/24/2016 07:09:52 pm

You've had quite the few months as well! Thank you for the well wishes and I hope the same for you.

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Alice
1/2/2016 10:33:40 pm

Kudos, Nicole.
Life throws us around sometimes and if we're lucky, we can learn the lessons, incorporate and grow from those painful experiences. And it takes time-to relax, refresh and get in touch with the new you.
Have fun with your new space and tools! Can't wait to see the new products!
Thanks again for inspiring all of us!

Reply
Nicole Hanna
1/24/2016 07:10:36 pm

I still haven't played with the chasing and repousse tools, but I think it will have to wait until after tax season. lol.

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Jennifer
1/3/2016 12:41:18 pm

I am a glass artist who likes to do the occasional wirework project. I have long admired your jewelry designs and the quality of your work. I just discovered your blog and have been reading your posts this morning; including all your posts about making art a business. Thank you very much for all the information and inspiration you have shared in your blog and in your tutorials. I hope you will continue to look after yourself and give yourself permission to find ways to balance your art with family and general life. May 2016 be a happy, healthy, year!

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Nicole Hanna
1/24/2016 07:11:31 pm

I'm glad you found some info here useful! And (though late) I hope you have a happy new year as well!

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Janet DelRosso
1/24/2016 08:47:41 am

Hi Nicole,
I am seriously interested in the online retreat. After the retreat is over, do we still have access to the video?
Janet

Reply
Nicole Hanna
1/24/2016 07:08:54 pm

Hi Janet! At the end of the retreat, you'll be able to download all the videos that were offered.

Reply
Carol Robson
1/30/2016 06:46:01 am

Hi Nicole,
I would love to do the online retreat, but every link I have tried comes back with an error message, I even tried going directly to the website with the same result. Can you help at all? I tried your tutorial for the Temple Link ( just to see if I could do it !) now I am hooked, your instructions were so easy to follow and it came out lovely. Sooo many thanks. Carol

Reply
Nicole Hanna
1/31/2016 11:59:21 am

Hi Carol. I believe they were doing maintenance and updates the day you tried to access the site, but it should be functioning fine now. Let me know if you have further problems.

Reply

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  • Home
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Learn To Wire Wrap
    • PDF Tutorials
    • Video Tutorials
    • Tutorial Membership 2022
  • Shop
    • SIGNATURE COLLECTION
    • GODDESS COLLECTION
    • PDF Tutorials >
      • Beginner Wire Weaving
      • Intermediate Weaving
      • PDFs for Cabochons
      • Advanced Weaving