You guys know me – I don’t sugar coat things. I try hard to be realistic about what it’s like being a designer and business owner and human being. I tell the good, the bad, and the ugly. And honestly, 2013 has been the embodiment of the Charles Dickens quote, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
I had show income and class sign ups down significantly from prior years. But I also had some of the BEST classes and emotional (happy) conversations with students, customers, fans, and peers. And while I could have rolled over and dramatically thrown a toddler fit over the challenges of this year, instead I decided to act like an adult, analyze the situation, and figure out how I could
adapt.
As a result of the adaptations
I’ve put in motion, I’m so excited for 2014 that I feel like bouncing up and down on the sofa as I write
this. The biggest and most visible, of course, is the YouTube channel, which is taking off like a rocket. There have been so many pairs of Whirlygig Earrings made and posted on Facebook, I think everyone must have a pair by now!
Linda Hanssen made these Whirlygig Earrings!
I’m having a blast dreaming up content, filming the segments, and turning a whole new set of peeps into beadweavers! While the content so far has been pretty beginner-based, I will also start adding some more intermediate to advanced options.
I’m on a video roll, as I just got back from very chilly Colorado, where I visited the Interweave offices and spent a few days filming two video classes which will be released in 2014. One is my Kumihimo with Beads class, and the other is Beaded Ropes, with me covering five different types of beaded ropes and variations of those five. I got to wear false eyelashes for the first time – having your own makeup artist doesn’t suck. 🙂 
And now I’m home for two solid months. My own bed. My own fur babies. Yippee! On the agenda is lots of napping, lots of designing, a little filming for YouTube, lots of new products put up on the website for sale, completion of the garage purge, and more napping. I’ll end 2013 with 78 nights in strange beds. Which is actually down from 2012, so that’s a nice trend.
I can’t wait for more. This job? I love it. You guys?? I love you. Now, let’s bead!