As the year begins to close I’m met with a whirlwind of options, opportunities, new challenges and a different outlook. After Touchstone, I’ve moved back home to Cleveland, Ohio, unemployed, living back with my mom and preparing for my next adventure come January 2015.
I have to say, it is an odd feeling being back home. A mix of comfort, a feeling of uneasiness, frustration, yet still hopeful, with an itch to move forward with the next part of life. Having a bachelor’s degree does Not guarantee a job, as so many of my fellow graduates can attest, let alone a job in your field of choice. Moving home and finding a job, any job to start paying back bills while still searching for that dream job. I spent over 3 years in that “in the meantime” job, traveling when I could to workshops or taking classes to keep my mind on my craft.
Over the past year or so I have been struggling with the concept of being a maker as a career. I have not been making work as diligently as I would prefer, the concepts are not in abundance, and I have not found my niche within the community I love. I just have not been making – and there is a reason, albeit unknown to me. But I do Love the metals community and I do Love creating and learning new techniques. Working at Life Time Fitness the past 3 years or so, teaching swim lessons, and studio assisting at Touchstone I am reminded just how much I enjoy teaching and sharing my knowledge and passion with others.
November and December 2014 seem to be manifesting about change, relearning forgotten things and learning new things about myself. A chance to gear up, see what I’m capable of and push myself to new levels.
In January I take to the air and venture across the pond to England for an artist residency at the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham. I will be in the U.K. for six months. To support this endeavor, I have launched a fundraiser to help cover housing, living expenses, food, travel, etc. to check out the fundraiser, click HERE. Each donation comes with Rewards (you can see each reward here)!
I’d like to give BIG shout out’s and Thank You to the following friends and fellow artists for donating their work to be used as rewards in my fundraisers: Sarah West, Lisa Johnson, Jenny Butterfield, Shasta Krueger, Liz Steiner, Sara Brown, Stacey Lee Webber, Galatea Kontos, Amy Tavern, Liz Clark, Arthur Hash, Jim Bove’, Andrew Kuebeck, Anne Fiala, and Renee Zettle-Sterling. Thank you, Thank you! I am very grateful to be a part of such a giving community of makers and friends.
Thank you’s also need to go out to Lauren Tibjash and Alyssa Shepherd for their support and guidance in putting it all together.
To sum up, and in the spirit of the upcoming holidays, I am deeply grateful for the friends and family in my life. Truly thankful to be part of the wonderful men and woman who make up my community of makers. And honored to take part in the upcoming adventures.
Change happens. It’s how you handle it and move on that decide your life, and you only live once so make it count. (hope that makes sense)
Happy Thanksgiving, and Merry Christmas!
Until next time, take care
-Meredith S. Tibjash
Meredith S. Tibjash 
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