I truly mourned the loss of my studio — I took it as a personal failure and was sure that it was just the start to the eventual end of studio C and all I had worked for since 2008. I spent a few days on the couch in early 2012, bundled under a blanket with the dog’s head on my lap, her eyes turned up to me with a suitably mournful expression.

And then the first text came in from a parent who has supported me from day one…a lead on a new place in Claremorris (Wired Willow) that was running art classes. I rang immediately, and was more than pleased to hear that the owner knew about me and was intending to ring herself. I immediately signed on as one of her instructors, and started my first class with them two weeks ago. We are looking at adding a second session starting as soon as next week.

Then I made a phone call to the O’Dwyer Art Centre in Lismirrane (between Bohola and Kiltimagh), asking if I might move my regular Thursday Afterschool Art and Crafts Club to their building. They came back to me with an offer to rent the Centre for the full day. So every Thursday, I have access to a true studio space for my own work and a place to offer regular workshops, both for children and for my Make Your Own Silver Jewellery workshops for adults. Lesson learned, ask and you never know what you might receive! I am expecting 10 children for the first afterschool class this evening.

On a roll, I decided to restructure my pricing plan, from pay ahead of time for a block of classes, to a pay as you go policy. This seems to be a popular option with parents, who can dip in and out of the class as time and space allows. I’ll see how this goes over the next few months, but it looks like I’m on to something here.

Feeling energised, I have just kept on going…with a confirmed Silver Jewellery workshop in Westport and another two more the works for soon to be disclosed locations (fingers crossed). I have set a goal of delivering workshops in all 32 counties by the end of 2012. I am at four now (and hopefully six soon).

Are things looking up? It’s too soon to tell, and there are definitely cycles in making a living from offering creative workshops. But I am hopeful…it’s all I can be (and I remind myself of that every morning when I see the silver “Hope” pendant I made for myself hanging around my neck.)

Jewellery making will continue on uninterrupted throughout the Christmas season and beyond.

Many thanks to everyone for making the studio such an enjoyable place to be in for the past year, and I hope to see you all again soon.

I’ve also decided that I need to start drawing again. It’s been a long time since I done any serious drawing. I came across the most amazing self-directed drawing lessons at Drawspace.com  I tried one of the shading tutorials last evening, and within half an hour, I had a drawing that was one of the best I’ve done!

I have now registered on the site, and I’m working my way through the lessons, in order, one at at time. There must be at least 75 lessons on it, starting from the basics and working their way up to photorealistic drawing, which is something I have always aspired to. I figure if I do one lesson a day, I’ll be drawing portraits in just over three months.

So, metal clay and drawing. Guess I know how I’m spending my time up through Christmas!

I’ve now learned the hard way why this was a bad idea. I have a bulging disc just where my neck meets my spine. If you aren’t familiar with the anatomy of the spine, the discs are cushions of fluid that keep the vertabrae from rubbing against each other. In my case, the sac has changed shape due to pressure, and a bit of that sac, with its fluid, has protruded out from between the vertabrae.

Unfortunately, the protrusion is pushing on a nerve that causes pain across the left shoulder, under the armpit, down through the elbow, wrist, and into the first and second finger of my left hand. The pain has been quite terrible, and although its now under control if I am standing or laying flat (with the help of five medications and physio sessions), I can’t sit without the pain returning.

It’s very hard to be a crafter without being able to sit. My doctor assures me that this will resolve soon and I’ll be back to normal.

But I won’t be back to “normal.” I will never slouch again.

Please fellow crafters, take care of your back.

In October, I’ll be in Mallow, Co. Cork at the soon-to-be-opened Truly Gifted, hosting an Introduction to Metal Clay Workshop.

Aside from being a mainstay of studio C’s metal clay business, being on the road is a fun way for me to meet new people and see more of the country (workshops and demos have brought me as far as Derry and Limerick recently).

Have car, have mobile studio, WILL travel!