Happy New Year to You. I gotta write this: 1.1.11
It was a funny week with our holidays on Saturday. No one likes to loose a retail Saturday. Today was such a weird one. I had all intentions of going into work. I'd made lunch, went for a walk and dropped my stuff buy the shop first before my walk. After the walk I went into my shop and quickly decided no one would be around today and beelined for the door. Making Turkey Pot Pies won out today!
This time of year I know I am tired; I am ready for a break and recharge. I usually dread the arrival of January. It's always a slow time of year, not many orders or customers coming in the door. What do I do in January??? good question. It's time to rethink the year. A good time to blog, organized my email list for a newsletter and actually do a newsletter. It's time to work on projects I didn't have time to do all year and to go through my fabrics and pull a few favorites out to use.
It's a time to build my inventory back, which can be easier said than done. It is HARD to build back your inventory without customers coming in the door. Really hard. But years of experience tells me, hang in there and they will come back. The economy is building back slowly. I'm sure if your have a little business like mine you know exactly what I am talking about. I have planned a February Workshop which is officially full, but room in April.
It's time to send out a few more books to see if I can get a little more good press for The Lampshade Lady Book... I love my book but it is such a little niche, which is good and bad. I am tired of always being in the OTHER catagory. Sewing, Knitting, Quilting, Jewlery, etc and Other.... Who likes to be Other. Even The Vermont Crafts Council, Other..... what about Lighting??? If you have a blog, I'd love to have you write about my book.
Interest in Lampshades is building slowly. I have loved hearing from many of you. It has been fun to see your progress and hear of you starting little businesses just like mine or even many grander plans. Hey there's lots of room out there for lighting improvement. Maybe we'll even get lampshade and lighting out of the OTHER catogory!!!!
I think often about what it is that gave me the confidence to start my own business. I always knew I wanted my own business even though I did not know what it would be. When I moved down to Pawlet I had 2 women friends that had their own businesses. They were both a little older than me but here they were wonderful role models right before my eyes. Hard workers, smart, great designers and women! One was Susan Sargent, a tapestry weaver. The other was Poppy Gall, owner of Ladies and Ewe Ski Hat Company. Both Poppy and Susan were doing it! Working with color, great designs and making a go of it. Poppy later went on to be a co-founder of Isis Ski Wear and Susan went on to start Susan Sargent Designs. I was in awe of both of them and so thankful they came into my life a JUST the right time.
I have other good girl friends that have been instrumental in my world. My good friend, Dawn Smith is the founder of Friends in Adoption in Middletown Springs, VT. Dawn found she had a gift and pursued it to the max. She has helped hundreds of families adopt a child of their own, sometimes several kids. My other good friend and inspiration is Jackie Lappen. When I first met Jackie she headed up The Mettowee Valley Land Trust. Jackie and Dawn are BRAVE ladies. They aren't afraid or timid gals! A real go for it spirit and determination. I'm not sure I'm as brave as they are, but they have certainly been great models for me.
What comes around goes around. I am now in the positon of mentoring others. I love to see people taking a chance and starting a new business. It takes time and guts but the rewards can be worth the effort. Never has there been a better time than to start a new business. I love teaching my workshops and helping others learn my craft. I give them everything I've got, almost. Everyone leaves with a great base to start a business or perhaps just a creative day.
Who are your role models? Do you inspire others to push past their safety zone? Do you encourage others by the work you do? I bet you do and you don't realize it. I don't have any grand plans; I'm pretty happy with where I'm at. I cruise down my hill into town; 1 1/2 miles to my shop. A tank of gas can last me quite a while!!! A trip here and there can make coming home to Pawlet look even better. It's a beautiful place to live.
okay enough rattling on. sorry no pictures. my computer is in the shop.... and words will have to do for now.
Can't wait to hit the shops and flea markets in 2011!
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