2014 Goals

I know it may seem a little late to be posting goals for the new year, but these have been swirling in my head since the end of January and I think they are finally ready to be listed and documented.  Not to mention by publishing them I can hold myself accountable and keep myself on track for the year.

  1. Finally get my Tax/ Incorporation in order.  Aka, am I a sole proprietor or LLC?  I meet with my uncle who does taxes for a living to figure this out next week.  :)
  2. Commit to at least one show/fair/market per month.  Obviously I missed the first three months this year but so far I'm on track to start in April with the Merchant's Landing Show April 12 & 13.
  3. Post to this blog once a week.  If more is happening that's worth posting about, I'll be sure to post it as well, though it may be less wordy.  Who is ok with just a picture post once in a while?
  4. Get my wares into a physical brick & mortar store.  More to come on this once things are settled.  I'm currently talking with two different shops and it just makes me super excited for new possibilities!
I've also started reading this great book that has some nice exercises (I'm not usually a fan of "exercises" in a book) that really spoke to me after I met my goal of doing 1-3 physical shows in 2013.  I felt so empowered and excited I couldn't wait to make more goals for this year & feel an even bigger empowerment at the end of this year.  Thus my mind has really started opening to the possibilities because of this book & it has really inspired some energy in me for this year's success.


So far my favorite passage is on goals & goal setting (thus inspiring this organized post instead of just a note to self on a scrap piece of paper):

Goals are really amazing things.  They give you focus and set your course.  [...]  Goals support Intentions.  By actively working on these goals, the end result will be accomplished.  You can use your intentions to make sure you keep your business on track. [...]  Your goals should be your friends; they should excite you, and you should look forward to working toward them.  Goals are not chores.
Exercise: Make a list of all the goals you've had since you decided to be a creative business owner.  Now circle all the goals that you've already accomplished.
Quote from Jolie Guillebeau: "Take small steps consistently.  Do something every single day to make a little progress toward your goal." 
Grow Your Handmade Business - Kari Chapin

Anyone read anything inspiring lately?

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Private Teaching

For the past month or so, I've been teaching a private class of ladies how to knit.  It has the feel of a home party (think Mary Kay or Pampered Chef) without the pressure to buy anything because we simply set up a time that works for everyone, meet at one of their home's and I teach them for 2 - 3 hours how to knit new stitches or new patterns to make off their wish list.  They pay me a set rate for each "class" or meeting.  I think it is a win-win for everyone.

So far we have had 3 or 4 classes in which we have learned how to cast on & knit; purl, rib (knit 2, purl 2), and short rows (we made an ear warmer); and then cast off & use circular needles.

Tuesday we finished up their circular needle hats and introduced double point needles to finish off the top of the hats.  I am so proud to see how far along they have come!  They even mastered the seam to sew up the top seamlessly!

Two of the 3 ladies with their finished hats; So proud & talented!

Before we ended, we cast on double point needles (which is definitely tricky to get started) for our fingerless gloves.  I can't wait to see how they do when we come to the thumb (in our next class).  I'm sure they will master it easily.  :)