I’m ready. It’s been an odd year in Thornesworld. Probably the single biggest change was Tammy moving out back in November of 2010. It was a long and painful decision, not without risk, but it was the right one for both of us; each as individuals and as a couple as well. We weathered the changes to find our love as strong as it ever was and the journey of rediscovering the many things we liked about each other has been a trip I wouldn’t have missed for the world.

We look forward to seeing each other and missing each other is a delicious sort of foreplay that makes smiles brighter and kisses all the sweeter. We sing and dance again, flirt and play. We talk and relish the time we spend together rather than take it for granted or let it slip by unnoticed.

The second biggest change for me was having outside employment for the better part of the last year. I got the chance to learn a bit more about Terese and to grow a little. I still hated working for someone besides me, but managed to make the best of it and remain reasonably happy, if not fulfilled. The job ended last month under less than satisfactory circumstances beyond my control and although it put me back into no small amount of financial insecurity it was also an immense relief and a gift.

Cetandi & Bear

I have housemates here at the ranch for the first time in long and long and am finding it pleasant and helpful after my 8 months of solitude here. They actually live in a small trailer out back with “house privileges” so I still have enough private time and personal space to be content.

The sweat lodge is built and we’ve been using it since January. Being able to sweat and pray has been good for my soul.

And I’m both writing and crafting again. These things are incredibly good for my spirit, and I hope they will prove again to be good for my physical life as well. With Tammy’s support (and while I’m yet working part time outside of my home), I’ve decided to get back to the business of making my living with my art. I am 107K words into my novel and hoping that another 50K or so will bring my story to a close. I began writing a bit on it agin in late September to prep for the insane 50K word rush of November and am committed to finishing and submitting it for publication.

Assemblage Bird Shrine

I did some serious soul searching around whatever blockage keeps me from completing and submitting at least one of my 3 novels in process and learned a few things. The first may be broken. I’m not sure if I still need to tell that story, I’ve lost the tale, I’m afraid. The second, entitled “The Space Between” that I wrote in the immediate wake of the death of our Lil Pharaoh, has been too painful to revisit even to edit until recently, but will be my next task after completing the novel I began in 2008, (working title “The Coming”). This is the story I want to tell. It’s a good story. I think I’m a good and engaging writer. So why haven’t I finished and submitted? In October I came down to only two possibilities and they are both a little embarrassing, but what the hell, “tell the truth and shame the devil” as my Grama would say. What it boils down to is one of these two things, either:

What a bunch of happy horseshit. Whichever it is, I’m done with it. I’m going to finish this novel. I’m going to work on it until it’s done. Then I’m going to revise and edit it enough for submission. Then I’m going to send it off and brave rejection while praying for acceptance.

In the meantime, I’m going to craft and tattoo and find my way back to art from those things. Here I come, 2012.

Okay, well… not exactly with me (although I’m open to discussion on that matter!). With my hand made Pine Cone Fire Starters. That’s what’s been on ThornesTable lately.

I’m making a fresh batch today. I think I’ll blend the magickal oils for the new batch for relaxation and comfort and security. I’m going to call this blend “Peaceful Home”, and tint the wax blue.

These things are great if you hate to mess with crumpling paper or ugly, smelly pressed wood and wax starters. It only takes one cone to start a roaring fire, and besides… they look awesome sitting in a basket next to the fireplace until you use them up!

I’m upcycling like a mad woman these days, trying to piece together some fun items for sale, while using up the wealth of materials I have around here. One of my recent projects was this purse made from a pair of tan jeans. I made 3 more small ones, but still have to finish the hand stitching and beads, before I take pics. Not bad, really. 4 bags out of one pair of jeans and a kid sized shirt.

Doing a bit of stained glass as well. Just finished this custom order for a friend who is sending it to a family member in Hungaria!! I’m excited. I think that makes about 8 countries that ThornesArt has traveled to.

Drop me a comment if you’d be interested in How-To’s on any of these projects, n I’ll see if I can get them up.

Right now though, It’s nap-time in Thorne’s World. Too many late nights and early mornings makes Thorne a grumpy grrrlll.

Peace, out!

Stumble, Tweet, “share”, “like”? Do you use Tumbler or other social networking sites? Do you play games there, comment and post interesting bits of news and current events? Do you use them to promote your business? Thornie wants to know.

Here’s the deal, oh Constant Reader. You all know by now that I live the hella out in BFE. And you know from my Desert Gardening and Anti-Pioneer Woman posts (among others), that’s it’s a pretty rough life out here in the desert, and that your ever-lovin’ Thornie pretty much works her ass off just to have a reasonable amount of comfort here in this 1800′s built home on the range.

What you don’t know, is that I’m doin’ it pretty much all on my own these days. The GirlyBoi and I have, shall we say, ceased to cohabit. Don’t cry for us, lovelies. We’re still BFF’s and we still love- in fact, we have simply (in her usual short but sweet words) “broken up to stay together”.

But what that means to Thornie is that it is all on me. The firewood (post on that anti-pioneer woman adventure upcoming soon). The home repairs, the frozen pipes, Mom, dump runs, the garden, the bills, the birds… all of it. ( I needz a Cabana Boi! Bwahahahahaha Please apply using the contact form- Thornie is an equal opportunity employer-gender is not an issue.)

Shit. Rain and there are clothes on the line. Be right back. (Talk among yourselves… Hahahahaha)

Just so we’re clear- I’m not whining. It’s hard, and it’s a lot of work, but I’m up to it. And I love my desert. I wouldn’t leave it for greener pastures.

BUT.

But- there are no jobs out here (even were I so inclined and even were taking care of my Mom and this place NOT a full time job in itself), so I’m once again bustin’ out the artwork and craftin’ my hiney off to try to make enough money to support myself and my rescued critters.

I’m trying to stay upbeat and positive and manifest that prosperity and I’m squeakin’ along… but.

Here’s where you come in, oh most awesome Constant Reader. Share me. Tweet me. Stumble me, like me… promote me, please!! If you see anything you like, please shop with me. If you have something in mind in stained glass or ceramic tile mosaic; a photo or image collage or custom curio box; sewn items like purses, totes and quilts or crochet items and you don’t see it in my stock, please message me. I specialize in unique custom orders of all sorts and frankly it is where I am at my best- designing especially for someone. My Etsy Store is just a click away from here in this post or always on my sidebar.

Like and Share my Thorne’s World Vintage Arts and Treasures page on FB, please. Take a moment to click the little invite friends link on the left sidebar and invite any of your friends and family who you think might like the things I make. Then ask your friends to do the same. Twitter? Please retweet. I’m Thornesworld. StumbleUpon? Thornesworld. Tumbler? Thorne’s World. Kaboodle? thornesworld. (Are you sensing a trend here? hahahaha.)

If any of you can help me better understand how to promote my business online- have tips or tricks to help me get out there, please comment! I can do this- but I can’t do it alone. I need your help, lovelies.

New Hand Made Tapestry Clutch on Etsy

I won’t ask you to donate to help with my bloggy and domain expenses, but I will ask you to click my donate button to help me feed my birds, if you have a spare buck here n there. These six big birds eat a lot!

So that’s it from Thornie today. I have a tote on the sewing table and some magick pine cone fire starters in the kitchen today. (And I will be posting a How-To with images on those. I think you’ll like making them if you don’t just buy some from me!)

Peace, out!