Happy 2013!!
Like I said before; most of my current blogging is business related. (Check out the Steel Petal Press blog here) I try to be as professional as possible there so I don't let things get tooo personal (just a little)
On the SPP blog, I set some business goals for 2013 which you can read in THIS POST. I also include some personal goals there, but I kept it short and sweet.
I wanted to write down my personal goals somewhere separate, and somewhere public to keep me accountable. I feel like if I say it out loud where other people can hear (read) them, then I'm more likely to stick to it.
so here goes.
- take more down time. It's really hard for me to relax. Even when I'm taking time off, I always feel like I need to be working towards something. I need to take weekends off, and actually commit to taking them off. I don't need to email clients on Saturday mornings or Sunday evenings... I need more mental breaks.
- read books. Ok, so I say this every year, but what I think it really comes down to is reading better books. If I have better books I want to read them. And they should be for pleasure - not always work or business related.
- live in the moment (I guess mostly refers to the two goals listed above) When I lived in SF I was SO GOOD at just being alive. Part of me knows I'm an all-or-nothing type of person. If I'm going to live in the moment, then that's what I'm gonna do - dammit. OR if I'm going to buckle down and work hard, then that's what I do. I wish I was better at incorporating them both in my life. Right now I'm in my work hard mode, but I need to get partially back to my play mode. Not that I don't know how to have any fun any more, BUT I need to be better about living in the moments when they are good and fun.
- get back in shape.
I'm actually pretty good at working out regularly. I was doing it most of 2012 until I got sick in July and spent the next 4 weeks feeling constantly fatigued and coughing up green chunks. Then I got busy and had trouble getting back into the swing of things. I'm back at it in January and hoping I can keep it up through the year. I always want to make sure that I KEEP it up once the season's change. Every year in late October I start to get more sedentary... Next year I want to try to keep the moment all the way through til the end of the year.
- be healthier! Drink less alcohol and eat less sugar.
These are my two biggest vices. I could drink every single day and eat ice cream for breakfast if you let me. But I know it's super unhealthy, so I really try to keep it at bay.
This week I'm starting a cleanse that I hope will get me back into healthier eating habits. Chad and I are also taking January off drinking.
--- At some point last year I was only drinking 7 drinks a week total (ie: 1 on Thursday, 2 on Friday, 3 on Sat, 1 for Sunday brunch) and I was only eating sweets and deserts on Sundays. That way I never felt deprived, but still had limits to stay within. Then sometime in the summer, I complete let it all go and never got back to feeling clean and healthy. If I can stick to this for MOST of next year, I'll be happy (and healthy!)
- Keep the house clean!
OMG, chad and I spent 3 days scrubbing the whole house a few days before NYE and it was so gross! I need to be better about putting time aside every week to stay on top of chores. That way it won't be so overwhelmingly gross when we actually have time to clean.
Go Somewhere exotic.
Next year I want to take two weeks off over Xmas and New Years and go on a big long trip. It's the best time for me to get away from work stuff
Take less little trips
chad and I leave town a lot. Most of the time we aren't even going on a plane. We'll take a road trip to Galena, or Indiana or Detroit, spend the night and come back. Not that I don't love our little adventures. They're easy and cheap but they're also really tiring. As I get older I need more time to recuperate. I'll take my regular trip to Michigan for Lakes of Fire, and I'll probably still go to Indiana for the 4th of July. But I gotta stop saying yes to every easy weekend get away that comes up. I think it will help me have more time to myself.
Tell the people I love how I feel about them. This is sometimes difficult for me in certain circumstances. But not everyone is gonna be around forever.
Schedule several doctors appointment and follow through with them! There are several things that have needed attending to for while now.
And I think that's it. I'll be checking back in here re-reading these and reminding myself. I need to make 2013 even better than 2012!
Monday, January 07, 2013
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Updates
Wow,
It has been a loooooong time since I updated this blog. Mostly I think I'm over writing about my personal stuff online.
Also I've been really busy! If I am going to update a blog, it's usually the one for Steel Petal Press. which, even updating that one on occassion always seems like such a chore. but as a business person it is good to have those things out in the world to show some personality and prove you're a real person.
So if you wanna know what I'm up to, it's work work worrrrking,,, and it's usually updated here:
http://steelpetalpress.com/cat/blog/
Let's see, what else...
Chad and I just got back from a trip to SF for halloween. Which was so much fun! but also super exhausting. I always have mixed feelings about SF. It's kinda like Burning Man to me, which is that it's super awesome and so much fun, but not sustainable. It's more about instant gratification rather than working to build anything lasting. Which of course, is not entirely true. I have some amazing friendships that have emerged out of the series of 'in the moment' type of interactions. You spend time with anyone over a period of time, no matter what the circumstances, something will eventually grow out of it... but even so - there's always an airy sorta ungrounded type of feeling I get every time I'm in San Francisco. Time seems fleeting and nothing seems serious. Which, don't get me wrong, I can totally appreciate.. but it's only part of who I am, but not *all* of me. There's always a part of me left wanting something more.. tangible at the end of the day.
So that's the big discussion.
And it's also what I talked about over and over with a lot of friends while I was there:
whether chad and I will ever move back west.
Chad feels more at home in SF, while I feel more at home in Chicago. There's a variety of different factors that play into this, all of which have been discussed ad nauseam over the weekend..
Chad and I still have to discuss it more between us.
It makes things always more confusing for me, because I feel like I have to think and feel for two people. I can't just be happy living in Chicago, because I know Chad is not... Not that he's unhappy, but he is happier in SF.. I think.
Anyways. I've decided for me, that neither would be a bad decision. Maybe I would feel happier living in Chicago, but the Bay Area would not be a bad thing. The weather is lovely. We could get a bigger place in Oakland with a yard and more personal space. We already have lots of friends there, we would be close to wine country.. things could be good. so either way it's not a bad thing.. I'd rather stay where we are, but I'm open to options. moving can be expensive, and it's such a pain in the ass..
anwyays.. enough of all that. i've had some wine and am ready to relax for the rest of the night.
Happy Saturday!
It has been a loooooong time since I updated this blog. Mostly I think I'm over writing about my personal stuff online.
Also I've been really busy! If I am going to update a blog, it's usually the one for Steel Petal Press. which, even updating that one on occassion always seems like such a chore. but as a business person it is good to have those things out in the world to show some personality and prove you're a real person.
So if you wanna know what I'm up to, it's work work worrrrking,,, and it's usually updated here:
http://steelpetalpress.com/cat/blog/
Let's see, what else...
Chad and I just got back from a trip to SF for halloween. Which was so much fun! but also super exhausting. I always have mixed feelings about SF. It's kinda like Burning Man to me, which is that it's super awesome and so much fun, but not sustainable. It's more about instant gratification rather than working to build anything lasting. Which of course, is not entirely true. I have some amazing friendships that have emerged out of the series of 'in the moment' type of interactions. You spend time with anyone over a period of time, no matter what the circumstances, something will eventually grow out of it... but even so - there's always an airy sorta ungrounded type of feeling I get every time I'm in San Francisco. Time seems fleeting and nothing seems serious. Which, don't get me wrong, I can totally appreciate.. but it's only part of who I am, but not *all* of me. There's always a part of me left wanting something more.. tangible at the end of the day.
So that's the big discussion.
And it's also what I talked about over and over with a lot of friends while I was there:
whether chad and I will ever move back west.
Chad feels more at home in SF, while I feel more at home in Chicago. There's a variety of different factors that play into this, all of which have been discussed ad nauseam over the weekend..
Chad and I still have to discuss it more between us.
It makes things always more confusing for me, because I feel like I have to think and feel for two people. I can't just be happy living in Chicago, because I know Chad is not... Not that he's unhappy, but he is happier in SF.. I think.
Anyways. I've decided for me, that neither would be a bad decision. Maybe I would feel happier living in Chicago, but the Bay Area would not be a bad thing. The weather is lovely. We could get a bigger place in Oakland with a yard and more personal space. We already have lots of friends there, we would be close to wine country.. things could be good. so either way it's not a bad thing.. I'd rather stay where we are, but I'm open to options. moving can be expensive, and it's such a pain in the ass..
anwyays.. enough of all that. i've had some wine and am ready to relax for the rest of the night.
Happy Saturday!
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Nutrition
I've had a few things going on in my stomach recently.
1st and very short term was a bout of food poisoning that started on Tuesday and only today (Sunday) 5 days later, I'm starting to be able to eat food with out intense stomach aches and endless trips to the bathroom. Thursday, I ate some nuts thinking I was starting to feel better, and it set off the most intense period of the sickness. It was the sickest I've felt in yeeeaaars. I was in bed shivering feeling like I was going to bark, afraid I was going to poop in my pants, shaking and trembling with a head ache and all over body aches. It was BAD. Thank goodness it finally feels like it's on its way out....
2nd - I finally went to go see a nutritionist to address other digestive issues I've been struggling with for the last few years. (inconsistent pooping and gas and other issues)
Dawn Jackson Blatner was recommended by a friend. She is a registered dietitian, runs cooking classes in Chicago, is the author of the book "The Flexitarian Diet," is a nutrition consultant for The Chicago Cubs and is featured occasionally on NBC. She specializes in a number of things including my specific need: digestive issues.
I choose to visit a nutritionist over a doctor because I am looking for a more holistic, long term fix. I believe western medicine often times misses the deeper issue and uses medication to bandage the surface while the underlying issues aren't addressed.
I have tried many things over the last few years: dairy free, gluten free, no alcohol, no sugar. Each time I think something works then there's a change that makes me believe its not the cause....
She had me log everything I ate and my digestive issues for 7 days before I went to go visit her. We met for an hour she analyzed my food intake and my reactions to what I was eating. She also asked plenty of questions about my history, my diet and my food reactions.
It was GREAT. She had so much knowledge and lots of well informed suggestions. I feel like my eyes are opened and I'm excited to start trying all her tips. I have another follow up meeting planned with her in a month, but if all goes well I'll feel better and I won't even need to see her again for a month.
I also have to mention that she was a fabulous communicator and did a really great job of explaining not only what I should try, but why.
I also really loved that her suggestions really only involved making subtle lifestyle changes. Everything she asked me to do seems totally manageable. It goes along with the part of her bio that states: "She helps people make realistic and gradual changes to their current eating habits and food choices."
Totally true, and very approachable - which is great for someone like me who is very lazy about food.
After looking over my food log and not seeing any consistent reactions she does not believe I have a specific food based allergy, but thinks it's me and my eating habits that are causing the issues.
So here were her suggestions.
Tier 1
1 - Gum - NO MORE(In the past I have gone through as much as a pack of gum in a day. Although this will not be difficult for me to give up, it will definitely present a huge change in my daily habits)
2 - Chew
When someone eats too fast or the food is not properly chewed then the digestive enzymes in the stomach and in the intestines have trouble breaking it up. This can lead to any number of digestive issues.
Because tend to skip lunch and just eat snacks all afternoon while standing or in front of a computer, she believes I eat too quickly and should make sure I chew everything entirely before I swallow.
Her rules for this were
a) no snacking - focus on eating 3 solid meals (this one's going to be difficult, i'm all about the snacks)
b) sitting and eating - make sure when I eat to be seated at a place setting with a plate and fork in front of me
3 - Nuts
I eat a lot of nuts which tend to be much harder to digest. She suggests buying raw nuts and soaking them in water for 8 hours, straining them and eating those instead will be much easier on my system. Apparently this is something raw foodists do to their nuts.
4 - Fruit
I should replace dried fruit with fresh fruit whenever possible. The concentrated amount of sugar in dried fruit is harder on the system.
5 - Water
Drinking lots of water can dilute the natural digestive enzymes in your stomach and intestines. I can drink as much water as I want before a meal but not during a meal. I have to wait 30 minutes before I can drink water again... (I drink LOTS of water, this one is going to be hard)
(A few additional suggestions she recommended just for healthier eating habits in general, that were not specific to my issues
1 - have all 3 meals be approximately the same size
2- A balanced meal should be made up of aprox ~ 25% grains - 25% protein - 50% veggies/fruit)
Tier 2
6 - Probiotics
I should take this with all meals I eat out.
If after a week of implementing the above steps and I still feel like its not working then I should start taking them with every meal.
Tier 3
If the above steps don't work after two weeks then she recommends a Grape Seed Extract to drink 2x a day and then eat Kifer (yogurt concentrated with enzymes) to clean out my system and rebuild a healthier digestive track.
If NONE of the above work, she can refer me to a gastroenterologist for testing OR an accupuncturist who might help... but I'm hoping it won't come to that.
I think with all these suggestions something is bound to work. I'm very excited to have a new perspective and new hope that will hopefully lead to a healthier digestive system. hooray!
1st and very short term was a bout of food poisoning that started on Tuesday and only today (Sunday) 5 days later, I'm starting to be able to eat food with out intense stomach aches and endless trips to the bathroom. Thursday, I ate some nuts thinking I was starting to feel better, and it set off the most intense period of the sickness. It was the sickest I've felt in yeeeaaars. I was in bed shivering feeling like I was going to bark, afraid I was going to poop in my pants, shaking and trembling with a head ache and all over body aches. It was BAD. Thank goodness it finally feels like it's on its way out....
2nd - I finally went to go see a nutritionist to address other digestive issues I've been struggling with for the last few years. (inconsistent pooping and gas and other issues)
Dawn Jackson Blatner was recommended by a friend. She is a registered dietitian, runs cooking classes in Chicago, is the author of the book "The Flexitarian Diet," is a nutrition consultant for The Chicago Cubs and is featured occasionally on NBC. She specializes in a number of things including my specific need: digestive issues.
I choose to visit a nutritionist over a doctor because I am looking for a more holistic, long term fix. I believe western medicine often times misses the deeper issue and uses medication to bandage the surface while the underlying issues aren't addressed.
I have tried many things over the last few years: dairy free, gluten free, no alcohol, no sugar. Each time I think something works then there's a change that makes me believe its not the cause....
She had me log everything I ate and my digestive issues for 7 days before I went to go visit her. We met for an hour she analyzed my food intake and my reactions to what I was eating. She also asked plenty of questions about my history, my diet and my food reactions.
It was GREAT. She had so much knowledge and lots of well informed suggestions. I feel like my eyes are opened and I'm excited to start trying all her tips. I have another follow up meeting planned with her in a month, but if all goes well I'll feel better and I won't even need to see her again for a month.
I also have to mention that she was a fabulous communicator and did a really great job of explaining not only what I should try, but why.
I also really loved that her suggestions really only involved making subtle lifestyle changes. Everything she asked me to do seems totally manageable. It goes along with the part of her bio that states: "She helps people make realistic and gradual changes to their current eating habits and food choices."
Totally true, and very approachable - which is great for someone like me who is very lazy about food.
After looking over my food log and not seeing any consistent reactions she does not believe I have a specific food based allergy, but thinks it's me and my eating habits that are causing the issues.
So here were her suggestions.
Tier 1
1 - Gum - NO MORE(In the past I have gone through as much as a pack of gum in a day. Although this will not be difficult for me to give up, it will definitely present a huge change in my daily habits)
2 - Chew
When someone eats too fast or the food is not properly chewed then the digestive enzymes in the stomach and in the intestines have trouble breaking it up. This can lead to any number of digestive issues.
Because tend to skip lunch and just eat snacks all afternoon while standing or in front of a computer, she believes I eat too quickly and should make sure I chew everything entirely before I swallow.
Her rules for this were
a) no snacking - focus on eating 3 solid meals (this one's going to be difficult, i'm all about the snacks)
b) sitting and eating - make sure when I eat to be seated at a place setting with a plate and fork in front of me
3 - Nuts
I eat a lot of nuts which tend to be much harder to digest. She suggests buying raw nuts and soaking them in water for 8 hours, straining them and eating those instead will be much easier on my system. Apparently this is something raw foodists do to their nuts.
4 - Fruit
I should replace dried fruit with fresh fruit whenever possible. The concentrated amount of sugar in dried fruit is harder on the system.
5 - Water
Drinking lots of water can dilute the natural digestive enzymes in your stomach and intestines. I can drink as much water as I want before a meal but not during a meal. I have to wait 30 minutes before I can drink water again... (I drink LOTS of water, this one is going to be hard)
(A few additional suggestions she recommended just for healthier eating habits in general, that were not specific to my issues
1 - have all 3 meals be approximately the same size
2- A balanced meal should be made up of aprox ~ 25% grains - 25% protein - 50% veggies/fruit)
Tier 2
6 - Probiotics
I should take this with all meals I eat out.
If after a week of implementing the above steps and I still feel like its not working then I should start taking them with every meal.
Tier 3
If the above steps don't work after two weeks then she recommends a Grape Seed Extract to drink 2x a day and then eat Kifer (yogurt concentrated with enzymes) to clean out my system and rebuild a healthier digestive track.
If NONE of the above work, she can refer me to a gastroenterologist for testing OR an accupuncturist who might help... but I'm hoping it won't come to that.
I think with all these suggestions something is bound to work. I'm very excited to have a new perspective and new hope that will hopefully lead to a healthier digestive system. hooray!
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Wow, I can't believe so much can change in just one month since my last post.
Since loosing my job at NatureMill, my life has been moving forward at an accelerated speed and then halting suddenly, switching direction and barrelling onwards.
Valentine's Day was so super busy for me, like outta nowhere - BAM, crazy card sales. I read somewhere that Valentine's Day is the #2 card sending day of the year - Christmas being the first (duh). I just think that the market is over saturated with Christmas cards, even people who don't usually make cards to sell during Christmas will so when Valentine's Day hits there's still a demand just less competition. Anyways, I sold like 200 cards in a month. and I actually made enough money without the NatureMill paycheck as supplement. PLUS in January I got two payments for weddings. Ok, so I'm still not rich or anything and I know I couldn't do many of the things I wanted without the help of Chad's paycheck, but I'm still making it and its growing. I also have two more wedding projects on the way. Although things have slowed down considerably since after Vday, it's still keep steady with sales.
Since my last post, I have decided against design school. I talked to a few other letterpress printers who just manipulate stock photos and illustrations. I did get around to buying a design book, a book on illustrator and borrowing another from a friend. Armed with these, I believe I can over come some of the weaknesses I was worried about before.
I have also started looking into purchasing a press! The table top presses I've seen are lovely, but can run me up to $4k. The floor presses, bigger, better, faster - are closer to $1300 ---- way more manageable. Its because of all the hobby printers out there that don't want to commit to a space. So, I spent some time searching and the lovely Jenn has been generous to let me share her space once I get the press. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the guy who sells them. I've sent a few emails, I got one response two weeks ago, and am now waiting .... Jenn's space is not ideal in the long term but its perfect for now. It's cheap and just enough space. The monthly rent is only $100, which is totally manageable and I'll be able to make back that money no problem...
Anyways --- can't think too much about it til it happens.
---- sorry, pause for a minute --- I was just at the studios printing before I leave for Florida on Thursday, and now I have a bunch of things to do before I tomorrow. So I leave you with that,.,
xox
Since loosing my job at NatureMill, my life has been moving forward at an accelerated speed and then halting suddenly, switching direction and barrelling onwards.
Valentine's Day was so super busy for me, like outta nowhere - BAM, crazy card sales. I read somewhere that Valentine's Day is the #2 card sending day of the year - Christmas being the first (duh). I just think that the market is over saturated with Christmas cards, even people who don't usually make cards to sell during Christmas will so when Valentine's Day hits there's still a demand just less competition. Anyways, I sold like 200 cards in a month. and I actually made enough money without the NatureMill paycheck as supplement. PLUS in January I got two payments for weddings. Ok, so I'm still not rich or anything and I know I couldn't do many of the things I wanted without the help of Chad's paycheck, but I'm still making it and its growing. I also have two more wedding projects on the way. Although things have slowed down considerably since after Vday, it's still keep steady with sales.
Since my last post, I have decided against design school. I talked to a few other letterpress printers who just manipulate stock photos and illustrations. I did get around to buying a design book, a book on illustrator and borrowing another from a friend. Armed with these, I believe I can over come some of the weaknesses I was worried about before.
I have also started looking into purchasing a press! The table top presses I've seen are lovely, but can run me up to $4k. The floor presses, bigger, better, faster - are closer to $1300 ---- way more manageable. Its because of all the hobby printers out there that don't want to commit to a space. So, I spent some time searching and the lovely Jenn has been generous to let me share her space once I get the press. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the guy who sells them. I've sent a few emails, I got one response two weeks ago, and am now waiting .... Jenn's space is not ideal in the long term but its perfect for now. It's cheap and just enough space. The monthly rent is only $100, which is totally manageable and I'll be able to make back that money no problem...
Anyways --- can't think too much about it til it happens.
---- sorry, pause for a minute --- I was just at the studios printing before I leave for Florida on Thursday, and now I have a bunch of things to do before I tomorrow. So I leave you with that,.,
xox
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A good day
Despite a few set backs and insecurities yesterday (and a few this morning), today was a good day.
I felt happy and confident while printing at the studios. I felt engaged with what I was doing and compassion for the people around me. Part of me thinks it has to do with starting to write more and reconnecting with myself, becoming aware again of my intention. Verbalization is key.
I got some good printing done up at Evanston and was really enjoying what I was doing. It made me feel good to know I still get such pleasure from the physical process and the product. I mixed a lovely grey color that I fell in love with. I still don't know if anyone else will love it as much as I do (I can never tell what other people are going to like) but I was super pleased with it. I'm feeling positive today, and confident in my being. I still don't think i'm doing the best work I can do, but I know that if I keep working at it, I can, and I will be proud of it.
Moving on, I watched an interview with Oprah last night on CNN. I never knew too much about her, but her story amazes me. What I appreciate most is her attitude and outlook on her fame and her place in the world. She very thoughtfully answered questions and really expressed her desire to teach people and to help people. Her presence was very calm and she exuded a sense of peace and contentment. It affected me. It made reminded me that attitude counts for a lot, in a way, it helped recenter me.
I felt happy and confident while printing at the studios. I felt engaged with what I was doing and compassion for the people around me. Part of me thinks it has to do with starting to write more and reconnecting with myself, becoming aware again of my intention. Verbalization is key.
I got some good printing done up at Evanston and was really enjoying what I was doing. It made me feel good to know I still get such pleasure from the physical process and the product. I mixed a lovely grey color that I fell in love with. I still don't know if anyone else will love it as much as I do (I can never tell what other people are going to like) but I was super pleased with it. I'm feeling positive today, and confident in my being. I still don't think i'm doing the best work I can do, but I know that if I keep working at it, I can, and I will be proud of it.
Moving on, I watched an interview with Oprah last night on CNN. I never knew too much about her, but her story amazes me. What I appreciate most is her attitude and outlook on her fame and her place in the world. She very thoughtfully answered questions and really expressed her desire to teach people and to help people. Her presence was very calm and she exuded a sense of peace and contentment. It affected me. It made reminded me that attitude counts for a lot, in a way, it helped recenter me.
Monday, January 17, 2011
So, we're half way through January 2011. It's been grey. I've spent much of the time trying to rest and regroup after the holidays. Trying to take better care of myself, going to the gym more, and generally taking some time to relax.
I've been steadily continuing to work on the Steel Petal Press card thing. I feel like I've been blindly pushing forward with constant acceleration for the last 6 months since I decided my own letterpress business was a direction I wanted to go. I was moving so quickly, reading all the etsy tips, applying for craft fairs and trying to find more stores and customers to buy my cards... I felt like I was starting to get away from myself. I was moving forward too quickly without having a strong enough grasp on what I was doing to feel entirely confident in my decisions, my work or myself. I finally came to a realization a few nights ago (while laying awake in bed late at night) that I really really need to take a moment, put on the breaks and carefully think through the next step. Momentum is definitely a good thing in the beginning, and it is usually my driving force through difficult times, but at some point I need to take a minute to slow down and make educated decisions about my trajectory instead of blindly barreling forward with an idea.
I acknowledged that my current weakness is design. In the beginning I thought I could just coast into the letterpress world with my art background, but as I get deeper into it, I realize that I'm lacking certain knowledge and important skill set. They also make me self conscious and insecure. Mainly what I need to know better are graphic design fundamentals and computer tools.
So, I have decided to look into design and computer classes. I'm pretty sure I don't want a degree. but I found a 1 year certificate program at Loyola: http://www.luc.edu/dfpa/Graphic_Design_Certificate.shtml
and I have on my to do list to call the AI chain of schools to see if they offer a certificate program. I'm pretty sure I don't want to go through more years of schooling than I have to, but I know that I definitely need help in this area.shop
The other thing that I am lacking is easy access to a press. I rent studio time up in Evanston, which is starting to get expensive and is also quite a treck. If I'm really going to be doing this as a business I would love my own press, it would give me more time a freedom to experiment, to mess around, to play with different ways of printing etc. Right now I always feel like i'm under the gun with my studio time. I have to be in and out and entirely efficient.
Right now we have no place to put a press. There's no real appropriate space in our apartment AND we're not settled. It just doesn't make sense to set up until we live somewhere more permanent.
aaaanyways. yea - so i think this card letterpress this is what i'm doing - where I'm headed. I feel like it makes sense as a next step; It's a logical progression of advancement from where I have come. Sometimes its a little scary, but I'm not panicking just yet. I trust that everything will work out and fall into place, eventually.
In the mean time I can be proud of what i've accomplished so far. I feel as though I've stumbled on many road blocks, which is difficult when trying to navigate my way essentially on my own. I am trying to keep positive, and although I know that I am not there yet, I can only have faith that I will get there.
A few stores bought my cards once and haven't bought them again. At first I took it personally, but have learned to look at it as a learning experience. I need to make my cards better, and I need to know more about what will sell. This takes better skills and more time and experience, the craft fairs have been great for knowing what moves faster and what doesn't sell as well.
Anyways - I feel as though I've exhausted this subject for now. These are all thoughts that I've had in my head for a while and things I've already articulated to Chad. Right now I wanted to get it all down in writing - not only as a way to document, but also as a way to keep me in check. To get it out there, to refer back to. So i can keep focused
I know this post is full of run on sentences and grammar mistakes and miss-spellings, but I don't really care about all that right now. This is mostly for me. I want to get it out so I can hold myself accountable, so I won't get lost along the way, so I can have a clear mind and a clear path and accurate perspective of what I'm doing and where I'm going.
I've been steadily continuing to work on the Steel Petal Press card thing. I feel like I've been blindly pushing forward with constant acceleration for the last 6 months since I decided my own letterpress business was a direction I wanted to go. I was moving so quickly, reading all the etsy tips, applying for craft fairs and trying to find more stores and customers to buy my cards... I felt like I was starting to get away from myself. I was moving forward too quickly without having a strong enough grasp on what I was doing to feel entirely confident in my decisions, my work or myself. I finally came to a realization a few nights ago (while laying awake in bed late at night) that I really really need to take a moment, put on the breaks and carefully think through the next step. Momentum is definitely a good thing in the beginning, and it is usually my driving force through difficult times, but at some point I need to take a minute to slow down and make educated decisions about my trajectory instead of blindly barreling forward with an idea.
I acknowledged that my current weakness is design. In the beginning I thought I could just coast into the letterpress world with my art background, but as I get deeper into it, I realize that I'm lacking certain knowledge and important skill set. They also make me self conscious and insecure. Mainly what I need to know better are graphic design fundamentals and computer tools.
So, I have decided to look into design and computer classes. I'm pretty sure I don't want a degree. but I found a 1 year certificate program at Loyola: http://www.luc.edu/dfpa/Graphic_Design_Certificate.shtml
and I have on my to do list to call the AI chain of schools to see if they offer a certificate program. I'm pretty sure I don't want to go through more years of schooling than I have to, but I know that I definitely need help in this area.shop
The other thing that I am lacking is easy access to a press. I rent studio time up in Evanston, which is starting to get expensive and is also quite a treck. If I'm really going to be doing this as a business I would love my own press, it would give me more time a freedom to experiment, to mess around, to play with different ways of printing etc. Right now I always feel like i'm under the gun with my studio time. I have to be in and out and entirely efficient.
Right now we have no place to put a press. There's no real appropriate space in our apartment AND we're not settled. It just doesn't make sense to set up until we live somewhere more permanent.
aaaanyways. yea - so i think this card letterpress this is what i'm doing - where I'm headed. I feel like it makes sense as a next step; It's a logical progression of advancement from where I have come. Sometimes its a little scary, but I'm not panicking just yet. I trust that everything will work out and fall into place, eventually.
In the mean time I can be proud of what i've accomplished so far. I feel as though I've stumbled on many road blocks, which is difficult when trying to navigate my way essentially on my own. I am trying to keep positive, and although I know that I am not there yet, I can only have faith that I will get there.
A few stores bought my cards once and haven't bought them again. At first I took it personally, but have learned to look at it as a learning experience. I need to make my cards better, and I need to know more about what will sell. This takes better skills and more time and experience, the craft fairs have been great for knowing what moves faster and what doesn't sell as well.
Anyways - I feel as though I've exhausted this subject for now. These are all thoughts that I've had in my head for a while and things I've already articulated to Chad. Right now I wanted to get it all down in writing - not only as a way to document, but also as a way to keep me in check. To get it out there, to refer back to. So i can keep focused
I know this post is full of run on sentences and grammar mistakes and miss-spellings, but I don't really care about all that right now. This is mostly for me. I want to get it out so I can hold myself accountable, so I won't get lost along the way, so I can have a clear mind and a clear path and accurate perspective of what I'm doing and where I'm going.
Monday, January 03, 2011
2011 resolutions
Did I take more pictures? no --- did I cook more? I had a few spurts of inspiration to cook, but essentially, not really. (Chad's a better cook than, me and enjoys it much more - so I have trouble finding the motivation)
So here's what I want to see happen in 2011:
1 - running my business: Steel Petal Press has become a priority
-- Find more craft fairs to sell at! The last few months of selling to live people (as opposed to selling through a store have been immeasurably valuable. Not only do I see what sells quickest, I also see people's reactions and what they're drawn to - I feel like each sale has double as both a way to make money and to learn more about my customer base)
-- grow the business which means - more etsy sales - and more whole sale orders to shops
-- more custom orders - 2 - 4 per month?
-- keep doing what I'm doing, keep learning new things, making new designs, growing!
2 - Health
-- I am still a gym member, but my attendance died down over the summer (when I was outside) and then during the fall (when I was sick for a month) and the over the holidays (when I was way too busy) Last winter I went to the gym almost every day to (it was easier then because we had a car) now I would like to go at least 3-4 times a week.
3 - Awareness
-- this goes along with health but is broader and maybe a little more abstract. I want to be more aware of my body of what it needs, be it exercise, food related, stretching etc. I want to be more aware of what I'm putting IN my body - less sugar, more whole foods, more organic, the right portions, less toxins etc. (Hence starting out January as a month of sobriety) I also want to be aware of when I need breaks, when I need to push myself hard or when I need to rest. I would like to be better at recognizing and vocalizing my needs.
4 - Chicago
-- As I said before, in 2010 Chad and I spent most of our time traveling or planning the wedding. I always felt preoccupied and distant from our lives here in Chicago. In 2011 I would like to take more time to grow stronger connections with our friends here. and I would like to spend more time with myself (and with Chad and my kitties) at my own home.
5 - Friends
--- I want to keep in better contact with my family and friends that live other places. We don't talk nearly enough and I don't want to loose touch with you!
6 - Procrastination
--- spend less time on facebook. seriously - what a time suck.
7 - read more - winter is a good time for that
8 - write more, either on this blog or in a journal -- spend more time reflecting and capturing moments.
9 - talk less, listen more
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