ART MYSTERY

It's no secret I dig art; my first YA and MG both focused on art themes.  When I head out on buying trips with my brother, a full-time antiques dealer, I also find myself gravitating toward art buys.  I'm not-so-secretly convinced that one of these days, I'll snatch up a masterpiece for $5.  Actually, last winter, I was certain I'd bought a William S. Burroughs original (not one of his shotgun paintings, but a small mixed-media piece), but it turned out that the signature wasn't quite right. 

Last weekend, I snatched these guys up.  They're glazed ceramic wall hangings, all signed similarly (what appears to be "Sh 2002").  I completely dig their expressions.  Anybody know anything about the artist or these objects?

WHEN I'M NOT WRITING

One of my favorite ways to clear the ol' head in-between rounds of drafting and revising is to go on buying trips with my full-time antiques-and-collectibles-selling brother (he can be found on Etsy under Wisdom Lane). 

Last week, we happened upon a collection of vintage jumpsuits (which are again back in style).  These things are so fun; the black ensemble pictured here is definitely from the 80s (tapered legs, shoulder pads), but the others we snagged are older 70s-era jumpsuits, bell-bottoms and all.

I had to post for my teen readers, since I actually think any one of these jumpsuits would make an incredibly fun prom outfit—especially for the girl who's into the retro look (some platform heels, a funky bag and vintage jewelry, and you're set...and I guarantee no one else will have the same outfit)!

You can check out the black jumpsuit here; he's also selling a yellow ruffled-sleeve number with bell-bottoms, a pink jumpsuit with pretty sheer sleeves, and a navy floral jumpsuit (which I think is the least formal but most modern-looking of the bunch).

*Update: These things are going fast.  The yellow ruffled-sleeve jumpsuit has already sold. 

GLAM. OR. OUS.

Ah, the glamorous life of a writer.  When not at my desk, it's all bonbons and massages. 

Actually, it's more like coveralls and bags of diatomaceous earth.  Nothing like a camo hat with lights and glasses with gobs of glue on the sides to complete the look...

Me just moments before heading into the crawl space beneath the ol' Schindler abode.

LOST

I've been juggling revisions all summer long, which is like being in heaven for me.  I love revision.  Talking love here.  Love.  It's so easy for me to walk into my office and get lost in the process.  And I mean lost.  I'm talking, "Wait.  What day is it again?" kind of lost.

Every once in a while, I'm reminded (usually by an insistent round of barking) that I need to get outside and knock the cobwebs off.  A few scenes from my latest get-outta-the-house jaunt, at the Finley River in nearby Ozark:

My dog, Jake, is always sooooo glad when the computer screen finally goes black...

...and we walk near the Finley...

...and check out the skies.  I'm telling you, Missouri has the best skies.  

And the sunsets aren't bad, either.

WHEN I'M NOT WRITING (YEP, THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS)

Full-time writing is not a leisurely occupation.  It's in no way a job that allows a person to simply wait around for inspiration to float by, so they can casually scrawl a few lines on a page, toss it their agent's way and instantly start racking up royalties.  Writing is the toughest gig out there—and once you begin, you’d better be prepared to work more weekly hours than a cardiologist. 

           

That having been said, any workaholic still has to have some sort of downtime.  One of the things I’m doing now in my off-hours is helping my brother, John, who has taken the full-time plunge into working for himself, selling antiques, collectibles and other vintage goodies online as Wisdom Lane Antiques. 

It’s a joy to accompany him on buying trips (he’s been my own personal photog these past few years, attending all my author events to take pics or video, and it's nice to be able to help him out a bit).  In addition to offering my brother a second set of eyes while shopping, I also get a chance to change up my own writing scenery: I put my NEO in the car (like any good workaholic) and always manage to score a cool new writing spot—under big trees at farm auctions or in the front yards of estate sales. 

I've long had my own love of anything vintage—and have a fairly sprawling collection of antique costume jewelry to show for it.  For years, I've been deconstructing out-of-fashion necklaces, bracelets, etc. (nothing signed or valuable, don't worry), and rearranging the antique pieces in a more contemporary way.  I’ve been wearing my own reinvented necklaces and bracelets for years, and have a few for sale now, at my brother’s Etsy shop:

Click to view on John's Etsy Shop

Click to view on John's Etsy Shop

You can even now buy the necklace I’m wearing in my author photo here at the blog:

Click to view on John's Etsy Shop

Head on over and check them out.  You can also follow my brother on Twitter: @Wisdom_Lane.  Tell him I sent you!