What is Happening?

     I don't really have much for free time. In my limited free time I have so many things that I want to do, and definitely not enough time to do them all. Occasionally I focus on one thing for a while, recently it has been reading. But if I am extremely tired, or if the book I am reading is not great (which the one I am reading right now is not great) I read a bit less. There are many other things I do, though some of them have turned into work (like jewelry making) and I am trying very hard to have a work-life balance. And I am trying not to spend a lot of money. 

     This past weekend it popped into my head that I wanted to play Resident Evil. I own an ancient GameCube, a copy of Resident Evil, and I end up playing about once every year or two. What also ends up happening is that I hook up the console, as soon as I figure out/remember how to do it and then the controller often doesn't work and I need to mess with it, sometimes repair it, and so on. It's a huge ordeal, which makes me want to play even less. But I do like the game. So I started thinking about maybe getting a new game system, and I went back and forth with Elecktra (she has more than one platform, maybe I could borrow one?) and looked up which platform had Resident Evil, I discovered there are currently at least 7 Resident Evils (why???) and back and forth, with both Elecktra and I landing on why don't I just buy a new controller for the GameCube? Elecktra did also say I could borrow her PlayStation 4 for a bit if I wanted. 

    But the thinking continued. And then this happened...

      This is not Resident Evil. This is not Elecktra's PlayStation. It is also not my GameCube. This is Breath of the Wild. And this is my Nintendo Switch that I bought to entertain myself. I feel like I am going to blame Jackie for both of these things. At the beginning of nearly episode of Mares in Black, for quite a long time at this point, Jackie and Heather talk about what video games they are playing. Anyone that knows anything about Jackie AT ALL, knows that she is a big fan of The Legend of Zelda games (among other things). I also know that Jackie plays Breath of the Wild on the Switch, and Heather has one, and both seem to like it. So I did some research. While doing that I discovered that I can download the original Resident Evil on the Switch.

     This is still not Resident Evil. 

     I briefly considered ordering a Switch, because sometimes I really don't want to leave the house, but then I decided I would go to GameStop and just buy what I wanted. Boy was that either a really great idea or a really bad idea. Because when I got there the one and only employee in the store greeted me and I told her what I wanted, but when I found out she was the only person in the store I let her take care of everyone else so I wouldn't hold them up while I asked questions. The result of that was I spent A LOT of time in GameStop and though I didn't buy all the things, I did buy more than just a Switch. Clearly, because these pictures are not from Resident Evil (which is a download). 

     I bought the Switch, the year of protection because everything I have gotten lately and not paid for the protection has broken within 2-3 months. I bought Mario something because maybe I can get Travis to play a game with me (well Anne, you need a second controller which you didn't think to buy...) and I bought Breath of the Wild. And while I am soft-blaming Jackie for this, I consciously did this to myself. 

     And I have no regrets. Actually, I have one vague regret. When I first set up my Switch, which was super simple (it's very user friendly) I decided to play Breath of the Wild for a while. I had no clue what I was doing and spent a lot of time running around. And running away from things that were trying to kill me. And looking for food. I am starting to feel like this is just a big part of the game, though I know some people just face the things that are trying to kill them. I am mostly trying not to die while I figure things out. Anyway, my regret is that I spent the money to buy Resident Evil. I played for 5 minutes and went right back to Breath of the Wild. This game is fun. I should have saved my money and just bought this. 

     And since I have figure out how to catch horses, I have been spending a lot of time riding around. Sometimes I stop and look for food. Sometimes the horses help me run away from stuff faster. But it's been a lot of fun. And I must be doing something right. I finished the 4 shrines on the Great Plateau and moved on to... whatever the next section is. Now there are towns, more people... horses. I have found some weapons, I have lost some weapons (I still forget sometimes what button does what and I have thrown my stuff more than once while I was holding it. And then not been able to find it, lol). I have drowned several times, fallen off of cliffs... and yet I do still find the game really fun. I run away from most of the monsters. Especially big guardians. Though I was trying really hard to defeat the small guardian in the shrine I can't remember the name of so I could get the guardian sword. I know these things because I do sometimes cheat and Google how to do things. Which is how I know how to catch horses. The problem with that little lazy guardian in the shrine is I broke all my weapons. I am pretty sure I can't defeat him with a soup ladle. And I have done the side hop thing the game wanted me to learn, I have hit it a whole bunch, including with some really fancy swings that have extra power behind them (can you tell I am bad at remembering what stuff is called?) and I still can't beat it. So I left, and went on my own quest to try to find some more weapons. I found some guys, in some town, demolishing a house and I really wished they would put their hammers down. Those look like they might do some damage. 

     Anyway, I wish I had more time to play this game, it's been a lot of fun. I also wish that playing games didn't make me dizzy. I thought it was just playing games on the computer that bugs me, but even sitting across the room from the game gets to me. And then I am extra sensitive to technology for days, until I basically barely use it for a while. Even just typing this is a bit of a strain. And nothing is moving on the screen. I tried my blue light glasses yesterday, but I don't really think it helped. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them. Not only would I really like to play a game without it making me sick, but it would be great to spend more time on the computer, if I need to, also without getting sick. 

    I have been making dolls still, and I was incredibly efficient last week. It helped that we had a holiday followed by a snow day. This week so far I also seem to be getting a reasonable amount done. I didn't accomplish all the things today that I wanted to, but I got one extra thing done that wasn't on my schedule. It doesn't quite equal out, but it's not bad. I still have two more official work days this week so there is still the chance that I can reach my goal for this week, even though I didn't reach my goal for today. And hopefully I can stop feeling dizzy every time I look at a piece of technology. I want to go ride my (virtual) horse. 

I’m Still Here

     I realize that, yet again, I have become a super slacker with my blog. Some of that is I am going in so many different directions all at once. Some of it is I don't always have things to talk about. Some of it is I don't necessarily have any photos to go with anything I might talk about. So many reasons I have not been blogging much. All of them are good and all of them are bad. So here are some updates. 

    I got a variety of new stones in about a month ago. It was a seller that contacted me on Instagram and was actually kind of a hard sell and pushy. I really sort of hate that. But I also really like a good deal. And I didn't get the ultimate deal on the stones I bought, but it was a pretty good deal. I haven't used many of the new ones yet, I seem to have a lack of time for doing all the things, but I did wrap this super cool scenic moss agate. I love this stone. I have several others that are similar. Now I just need the time to work on them so I can get some more done. I also had to mute that seller on Instagram since I would get messages every few days trying to sell me more things. Just leave me alone, I WILL contact you when I want things. 

     In my last post I did the reveal of my mystery book that I got from Barnes and Noble. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was an excellent book! I usually don't have that much time to read, but I was drawn into that book and I ignored other things I should have been doing so I could read it. I think I finished that in a couple of weeks. Which is still sad, since I used to be able to finish a book in a couple of days. But now I have a lot of things I have to do and I don't have time to just sit and read. But I did read another book as well. The Housmaid was one I picked up several months ago, and I finally got around to reading it. It got chosen this time around because it is not as long as some of my other books. And sometimes I want a shorter book so I can feel more accomplished, lol. This was another one that was really good. It drew me in immediately, had short chapters, and had a continuously developing storyline. I like short chapters because somehow, I don't have time to read a 30 page chapter, but I might just read 10, 3 page chapters. Some of you are, I am sure, going to try to say those are the same. But the rest of you know that it makes perfect sense. Like not having time to watch a movie, but binge watching an entire season of a show. Sometimes these are just things that make sense, even if they don't. The point is, I have been reading a lot more lately and it is making me happy. The book I am in now is much slower going and I don't know yet if I like it. I think it's called Gull Island, but since it's not in front of me I don't remember. 

     I have of course also been working. Because that is what I do. School has been interesting. A lot of the days go by very quickly because there is always so much to do. But we also sometimes get days that seem to drag, even though we are having a good day and have so much to do. Time is a strange thing. 

     I have done a lot of work in the studio as well. Last week I made a little youth doll (and some other things that I currently don't remember). I had someone contact me asking if I would make an almost identical youth doll for them. As I have mentioned before, my commission books are currently closed, but it doesn't hurt to ask. If I am not sure what I want to make at a certain time, and the doll you want is something that I don't mind making, I may just say yes. You never know if you don't ask. Be prepared to hear no, but if you ask...

    I might just say yes. And so I made this nearly identical little youth doll. She has a single braid instead of braided pigtails. One hunt seat doll looks very much like every other hunt seat doll. They don't have a lot of variety in their clothes after all. But I was into the idea of making another youth doll, so I made this one, technically on commission. 

     And then since I was having such a good time making youth dolls, I made this little girl as well. For years I hated making youth dolls. They required almost completely remaking a doll body because the Breyer doll bodies are so horrid. But now I use the 6" Yvonne-type body, modify it, change the head, and it is much easier to make a youth doll. It's not simple by any means, but it is not overly challenging. And yes, these are not little kids at all, but they are also not adults. And right now, that is the best we have without some serious modifications to existing doll bodies. 

    In other news, and this is big, I booked my trip to Breyerfest. I have never been to Breyerfest. I could never find a way to make that work. This year I am going to make it work. I was already considering it when Jackie contacted me, asking if I was still going to judge at the Resin Renaissance. I had actually completely forgotten about that, so I thought about it for about 30 seconds and said (that I had forgotten about that and) I was in. So all of a sudden, I was committed to going to Kentucky in July. Holy crap, that is exciting and a little bit scary! So then I started a new hobby, which is putting together trips on Travelocity. I did consider driving to Kentucky, but I don't actually have any desire to drive for 14 hours (it's 13 hours and 20 minutes but I guarantee I would find some traffic somewhere, at the very least). So then I looked at some other options. And I started thinking about when to leave, when to come back. All those things. I learned so much about the cost of air travel in a very short time. It turns out that flying in on Tuesday the 9th (so I have more than a day in Kentucky before I have to do anything in particular) is a good idea. And it turns out staying until Tuesday the 16th is cheaper than staying until Monday the 15th. I am sure there are more things I need to learn about flying, but so far I know it is cheaper to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and I think Thursday. I am also fully aware that we will need to eat in Kentucky, which will add to the cost of the trip, but staying an extra day will actually be cheaper. I like that. And I like the idea of a full day in Kentucky, before and after. Since I have never been there this gives me some time to see Kentucky. And if I am there, I feel like I should see it. 

     So basically I was mostly settled on the above idea; flying into Kentucky on the 9th and staying until the 16th. But hitting "confirm booking" was sort of terrifying. What if I changed my mind and decided to drive (I will not). What if I wanted to change the days I was there (no, I was pretty settled on those dates). So I finally just decided to go for it. What I discovered after I booked was I didn't think about getting to the airport for 6:15 on the 9th. No one is going to want to drive us at 3:30 in the morning (the airport is about a half hour away). So I have basically decided, without having consciously decided, to pay to park my car at the airport for a week. Which is surprisingly affordable. And makes it so I don't have to rely on anyone to get us there, or back. It's been my experience that getting anyone to help me, with anything, is very challenging. And no, this is not a woe is me type situation, it is a statement of fact. I will ask for help when I need it, often people will even say they will help me, and then it doesn't happen. Which is why I do so many things myself. I would have preferred to not spend the money to park my car at the airport for a week, but I considered the flight home (mid-afternoon arrival, sounds perfect) and I considered having a lot of time in Kentucky, and went with the flight that didn't add $$. It also means I have doomed us to being REALLY tired on Tuesday the 9th, lol!

    The other small issue is we will get in at about 12:30 on the 9th and we can't check in until after 3:00. So I will have to figure out something to do for a couple of hours. A couple of really exhausted hours. But I am excited about it. Excited to be taking the trip, or really any trip, and excited about all the people I get to meet in person that I have only ever met online. I expect to get a million hugs. I really hope I get a million hugs. 

     I have already started making dolls to bring to Kentucky with me. Some were dolls that were already done before I officially decided to go. Some are dolls I have made on purpose since deciding to go. I have plans. I will keep on making and listing dolls for sale now, I do need to still pay my bills after all, and I will have dolls that will be for Kentucky. Though honestly, if you see a picture of something that you really like it never hurts to ask if I will sell it now. Even if it's not officially listed, it may very well be for sale. My goal is to have at least 20 dolls to bring with me. With how things are going now I likely will have more than that. And I will likely have some small things as well, possibly mystery boxes, who knows what I will have. I have options. 

A Christmas Mystery and Other Stories

     On Saturday my parents came over for dinner. We did some gift exchanging and I figured it was also the perfect time to solve the first mystery; what this mystery book is! I am very pleased to say I have not read this book, or even heard of it. I am also almost finished with a book I am reading and may get into this one next. I have lots of options of what book to read next. I also have one more mystery book that I haven't opened yet. I am going to see how long I can wait before I solve that particular mystery. 

     Speaking of mysteries, on Sunday night I decided it was a good time to play this escape room game. I love escape rooms, whether an actual room or a game, and I saw these at Barnes and Noble and wanted to try them out. The fact that you don't have to have more than one player is a bonus, since I don't often have people to play games with. So I grabbed my game, a glass of mead, and paper and pencil. I got into the game. 

     By the end I was mad at myself and a little bit mad at the game creators. There were clues I solved, that were not technically solved, because I didn't know which piece of furniture had that particular shaped lock on it. There was a clue I solved that said I needed to find an example of the item in one of the pictures... but there was not an example of the item in ANY of the pictures (even after I finished the game and dug out anything I had missed). I ended up having to use way too many clue cards, and more time than expected, to finish. So by the end I was frustrated with how much help I needed, how stupid I felt, and how there didn't actually seem to be a flow to the game that made any sense. You are supposed to solve a clue, open a box/cabinet/etc, and get stuff for the next clue. It didn't actually seem to work that way. So maybe I missed things in the instructions. Maybe I had an off night (I was actually kind of sick that night). Or maybe I am smart but not logical. I have no idea. Not that it's a deterrent, I want to get another of these and try again. I do like puzzles. 

     This is Pink Frathading. Travis named her. When I asked him what I should name my dog he said pink and I said that was a little obvious, how about another name. And he said frathading, which is Travis's word for anything he doesn't know or remember the name of, or anything he wants to know the name of. Pink was a gift from my friend Jaime. She said it was inspired by a conversation we had that I might not even remember. I remember. I said I wanted a dog but I can't afford to get a dog right now and it would not be fair to a dog to leave it alone all day long while I am at work. But Pink Frathading doesn't mind being alone. And it was a really sweet gift. 

     I have not been super prolific with doll making these days but I have finished a couple of dolls. I made this western pleasure doll a couple of weeks ago. I love making dolls in basic black. That's what I wear after all. This lady is sold. 

     I wanted to stick with western pleasure dolls so I got into this one as well. Basic black and white seemed like a fun idea. The black fabric has sparkly silver dots on it. The base fabric in white is also a silver glitter fabric. This is a really basic but also fairly blingy doll. She is currently available. 

     Since I was making dolls with black chaps (which is mostly what I end up making these days anyway) I was running low and needed to reorder. And I made a terrifying discovery! They have discontinued the black Ultrasuede that I use! I have not been able to find it anywhere. I ordered the next thickness that is close, but I definitely do not like it as much. And now I am frustrated about that. This has happened before where I have had some doll making material that I absolutely love, and have used for years, that was easy to get. And then it gets discontinued and I have to try to find a replacement. This is usually when I end up having to waste a bunch of money getting things to try them out, just to find that most of them are not quite right in some way. Honestly, it seems nothing is ever easy. 

     So those are my updates for now. A couple of mysteries solved, a pink dog, and some dolls and doll issues. I do still have other dolls available from my live sale and some of the miniature items as well. Is anyone else wondering how we are pretty much at the end of 2023? I feel like this year went pretty quickly for the most part. 

A Calculated Risk and the Wisdom of Tea

     Travis and I have a coffee date at Starbucks in Barnes and Noble every week. It is kind of an expensive habit, but he is totally worth it. After we have our coffee he goes and picks out a new Little Golden Book. I have no idea why he has decided those in particular are the ones he is going to get, but he does, and that's just how it is. Travis looks through the rack until he finds the book he has pre-chosen. While he is looking he chooses his book for next week. This week, he could not find his book. 

    I happened to be on the group text my work family from last year still chatters in, and I said that it was looking like Travis couldn't find his book. Everyone was concerned and one of my friends actually started searching nearby Barnes and Noble stores to try to find it. Those women are amazing. I said I was just going to ask for help first, and see if that did it. And yes, we found The Little Engine That Could, and the woman was very sweet and acted like it is a completely normal thing for a grown man to be choosing a Little Golden Book. But really, for Travis, it is. He even let me read it to him when we got home, which is not something that always happens. Travis is also 100% capable of reading the book himself. I saw him reading an Anne Rice novel (out loud, so he really was reading it) when he was 7.

     I try not to buy a book every week because I just don't have enough time to read so the book collection can very easily grow very quickly. Which is both a good and a bad thing. I love books. For a lot of years I would reread the same books over and over. I had a variety, but it was comfortable to read a book that I was familiar with. I still have some I would totally reread. Recently though I got back into reading paper books (I was doing solely Nook reading for years because of storage issues). And my other thing is to find a book that calls out to me. If I like the synopsis, I may very well get it. The last two weeks I was lured in my the buy one get one 50% off deal. Because half off books... yes please! I should probably just buy used books, but we are already at Barnes and Noble...

     Anyway, since I got 4 books in the last two weeks I was not going to buy one for myself this week. Self control is a thing I sometimes have. But a book that is basically a blind bag, that also gives me a synopsis of sorts... oh so intriguing! And the sign on the rack said it was a blind date with a book. And I was on a date with Travis. So it seemed like the right thing to do. I have not opened this up, so I still have no idea what it is. The guy at the register said it would be on my receipt so try not to look at that if I wanted to be surprised. Done. I put this under my Yule tree. Maybe it will be a gift for me. Maybe I will open it up and see what it is in a bit. Maybe I will finish the book I am in, which is so good and has quick short chapters, and then read the next book that I decided I MUST read, and THEN maybe the mystery book. We'll see. But I am currently very intrigued by this mystery book. I don't think I have read it. One of the mystery books I am just about positive I have read, even from the very brief description. Anyway, I do not regret buying this book, whatever it is. Now to exercise some self control...

     I have been getting a lot of wisdom from my tea. The brand Yogi has these little messages on the back of the tags on the tea bags. I don't love all of them, but some of them are just what I need to hear. Really, "the only thing that can limit you is believing you are limited. Become Limitless" that is really good advice. I'm working on it. "The worst enemy we have is our own fear" don't I know it. I have not done a whole lot of things because I was afraid. And not that good fear that keeps you from dying, just that fear of the what-ifs and the unknows. If you don't try things in a different way, or sometimes upend everything from the way you have always done it, you may just get stuck in a cycle. Honestly, bravery is not the lack of fear, but doing things even when you are afraid. "life is best lived by focusing on your goals and dancing through all your distractions" I love that one so much. I do actually dance all day long. Anyway, sometimes you get a little pep talk in the oddest of places. You always have to be prepared for something amazing to happen. Even if it's inspiration from tea. 

      Last week I did the packing and shipping from my live sale, I made a couple of dolls, and this week I totally meant to start back to work on dolls yesterday, but I did not. So next week I will start back on making dolls. I do still have a variety of things, including dolls and mystery boxes (and more) that are listed in this post.  I likely would even be willing to accept reasonable offers on things. Especially for multiple item purchases. 

      I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and finds inspiration in random places. I am hoping to extend my running tomorrow. The last run I did was 3.25 miles, with 1/4 mile intervals of walking and running. Tomorrow I am hoping for a longer time, which will be more actual running as well. And I am hoping to find random inspiration in unexpected places. 

Small Business Saturday

     Yesterday, I held another semi-live sale for Field of Dolls Studio. Then, Travis and I went out for coffee and hung out at Barnes and Noble for a bit. The manager of Starbucks is a friend of ours and she was very into my makeup. Since I never wear full makeup these days, she has never seen me with more than eyeliner and mascara. But I told her, I have to put on makeup to do a live sale, or I look kind of sick on camera. And if I am going to do makeup I am going to do ALL the makeup. Because it's fun and I enjoy it. It's also good to know I can still do a good job even though I almost never do it these days. 

     Anyway, we got our books and came home and we ate some Thanksgiving leftovers. Then I got to work again. Because I can't help myself. Anyone who sent me their email address and the country they live in, as requested, has already received their invoice. I have a handful that haven't sent the info yet, but hopefully sometime today. I would like to get all the invoicing wrapped up and work on packing stuff. It would be excellent if I could be finished with everything (mostly) by Monday!

     OK, so it's small business Saturday and seeing as Field of Dolls Studio is just me, I qualify as a small business. Not everything sold during the semi-live yesterday so I put together this post with what I still have. Including the micros, minis, and premier horse that I am selling from my own collection. Same as the Black Friday sale shipping is flat rate. US shipping is $10, Canada is $15, and everywhere else is $20. That will ship absolutely everything you claim. 

     If you are interested in any of the items in this post please send me an email to fieldofdolls@gmail.com. And tell me if you want your invoice to a different email address than the one you sent me the email from, AND I need to know the country you live in. Even if you are 1000% sure I already know it. It's so much faster for me to have the information in front of me. I will try to keep this post updated as things are claimed. Thanks for looking and thanks for supporting my small business!

Alpheratz and Matar- 80
Castenea (no card)- 20
All other unpainted micros- 25 each
Jewel- 40
Sixjay-100

Ellington-30
Novya-35
Gold Filigree- 40
SM Club Tobias- 20
G2 Appy SM- 7
SM Club Shelburne- 20
SM club Phineas- 20

Premier Club Constantia- 150

Mini Ranch Mare- 375
Pixel-125
Moxie-200
Mini Barnaby-325
Mini Mira-275
Mini Brio-250

Apples or Carrots, 5 each, I have a bunch of each. 

Casual English doll in pink breeches-220

Removable helmet with harness-15

Red, purple, and green girths are sold- Bareback pads- 40 each

6" western youth doll-230. I can be talked into making her removable chaps (SOLD)

Cat beds-12 each (SOLD)

Blue stripes (SOLD) Dog beds- 12 each

Cowboys- 220 each

brown chaps are sold

Black with horses (SOLD) Backpacks- 25 each

3E available

12, 13, 14 and 16 are sold

All are SOLD

MC2 and LC3 are sold

Mystery boxes (I have a bunch left)- 25 each

Semi-live sale catalog 2023

     As promised, here is the catalog, with the sales schedule, for the 2023 Black Friday Live sale. I may very well have things posted from my personal collection, but as of right this second (I wrote this on Monday) I haven't gotten any of that together. The photos will post, on my studio page on Facebook, at the times I have listed in this post. I will "love" your comment if you are the first to comment your claim. For an exhausting amount of detail on how a semi-live sale works, please see this post 

apples or carrots. Set of 4, $5 each (I have several of each)

Casual English dolls $230 each

Removable helmets with harness $15 each

Bareback pads $40 each

Western Pleasure dolls $240 each

Youth dolls $230 each

Cat bed and toy $12 each

Dog bed and two toys, $12 each set

casual cowboy dolls $220 each

Men’s cutting chaps $40 each

Backpacks $25 each

English dolls, $230 each

Messenger bags $25 each

Casual western ladies $220 each

Ladies cutting chaps $40 each

Saddlebag sets $75 each

Mystery boxes $25 each

The schedule:

3:00- I go live

3:05- apples and carrots

3:10- English casual dolls

3:15- removable helmets

3:20- bareback pads

3:25- western pleasure dolls

3:35- youth dolls

3:40- cat beds

3:45- dog beds

3:50- cowboys

3:55- men's chaps

4:05- backpacks

4:10- English dolls

4:15- messenger bags

4:20- casual western dolls

4:25- ladies chaps

4:30-saddlebags

4:40- mystery boxes