I've spent the past few days reflecting on my business and my life and ways to improve both. I think it is important to make changes sometimes. Keeping in mind that sometimes change is good and sometimes not so much !
So my work room is all organized, I just need to get myself organized !! I've decided to take a new approach this year with my bear making. In the past I have usually worked on 1 bear from start to finish before going on to the next. This isn't really the most productive method, but worked well for me most times. The problem I found however, is that I dislike the "grunt" work of cutting, trimming pinning etc. I want to skip all that and get straight to the creative aspect. I think this has caused me to procrastinate starting a new bear on several occasions.
So, onward and upward I go with the intent to cut out several different bears at one time. Kind of like an assembly line , doing the "grunt" tasks all at once . I'll then place each partly assembled bear in a bag just waiting to be jointed , stuffed and finished as I feel inspired. I want to try some new techniques and really stretch myself way outside my comfort zone in 2009 too. Sounds good to me....here's hoping that my plan works LOL.
I also intend to spend MUCH less time on the computer, re-invent my business image, redesign my website, work on advertising etc. (Oh....that actually means more time on the computer to get those tasks done LOL.) I'm trying to decide if I should continue with my blog too ??? I just don't know ?
The kids are back in school today so I cut out 2 bears, got some paperwork in order for 2009 and did some planning. So far so good ! So come with me as I either soar or fall flat on my face this year. I plan to enjoy the ride anyway :)
The poor fella had to have eye surgery earlier today. I noticed something on his eye and when I tried to gently scrape it off, his glass eye cracked in 1/2 !!! Eek.. I'm glad that happened before he left the den. I've never had that happen before, it must have been defective , or I did something when installing it pulling it so tight. Who knows ? All is well now and he has a new eye. 
Here is a Beckoning Bears Hug that now resides in my dream vacation land of Australia. (Thanks M & C for sending me the picture) They are owned by 2 great people that I am enjoying getting to know. That is one of the best parts of my job, "meeting" such terrific people from all over the world ! 
We took our daughter and niece to the local little ski hill for their first time ever. My daughter was sooooo excited. Our son is a snowboarder, but he was busy doing other things with a friend so did not come with us. 
I think I may have even convinced myself that I'll have to strap on some skis next time and relive my youth . Or not LOL. Falling will be much more painful this time around I am sure.
The ornament I received came from a bearmaker, Ming, in Taiwan. I love the cute anime style, and the color was a bright spot in the darkness of winter. It came with a cute cell phone holder. 
So my work room is all organized, I just need to get myself organized !! I've decided to take a new approach this year with my bear making. In the past I have usually worked on 1 bear from start to finish before going on to the next. This isn't really the most productive method, but worked well for me most times. The problem I found however, is that I dislike the "grunt" work of cutting, trimming pinning etc. I want to skip all that and get straight to the creative aspect. I think this has caused me to procrastinate starting a new bear on several occasions. 
