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My big news... I think????

My big news... I think????

@Maggie @SJT63 @Anastasia

I really cannot remember what made me think of this idea. I am sure I will remember at some stage. It was simply just some thoughts I was having. For many years, I have fixed broken things. China and ceramics mainly. It was on the odd occassion, and not really looking for something to fix, it just came along, it was broken and I really wanted to fix it. I have fixed some electricals too, nothing that needs rewiring at all. I never asked any money for it, I just did it.

I am very patient, I like to stick with something and find a solution to the problem/s, I do not give up too easily and I actually enjoy it alot. This is in regards to mending broken items/ electricals I am talking about.

I (think) I was just sitting having some time out and thinking about things. It was quite sudden that this idea started forming in my head. It was a strange experience, it was just kind of flowing, so I went with it.

I decided to put a note up in a local group I am on. I put my idea out there to see if there would be any interest in it?

I certainly was not ready for what came back! I had 39 people comment! It was insane. I had never had that before. I was quite overwhelmed with the response. I was thinking maybe one or two comments perhaps, but I got 39! I was so very much supported with the idea from everyone and everyone was so positive about it. I live in a small regional town and it certainly means a lot when you have the locals support you in a venture.

Anyway, moving along, it happened all so fast. Next thing I know, that night I am creating a place for the locals to go to, to come and see me regarding my idea.

I think right about now is the time I should tell you about my idea. I had the idea that I was going to start mending things. Broken items, small electricals and so on. This is the idea I put out in the group I am in. I do mainly focus on materials though, such as china and ceramics. I will do glass as well. It is my main focus I should say. A couple of months ago, I came across a book called Kintsugi. I actually want to buy it because I was enjoying reading it.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art that teaches that broken objects are not something to hide, but to display with pride.

It is an actualy art form that repairs broken objects, and then infuses the broken reapired parts with gold. (Not real gold)

Items that have been broken and are sentimental do not have to be thrown out and are most of time able to be mended.

By mending broken items, it gives me the chance to use art as therapy and is part of what helps my healing process through difficult and painful times.
I call it art, because it is art to me.
So the following day after this has happened, I am up and ready to go, just like that. People had a place to go, I had started a mini side business and I was off and racing. This all happened in less than 24 hours! That was the 17th November.

It is still the 26th for me, the 27th for most of you at this time. In the last ten days I have had my first two customers.
Customer 1 is coming to pick her item up tomorrow and customer 2, I went and picked up her items yesterday. I have had to stem the flow sadly but I am offering to put people on the waiting list for when jobs are coming to a close and I can take more on.
If that is not enough, I have also been asked if I do workshops. I have responded that it will be something I look into later next year, so some are asking to be put on the email list I have offered, so when I am ready I cant put out some emails to gauge what interest there is.
I really have had no time to connect with myself about all of this happening. It was so quick and all systems go when it happened. This last week has been immensely challenging and the work itself is very time consuming and you do have to problem solve. One of the great things about this though is people are not in any great hurry.
What I have started is really changing people's lives and my own. I actually still cannot believe it is real. To abide by Sanes rules, I cannot post the name of my business. It does have great meaning, but I cannot share it sadly! I need to slow down so that I can figure out what I am doing and to catch up with how I am feeling.
I am attaching some photos of what I am currently foxing and my next job! The Stein is what is being picked up tomorrow. The vintage oak chairs are my next job. There are three. The one chair that is still intact is going to be used to restore the two other chairs. I am also working on another ceramic job too, but that is a freebie, and for a friend. Other than that I have put all jobs on hold, until I cant catch up with things, as there is so much else to do other than this. I am trying to balance things more. Vintage oak chairsI will send a photo of the stein tomorrow when it is complete.
So, that is my big news. I probably have not written this how I would have wanted to. I am just truly tired.
I havn't really had anyone to share this with. Of course, I have told a few people. It has been in passing though, so no real long conversations have been able to happen. It's all good though. I still think my story is somehow a bit magical, so I am really just sharing the magic. Ramble. xx

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In response to: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

Photos from today.

Where I have been putting my stuff. Have a huge room of the side of the house. I just use it for storage. Been keeping chairs etc there.

Included a photo of my workshop today. Outdoors. I do not have a proper workshop yet. I will need one.

Also a picture of one finished chair, sanded back. Got to do another final sand before stain and varnish.

On the chair, there was etched in lines. Quite a lot. It was quite strange. Anyhow they are gone now.

Unfortunately I have to sand a little by hand to get into places the sander and other tool I have could not get into. I don't like sanding by hand at all.

Anyway, I'm not doing as much tomorrow. Need a break. I say that's the do heaps. Lol.

Thanks for the support @Maggie @Anastasia @SJT63 @Gwynn

In response to: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Anastasia

The love and hugs are very much appreciated and do help. Thank you.

🤗❣️💕

In response to: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Powderfinger They look amazing. I have done a bit of furniture renovations in the past, so I have a bit of an idea of the process. Sawdust, mess, but satisfying, very satisfying.

I know all the other pain is lurking around, and I know you are doing more than your best to stay afloat . We see you @Powderfinger . We appreciate you and your efforts.

Thankyou for asking how I am. It’s been an extra tricky week. An unexpected meeting with someone from many years ago brought a flood of unexpected emotional pain. People look so successful when we are broken. Plus my little dog has been unwell. She’s my life and Lifeline.

I hope your day of rest today is peaceful and relaxing. Sending some ❣️❣️❣️

In response to: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Anastasia I hope you got that downtime you were hoping for yesterday. 🤞🤞🤞

Does that mean a weekend of work ?

Sending you lots of 💙💙💙

@Gwynn @SJT63 ❣️❣️❣️

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

Hello @Maggie

No weekend off thank goodness.

I'm sorry about your expected visitor, are you ok?

How is your fur baby now? Better I hope?

Have to fly but I'll check in on you later xxxlove and hugs also to @Powderfinger @SJT63 @Gwynn

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Powderfinger, that looks amazing! What will your next project be?

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Maggie

Thank you. Oh yes, lots of mess definitely. I am however an organised and tidy person. My tools get a clean afterwards every time. I clean up.after a day's work. I don't yet have a workshop. That is in the pipeline for next year. Yes, though it is immensely satisfying and I do love it.

This is true Maggie. The pain is very much there. Lots of it. I think.about two years of recovery is more than fair to say. I have not even begun. I did however go to my first session this week with a new therapist. It was a good decision. My old therapist wasn't right for me. I wasn't ready to talk about many things. I'm.ready, but it has to be with the right person. Hopefully this will go ok?

Thank.yiu do much for seeing me. Amongst all of this, I can still see and see you too.

Oh, the past back again. Unwanted and Unexpected. I'm sorry that it happened. I have no doubt it triggered a lot and sometimes there's just places we don't want to go ever again. I hope you are being very kind and gentle with yourself.

I understand what you mean about others looking so successful when you are broken. I will.say this though, that is very rarely true. It depends on how one measures success and what areas of life they are measuring success too. Comparison Maggie is never a good idea. Just putting another spin on things. Perhaps you could look at what your ideas are of being successful is. Not anyone elses success, your success.

I hope your little baby is getting well. Our pets usually often are our life and lifeline. I'm absolutely wanting a fog do bad but can't have one where I live.

I took.the day off work today and may do so again tomorrow. I did go to Bunnings and Spotlight to get some things, but that's all.

Sending you love and strength.

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Gwynn

Thank you. I'm.really not sure what my next project will be. It won't be till next year. I'm taking extended time off, more than likely going on a vacation and trying to.figure out where to next with many things, plus Im not 100% right in my head, so that is going to take a considerable amount of time.

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Powderfinger - best of luck with everything. Sending you lots of good wishes.

In response to: Re: My big news... I think????

Re: My big news... I think????

@Maggie @Anastasia @Gwynn @SJT63

An update on my work. These chairs have been and are such a huge job. I had someone but they piked after the first day, do been doing it myself since.

Anyhow, thankfully I am finally up.to the staining/varnishing stage after finishing off some sanding today.

I am adding a before and after shot so you can tell the difference. I'm leaving them for 24 hours to dry.

Tomorrow I will do the bits left and the rest of the chair in the photo. I had to repair two of the pieces as it had a huge gash of wood missing in both. Hopefully the pieces I'm fixing will be dry tomorrow so I can sand them back.

Oh and also you can see my new workbench now too. Bought it for $30 bucks and I'm going to do it up.

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