After seeing so many year's in review on TV, in magazines, newspapers, etc., you were probably thinking, "Not Another One" when you saw the heading. I know I was when I typed it, but I thought I would be remiss if I didn't take an opportunity to recap the year and it's highlights from an artistic/business perspective. So, please, bear with me.
Diverse Year Of Beads
I've made a lot of different kinds of beads and jewelry throughout this year. I've done raised florals, grape beads, encased beads, dot designs, frogs, stone-like organics--the list goes on and on. I like the challenges that glass affords me and gives me lots of room for more improvement and experimentation.
Attending Custer's Last Stand Art Fair
In the beginning of the year, I started researching art fairs and found, that while I missed deadlines for a few of the shows, I was able to enter the Custer's Last Stand art fair in Evanston, IL. It fell on two of the hottest days of the year, but we persevered in our tent and met lots of great people including our friend Richard who was also selling at the fair.
Bead and Button
In 2007, I took classes at Bead and Button and stayed in Milwaukee for several days and got really enjoy being in a very artistic and creative atmosphere. The classes helped me add new techniques to my repertoire and interact with beadmakers and jewelry designers from around the world. It was a fantastic time, and I cannot wait to go again this year.
New Etsy Shop
I opened my new shop on Etsy in July of 2007 after talking with several people about Etsy during Bead and Button. It's been a terrific experience, and I've met several nice people and made some new customers through this site.
Art Of Beadwork Show
My most successful show came in early November when The Bead Society Of Greater Chicago had their annual Art of Beadwork show. Although it was only 5 hours long, I met a number of great people and sold quite a bit of jewelry at the same time. I cannot believe how well it worked out, and I'm looking forward to next years show.
Additional Shows
After that success, I followed it quickly with shows at work after being urged by coworkers to have an event there. It was also wildly successful in just a short two-hour time span.
I also had a couple of showings at the O'Reilly's Stained Glass, in Crystal Lake, IL that also helped boost sales for the year.
Lamp Of Luxury Blog
In late November, as you well know, I started this blog to help keep you up-to-date on upcoming events, new store items, and generally discuss topics that I think will be of use or interest to everyone who loves beads and jewelry. Whether I've been successful or not in that task is up to you, my readers, but I will continue it into the New Year and see where it leads.
My New Mac
Burning Scentsations was able to purchase a new computer at the end of the year in order to help maintenance of the web site, reduce the time associated with taking pictures and getting them up onto the Internet for viewing. It has already been a great help in getting my pictures loaded and organized much better and will continue as I work toward a re-design of my web site in the coming weeks.
Review Wrap-Up
This has turned out to be a much longer post than I had intended, but I'm very thankful that there has been so much to review. As you can probably tell, it's been a great year here, and I hope it has been for you as well. I couldn't do any of this without the support and patronage of my customers, and I am very grateful for each and everyone of you. Thank you so much, and I hope to continue our relationship into the New Year.
Happy New Year!
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