Here we are at the end of 2011...time to reflect, analyze and decide on next years adventures.  
I did the math and 2011 was a better year than 2010 for sales.  Some areas were down and others were up so the up areas are the goals for next year.  Some of the down areas I look at over a 3-5 year period and make a decision from that whether to continue showing in that area.  Sometimes its hard to let go of a show just because you get comfortable doing it.  From a business standpoint...there are some I drop like a hot potato!
Economics always plays a part in any business but you have to sell yourself and your art too.
I've heard artists say their work sells itself....wrong, wrong, wrong.  No one should be so arrogant to think that.  My opinion is like belly buttons...everyone has one!  
My opinion is to get off your butt and talk to people.  If you go through all the work of creating something you have already shared part of yourself so get in there are share more.  I'm not saying to tell people your life story but you have the ability to communicate so do it.  If you want to go to a show and sit there like a lump you might as well stay home.  If you don't want to be recognize for what you do, get a job in a factory and be one of the herd!  Sorry for the ramble but some things just get my German blood moving a little too fast.
So what is on the schedule for next year you ask...big secret until next year!  See you tomorrow!

One of the nice things about working at home...I can wear my jammies and fuzzy yippers all day if I want to!

Had a very busy day today.  Spent yesterday clearing out the cobwebs in my thinking process and got down to business today.  
Three new bead kits are in the works for their debut at the bead show the last weekend in March at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI.  I hoping to have 100 different kits for that show so mark your calender for March 24 & 25 2012.  Saturday is 10-5 and Sunday is 10-4.  If you want to take a class you can start signing up for classes on January 15, 2012.  Go to www.beadshowmadison.com for more information on the bead show.

Well I had some time off and today is the day I'm back to work for next years fun and frolic.  All the things that need to get done will now get done.  Its all a process that takes thought,  planning and timing.  Everything is done for this year so I can move on to next year.  All my thoughts are organized so I can get to work.  
The only problem with getting things done for next year is the mess I create to get everything organized.  To see the tornado damage I can do to my shop to get ready for the following year is unbelievable.  I know where everything is...I just have to find it! 
Now I'm off to clean up a few things and then trash my shop.  Watch your step!

Here I sit with coffee in hand, trying to shake out the cobwebs and get the day moving.  Thought I would get a jump on a few things today before the rest of the house wakes up...meaning my husband.  So far, I'm not jumpin' real far!  
I seem to have my winter attachment to my butt and that would be my chair.  It has wheels so I don't have to get up as often as I should which leads to winter expando butt!  Plan "A", as I told my friend, who is in a warmer climate for the winter, was that I was going to go to the gym this winter for a jump start on getting myself in shape for next summer...not happening.  Plan "B" is to save my money and get out the axe and split some wood.  That was working out pretty good until I missed the log and hurt my shoulder.  Plan "C" is to dust off the elliptical machine, aka "The Coat Rack", and do a few steps on that until my shoulder heals.  My luck, I'll fall off the damn thing!  Oh what is a Wisconsin girl to do...have another cup of coffee...what the hell!

This question was asked by my husband and it got me thinking.  Don't laugh...it does happen from time to time!
My standard answer to him is:  "stuff".  I always have things to do, but I started thinking about what I "have" to do verses what I "want" to do.  Since I don't officially go back to work until Monday I decided I was going to do what I "want" to do this weekend.
I want to hang my new curtains, vacuum and sweep the floors, relocate the spiders that moved in, make a casserole for dinner, work in the wood pile for a little while, play with my new wire and read a book.  Sounds like a pretty full weekend to me.  Oh...one more things...take a nap.  I think I'll start with that nap!

Had our board meeting this week and everyone got a raise so there is lots of happy dancing going on around here.  Now the real work begins again.  We have all had our time off to fall back and regroup.  Monday we are back to work on next years shows.
The show schedule is shaping up for next year.  There are places I want to go but are not in the budget until 2013.  Always have to figure in the travel expenses two years ahead of a big show.  Helps keeps things in perspective.
Usually about the end of March I'm just itchin' & twitchin' to get back on the road.  Part of that may be because of being inside for a few months in the winter.  I'm ready to shed my winter coat and get some sun.  I'll have to think about going to a warmer climate in the winter...maybe southern Wisconsin!

This is the time of year when everyone and their brother is sending out junk mail.  Email and snail mail can be annoying at times, but there is a positive side to it.  I really love my delete button on my computer...gives me a little exercise!  The paper mail helps to keep our wood furnace going...one less log a year we have to buy!  Now there is some positive thinking!  What is your positive thought for the day?

Hump Day!  That's right...Hump Day...the middle of the week.  On the way to the home stretch...Friday is coming.  Weekend Warriors get ready...plans are getting closer to reality.  Just a few more days until weekend freedom.  Check out the www.UrbanDictionary.com for more fun terms.

Twelve days until Christmas...what are you doing today to get ready for the big event?  Do you have a check list?  Is the house decorated to your satisfaction?  Is the tree up?  Do you have all of the cookies made?  Are you done with your shopping?  Do you have all the presents wrapped?  Do you have the menu planned?  Do you know when the kids have the holiday programs at school? What time is the special service at church for the holiday program?  Have you worked everything into your schedule for the holiday season?  All those questions and so many more.  
I was brought up going to church, Sunday school, confirmation classes and more church.  When I was in junior high school I was at church three times a week for three years.  I'm sure I wasn't the only one that complained about it.  Now as an older adult, I'm grateful that I had that foundation.  All those questions have a level of importance, but the one thing that is more important, to me, is the foundation for the belief I have.  Without shoving my belief down any ones throat, this is just a gentle reminder to think about the holiday in a family way instead of a commercial way.  We can give presents until we're broke, but it doesn't mean anything unless we give of ourselves too.  I believe giving and sharing is the reason I can live with myself and sleep at night.  How are you sleeping?  
(For those of you that are going through "the change"...you are the exception to the sleeping thing!)