The Hat Trick
A few weeks ago I found a box of odd hats when I was cleaning out the closet. I read some advice years ago about writers who wore hats when they were writing to help themselves get into character or switch between genres. So I bought some cheap hats, including one that is shaped like a chicken. (I'm not sure what I thought that would inspire me to write—The Unauthorized Biography of Chicken Little?)
The hat trick didn't work for me—I didn't find the hats comfortable and kept thinking of ways to jazz them up with sequins or feathers, rather than concentrating on the work at hand. But I have to say, having a box of hats is an apt metaphor for the freelancing life.
One Hat Off . . .
I've finished up my contract work for Beadwork, now that they are fully staffed again with new editor Mindy Brooks. I enjoyed the assignments: working on the Bead Buzz and Cool Stuff departments, along with the Artist Profile and "other duties as assigned," including a feature article on selling your beadwork for the April/May issue. I especially enjoyed writing about projects like The Best Little Bead Box, which is raising money for kids with cancer. Beaders and other crafters are very generous with their time and talents and it's always nice to give them some recognition for their efforts. Anyway, I'm taking off my Beadwork hat* . . .
One Hat On . . .
And putting on another: book editor! I've started editing a jewelry how-to book. It is scheduled to be out 2012, which after working on a daily newsletter, feels like a very generous timeline. If you want to know more, check out the nice interview the book authors Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel did with me on their blog, A Jewelry Accord. You'll also see some of my jewelry designs from Beads 2009, Best of Stringing, Stringing, and Beadwork on the blog. (I won't have any designs in this book; I'm strictly working as an editor.) So far, it's been one of the best job assignments I've ever had. The jewelry I've seen so far for the book has been top-notch. Plus, the authors have been terrific to the point where I think I might be seriously spoiled for future book projects. You know I must love it when I'm voluntarily creating Excel spreadsheets on a weekend!
Meanwhile, I've put the hats back into the closet. Can't help but think I might need them someday . . . maybe The Chicken and the Egg: 26 Poultry-Inspired Jewelry Designs?
* After I finished writing this post, I was asked to write the artist profile for the August/September issue of Beadwork. See what I mean about hats?
Button Swap Update: Partners for the Button Swap were emailed yesterday (Saturday). If you signed up and did not receive an email, please leave me a comment or send me an email.