What You Can Expect From Me in 2009 – Polymer Clay Tutor Resolutions

It's Going To Be A Great Year For Polymer Clay… Even If There Is A Recession!

I've never really committed to formal New Years Resolutions before. Always just had a vague, good intention sort of approach to the whole idea. But since I've been writing regular blog posts, I find myself putting more things in writing these days. And that's a good thing because it holds you accountable to your promises.

While sitting down to write something for the last post of the year, I thought to myself… "What do I want for my business and my personal life for 2009? What went right this last year and what should be improved on for next year? Maybe if I post about it, I would have a better chance of achieving it." So here goes…

Polymer Clay Tutor New Years Resolutions:
2009 Business:

• Specifically for the Polymer Clay Tutor Members Library, I will continue to add 4 new weekly tutorial videos and 8 new color mixing recipes per month. You may have already noticed that the most recent Volume-007 tutorial videos have been getting longer and going into more detail on specific techniques. You can definitely expect more of this format and style for future tutorials.
• Continue to develop the absolute best online support resource for beginner and intermediate polymer clayers. A place where you know you can come for trustable information all in one place, in a friendly and caring community environment. My goal is to always be there for you when you need help.
• Continue to write one new blog post every day, adding as much value and tips as I possibly can to bring the total number of posts up to 674 by the end of 2009. Wow that's a lot of content. If you have topics you want covered, you know what to do… leave me a comment to let me know.
• Release 1 new full course per month. This was the original plan, but figuring out how to set up a membership site took more time, effort and money than anticipated. So getting the courses filmed was delayed a bit. Sorry about that.
• Start a free audio podcast so that I can connect with all of you on a more personal level. Just think, you will soon be able to listen and learn from me on your iPod… when you are having your morning coffee, walking the kids to school or just out doing errands.
• Make up more finished jewelry to have on hand. If I take the beads and findings I have and make something new everyday (even while watching TV), several good things will come out of it:
  

  Using up extra supplies. More items to photograph and share on the blog. Inventory will build up for direct local sales and possibly an Etsy store. Become more skilled at designing and producing product. Practice makes perfect. Bring in extra income so I can write about how you can make money from your projects too.

• Book 2 or 3 Craft/Jewelry Fairs. I know they are not the best way to make money if you sink too much time getting prepped for them. But if there is inventory already made they can be worth doing… especially when you figure some cool jewelry niche marketing angles.
• Add a section to the members library for uploading and discussing polymer clay project photos [the link will take you to a recent discussion about possibilities of a "What-Was-I-Thinking" or "What-Went-Wrong" section for the photo gallery].
• Add another section to the library for uploading videos from other experts and teachers so that you can learn from more than just me. This idea fits in nicely with the second bullet point above… about building the best online support resource for beginner and intermediate polymer clayers. I think having everything all in one place would be helpful for many of you. It would save a lot of time searching all over the internet for answers and then having to determine whether to trust the information or not.
• Improve skills in polymer clay techniques, bead making, jewelry making, photographing beads, writing posts, filming… more close ups so you can see the details better… and less pointing at things with my middle finger ;-}. Please know that my often unorthodox finger pointing style is never meant to offend. Really it's not!
• Become more efficient so I don't have to work so many hours. Burning out is just not an option so at some point soon I will need to hire some assistants. Can't wait for this!
• Continue connecting and building friendships in the polymer clay industry as well as branching out to jewelry making, crafting, scrapbooking and wire working industries.

Cindy Lietz New Years Resolutions:
2009 Personal:

• Continue to exercise and eat healthier. I am seeing the results of this last years' effort having lost 20 pounds and experiencing way less back issues. I look forward to even more improved health.
• Spend more time relaxing with my kids and husband. Would like to go camping at least twice next summer for more than just three days. Also would like to take more weekends off completely.
• Connect better with my friends. Email the long distant ones every month and walk with my local friends and our kids to school every day.
• Make time for getting the yard work and house renovations on track. This bullet is a whole 'nother article on it's own… but I won't bore you with the details. I'm sure you have your own list of personal resolutions that are a lot more important to you than mine are :)

That's a pretty big to-do list I know. But now that it's written it out and publicized, I know the chances of getting everything accomplished are far greater. Happy New Year to all of you and may all of your resolutions work for you too! Thanks so much for being part of the Beads and Beading community.

If you have any New Years Resolutions or well wishes you would like to share, please leave a comment below! I love all of your comments!!!