I’m doing something different this year.
For the very first time, I’m writing down concrete business goals I’d like to accomplish for the year. JSThreads started out as an avenue to share my work with family and friends, and I’ve always considered it to be a more casual way to release my creative energy. I want JSThreads to remain a fun space and something I don’t rely on for my sole income. With that said, however, I obviously want to continue seeing growth and progress in my work.
As I feel things getting more and more serious for JSThreads, I thought it’d be appropriate to sit down and think about where I wanted to go this year. Even though this will be my third year, I would consider 2016 as my first real year, and I think having a few goals for me to focus on will help me grow even more.
1) Increase Face-to-Face Presence
From an artwalk I was in last year.
At this point, I’ve only done three shows/events where I’m interacting with people face-to-face, and for someone who isn’t very good at speaking with people, I had a blast at each of these events. Seeing people engaged with what I created and asking me questions while I worked was an amazing experience, and it’s something I’d like to do more this year.
My community has two local artwalks, and I participated in both last year; as long as someone will take me, I plan to be at both of them again this year as well. In case you aren’t sure what an artwalk is (because I didn’t until I looked at applying to be in them), it is an event where local businesses hosts local artists to bring in their work to share with the public. It’s kind of like a farmers market for art!
I’m keeping my eye out for other local shows I can participate in as well.
Something else I’m considering is teaching classes. I’ve been a little reluctant to do so because I’m not yet sure where to start, but it’s definitely a goal I have for this year. Our local Michael’s and Joann Fabrics will have a teaching space for people to lead classes, so I plan on looking more into that.
2) Update Etsy at Least Once a Month
Fairly self-explanatory. I started using Etsy again in August of 2016, but in the last four months, I think I was only able to update Etsy twice. When I started thinking about how I wanted to approach 2017, I knew I had to be able to hit Etsy a little harder this year. Even if I only have one or two figurines, I plan on hosting a shop update at least once every month to help keep fresh items available.
3) Start a Blog
Check! I have indeed started a blog. Read all about it in my first post here. 2017 is starting to look pretty good!
All jokes aside, while I’ve been wanting to create video tutorials and “watch-me-clays”, I’m no closer to the appropriate set up and space to do so, and I don’t anticipate that happening any time soon. I don’t even have a proper craft table for goodness’ sake! The next best thing, I think, is keeping a blog. It’s a place where I can offer tips, show projects I’m working on, perhaps include little snippets of video, interview other artists, post about events I attend…the possibilities are endless. Maybe some day I will start a YouTube channel, but for now I think this space will do the trick!
4) Make Use of a Planner
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- Jotting down project specifics
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- Ideas list and money spent
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- General day-to-day
My last goal revolves around a planner. Even through college, I found myself using a planner to organize homework, activities, and other events. Once I graduated, I didn’t really need one anymore. I resorted to “to do” lists to help me keep on top of what needed to get done professionally, personally, and with JSThreads. This year, I’ve come up with a few different ways I can utilize a planner for my polymer clay/crochet work:
1) I can tentatively schedule out time, and I can write down the specifics for each on the first day I start the project. For example, the day I planned to start on my Gryffindor dragon, I wrote down the colors I would use, any accessories, and the pose the dragon would be in. Later on I added a note in the margin about running out of red clay. These are usually placed on the weekends because that’s when I have the most time to sculpt.
2) I can use the sidebar in this particular planner to jot down notes for ideas for future sculpts as they come to mind. I’ve previously done this in a separate notebook, but I think having everything in one place will really help me out
3) I want to be a little more aware of the amount of money I spend on craft supplies this year, and I figured this is another great way to use the sidebar. When I went to Michael’s for that said red clay, I jotted down how much I spent.
4) I then of course can make a list of JSThreads-related tasks during the weekdays that usually involve finishing up the projects I start on the weekend. Or other things like updating this blog :).
I’m sure I’ll find more uses as I go, but since I’m only three weeks in, I’m still figuring out how it can best serve me.
And that’s kind of where I’m at! I thought it’d be fun to share with you guys what I’m thinking for the year, and maybe it’ll hold me accountable. What are some of your goals for 2017, and how did you decide on them? Post in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you :).