Monday, February 6, 2012

New Year Challenges

Right now I have a pinched nerve that is taking out the use of my right hand. This is happening more frequently, bummer, it may mean I have another disk that needs repair,fusing, etc. I don't want any more surgeries, I still haven't adjusted to my limited capabilities yet, still fighting with myself about being disabled.  So I decided to think about what is important to me and what I would like to accomplish this year.

First I had to make a difficult choice with regards to my involvement with the Etsy Beadweavers Team, this made me sad, as given my current health situation I didn't feel I could actively participate and this is a great and very active team. Though their requirements are not as pressing as others I felt I needed to take time off. I will miss so many of the members on this team, but hope to continue to keep up with them through the use of their blogs and Facebook. 

Next difficult decision I have made, at some time in the near future I will close my Etsy shop, 1 sale in over a year does not justify the time and money put into this venue.  Not sure when I will do this, it tugs at my heart, but I can't keep hoping sales will pick up, not for finished jewelry anyway.  I am hoping I can master pattern/tutorial writing, this seems to be the successful avenue to take, people can afford a pattern and making it themselves brings a source of enjoyment and fulfillment.  So I am headed this way. I will still retain my website so I won't be completely out of the picture.

The third decision/challenge I have set for myself is to get back to painting, my paint brushes have been calling me and I don't want my oil paints to dry up!  I have gathered all kinds of inspiration from Pinterest and I am excited about painting again, I feel confident I will be able to, I haven't painted since my wrist surgery, nor my neck or back surgery so it will be a challenge!

The last challenge for the new year is to submit a few designs to beading publications, they take so long to get back to you that it gives you time to perfect things and I can always turn them into tutorials for sale, if they are rejected! This won't take precedence on my list, but I would like to keep it in my future. Of course there are the Fire Mountain Gems contests, they will be with me for a while longer as well.

So you will still here from me and I am comfortable with the challenges I have set for myself.  Keep beading, designing and doing what artistically makes you happy.

4 comments:

  1. We all need to take care of ourselves first then the rest can fall into place. Keep true to your heart and we will celebrate with you.

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  2. Thank you Kristen. You will still hear from me, I'm not completely out of it yet. Dealing with pinched nerves right now and of course it affects my ability to bead. Keep beading and creating.

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  3. Deborah, I keep forgetting how much alike we both are! I have also left the EBW team because I can't keep up anymore. I'm leaving my Etsy shop alone for now in the hopes that my tutorials (as slow as I'm making them) will boost sales. I wish you all the best in your new challenges and pray that you stay healthy enough to accomplish them. I look forward to seeing your work in print more often. :-)

    Tamara

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  4. Thank you Tamara, you have been my cheering squad and it is greatly appreciated. I will still keep beading when I can, besides I don't know what to do with all the designs I have in my head. I will also keep my foot in the door by creating tutorials, I don't know how this will turn out, but I'm really looking forward to doing them. I'll definitely keep in touch, I have enjoyed your friendship!

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