Monday, December 27, 2010

Post-Christmas Slump OR Regathering My Thoughts...


Two books recommended on Etsy for marketing and,
I think, part of The Plan.

We have entered the post-Christmas slump, which is that delicious, drifting time of staying up late, sleeping in late, lazy breakfast and reading books.  Thank God for it because December always burns me out.  I have marketing books to read and lovely books of fiction to take my mind off the dreariness of winter.  I need it to recharge my batteries and focus on The Plan for 2011.  And in order to get to The Plan, I need to eat, sleep, and read and hibernate a bit to regather my creative energy.  I see on Facebook that friends were felting on Christmas Eve--how do they keep going???  I am always knackered by Christmas Eve and can just about manage making dinner before reaching for a medicinal glass (or three) or wine....

For now, I need to get my workspace reorganized and put back together.  I had to move most of my studio home because of the sub-zero weather and lack of heat and light in my studio, but my house is up in a HEAP that is driving me mad and it all has to go back before I flip out.  Usually, even in the worst mess I know where to locate things I need, but it has all gotten away from my like a large ball rolling down hill, getting larger and more dangers and faster as it hurtles towards disaster.  At least we are thawing and temperatures are up to normal. All that hunkering down by the fire and trying to stay warm was for the birds--I was only warm in bed and my son was always at me to get up and feed him.  No peace!

I suppose it's a natural time for focusing on plans for the New Year, although I do not do resolutions as such.  Goals to work towards...I need to get marketing and sales up for Etsy and get myself on Twitter.  I think I need to rethink Lámhdhéanta as it is not working--do I keep pushing to try and get the concept up and running or do I give it up???  I am personally thinking the concept will work, but the implementation needs tweaking.  And by that last comment I mean that I haven't a feckin clue how I am going to re-attack it.  It will come to me in a dream, most likely. 

As a goal for last year, I wanted to try and get nominated for the Irish Blog Awards, but I can't seem to find criteria for nomination.  I know the IBA ( are in March 2011, but that seems to be the only info I can find.  Anyone else know anything???

Does anyone else have any good goals/resolutions/common sense for the coming year????
All I want to do is stare at the tree like a cat...

4 comments:

  1. Advice: allow yourself to continue to slow down...
    enjoy your family. Fiber art is a time-consuming sort of bliss that needs time to settle and simmer and evolve. Don't turn yourself into a factory
    when you could be a sacred spring. Reconnect with WHY you do art.

    From Ann at www.woolyblissfeltmaking.com

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  2. I'm with you on the regrouping and getting more product made and spun, dyed, carded, felted etc!! and certainly not in that order!! hehehe! would be even better if didn't have a "real" job but so it goes! are the 2 books worth it? and helpful at all?? let me know could use a swift kick in the butt to get me going!! if you find any good tricks let me know ok! I sure could use them!!
    big hugs and a Happy and productive New Year to us both!! Linda

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  3. Thanks, Ann. I think I have no choice! The body and the brain have disabled my vote!! Many thanks for your comment :)

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  4. I am reading "Handmade Marketplace" and I am gratified to see that I am on the right track, just need more time in the day and more money to sink into the work I am doing. All in time. Patience has never been my strong suit!! The book seems excellent so far...how long have you had your Etsy shop?? Mine is only up since October, so I have to put more time into it. Happy and productive New Year just about sums it up, girl!! xxoo

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