Inspiration: It's All Around

“We are the music makers, and we are 

the dreamers of dreams…” 

Willy Wonka - Willy and the Chocolate Factory

One of my favorite movies of ALL time is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I have fond memories of sitting down once a year near Thanksgiving to watch it as a family. Mind you this was when you had to get up to turn the television on and turn the channel manually by twisting knobs. We also only had about 4 channels when using an antenna. We entertained ourselves outside, exploring our world. So when we could all come together and watch something as a family it was an event.

I am in awe of the colors, the shapes, the perceived textures presented in the movie. I know that as a set designer I would have had a hay day working on the candy garden. I probably would have gained a few pounds as I bought/made candy looking for inspiration too.

I am trying really hard to lose weight right now and can’t afford to gain. That is why I like to take inspiration for my craft from my surroundings, quotes and insights.

It can be a photo:

GrapeVine Ceramics & Gifts
Small Weed Pot
Simple Sunflower Vase
Sunflower Pencil Holder
Sunflower Ornament

It can be a quote or simple words:

Live, Laugh, Love Poster by Louise Max
Inspirational Keepsake Boxes by GrapeVine Ceramics & Gifts

But it's not limited to those either. I receive some of my strongest inspiration from my family and the lives that they lead/led. There are many attitudes, graces, work ethics and stubbornness, that I emulate throughout my week: my grandmother's patience, my grandfather's work ethic, my father's love of fun, and my mother's persistence. 

Where do you find inspiration? 

Is It Really January

January is notoriously slow for us in terms of sales, in the past it has also been slow in terms of production. NOT THIS YEAR! So far our online sales have out-paced last year by about 90% and it's just the middle of the month. We've also seen an increase of sales on ready to paint items from our store front.

Some of 2012's best sellers

Honestly, I really hadn't paid attention until I got ready to write this post. I've been focusing on building inventory and getting ready for craft shows and our busy season online. Last year I took January and a portion of February off to liquidate my mother-in-law's collections and get her house ready for sale. Years previous to that I took the time to catch up paperwork and get our information to the accountant for taxes.

Ornaments and new paperweights almost ready for over glaze

This year I'm a little more organized but I still have a long way to go. Reclaiming the basement is progressing, not as quickly as it had at the beginning of the month, but it's usable again. If I had to I could pack up the items that are still waiting for new homes and clear the bar for use. The office reorganization is taking a bit longer. I cleared the desk, sorted the items for home, shop and mother in law, pulled out the trash and now the baskets sit until I can get back in there and work one basket at a time.

Pareto's Principle ~ The 80/20 Rule

I'm shopping for a new planner. I had one that I LOVE but they are no longer offering it. While in the search process, I got side tracked (go figure). I stumbled across different theories for time management, and anyone who knows me, knows I struggle with this constantly so my curiosity was peaked.

Leather Planner 2013
by My Hand Bound Books

The theory that caught the most of my attention is "Pareto's Principle" also called the 80/20 Rule. In a nutshell, "The 80/20 Rule means that in any instance a few (20 percent) are vital and many (80 percent) are trivial." The more I read the more intrigued I became and I started to look at how it applies to my life and business.

Looking at any day, I quickly determined that approximately 20 percent of my day is dedicated to the things that matter for that day. Many times the other 80 percent could be pushed off to another day and aren't vital to mine or my family's well being. Instead of feeling pressured to get it all done NOW, I am looking at what could be either delegated to another family member or put on the back burner. I'm hoping to have less stress and more time to just enjoy the gifts I've been given.

Fleur de Lis Keepsake Box
by GrapeVine Ceramics & Gifts

In applying it to my business, it gets a little trickier. I analyzed my inventory and determined that yes the majority of my sales were from 20 percent of my designs. Which brings up the questions: Should I quit making the other 80 percent and specialize? If I do that will my shop become stagnant because I'm not producing new designs? The more I researched the more I decided that I shouldn't stop making the other 80 percent. The other 80 percent are necessary for helping to build SEO to my site, they keep my creativity fresh and make me happy. What is does show me though is where to focus the most of my attention. I need to increase my inventory and offerings in Keepsake Boxes and Ornaments and maintain my current inventory on the other categories at a lower level. It also shows me that I need to limit the inventory on new releases until they are a proven product, no more making 20 of one item to see what kind of reception they receive. Maybe six of a new design is a better number. If four of the six fly out of my inventory, then I better get cracking.

Cup of Christmas Tea
by GrapeVine Ceramics & Gifts

Now that I know where to apply my focus, my next couple months in the studio will be spent rebuilding my inventory and adding to the proven lines. That way when Art and I are done with research and development I can focus on a new line for a couple months before our busy time starts. We are in the form and clay development stage right now and I can't wait to show you.

Now back to my planner search....