Goals this Year

This year is going to be an interesting experience.  I have moved so I need to set up my shop again.  The good thing is that most of my tools are on wheels, so I need to find locations for everything.  My area is a little bit bigger, but I lost all the overhead space.  I am also going to need to watch the items that we will need to store in the garage as we get snow and the kids start getting larger outdoor toys.  This process will take some time, but I am currently able to manage. 

I have found another guild to participate in.  It is a marketing ploy because the people who run the guild also push their product (they sell tools and lumber at the location).  The group seems strong and active in the community.  There is no toy drive, so I am going to have to find my own charities to donate to.  I hope to be able to get a little more involved and participate in the guild.  I am a little out of my element and there is a lot of members, so it will be easy to get lost in the group.

I am working on more magazine articles.  I just got requests for three more.  Two are pretty simple and the other one is going to take more time.  With the move and the cold weather, it is going to be a struggle to get these complete, but I like the challenge. 

I am also looking at getting back into the plan sales through retailers.  Now that I have been published, I am hoping I have a little more leverage.  I need to reach out to them again and see if they are interested.  Etsy sales are doing well and hope to continue that platform.

The major projects this year’s is going to be a couple of nightstands.  I am going to take it a little lighter this year because of the move and adjusting to a new workshop.  I am hoping these will turn out nice with nice hardwood lumber and finish.  I plan to do some traditional joinery.  Design wise, I am going to be looking at the house.  I need to design some closet systems to make the closets a little more functional.  Not sure what the toy front will look like this year.  I think that I need to take a break this year.