Figuring out the new normal

Hey friends, it's been a little over a month since I blogged, and I wanted to check in with everyone.

I have figured out a decent schedule that ensures I get orders out in a timely manner, but minimizes outings. I ship orders out once a week, but I decide the day based on what orders I have so I can get an many out as possible in one outing. I am also not using Signature Confirmation right now, to minimize physical contact with your postal carriers. For my current orders, it means they will get their orders pretty quickly, so that is nice. I have been able to focus on getting orders done as they come in, since I am not preparing inventory for Woollinn anymore. Sigh.

I am so grateful for every order that has come in. Thank you so much for your support. As of today, I have been able to fulfill all but one order with the castings I have on hand. I am trying to find a way to get castings made again, and it might involve working with someone new, and I am not happy about it. The folks I work with are people I have come to trust and have a good relationship with. I started out working in the same building, and we work well together. But, I also know they should not be in that building right now. There is no good way to social distance in that place, and they are not safe there (I feel certain the folks who run that building care not one iota about their tenants). This means if I send them castings, I am part of the problem, and also keeping them afloat, and I am so conflicted and sad about this whole situation. But sadly, I simply cannot fit a casting set-up in my current space, as much as I would love to be doing all of my own casting.

I am also looking to see what part of the process I can bring into my tiny studio, and I will update as I figure this out. 

I sure I wish I could tell you about upcoming shows and events, new plans, designs, etc. Shows are cancelled for the foreseeable future. New designs will happen, but they might only exist in wax or on paper until I figure this out. I do plan to start making some one of a kind pieces that I can list in the shop as ready to ship items. 

If you follow me on Instagram or FB, you know I have been posting less. I have been using some of my slow work time to make masks for my brother and his co-workers, and now that I have more bias tape, I will get back to some mask making this week. I will never be one of the prolific mask makers, I think I get too emotionally wrapped up in the process. But, I can at least try to keep my loved ones safe. And, well, to be frank, it's been hard. It's hard seeing the shows cancel (and believe me, they have to, I know it as well as anyone) and my income slow to a trickle. But, I am also very lucky. I can work from my home studio, my family and I are safe in our home, we have a porch and a back yard. It's not big, but it's our own safe patch of outside, and I am so very grateful to have it.

I hope you are all well. I miss looking forward to seeing you in person, or interacting more online. But, those days will return, we just have to stay home, and stay safe until those days come.