It has been nearly two months since I blogged. I don't practice what I preach! These two months have been busy with family, seasonal colds passed from one to another, holidays, putting up decorations, taking down decorations, day job, and visitors. It is always good to get through January as a BIG SIGH and get back into routine.
As I reflect back on the year 2009, I do see accomplishment and challenges for GalleriaLinda. All-in-all, it was a good year.
My day job radically changed from marketing communications/graphic arts to GIS mapping and data project management. It has been a challenge with a high learning curve and a transition from an artistic point-of-view to a calculated database-driven point-of -view. Both are creative but in different ways using different sides of the brain. I declare, the GIS work sometimes puts my brain in a twist and now I really appreciate my handmade jewelry design time more than ever!
The online business continues to evolve as products evolve. Last year in third quarter, I introduced a new product line that is still in the "get to market" process. I love old vintage beads and have taken that theme with a new eye and created a different perspective for GalleriaLinda. Artistic evolution is a must so we don't get stale. You can see some of the results in GalleriaLinda's iCraft shop with more to come as I can get them listed.
After pondering about online stores, I decided to add a bead shop both on Etsy and on Artfire. It is "destash" but a LOT of "destash." I continue to list jewelry making goodies, so bookmark GalleriaLinda's Bead Shop on Etsy and GalleriaLinda's Bead Shop on Artfire!
In addition, early last year I started a vintage shop but was not really "working" it. I decided to ramp it up and now have vintage on GalleriaLindaLoft on Etsy and GalleriaLindaLoft Artfire too. I find the vintage sourcing and researching to be so creative and satisfying.
And, if that is not enough, I still have a GalleriaLinda Bonanzle shop for those "nearly new" and "not yet vintage" items, as well as an affordable imported line of sterling and gem jewelry.
The year 2010 is promising for all of us. No matter what is going on politically, personally, or business-wise, we are blessed to be able to have online businesses that we can work out of our homes (or anywhere desired). And that allows us to take care of kids or elderly parents, make our own schedules, and take pride in our business. It is a lot of work but worth every minute!
Let me take this time to wish each of you a
PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
for your artisan and craft businesses!
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