Getting inspired for the New Year

[caption id="attachment_1152" align="aligncenter" width="383" caption="Welcome to my newly organized work room..."][/caption] Happy 2012!   I find my self looking ahead to an exciting year--new creations to be made, new techniques to be learned.  Last year I made a list of all the jobs I do--about 11 came up.  Have I farmed out anything?  Not really!  But I've learned to be more forgiving and more organized.  I recently moved out of my work room, and then back in after removing old carpet and painting the walls, and having the floors sanded.  Next time I'll remember not to schedule floor sanding in the fall!

[caption id="attachment_1153" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="the PMC area, and cat window"][/caption]

I recently received an annual report from WordPress, in 2011 I made 18 new posts to my blog, uploaded 40 new pictures.  I have the intention to blog more, hopefully I'll be more organized to do that.  My new year's resolution is to manage my time better!  I look forward to making a trip to Tucson this winter and I hope to travel to the PMC Conference in June.  And this is the time of year to look at summer art festival schedules and make sure I know when the deadlines are.

[caption id="attachment_1154" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="a few cats hanging out"][/caption]

Last year I wanted to add more color to my work--I succeeded in setting quite a few stones.  I also did some mixed metals, a bit of enameling.  This year I want to do more with color--and try new things.

[caption id="attachment_1166" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Thanks to Ikea and my handyman, Paul, new shelves in the bead area"][/caption]

That was a trip around my work space, newly decorated and still in progress.  Curtains yet to be hung.  The new IKEA was a big help with my new desk tops, cardboard organizers, bookcase.  I found a great space for this painting by Julie Puma from 2002, Grandma Rachel's desk, and the cat tree was last to fit in.

[caption id="attachment_1155" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="back to my desk and calendars"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1173" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="painting by Julie Puma, famous artist & teacher"][/caption]

And a few finds from my travels to Cedarburg, and Columbus.  (Wisconsin & Ohio that is)

[caption id="attachment_1172" align="aligncenter" width="308" caption="yes, it does"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1174" align="aligncenter" width="279" caption="how I felt at the end of this season!"][/caption]