Stacyverb

Stacybeads is now on Facebook!

I've been working hard on lots of new jewelry and will be adding items to my Etsy shop on a regular basis.  And you can now find Stacybeads Jewelry on Facebook!  I'll be posting new photos and updates there, so if you're on Facebook, please click my "Like" button to become a fan of Stacybeads and stay in the loop.  Thanks for your support, lovely readers! ♥

Snow day!

It's a rarity here in Atlanta, but we actually received some significant snowfall last night.  ("Significant" means a few inches.)  Of course the news coverage leading up to this would have you believe that this was a storm of catastrophic proportions and accordingly, the whole city pretty much has shut down.  Whatever!  Today is my day off, anyway.  And I'm giving myself the day off from jewelry work as well.

Wheeeeee!  Fun in the snow.  Definitely the most I've seen in Atlanta in my 16+ years here.

Stacyverb headquarters, looking downright picturesque.

My hubby, looking cute. :)

The great thing about snow days in the south is that we're not expected to do anything or go anywhere.  Oh, and the fact that this is a novelty and will be gone in a few days before it gets dirty and gross and depressing.  But for a day or two?  It's very pretty and cozy and fun.  These pictures were followed by going indoors to a pot of hot coffee and some grilled cheese sandwiches. :)

Work hard, play hard

One day about a month ago, I was feeling under the weather and spent a whole day doing something crazy: nothing at all!  The most productive thing I did all day was a few loads of laundry.  This felt completely radical and I realized just how rarely I actually take a whole day off.  Between my day job and Stacybeads, I pretty much work every day.

Now, let's be clear: some days my work involves spreading some bead catalogs out on the floor and shopping for supplies while I stream 30 Rock on Netflix in my pajamas.  We're not talking about spending eight hours a day in a factory plucking chickens or something.  As I've said before, I feel very lucky that I'm able to earn a living by doing things that I think are fun. 

When work feels like play, it's hard to stop working.  Is that so bad?  Some people would say that if you're having that much fun, you're not really working.  But should "work" by definition be unpleasant?  I've certainly had my share of jobs I hated--you know, the kind that fill you with dread the moment you wake up, and make you spend the whole day counting down the minutes until you can leave.  Those jobs sucked, but I did what I had to do because I needed the work.  I was at a point in my life where many people find themselves right now--just grateful to have a job, any job.  Having been there, I'm extra-appreciative of the fact that my current jobs are fun.

What do you think?  What does "work" mean to you?  Does the word itself imply something unpleasant and/or difficult?  Should I make it a point to schedule myself more days off, or just revel in the fact that for me, there's a very fine line between work and play?