The Art of Self Discipline

Even though I have been busy making new art, I am still keeping it all a secret until my exhibit at the Bay County Public Library.

Okay fine, I will give you another sneak peek from a paper cut made out of my own handmade paper!

Detail from handmade paper cut by Heather Clements.

I thought I would share some thoughts on cracking the whip on yourself, in a completely non-sexual, non-creepy-religious, sort of way.

Often people think being self-employed would be fun, stress-free, and even easy.  Fun?  Perhaps sometimes.  Stress-free?  There's as much stress as any business-owner would have, minus stresses that might happen with coworkers (but I also don't get the benefits of coworkers.)  True, there is no stress from a boss, but you have to be your own boss.  Easy???  No.  Wrong.

I have actually had friends think I can sleep in any morning, take off time and play whenever I want, and even someone who said I could work while drinking.  Um, no.  The only way to make a living is to treat your self-employment like a BUSINESS, because that's what it is.  I am a business owner.  If I slack, then I don't make enough money to pay the bills.  It's as simple as that.  I can work my butt off all the time and there are still hard times when ends don't meet.  Then, there are extra good times, but that money is saved for the slow months.  Life as an artist can be especially unpredictable like that.  I never know when I will sell art, or get a commission.

Being my own boss means:

• Regular business hours
• In the studio at 8am
• Short lunch break
• No personal activities (dishes, grocery shopping, watching movies, playing piano etc.)
• Prioritizing and staying on important tasks (which means I have to do lots of other things besides just make art)

It also means:

• I can take a holiday vacation without asking anyone
• If I'm really sick, I can stay in bed (although I will usually work at least a few hours on my laptop)
• When minor emergencies happen, i.e. Madeline is sick and needs to be picked up from school, I can do that

In short, as my own boss I expect a lot from myself, but I'm not unreasonable, either.  My husband, Mat, always tells me I'm a hard boss to work for.

Green Tip #12:  Make your own paper!  You can use junk mail, and other scrap paper to create beautiful hand-made paper.  You can then use that paper for unique thank-you notes, letters, art, and more.  Here's a cheesy little video that shows you how to do it.

Here is one of mine:

My dog, Charlie, asks that you ignore the paw prints on the paper.  He is quite embarrassed about getting over-excited from chasing squirrels and running across my drying paper.

Thank you so much for taking time to visit my blog.

-Heather