As Promised: My "mess"

It's not really messy, b/c I wouldn't post that, but this is what it looks like when I'm really busy. I think there was a total of 19 pieces there. Now, on to another 10.

What I'm working on: MASSES

Happy October,

I've been busy trying to reach my paint goals and working on things that basically make me feel good. I've come to find that I have an affinity for birds. Of course I've done some doves. I've done the hummingbird and I'm working on number 2. I'm working on peacock number 3 and I really want to do a parrot and a phoenix.

If I wasn't so ashamed of the mess I've made, I'd post a pic of what starting 11 pieces looks like. That's what I did yesterday. Maybe when they are all done, I'll take a picture of the finished pile. I love seeing them all side by side.

THEN, today my mother calls and says "you're going to be mad..." I say, "I'm not doing it." LOL. She came home with a BOX of shirts (15) for me to do for her job. She has a new position and this is her contribution to meeting certain requirements so WE can get a Christmas bonus. It's Tuesday night. She says they were initially trying to have them done for Friday. That's not going to happen. I'll have them done soon enough though. I support bonuses. OWWWW!!!

Anyway, chekk out my first two peacocks. One for mommy and one for baby.

Progress Report

***Random: I started to buy myself a "world's best boss" mug today. I'm so good to myself***

My second post was about my new schedule. Here's my public report of how that's going. I'm giving myself a C+. I'm doing VERY well with most things. I've been exceptional as far as doing only things that are planned for certain days on those days, BUT I lose points, because there have been a few days that I have skipped all together (particularly the one where I update my address book). The biggest issue is actually painting. I always want to, but I can't say I always FEEL like it, so I don't. I have a goal I'm trying to achieve as far as how many pieces I paint per day. My original goal was a bit too steep for starters, so I amended it. However, I have yet to consistently reach that place either.

I had a conversation with someone about this very issue and I was told that I should extend my creativity to ALL aspects of my business. I, the boss, needs to offer some incentive to myself, the employee, to motivate me to reach my daily quota. Food is no longer an option, and neither is firing myself for deficiency. So here's where my creativity comes into play. I have this not so grand, ridiculous(ly special) idea that I will host some paint improv sessions over the course of a few days. My hope is that it will a) give me an opportunity to interact w/ my customers b) have me painting to build my inventory while c) forcing me to be accountable to someone other than myself d) alleviate the boredom I sometimes feel from painting the same types of pieces each day and e) we (those who choose to participate and I) will have some fun. Can I get a break a leg?

Update to come...soon (enough).

YES SYM CAN

A normal day in my inbox or comment section on my photos would include at least one message with a question similar to this:

Hey SYM, I'm an avid fan of the group “monkeys & margaritas.” I would really like to get a shirt with their logo on it, but I haven't seen one on your pages. Do you make those? -Ashley (b/c it's always Ashley)

Now, for starters, I'm always here thinking...I don't even know what that is, why would I have a shirt about it. However, the bottom line is, if you don't see it, it's only because nobody has ordered it yet. I'm not discriminating against your organization, band, or favorite flavor of ice cream, but 90% of my products are made to order. If you can think it up, (“monkeys & margaritas” or “pom poms and rose petals”) I can make it, but if you plan to wait for random things such as these to occur, they may never come into existence. There's no point in making things I can't sell, wear, or give away. So, if you're feeling outlandish, or if you want something that's rare, or (more) unique than what I normally have available. Don't be afraid. Just order it, so you can have it first.

Why Shop SYM1: 1-5

So, here are a few reasons why one should SHOP SYM1. I'll release them in sets of 5 as I go.

1)UNIQUENESS. I've never duplicated shirts for an individual more than maybe 5 times. Now not only is EVERY piece different, simply because they are done by hand, but I also purposely change things so that no two will ever be too much alike. That means that in the whole country there will most likely be no more than 5 people with shirts SIMILAR to yours.
2)PRICE. To get anything this rare anywhere else, will cost considerably more, but quite possibly won't be hand done.
3)OPTIONS. You can get whatever you want. Just send in a request, and I'll make it happen. What store is going to do that?
4)TEXTURE. There's something about the way the light hits the designs that make them much more interesting than anything you can get in mass. Depending on the design, they are also fun to touch.
5)PRIDE: People always hit me up to tell me how many compliments they get when they wear their SYM1. Who doesn't like to be told how nice they look? THEN to top it off, nobody will ever be able to look quite the same.

That's one through five in no particular order. I somehow feel I should release here more. We'll see how that goes.

Feelin Myself

I decided to post two today. I'm going to try not to make this a habit. I just wanted to do a quikk shout out...to the both the S(Y)(I)Ms. I had a shoot w/ my friend Sim (www.madisticphotography.com) last Friday and I must admit that the pictures were rather nice. Here's a sneaky peaky:



I've been really happy w/ the things I've been producing lately. I actually got some time to make some things for myself, so I wore them for this shoot. Now, if I can just meet that 3 a day goal...*sigh* It's a work in progress.

BORN FLY

So, I'm watchin tv and there's this Red Bull commercial. Some dude hops on his bike, rides it through a street lined with people, then up ridiculously steep ramp that allows him to jump, he and the bike, to the top of some building in Vegas, to the delight of the large crowd below. THEN he turns around and jumps bakk to the same slope and down to the ground again and kills no one in the process. CRAZINESS! Red Bull gives you wings. Anyway, it got me to thinking of where/who else can give you wings...but of course don't use the slogan.

Heaven: REAL TALK, Angels are generally depicted w/ wings, but when you see them in movies/tv, they are never flying. HMMMM...curious? Indeed. Simply for decorative purposes. Which brings me to...
Victoria's Secret: Wings and panties. A combo I had never considered. NICE!
Airline of your choice: Wherever you want to go...the joy of flying!
BWW, wing spot, hotlanta wings...yo mama's kitchen: what's better than chikken?
SYM1 (of course): and I've got the outfit to prove it. :o)