I'm 1/4 Scottish, spending money is hard for me...

I was out spending money last night. I had to select, at minimum, a fridge and a stove. The kitchen cabinets are going in pretty quick and they needed the dimensions of the appliances before installation. So I bought the fridge & the stove, then I got a table and 4 chairs. The table is pretty much what I have been looking for, but had not been able to find anywhere until now. It will be tall enough to act as a counter as well as comfortably seat 4 people. It has two 13” leaves, so the table will be short for the most part, but if I want to have a dinner for more than just me, I can. Before, If I wanted to have guests over we would have had to eat in shifts. While I was there, I tried out some living room furniture. I did not think I would buy anything, but there was a leather sale going on. I have not paid for it in full, but have put a down payment on it and will clear up the rest in a couple of days. My bank card just can’t handle that much activity in one day. I got a leather sofa, large leather chair and an ottoman. I may change my mind on the ottoman, we’ll see. Next up, a mattress, bed frame, side table, floor lamps, area rug, etc etc.

I need a personal shopper

Now that I know that work is progressing in my condo, I have begun the shopping process. New everything….never had that before. When I moved out of my parent’s house (the first time), it was to go to University and I had second hand everything. There were several false starts moving out when I came back to town after graduation. I lived with a few friends here and there and I did not spend much on furnishings. In fact, everything I owned were other people’s cast offs from the 70’s and 80’s. I tried to refinish a lot of it, but very few items would be considered “nice”. They were “timeless” only in that it will probably take a lot of time for the materials to degrade in the landfill, where I am assuming most of them are now. The same went for most of my other stuff like pots, pans, dishes etc. I did make a lot of the ceramic items in my house, like plates and bowls etc, and I did receive a few gifts like crystal wine glasses, cutlery etc, but for the most part, I lived in a thrift shop, except nobody shopped there.

Now I get to pick out new pots and pans, new furniture, new everything. I was out shopping with my mum last night, as she really likes spending other people’s money and I came home with a new toaster, towels, pillows, sheets, pots and pans (gift from Mum) and the collection of new stuff is growing. Hopefully I will have the final dimensions of my kitchen layout and will have a better idea of the timeline so that I can go appliance and furniture shopping. It is getting close, but still not close enough. I want to go HOME.

I should also get a blender….I foresee a party once this is all done and over with and I think there will be a need for blender drinks...little umbrellas for everyone!

Do you want the good news, or the bad news first?

I always like to get the bad news out of the way first....
I got to work two weeks ago today to find that I had been laid off. So that is the bad news.
In response to this rather drastic change in my income, I began an Etsy shop (this is the good news). I have not sold anything, but am trying to post at least 1 or 2 items every couple of days. I currently have 7 pieces listed. You can find my shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CrackedPotCeramics and will have more to add over the next while. I don't expect this to pay my bills, but it would be nice if I could actually work towards being a full time potter.
If anyone out there has any suggestions on the best way to run a pottery shop on Etsy, I welcome your comments and advice.

Thank you!!

Ok, so I absolutely hate shopping for clothes. Knowing this, my mother took it upon herself to arrange a day of shopping with her friend Linda in order to get my wardrobe renewed for interviews (I have one tomorrow afternoon). Linda has a good eye, and I really appreciate the help with this chore.
No pots today, but will be in the studio on Friday night. I will be at the fairview sale meeting tomorrow night and then refreshing centennial gallery as the ccaa "out of the box" show is over.