10 Crafty New Year's Resolutions
Published On: 12-29-2011 08:50pm
Comments: 0 - Hits: 356
It’s that time of year again. The time when we make a list of all the things we’d like to get done over the next 12 months. Whether you’re into making resolutions or not, having a set of goals to accomplish is a great way to plan and prepare for the year ahead.
Sometimes the act of making New Year’s resolutions is enough to bring out our procrastinating side. You could always call it a winter to-do list!
For my fellow artists and crafters out there, I have 10 mostly fun things from my own to-do list to inspire you!
1. Try Something New
The rush to finish Christmas creations is over, and there’s a bit of a lull - a great opportunity to spend time experimenting with new ideas, techniques and styles. If you haven’t been pushing a new idea to the back burner for the last few months, try stopping by your library and browsing through the craft books section for some inspiration. You might discover a fantastic new technique!
2. Clean Out Your Studio
Whether you’ve got a whole room all to yourself, or just do your work at the kitchen table, chances are that your creative space has gotten a little disheveled over the past year.
Now is the perfect time to reorganize - put away old projects, remove rubbish, and put things in their place. You’d be surprised by how much extra creative motivation you’ll find in a tidy workspace.
3. Organize Your Stash
If you were really busy over the holidays - or you just like to jump from one project to the next - you might have a slightly unkempt set of crafting supplies. Or perhaps you’ve just been meaning to take everything apart and resort your materials - putting new and old items together in order by color, size, or shape. Either way, winter is a great time to spend indoors with all of your trays and boxes spread out around you!
4. Take Inventory
You may have already received your personalized tax forms in the mail, and income slips will be in the mail in a matter of weeks. It’s time to start counting, filing and getting ready to do our taxes. It’s not a fun job for most of us, but getting ready ahead of time will make it a lot easier!
If you don’t have inventory software, you can still make effective spreadsheets using the basic programs with a home office package. All of the basic formulas you need to add up cells can be found in the help files, so all you need to do is count and type!
5. Try a New Color Scheme
January is the perfect time of year to take chances - you’ve got eleven more months to get caught up on your regular routine again if it doesn’t work out. So why not go crazy and try out some new and exiting colors? Check out Pantone’s 2011 Spring Color report for some fun inspiration.
6. Use Up Old Materials
While you’re completing tasks 2, 3 or 4, you’ll probably come across a few items in your materials stash that have been there forever.
Why are you holding on to them? Maybe you’re not ready to part with them because they’re too beautiful. Perhaps the right inspiration hasn’t come along yet.
If you want to make a little room - so you can buy some new items for the new year, of course - why not consider the materials themselves for inspiration, and use them up! If you’re a beader like me, check out Operation Tackle That Bead Stash for a little motivation.
7. Finish UFOs
Most crafters will admit to having at least one UnFinished Object around their studio somewhere. Perhaps it was put aside for more exiting or important designs. Maybe it just wasn’t turning out as envisioned.
Either way, now is the perfect time to either finish it, or take it apart and make something new from the materials. You’ll feel a lot better without it looming over you in the coming months!
8. Work On Your Blog
Even if you don’t sell your creations, having a blog to share your ideas, trials and triumphs can be very rewarding. Why not give it a try this year?
If you have a blog already, now is a great time to make improvements, plan upcoming posts, and make the most of your web space. Check out Blogging for Handmade Sellers for ideas on starting and improving a craft or shop blog.
9. Start a Facebook Page
If you do sell your creations, having a Facebook page is an excellent way to build backlinks, and an online presence. You don’t have to be a fan of Facebook to use this feature - even if you never add a single Friend, you can still run a successful business page, and watch your fans and page views grow!
Need a little help? Facebook for Handmade Sellers offers tips and information for creating and maintaining an effective business fan page.
10. Revamp Your Shop
Successful sellers know that when it comes to an online shop, the work is never done. When we’re busy adding new listings and promoting them, we often put aside other important tasks like: retaking photographs, updating policies and bio pages, and improving titles and listings for SEO. With a new year ahead, it’s the perfect time to get things back on track and make the most of sales in 2011!
Happy New Year to all of my crafty and creative friends!
-Mortira
Sometimes the act of making New Year’s resolutions is enough to bring out our procrastinating side. You could always call it a winter to-do list!
For my fellow artists and crafters out there, I have 10 mostly fun things from my own to-do list to inspire you!
1. Try Something New
The rush to finish Christmas creations is over, and there’s a bit of a lull - a great opportunity to spend time experimenting with new ideas, techniques and styles. If you haven’t been pushing a new idea to the back burner for the last few months, try stopping by your library and browsing through the craft books section for some inspiration. You might discover a fantastic new technique!
2. Clean Out Your Studio
Whether you’ve got a whole room all to yourself, or just do your work at the kitchen table, chances are that your creative space has gotten a little disheveled over the past year.
Now is the perfect time to reorganize - put away old projects, remove rubbish, and put things in their place. You’d be surprised by how much extra creative motivation you’ll find in a tidy workspace.
3. Organize Your Stash
If you were really busy over the holidays - or you just like to jump from one project to the next - you might have a slightly unkempt set of crafting supplies. Or perhaps you’ve just been meaning to take everything apart and resort your materials - putting new and old items together in order by color, size, or shape. Either way, winter is a great time to spend indoors with all of your trays and boxes spread out around you!
4. Take Inventory
You may have already received your personalized tax forms in the mail, and income slips will be in the mail in a matter of weeks. It’s time to start counting, filing and getting ready to do our taxes. It’s not a fun job for most of us, but getting ready ahead of time will make it a lot easier!
If you don’t have inventory software, you can still make effective spreadsheets using the basic programs with a home office package. All of the basic formulas you need to add up cells can be found in the help files, so all you need to do is count and type!
5. Try a New Color Scheme
January is the perfect time of year to take chances - you’ve got eleven more months to get caught up on your regular routine again if it doesn’t work out. So why not go crazy and try out some new and exiting colors? Check out Pantone’s 2011 Spring Color report for some fun inspiration.
6. Use Up Old Materials
While you’re completing tasks 2, 3 or 4, you’ll probably come across a few items in your materials stash that have been there forever.
Why are you holding on to them? Maybe you’re not ready to part with them because they’re too beautiful. Perhaps the right inspiration hasn’t come along yet.
If you want to make a little room - so you can buy some new items for the new year, of course - why not consider the materials themselves for inspiration, and use them up! If you’re a beader like me, check out Operation Tackle That Bead Stash for a little motivation.
7. Finish UFOs
Most crafters will admit to having at least one UnFinished Object around their studio somewhere. Perhaps it was put aside for more exiting or important designs. Maybe it just wasn’t turning out as envisioned.
Either way, now is the perfect time to either finish it, or take it apart and make something new from the materials. You’ll feel a lot better without it looming over you in the coming months!
8. Work On Your Blog
Even if you don’t sell your creations, having a blog to share your ideas, trials and triumphs can be very rewarding. Why not give it a try this year?
If you have a blog already, now is a great time to make improvements, plan upcoming posts, and make the most of your web space. Check out Blogging for Handmade Sellers for ideas on starting and improving a craft or shop blog.
9. Start a Facebook Page
If you do sell your creations, having a Facebook page is an excellent way to build backlinks, and an online presence. You don’t have to be a fan of Facebook to use this feature - even if you never add a single Friend, you can still run a successful business page, and watch your fans and page views grow!
Need a little help? Facebook for Handmade Sellers offers tips and information for creating and maintaining an effective business fan page.
10. Revamp Your Shop
Successful sellers know that when it comes to an online shop, the work is never done. When we’re busy adding new listings and promoting them, we often put aside other important tasks like: retaking photographs, updating policies and bio pages, and improving titles and listings for SEO. With a new year ahead, it’s the perfect time to get things back on track and make the most of sales in 2011!
Happy New Year to all of my crafty and creative friends!
-Mortira
