Process is everything to me. If I can make something I'm passionate about into a process, I can sit down and follow each step that I've created. This frees up time and space to work on other projects that thrill me. My time is always equally filled with family, photography, my Story of Us project & design. Creating a process makes me efficient, and organized and able to take on more projects that I love.

I want to share some of my process with you. I snapped a picture of my second desk in my studio today to show you the steps to make my earwires. I make each and every one. I purchase spools of wire, cut the wire into pieces, shape each piece, hammer each, and use a cup burr to round each end. It's because I care so deeply about the details (probably a little too deeply) that I make each ear wire. Once I glanced at the photo, I realized there was so much more process and so much more me in the image. I'll just warn you right now.. This may get rambly! This desk is a desk that my Great Grandpa made. It's small, but is very functional, beautiful, and in a way a family heirloom. I only include things in my studio that are meaningful, beautiful, or useful. This meets all 3 requirements! The fabrics underneath my clipboard are ones I got incredibly giddy choosing. I can't tell you how excited I get about picking out my yearly box fabric! They're fabrics that will be cut into squares and nested in each of my jewelry boxes, so that when you open your package from me, you feel great opening in it. I am so thrilled about my choices!! I may be making a trip back to the fabric store, to buy more flannel & make pillows :). ... My tools.. You can see they're not too bright and shiny... but I don't care ... they're my tools I've used over and over and over to make all of the jewelry I create. They're beat up, but they are also full of story... character. ...

Kate in my studio. I believe she thinks she owns the place, by that look :)

Here's a happier version of her little self.

Here are the things she brings with her. A lot of this is stuff she's stockpiled from my drawers. I've been called a human tornado, I think she may be following in my foot steps! I can't tell you how happy it makes me that she wants to spend so much… — Here are the things she brings with her. A lot of this is stuff she's stockpiled from my drawers. I've been called a human tornado, I think she may be following in my foot steps! I can't tell you how happy it makes me that she wants to spend so much time with me in here. She is truly part of my process.

Thank you for reading!

Have a great week!
Mandy

Maker Monday: Process