Looking Ahead 2014
I think every year I plan to be more organised over the coming year. I don’t think I’ve done too badly, I did rearrange some rooms to make my felting and craft stuff more accessible, so it should be even easier this year since I can now leave projects out and don’t have to spend valuable time tidying everything away. I’m going to keep writing notes and lists of things to do in my diary each day , so I don’t forget.
I really enjoyed the craft fair that I did, so hopefully I’ll get a chance to do more this year. Just working out how to find out where they are happening will be an improvement on last year 🙂 I photographed and printed out my ‘inventory’ of all the things I’ve made which makes it easier to keep track, so I’m going to keep up with that aswell this year. I used to upload everything to flickr, but I find it hard to use since the change.
I’d like to be able to work on a new e-book this year or at least more tutorials. As much as I love our weather here, it isn’t the best for taking photos, so that is a big hindrance in doing tutorials. The light in Winter can be perfect, but some days there’s barely 5 hours of ‘daylight’, so finding the perfect conditions can be difficult. The light in Summer is weird: pale, hazy with a yellow tint, so maybe it’s time to invest in a lightbox. I would also love to be able to get involved in community workshops, something which people will really enjoy doing, learning a new usable skill and giving people an alternative creative outlet and way to express themselves. Hopefully if I get enough interest I can also get funding. But if anyone has any openings for a felter one day a week, I’m open to offers 🙂
Two things I’d like to try out more with felting is embellishment fibres and using wool to create the ‘design’ or surface interest. I don’t think I’d ever be able to do anything like those gorgeous wet felted paintings, but I do enjoy using wool in a more controlled way to create an interesting effect.
I’ve been working on what I call my ‘other fibres project’ off and on for years, using embellishment fibres to add interest to felt. I made a few pieces with bamboo recently and enjoyed that a lot, especially adding texture and shape to felt, so I’d like to find time to work on that more.
Thanks for supporting us this year 🙂 Have you made plans for this year?
17 thoughts on “Looking Ahead 2014”
Love that rose, really beautiful. I am sort of a fiber gypsy. Throw it all the a pot and see what comes out. lol
Thanks Judy 🙂
That’s usually what I’m like, a bit of everything, then I try one fibre with the right type of wool and get something simple but unique.
Good luck with your venture zed, hope you have success! I like those tartany circles. 🙂
Thanks Judith 🙂
Me too, I rediscovered them when doing the inventory 🙂
I think you do great with your pictures Zed. There are do it yourself instructions on line for light boxes that dismantle for storage. I think they are made out of the white plastic pipe. Keep trying different ways to organise until you find the one that works for you. I hope you find some new shows to try and maybe some classes to teach.
Thanks, Ann 🙂
I have had to rely on Photoshop a few times, I’d rather save time and just take a good photo 🙂 I remember those instructions and looked everywhere here for that modular pvc piping, but it isn’t something we had. I’ll certainly look for something to make before paying for anything 🙂
Reading your summary, it’s clear that you moved forward and achieved in 2013, and with all that momentum behind you, I think 2014 just has to be successful.
Thanks, Lyn, you’ve been a great support 🙂
You’ve made progress this year and will continue to do so in 2014. I’m with you In getting organized. I tend to jump from project to project and wonder what if anything I’ve accomplished. I do but it’s not always obvious. Sometimes you have to keep working to really understand what the system should be and then it’s subject to change when you change direction. :-). I think the fair was a major turning point for you. And as always, I look forward to your tutorials and ebooks, just keep sharing! it’s always an inspiration.
Thanks, Marilyn 🙂
There’s so much to try with felting though, it’s hard not to try lots of things, and sometimes it does take a while to realise what we learnt.
Sounds like a great plan Zed – I bet the inventory system really helps you to keep better track of what you’ve made. Did you use a spread sheet or a specific program for that? I should probably get something like that started as I may try and branch out and put work in other stores besides my own. I hope that you can find more fairs and can begin some workshops – those sound like great ideas.
Thanks, Ruth 🙂
I actually just took photos and printed them out. I grouped things together like notebooks, purses, glasses cases etc, then added notes like whether they were listed on etsy etc. I’d tried lists, but even the most detailed description was no comparison to a photo. It’s a lot easier on the eyes too 🙂
Zed, I’m looking forward to seeing the results of your 2014 projects. You seem to be a well organised person. My plans are to go more in depth with nuno felting.
Thanks, Nada 🙂
I wish I was as organised as I seem 🙂 Good luck with exploring Nuno!
I like the idea of a photographic inventory Zed, it’s something I have always done and I think for creative minds this works far better than written lists. I agree with Marilyn, your work is very inspiring so it will be interesting to see what you get up to in 2014.
Thanks a lot 🙂
I just wish I’d thought of photos earlier, I’d copied and printed etsy listings, wrote detailed descriptions, had pages of notes, but it was just endless words 🙂
Never thought of a photo inventory–great idea! Could have used photos when I was searching
for my nuno felting supplies 2 days ago. By the time I had gathered all of my tools, I had wasted
two hours of time that could have been spent felting. And I have plenty of space–no excuses.
So along with the Pollock challenge, you have reminded me to get organized before doing anything else.