Lately

A Tour Through Blogland

09.02.14

A Tour Through Blogland - Jade and Fern

So you remember in elementary school when a group of kids was playing Capture the Flag and you really wanted to join but you were too shy to ask and you didn’t know who started it all and you felt totally left out and it made you whiny?

That’s how I felt when I started seeing the posts for A Tour Through Blogland pop up.

Bloggers were all “We’re so awesome!” and I was all “Pick me! Pick me!”

And then, out of nowhere, I was picked!

THANK YOU, Hailey from Here nor There, for inviting me to join in on the fun, calming my playground insecurities, and introducing me to your awesome blog!

Here we go, guys, I’m answering the four questions for A Tour Through Blogland:

What are you working on right now?

A Tour Through Blogland - Jade and Fern

What am I not working on right now?! Seriously, I am starting a petition to change the term “blogging” to “doing too many things at once for an audience of thousands.”

My current to-do list:

  • this post (obvs.)
  • a super easy, super cute DIY for Thursday
  • hanging art in the living room
  • phone call later today to hopefully negotiate a sponsored post (EEP! cross your fingers for me!!)
  • planning fall and holiday DIYs
  • my top-secret living room DIY which is driving me crazy because of unexpected technical difficulties (and is the last reason I’m STILL not finished with this room! argh!)
  • photo editing, photo editing, photo editing
  • furniture refinishing, furniture refinishing, furniture refinishing

But I’m not complaining, I LOVE this list. This blog is my creative outlet—and it saved my brain from an art and inspiration-free void (more on that later). I do something different every day and adore every minute of it.

Excepting, of course, agonizingly endless projects like painting the living room over and over…

How does your work differ from others in your genre?

A Tour Through Blogland - Jade and Fern

…It doesn’t really? This is a tough question as I’m STILL trying to nail down my “niche.” There are a million DIY blogs that also post recipes and project roundups and playlists and so on. It’s a saturated market!

(Which, let’s be honest, is awesome, because I want to dive into a sea of DIY blogs and just keep swimming around until I’ve seen/made/fawned over ALL THE DIY.)

That said, I like to think that Jade and Fern stands out just a smidge through my fresh take on trends, my unique voice, and by just making whatever the bleep I feel like. I work hard to create projects that haven’t been done before, like my copper wire abstract art. And if I am taking on a popular subject or technique, I try to do it with a twist, like the embroidered gemstone ornaments and Mondrineon tote bag.

(::cough cough:: OPTIMISTIC SELF-FLATTERY)

How does your writing/creative process work?

Wait, there’s a process for these things?

(Potential sponsors, please don’t read this part.)

Although I try soooo hard to be organized and plan ahead, I’m incurably one of those people who thrives on the adrenaline of a looming deadline snapping at my heels. I wrote this entire post this morning. Yikes.

I’d like to get more done ahead of time, as it would help me keep publishing content in weeks when my migraines are particularly relentless, but those same migraines unfortunately keep me in a state of perpetual catching-up. So frustrating! But they also keep me working hard and living fully on days when I am well, so, you know, it’s all meant to be or something.

As to how it all comes together, it’s a combination of intentional effort and “divine inspiration.” Creativity is a temperamental beast that rarely allows itself to be forced into anything. At the same time, the more you practice being creative, the easier it becomes.

Basically, I work my ass off while completely winging it. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, amirite?

A Tour Through Blogland - Jade and Fern

Here’s me, crouched under my tripod to shoot an upcoming tutorial. 

Why do you write/create what you do?

Kurt Vonnegut: The practice of art isn't to make a living; it's to make your soul grow.

Because creativity, once accessed, is an insatiable hunger that demands constant and ever-varying feedings.

Because creating in any form helps us to recapture that wonder and joy we felt as kids.

Because in the years between graduating college and starting this blog in March of 2013, I was so overcome by chronic migraines that I felt like I was drowning, and starting to create again pulled me up back among the living.

Because I have to, or else I would burst.

Because there’s nothing quite as pride-inducing as being able to say, “I made that.”

Holy cow, that was crazy cheesy. Excuse me while I clean up these pools of schmalz.

………………………………………….

And that concludes the tour!

Thanks for giving me (another) chance to share some more about my wacky self. I know I always love learning more about the bloggers I follow, so hopefully some of you feel the same. And if not, you can just ignore this post and click through to the DIYs. 

Now it’s my turn to pass the torch—I nominate Jeran of Oleander and Palm! I love this lady and her gorgeous DIYs. Be sure to check out her Tour Through Blogland post next week!

And if you’re interested, here are some delightful Tours that I enjoyed:

Amy of Homey oh My

Emily of Go Haus Go

Francesca of Fall for DIY

and of course, Hailey from Here nor There

Author: Marlene @ Idle Hands Awake

Maker, baker, cat momma, total nerd, perpetually covered in glitter/sawdust/paint. Blogging DIY and design for modern creatives.

10 comments on “A Tour Through Blogland”

  1. I love your writing. I love to read your posts. They are funny and smart and thought-provoking and brave.
    Thank you so much and please remember (even if I don’t comment because I just seldomly do), I’m reading every post you write.
    And I do enjoy your photos but more your writing because there are thousands of great pictures out there but not so many words that touch me.

    1. Sarah…I’ve been receiving a lot of very sweet comments lately, but yours takes the cake by far. You just made my YEAR! I can’t tell you how much it means to have such a thoughtful appreciative reader. I’m blushing my cheeks off and sending you internet hugs! xoxo

  2. Hey!

    I was I could have nominated more than two people! It’s so hard to choose. I’m very happy you’ve been picked though because this is a great read! Also I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with your description of blogging… doing all the things! Keep it up. Your blog is ace!

  3. If that’s schmalz, then I love it. I felt every word of it <3
    I completely agree that your take on trends is always fresh, and you have such a unique voice. I love reading your posts, from beginning to end.
    And, you are too freaking sweet to give me a shout-out here. Thanks so much, girl!!

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