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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

107 replies

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

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

@Maggie

It's been so huge and I have not even been able to include everything else pertaining specifically to this journey of this work/project. A lot of GOOD has come from this Maggie.

Well, I am not sure how my client is going to be, so I will see on Saturday. I am a bit nervous now. Yes, a few difficult days @Maggie Today is the yearly anniversary of when I met my ex. It is so hard sitting in the same house as her, right there knowing it is that day and neither of us saying anything about it or anything much at all. Then on top of it, It is the C word. That time of year when happiness has elduded me for so many years and the first year with absolutely no contact with any family at all. So, basically hea Maggie, it's pretty shit and hard days.

I am not relaxing too much today, I am busy finishing these chairs up. Still a bit to do.

I hope you are hav8ing a good day. xx

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

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

@Anastasia

Hello, Thank you for sharing your pride in me, your beautiful comments that warmed my heart and for digging to depths of your heart. I guess I just don't get time with myself to think that I am an inspiration. I actually do think this sometimes. I think with having the stuffing knocked out of me this year and generally a really really bad here, plus the closing of the year just being absolutely crap, me feeling like absolute crap, just got so tired of everything and anything. I feel into a dark place. I am still there quite a bit, but I have my small moments of happiness.

It is funny you said this : Not only have you transformed someone's treasures you have also transformed with them.

I cannot share the name of my little casual business due to Sane rules, but this is what is behind my business. It very much relates to what you said, so yes, I can very much agree with the statement.

The Japanese art of kintsugi teaches that broken objects are not something to hide, but to display with pride.
Although, I do not mend items using the traditional kintsugi method, I am going to learn the art, as it is something I would like to offer here down the track. For now, I use my other established methods to mend items. I will always be working to improve my services.
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. It is such a personal process to go through. At the end of my journey for each piece, there is myself and the item that have been broken, and put back together with love, care, gentleness, time, and often a lot of patience!
I also feel that there is just too much unnecessary waste. We have become a throw away society, and I don't agree it was and is a good way forward. It needs to be turned around.
When it is reunited with the owner, they can be comforted that their piece has been in good hands and the best job has been done to once again display their item with pride.
Both myself and the item should not be hidden but displayed with its perfect flaws.
You are quite observant which is a great quality to have. Being the insightful/deep person I am is really hard @myboy. It is also very very lonely. I feel very misunderstood a lot of the time. I crave conversation and company, I really do. I just don't think people like my company too much because I am so different. It doesnt always get responded too well. It is so rare for me to find someone I can actually talk to and that wants to talk to me, Let me be me. If I do find someone like that, I tend to latch on because its so hard to find for me.

The other very true fact is my heart is very very big. Too big @Anastasia and yes I am a giver. Its taken me a very long time to learn that I must also guard my heart because not everyone has any interest in looking after it. I am very picky now of who gets my heart. I am very vareful about what I am giving and when I am giving it. I am learning boundaries and learning to say no. I have to do these things. My giving was way overboard and sometimes even innapropriate. I'm learning to start also giving too myself. There is such a thing as unhealthy giving. (Giving way too much) Giving and giving again when youve been burnt so many times by one person, knowing they are going to do it again. Its a big learning curve for me.

I will be definitely hsarring them here @Anastasia
Much love to you. xxxx

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

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

@Maggie @Anastasia @SJT63 @Gwynn

A quick update and a BIGGER update later this evening. I got to bed at 5 am as I had difficulties to sort out putting the chairs back together. As you can see they are both now back together and drying.

I left out the seating as a surprise for later. The padding has been applied to the seating and today I am doing the upholstery and final touch/ups and cleaning other chairs. The great finale of pictures later this evening.

I went to the chemist yesterday and bought strapping for my left foot. I've been in a lot of pain. I have not injured it in any way. There is no wound but a fair bit of pain.

I tried to get an on call doctor to come out but no luck for me. Tomorrow Saturday, I am going to go to emergency at the hospital and get them to take a look at my foot. Maybe also get them to strap it. I cannot wait till a doctor is available.

Today my foot is not strapped but I wish it was. It hurts.

I'm very happy the chairs are being picked up tomorrow. I have a lot more news but no time right now. I will share more later. I have only had four hours sleep but I need to get going.

Love to you all my friends. You are in my thoughts. Xxxx

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

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

The chairs are not being picked up today. I delayed them being picked up. I'm having a few issues with the upholstery. It was 1am and I was still going. I was so beyond tired that I just couldn't stay awake.

I've contacted the client and she is fine to wait. A bit disappointed.

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

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

You've got this @Powderfinger xx

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

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

@Anastasia

Thank you for your encouragement. Today, I have not got this. In a bit of a spiral. I'll write more on this when I can. Trying to process things. Thinking of you @Anastasia xx

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

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

Go easy on yourself hun. You do have this, just not today, and that's ok.

Love and hugs @Powderfinger

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

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

@Anastasia

I will.try. I can't even live with myself today. Meaning it's even unbearable for me to be around me.

X

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

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

Gentle hugs xxx

@Powderfinger

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

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

I'm not sure if anyone here has ever reupholstered a chair before, this is the seat with the padding and covering I have done so far. I ran into issues doing the trim which will go round the perimeter of the cushion at about 1 or 1.5 cm with towards the outer rim of the chair.

I've never done it before and my attempt wasn't working out very well. I'm not worried, it will get sorted. I'm just so tired. I'm going to have a nap soon.

Has anyone done this before?

I'm in touch with a few people who will assist me anyhow.

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