I’ve been debating what to write in this week’s newsletter… I have no new exciting projects yet (I’m still plugging along on the old exciting ones, and after that it’s time for wholesale orders and mundane things like bookkeeping and cleaning my studio).  I thought about writing an update of the large woodburned map using only bad puns (entitled “As the World Burns, part two” — totally tempting, admit it!!).  But this time of year sets me in a reflective sort of mood, and I think it’s important to embrace that.  It doesn’t usually last long, maybe only a week or two… just long enough for me to call all of the people I’ve been meaning to call, write belated letters, and reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one.  Plus, I’m a resolution kind of girl.  I know some people hate them, but to me they take two of the things I love the most — having dreams and making lists — and put them together into one neat little package.

So since you all have shared this lovely journey with me, I am going to share some of my new years’ dreams and goals with you.

2011 is a year of exploration and collaboration.  I hope to have some sweet small functional items to share in early January, as part of a collaboration with a lovely woodworker friend.  The rest of the month will be spent on a large-scale piece that has been waiting patiently on my “to do” list as the design was tweaked and materials delivered (and frankly, as I developed the necessary fortitude to tackle it without panicking).  It will be my largest piece to date at nearly 8′ tall, just edging out the 2008 COSE commission in ability to completely engulf my dining room table.

February is going to be a month of experimentation with both new products and new materials. I hope to find a good way to etch steel, a material that has thus far been finickier than the copper & zinc I currently use.  Not going to give too many details, save that I will call it a “quest” and speak in a British accent whenever I talk about it.

The rest of the year will include traveling out of state to shows, preferably ones with beaches — where admidst selling artwork I can take some time for “community research” like hunting down beach glass while “making contacts” with local diners and “networking” with turkey club sandwiches.

Beyond that, I’m going to let happen what happens!  2010 was full of lovely surprises, and I’m going to save some time to let those continue to take place.  Some of the most beautiful moments were ones I never could have planned, like losing my job, or falling off the self-employment cliff into the safety net of a lovely business, or meeting the man of my dreams.  One of the best things I did, admittedly reluctantly, was take a deep breath and let go of the false sense of security and control that was somehow comforting me.  Once I became at peace breathing in the air of uncertainty, the rest of life became much more calm.  I only hope to continue the journey that was started with wide eyes and a sense of wonder.

Have a lovely new year,

……………………..Chris