Courtney Reckord's Blog

A different kind of adventure I have not reached out in  a while, as this winter I have been working as a clerk of the house for the Vermont State Legislature. I love running my business, but being a solopreneur can be lonely at times, especially in the winter when shows are markets are limited.  […]

In this uncertain time many of us are considering what home means to us. Perhaps you have had time on your daily walks to look around and ask yourself why you’ve chosen to live in this place, wherever that place is for you. I’ve spent some time thinking about why Vermont is home to me. […]

After working with several dozen couples to create their perfect engagement bands and wedding rings, I have realized that there are so many decisions that it can be overwhelming to think about!  I want to give a little bit of advice and food for thought for you if you are just starting the journey into […]

On this cold sunny day in Vermont I am reminiscing about our trip out west this time last year. I wasn’t expecting hot and sunny- we were happy with not freezing and sunny! We flew into Las Vegas, and we checked out the Neon Museum before booking it out of town.         […]

Lately I have rediscovered something which I am sure, if you have ever made a gift for someone will come as no surprise. Creating art is a pure expression of pure love. My paintings of my cat and dog are wonderful examples. When I am thinking about painting and choose a subject, my pets are by […]

Who knew that there is an amazing place called Camel’s Hump Nordic Ski Area? I didn’t until yesterday. A serene place in Huntington Vermont for cross country skiing, CHN has over 35 miles of trails that range from beginner to expert. I am a moderate skier, and usually ski in the field and trails near […]

I have been making time for hiking which has been really amazing. My jewelry is of the mountains, but I need to take time to be in the mountains to nourish my continued work on my business in addition to working full time. I tend to get stuck in the rut of getting things done. […]

There’s nothing in the fridge. I was in college, living in an apartment on Wickenden Street in Providence. We lived above a flower shop. I loved living there. There was a wonderful living room with nice light, a cozy kitchen and two cute bedrooms. Three of us lived there, so whoever wanted to pay the […]

Today I think I discovered why I am such a planner. The reason is because if I don’t plan ahead I am paralyzed by indecision. In theory the idea of vast amounts of time to do whatever I want is ideal. No responsibilities!  I can go swanning around this way and that. But in reality […]

Today I sat on a bench in Central square with a gentleman while I ate lunch. I sat down after seeing the bench was unoccupied, and he was standing nearby. He seemed to be watching over his things which were propped up on a metal thing in the sidewalk and watching passersby who he seemed […]

Repetition can get boring. I walk on the same sidewalk every day down the same road with my dog. We often see the same people and the same dogs. We pass the same houses and the same plants. But things are inevitably different. The weather changes. One day it might be hot and sunny, the […]

This quote encompasses the idea of internal motivation. If you love what you do you will naturally want to work harder, because you enjoy the process. You are working on a project because it brings you joy, not because someone else is telling you to do it. I encountered this quote in taking my students […]

It’s been quite a while since I posted anything. I have been quite busy with custom orders over the holiday season, for which I am extremely grateful. I have been challenged and loved every minute of it. I am excited to be the first educator in residence at the Generator in Burlington Vermont. It is […]

I write this as I anticipate the Womens’ Festival of Crafts tomorrow here in Burlington.  I haven’t participated in a craft show in many years, partly because the last experience wasn’t that great, and partly because I don’t feel I really have the temperament for it. But I decided to go for it. Am I […]

What is that thing that really fires you up? Maybe it’s hiking on a beautiful fall day. Maybe it’s thinking about a story you just heard on NPR about equal pay for equal work. It could be that you can’t stop thinking about that horrific earthquake or other natural disaster. It doesn’t have to be […]

Some people thing using ideas or images or things that other people have created in their artwork is cheating. Sometimes it is. If you use an image and don’t give credit for it, or take someone’s idea wholesale without transforming it somehow to make it your own that isn’t right. However if you are drawing […]

Learning something new is a great way to spark your creativity. Do it. Take 5 minutes a day, an hour on Sunday or an hour a day if you can spare it. Learn something. It doesn’t have to be related to your current creative practice. What is something wild and crazy or very very tame […]

This week’s post is inspired by my work at the Generator Makerspace in Burlington (check it out!). I have been a member here off and on for almost 2 years. The first time I heard about this place I thought “A place to make shit? Sign me up!” I went to visit as soon as I […]

This summer I had a wonderful opportunity to go to Haystack School of Crafts in Maine. If you don’t know about it, look it up. It’s an intense, generative, beautiful spot on the coast of Maine on Deer Isle. I was there for two weeks and the weather was warm, the water an icy 55 […]

I have recently been reading a book that I am loving. It’s called “Stopping the Noise in your Head” by Reid Wilson. I highly recommend it. The book focuses on decreasing incessant worry and anxiety using incredibly simple strategies. I think that the strategies that he outlines in the book are also applicable for pushing your creativity […]