Thursday, November 5, 2009

Anything That's Worth Having, Sure Enough Is Worth Fighting For

I’m having an unblogtastic week. The car accident, the time change and the crappy lighting in my house are all conspiring against me. It's dark when I leave the office now. I didn't see that coming. My indoor photos just never work out.

November 3

I can’t stand the way pictures of myself taken with a flash look because of my glasses, and I don’t want to take my glasses off. But without it, indoor pictures come out really yellow. I have a really cheap point and shoot, so there is not a lot of adjusting I can do to it as far as I know. (I own an older Rebel, but I can’t afford a lens right now.) I have come to the conclusion that I really need to just get up 20 minutes earlier during the Fall and Winter to take my photos before I go to work. But knowing that and doing that are two different things. I am one of those people that hit the snooze button as many times as I possibly can.

Anyway. I’ve been keeping busy. I’ve spent the past couple of day on the phone with the other drivers insurance, trying to get them to take responsibility. They finally agreed to yesterday afternoon, and I am picking up a rental car today at lunch and then someone is coming by the house Friday AM to assess the damage and hopefully cut us a check so we can get it repaired. It’s been unpleasant, and it’s been a hassle, but to be honest, this year has been just one disappointment after another and by now it just seems par for the course. Death to 2009, Viva 2010.

I got my hand piece remade the other night. I will not be listing these in the store when I reopen it, because it has to be fitted to each hand pretty specifically (like, I made one for my left hand, and it didn't fit my right hand!), but it is not difficult, just time consuming, and anyone can do it. All you need is a pair of pliers, some chain, and a clasp and jump ring. You can get that stuff at any craft store.

Hand Piece

Hand Piece

1. Make a loose ring out of chain for your middle finger.
2. Make a piece that fits around the middle of your hand
3. Make a bracelet for your wrist (make it a bit looser than normal, so that it can be pulled toward the center in a "V" shape).
4. Connect the ring and the middle piece.
5. Connect the middle piece and bracelet.

I promise it is not difficult. You may need to practice opening and closing the chain links a few times if you are new to that, but once you get than hang of it, it is just trial and error getting the lengths of each piece right. I am sure I will get better at it as I go, and right now, I can make them for people who can physically sit with me while I construct it around their hand, and some day maybe I’ll figure out the math, but for now…not so much.

I leave you with a rare glimpse of me at the office. I am big on a personalized cube, and I have been lucky enough to work at places that allow me to do that. I decorate mine with Girls Aloud posters, pictures of my husband, my BFF Alannah and my dog, cards and my Spice Girls mouse pad. That mouse pad is on its last leg, it’s been with me for years and I will be so sad to see it go, because I love it so.

boba


(first pic)
Jacket, One Star by Converse at Target
Blouse, Target
Pants, Wal-Mart
Shoes, Target

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hear ya on the indoor shots. They're just plain harder. But I love that gorgeous blouse and the amaaaazing hand chain ... and can see 'em just fine!

A said...

Ooh yeah, getting up 20 min. earlier would not happen for me, so I would understand if you weren't into it either! I don't think the indoor pictures are awful, though. They're not nearly as nice as the outdoor ones but you shouldn't stop taking pictures just because of stupid daylight savings! :(

I adore any & all pictures of you at work, but this one is particularly adorable! <3

Viva 2010 is RIGHT. Gah.

BAM said...

VIVA 2010!!!!


(am jealous of your rad headphones. I have tiny little dinky ones in right now)

-b-

eednic said...

maybe you could just come down to Austin and make me one! i promise i'll feed you and maybe get you drunk!

yotababy said...

I really like that shirt! And also, I'm glad to hear the insurance company has finally stepped up. Jeez...

Layla said...

Oh, but you look fab! The pic is great, with glasses and all!!

You ROCK the look!!

Love your customized cubicle too!!

I've seriously been wondering about stitching an old mousepad together (seems falling apart) too!!

Thank you for the tutorial!!
(You're braver with pliers than I am though!)

Just one nitpick: is that plastic glass and lid in the last pic recyclable? ;)

Goober said...

Your cube looks so cute! I am with you on personalizing your work space. If I have to be somewhere 40+ hours a week, you better believe I'm going to decorate it!

Kendra said...

Love your plethora of moto jackets! I am starting to collect them myself.

Whats exactly is it that you are drinking there? Kinda looks gross!! LOL

Tina said...

I am hating the indoor shots that I am having to take too. It's dark when I leave and it's dark when I get home. I'm currently carrying my tripod around in my huge work purse trying to get up the gumption to set it up on the sidewalk in the middle of downtown. For awhile I was taking pic downtown during the workday, but that was when I just had to hand my camera to a friend and have him snap one really quickly. But having to pull out the tripod, etc draws so much attention. AND I'll admit I'm little worried that someone will just snag it while I posing 4 feet away like an idiot.

Geek Girl said...

Sorry to hear about your accident and all the crap that you have to deal with! So weeks are just the dumps!That pic of you in the office is too cute though!

SHOEGAL said...

Which of your fab jackets is the one you have on here? You've inspired me to buy one for myself - a grey one. I had a 25% off discount code too so I'm pleased. Can't wait for it to arrive on Monday.

Nana Erin said...

Thanks Sal!~

BAM,
you know a good place to look for headphones is the TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls type of store. I like the big ones because people can see them and don’t try and have a conversation with me while I have them on. They know they have to get my attention first! Ha!~

Cindee,
I will make you one at the next Hobonnet Convention!~

Kendra,
It is a boba, or bubble tea. This one was green tea lemonade. The black things are tapioca pearls, which are kind of like a jelly baby.

Shoegal,
It’s the Converse One Star one. The most expensive, but my favorite by far!

Anonymous said...

"Tell me what you want, what you really really want..." A new Spice Girls mousepad?

I love that shirt, total awesome!

Rondell said...

Girl you ever been to Pay/Half? I went to one last time I was in Chicago and got myself all kinds of cute bargains. It's a real find!

Anonymous said...

Do you have any online links to sites that show more examples of the kind of hand piece you made? I just watched Pieces of April (with Katie Holmes) and the title character was wearing something similar that appeared to be made with leather. Or at least can you tell me what they are called if not just "hand piece?" Thanks!