Twenty-Eleven

Like everybody else, the new year provides a time to reflect on the year past and a time to look forward to the year ahead. Instead of doing a list of resolutions, I decided that this year, I would take a business approach and do some strategic planning instead. I don't know why, but that sounds more palatable to me for some reason. Perhaps, the bad taste in my mouth for "resolutions" is the result of a lifetime of abandoned ones that make me leery. I like to plan. Planning, I can do.

First, a review. I've thought long and hard about the previous twelve months and I think the greatest area for improvement is in time management. I don't have much of it to spare, so I need to be sure I invest wisely. Work, school, and family take up a considerable chunk, but I must also make time to relax and recharge my batteries, too. I spent entirely too much time exhausted in 2010.

This year, I plan to take better care of myself -- mind, body, and spirit. A little bit of advance planning will go a long way in all these categories. I don't need any drastic revisions, but a few hours invested here and there in meal planning, exercise, and a little more sleep will make improve things significantly. It certainly can't hurt to try.

The past couple years have been an incredible learning experience with my little business. I have learned a ton. In the past couple months, I have been doing some research, product development, tests and trials and I have some exciting ideas that I will share as they develop over the coming year. Expect to see a lot more maps. :) I also plan to put more effort in to my Etsy shop this year. It's been sparsely stocked for months and it's high time I filled it up. Thank you so much to all of you who have supported me, I'm pretty sure I have the best customers, ever!

I hope your first day of the new year has been a exactly what you hoped for and more. Blessings and good wishes to you all in 2011!

Go! Go! Go!

I feel like I'm always saying that things around here are busy, but lately, it's been insane. My day job has been keeping me late on the regular and my weekend/evening crafty gig seems to be a flutter with activity in the few gaps between. Don't mistake me, I'm not complaining, I'm grateful for all the new opportunities that the universe has offered up! I am truly blessed to work with so many interesting and wonderful people; it makes hard work a lot more fun!

Last weekend was Indie Underground with my Craft Mafia ladies at the Lumiere Hotel. Although sales weren't what I'd hoped, the people watching was FANTASTIC. I've never seen so many cougars and wacky shoes in one location in my life. The amount of posing and admiring of self that was going on was gut-bustingingly hilarious. About half way through me and one of my crafty girls in crime started keeping a list of famous nearly-look-alikes - there was Phyllis Diller with her cowgirl boots and giant pink feather boa, Posh Spice in her ass-bearing short shorts, Erkel in giant black rimmed glasses and hitched up pants and oh so many more. There were fabulously dressed and sophisticated too, but they weren't nearly as fun to gawk at.

This week has already started off with a bang. Last night I taught a class on polymer clay at Paste, which was super-duper fun. Tonight was my glass class at Third Degree Glass Factory and I got to play with fire! We made beads with polka dots, square ones, round ones and flat ones. I can’t wait to snap some pics to show y’all. Tomorrow is the Wine Tasting…Craft Making event at Paste where I’ll be teaching some lovely ladies how to paint and wire wrap wine glasses while they sample vino. This weekend is the big event I’ve been chattering about forever, Needles for Newborns …Crafting with Purpose. A bunch of knitty chics will be gathering to whip up some goodies for the preemie babies at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. On Sunday I plan to practice lying down horizontally on my couch. All day. Possibly changing channels once in a while.If I don’t bump in to you in my travels in the next few days, here’s to you and hoping you have a great week! Stay crafty!!