Random Thoughts

I'm staring out the window right now into a mild, clear sky with minimal wind, no preponderance of clouds, and nearly 60-degree weather (the latter of which I did not deduce from staring out the window--the temperature was stumbled upon by looking at our handy inside-outside thermometer).  Amos Lee's first cd, is playing ever so sweetly on iTunes: the man's voice is like honey.  A large cup of coffee is sitting next to me, turning cold over the lapse of time I've spent sitting here.  Perfecto.

The stillness of contemplation has gotten me to thinking about how often my mood matches the weather.  You'd think my mood would more often match my husband's, but no.  Calm, cloudless sky equates to me being calm.  A dark, stormy day is reason enough for me to cocoon up in sweaters and long cardigans, lost all day in a quiet mood.  However, I can get snappy no matter what the weather is...and this reaction is more reliant on how lost in thought I am, rather than depending on external forces.  The more I am involved in that inner dialogue with myself, the more intense my reaction is when prematurely shaken out of my internal soliloquy.  I think it's an introvert thing because growing up, most people did not understand my seemingly dichotomous reactions/moods to..well, everything.  I'm not insane: truth be told.

* * *

My shop has picked up some momentum, as of late.  And for this, I am grateful; it helps in the holiday supply and gifts category for buyers and myself.  In this manner, the holidays is a symbiotic relationship.  People usually think that sellers sell just to earn money (and that they less often enjoy their occupation), not taking into account the personal and aesthetic joy that accompanies actually creating an item, and seeing it come to fruition.  The holidays are typically viewed as a justification to engage in consumerism, going from sale to sale.  An intricate dance--all in a rabid attempt to generate revenue.  However, this perspective erases every semblance of the handmade movement: the care, time, and creative energy it takes to make (and photograph) something. 

So this holiday season, consider buying handmade in some capacity--whether it be something small (like gift tags) or large.  You can't beat the big stores on price and reputation, but by shopping handmade (and US-made), you can make a small-scale stance on keeping jobs in the US, rather than supporting outsourcing.  Being mindful, while engaging in consumerism, is the best gift for us all.

Just some food for thought as the holiday shopping season approaches.  Be good; be kind.


P.S. This holiday season, I am thinking about creating some snowflake ornaments to include in each purchased item from my shop. :)  Until then, I leave you with another autumn leaf...a recent, favorite shot that I've recently listed for sale because it so intricately epitomizes this time of year.  And let's face it: I'm an autumn girl!