wound down

The last week of my work year, Dec 9-15, was so busy that this week I've done not much more than sit, knit, wrap packages, and breathe.  I have not baked a single holiday treat.  Oh well.

I am so pleased and grateful for my holiday sales.  I had three sets of staff gifts and so many friends (and their husbands!) came to me for gifts.  I'm so grateful.

I'm looking forward to a tiny bit of travel, a lot of knitting, some crane folding, and champagne for the rest of the year.  Keeping the holidays simple, minimal, sincere.

Merry Christmas, y'all.

CASH MOB

 

You've heard of flash mobs, and cash mobs might also be on your radar, but today's Memphis Cash Mob is going to be BIG!  About 20 women who are a part of my Creative Collective group (an all-female, all creative entrepreneurial incubator and cheerleading group of sorts) are setting out their wares at Literacy Mid South, 902 South Cooper, in Memphis TODAY from 2-4.  Shannon Dixon, one of our members, created this organization to strengthen small businesses and foster community in Memphis.  This event will be short and sweet (much like Shannon), and 10% of all proceeds go back to Literacy Mid South, which services adults and children and trains tutors to help our community become more literate.  If you're in town, this is my last big sale of the season. 

good morning

December has come and I feel as if I am simultaneously gearing up for my last big burst and winding down, ready to wrap everything up for the year.  I am still working and throwing and glazing and shipping every day until Dec. 15 (actually, I'll stop throwing by Wednesday of this week to focus on the finishing work), then I'll turn my focus to my family and tucking my business things to bed for 2012.  

 

I have one last sale event coming up next Sunday, December 9, at Literacy MidSouth from 2-4 pm.  Late this summer I created a group for creative female entrepreneurs in the Memphis area to explore some of our business and personal issues and learn how to grow, reshape, expand our businesses by learning from each others' experiences.  It is more virtual than real-time, although we do meet.  I struggled through growing my business- especially with taxes and licensing- mostly by myself.  When several women asked me to informally mentor them as they grew into their businesses, I thought about other "hive" organizations like these in other areas.  Since its inception, the group has taken on a life of its own and I've taken my hands off the reins.  This event, a "cash mob" is one that one of our members created to showcase independent retailers in Memphis, and this one is for our group.   I'm super excited about it, and about the group.  I think the group may be the best thing I've done this year.

These ornaments, by the way, are available locally and I have a few online in the shop.  They're simple unglazed porcelain.  I'll have some at the cash mob and at the Trolley Stop Market.

I hope to be back in this space more in 2013, at least once more this year.  Happy holiday season, friends.