This quote, told to me by a friend when I closed my shop has had me thinking. It has made me realise that I shouldn't have closed the shop, I should have hung in there, I should not have let go after so long of trying, of already hanging in there if even by the merest of threads. So the shop is once again open and that's the door closed on that little hiccup. As for everything else, nothing has changed. Things will change. I won't make for the shop at the same pace. I am still going to pursue my other project. My fog has lifted slightly. A light came on and I thought ''what do you do when you know where you want to go but don't know how to get there?'' Well I decided the best place to start was to go back.
Back to 2006 actually, to a module at University, the theme similar to my current aspirations. One of my most successful modules, most inspiring modules working alongside someone whom I consider to be an expert in this field. The best guidance provides the best inspiration, the best results. So this is the sketchbook that I am sure will inspire my new venture. I am going to pore over every page, make notes, doodle, sample. I'm sorry to say that I won't be able to share any end results, not immediately anyway but there is more of this sketchbook to see and who knows, there may be some ''failed'' samples to expose!
Thanks to everyone for welcoming me back. The Sweden link will stay at the top of the page for a while incase anyone hasn't seen my pictures yet. I now have to finish wedding favours, continue with my throw, can't wait to have that one finished (and wrapped round my feet) and embark on my new venture.
Oh and I have masses of mail to answer too, busy, busy then!
27 comments:
I'm sooooo glad that the fog has lifted and that you have decided to reopen the shop.
I am still drooling over the purses but unfortunately my bank account doesn't agree with my lust. I live in hope.
x
Sketch books are fabulous. Carry on!
I'm glad too.
You, your mind and your hands are special, Karen. Your embroidery works are unique and exquisite. Nothing there is vulgar, regular or common.xx
That's good news, have fun along the way, and enjoy the process. Those pages are stunning
Nothing is ever really a failure. I always ask myself 'what can I learn from this?' or how can I make a negative into a positive?' Exceptionally pretty blog!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us and I'm so happy for you! Your talent and hard work is completely inspirational!
Yipee!!! I am glad you are back and moving forward! You are such a talented lady and produce such beautiful pieces and offer such great insight into your processes. I love the photos of your sketchbook, that is some incredible inspiration.
enjoyed peeking into your sketchbook.
Hi Karen,
I want you to know that you inspire me every time I come to visit you here. I think you are an amazingly talented lady and thank you for sharing your insights and talents with all of us.
I am glad your Etsy shop is reopened.
Love, Light and Happiness,
susan
Good. Very sensible. Keep calm and carry on :-)
lovely to see into your sketchbook, it is quite enticing. I love the piece you share at the end. It looks a bit like a dress that is gathered with lovely flowers for the bodice and wonderfully flowing skirt part.
Yes, oh, yes, carry on. :)
I love watching here, too, and enjoying your work.
Good news! I whish you all the best.
Kisses.
I too am glad that your fog has lifted a little. The sketch books look very inspiring, I'm sure that there are no failures in there!
Hi,
I wish you strenght to keep in your dreams. I visit Your blog often and I have learned here so much and got a lot of inspiration. Your are special.
Don't worry, be happy!
Kadri
Glad you opened your shop again and its good to see the sketchbook and the exceptional marks as well, don't forget that buzz
So glad you are back....and I just LOVE your sketchbook/journal. How nice it must be to pull it out and take it all in....really beautiful Karen.
Jacky xox
looking forward to seeing more of this..
And if your house is as cold and draughty as ours, the throw will be very welcome once you've finished it!
Your lovely samples remind me of how much I love smocking. I wish there were more patterns for women's clothing using smocking and guess one day I must develop my own... Maybe I should get out my pleater and smock my way out of the fog ;)xxx
Exciting sketch books Karen, I'm sure you will be producing more inspiring work.x
A Karen Ruane retrospective- genius! Good news on the shop too. Hugs x
Thank you for this post about failure and success it is just what I needed! Also the sketchbooks are gorgeous and how wonderful to go back over them for research and come up with new ideas.
I'm just catching up reading your blog after a hectic couple of months so I didn't realise you had closed your shop but I'm so glad you've reopened. I think you can feel pressured to keep it well stocked all the time so well done for saying I'll do it but in my own time
Kate x
I'm glad you've reopened your shop - just don't put undue pressure on yourself to keep a large stock on offer - do what you want and feel inspired to do and leave it at that. AND - don't think of being a failure because all you did was change your mind which is a womans prerogative!!!!
These samples are wonderful, they make me want to touch them.
YAY! I am so happy to hear that you have had a change of heart and mind. Your work needs to be out there, and to be seen, in any and every way possible, for you possess an extraordinary gift. Good things will come.
As for the sketchbook... from the bits shown here, it appears to be utterly inspiring, (no surprise coming from you). I look forward to seeing what comes of it. xo
Karen, these are SO beautiful. I am physically moved by these photos! One day I will be passing by and I will call in and not leave until you get these out and show them to me in person. Pleased you had a good break in Sweden and that you are moving forward with determination in your new venture.
Janice.
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