So many blog hops... so little time!
I often hear people say it, wishing they could participate in more, wishing they had heard about an event in time to sign up or, every great once in a while, maybe wishing they hadn't signed themselves up in quite so many hops and challenges.
Mostly, I think we tend to enjoy these experiences and learn from them. They test our skills. We meet new friends. We learn from one another to be more creative. But I know I'm finding that I have to be more and more choosy about what I sign up for, just so I don't disappoint others later by having more than I can handle--time, energy, or money wise.
So here are a few I recently participated in or will be doing so very soon:
1) Jumped Right In!
Art Jewelry Elements Blog Hop (Aug 21)
I heard about this one and jumped in on the same day, which was the deadline. It was really called the "Everyone Starts Somewhere" Blog Hop." If you happened to miss it, my entry is here and rather than talking about my jewelry-making experience as a whole, it focuses on my work with metal. I was so fascinated by the stories and photos of each person that contributed. It's really worth taking a look.
2) About to Leap Again!
Art Bead Scene Challenge & Blog Tour
As most of you know, I've been participating in the ABS challenges each month. Hopefully my post will go up by the looming deadline, Wed, Aug. 29!
A "sneak peak" at this month's inspirational artwork by Winslow Homer:
What would/will you create for this challenge? The Blog Tour will take place Aug. 31st.
3) Hopping!
Challenge of Travel Blog Hop (Sept. 1)
One day later, I'll be doing a travel hop! Each person involved has selected a country and will design one or more pieces of jewelry inspired by that country. I have one piece done and would like to do more. We'll see. I'm so excited for the reveal of this blog hop. I hope you'll stop by and see the country I selected and the jewelry I made, then spend some time looking at all the other blogs too! I know some of you are also involved and I think this promises to be a fascinating journey around the world!
4) Skipped. :-(
Bead Soup Blog Party and many more...
Oh, dear. I can't begin to tell you the ones I've found necessary to skip this year. Some I've looked forward to for over a year. One I heard about just today, but decided I couldn't commit to. Another last week that sounded delightful also, but the timing was iffy with some other things that might arise in my world.
I hate to miss out on a single one, but there are so many hops and challenges now, no one can do them all.
I'd love to hear what hops you all are participating in, or have just completed. Or what you've had to skip this time around.
I know Lori Anderson just had the 3rd major reveal of 6th Bead Soup Blog Party. If this were a jewelry design class, looking at the results of this hop would likely be "required reading!" I've still not managed to participate in one of these...(fate keeps messing with me)...but I don't miss a reveal party! :-)
Please leave a comment and tell us about your hopping! Many thanks and have a good day!
Sharyl ~ Sharyl's Jewelry
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Image Credits:
Stick Kids Girl Jumping Rope. "Image courtesy of kidclipart.net". http://www.kidclipart.net/free_kid_clip_art_pictures/stick_kids_girl_jumping_rope_0515-1004-0704-2807.html
Fishing Boats, Key West, 1903 by Winslow Homer, http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2012/08/august-monthly-challenge.html
Challenge of Travel Blog Hop, http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg508/tesoritrovati/button_sm.jpg
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7 comments:
I love blog hops and challenges. I've been trying to keep up with Shannon's Finally Friday challenges, but wow Friday creeps up pretty fast anymore. I think I've missed more than I participated in. And I had a goal this year to do every ABS monthly challenge but I've only done one. Like you, I've signed up for Erin's Challenge of Travel and feverishly trying to finish for the deadline. And of course there's always the Love My Art Jewelry Strut Your Stuff, which I would love to do, but don't seem to have the time, or I just plain forget. But I managed to finish my entries for Bead Soup, for which I am thrilled.
I envy all your hopping! I can never seem to get myself in order enough to participate in them, things always seem to get in the way and since blog hops aren't essential to me (like a customer order), they always fall last on the priority list. I love seeing what everyone else does though :)
There is always so much MORE I want to do and see and make, don't you feel the same? I love all sorts of art; have been more into watercolor as of late, but love my jewelry-making, too! I'm your newest follower...so nice to "meet" you!
Best,
Anne
It was so fun to read your comments! Thanks to all who left one. To the rest, there's still time to comment!
1) To Alice--I just learned about the Love My Art Jewelry activity tonight while looking at some blogs. I'm thinking I'll have to pay more attention to that in the future!! I'm glad you mentioned that and others here!
2) Melissa--Sounds like you are taking a "skip" on many of the blog hops. You may envy those doing the blog hops. I envy your sales! I would be happy to "trade you!" And your work is just beautiful, I should say!
3) Anne--Yes, always more! In fact, in thinking I was cutting back on hops a bit, but tonight I thought of 2 others I did this month! Each Sunday, I participate in "I heart macro," a group for sharing macro photography. (That said, I've missed the last 2 weeks--unheard of for me.) Also, I was in another really fun hop in early Aug, the "Thrift Store Blog Hop!" http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/2012/08/thrift-store-blog-hop-reveal.html I think others of you were involved in that one too!
I think the key for me to balancing the hops is to only get involved in one big one at a time. I can squeeze in a small one or one I do regularly because I know the deadlines are coming and what to expect. When I see people involved in several major events at once, that's when I'm thinking that if I was doing that, I would be all stressed and it would cease to be fun. So for the first time in my life, I'm trying not to overcommit. Easier said than done! :-)
Thanks again all! --Sharyl
And to Anne and others who have recently joined us, welcome, welcome! I'm so glad you have joined us!
I love it when this blog becomes more like a conversation, so if you have thoughts, questions, discussion topics, etc, please comment!
I am one that is addicted to hops. The rest of this year (so far) consists of Holiday Bling Hop being hosted by Marlene Cupo, the October Fest by TolecJewels and 2012 Charm Hop by Jennifer Stout Cameron. This will be my first time making charms so this should be interesting. You know I really wish that there was a place where the various blog hops could be listed so they could be easily found.
You are in some I've not even heard of! I hope you enjoy, Shaiha! I've often said the same thing about wanting a master list of blog hops/challenges, but no one seems to run with the idea. Maybe they are waiting for one of us to do it! Ha!
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