From a slow start to the year to full and amazing week – just like that!

Since last week many wonderful things have happened. On Monday I kept my promise to myself and got my revised design book, Save the World from Mediocre Design – Graphic Design Basics for Non-Design Folks, to the printer! It’s taken me way too long to put the finishing touches on it, although I do accept that everything has its own perfect timing. This week was it for the book. Also on Monday, I delivered three of my Refined pieces to Artzi Stuff on Wesley Street. Tanya Streeter-Wilson, owner and fabric artist is going to try them out there and see what the reaction is. This is good news because I need to have my pieces in more places.

On Wednesday, I received a cheque in the mail from The Nanaimo Museum – saying that 5 of my 9 pieces had SOLD – and they want more! This means that I can now start looking for some new pieces, since I will have room in my studio!

I think the Action Plan I wrote out at the beginning of January has helped me to keep all the pieces of my world moving forward – not a break-neck speed, but in a nice, calm manner that I can really handle. Today my friend Renée asked me how my new planning tools were working and what I told her was, I think they are working because I am writing things out on REALLY big pieces of paper and having fun with the presentation. It’s not just another boring list. All the lists feel very alive to me. It’s as though I am working on the expansiveness of my world in a very tangible way. I am not going to contain myself to 8.5″ x 11″ anymore – I’m going BIG.

Recently I was reading about how the act of writing or doodling while you are processing information actually opens up more of your brain. You don’t even have to be doodling or writing about what you are learning. I like this because I am a chronic doodler, mostly of words, while I am on the phone or pondering something. It doesn’t necessarily make any sense, but apparently it’s a good thing to do. This is why scientists are wondering what is going to happen to people, now that so few of us write anything at all – even a simple shopping list. It will certainly change things.

Since my energy and focus have returned I have been able to work away at an wide variety of pieces of my puzzle and that feels incredible. I am creating new products that will be sold on my beautiful new website as well as fine tuning my message. The new website is another way that I am breathing new energy, focus and drive into what I wish to offer the world. It is a stronger platform for me to build on, and I intend on doing a lot of building this year.

And now it’s on to looking at all the elements of the website and see what needs to happen next. Not too much longer until I can announce it’s up and ready to view.

May the week ahead bring unexpected pleasures to your world.

~sarah

2012 has started very slowly for me, something I was neither expecting nor am liking very much. I always want a new year to start with a rush of energy and excitement right from the beginning.

Oh well, this is how it started, me being sick in bed for a few days and then not having any energy or the ability to concentrate. Alas, I know it is just a clearing of the old and tired energies to make room for the new and exciting stuff.

As the veil of this cold thing leaves me, I am feeling a little like a new sprout. Tender but ready to explore.

Tender and New

I did make my lists during the holidays. Lists of what I plan to concentrate on this year. How all the parts of my work/life fit together and an Action Plan for January to get me going. I will make a month by month Action Plan to keep me focussed on my goals and give me the ability to reach them in an orderly way.

I also did some clearing of things – email addresses was a big one. I eliminated a lot of people from my email “database”. Why? Well, there were so many people in there that I just didn’t really know. Yes, I’ve met them, but there is no real connection. I figured they were taking up space in my world – space that could be freed up for other people to come in and be a more important part of my world. I also did this with my physical address book. It was very freeing for me … and I discovered a friend of mine did exactly the same thing! Ahh, great minds!

Today is the first day I actually feel some energy and focus to pick away at the million things that I need to do. Things that have been hanging over me for the last few weeks, are suddenly getting done quite easily. This feels very nice.

One thing I committed to on my list of important things, is to keep up with this blog on a regular basis – once a week minimum, more if there is more to share. I want to expand this blog to be about more than this journey, although that will really remain a focus. I want to share some aspects of design – Before and After sorts of things, explore more about the Refined Furniture & Accessories part of my world, and bring in some Mandalas. (I haven’t created a 2012 Mandala yet, but it’s coming!)

In the coming weeks I will be introducing a whole new website – something that will more accurately reflect the variety of things that occupy my time. I’m very excited about this, but it’s a lot of work! So many little aspects to it … especially the parts where I have to design products that are in my head, so that I can sell the real ones on the site. Yes, I have to get down to some serious design stuff once again.

As always, this journey of mine continues to offer a rich experience and a good deal of freedom – and believe it or not, that makes up for the lower income! Of course, when the new site is up and running, I expect my income will be up and coming too!

My mantra for the year comes from an Islamic saying:

“Do something today

that your future self

with thank you for.”

What an amazing idea … to be present in this moment and yet prepare for your future at the same time!

May the year ahead be filled with wondrous delights!

~sarah

Yes, the saga of the pretty little chair seems to continue. I’ve hesitated to write about it because things have not turned out the way I envisioned. Hmmm. More lessons learned. Here is how the chair looks at this moment:

My first make-over attempt

Although it was what I wanted to do with the chair from the beginning, it has not captured the essence I was looking for. So, I am going to start again … yes, you read that correctly. I am going to rework this little chair that has consumed so many of my hours. I’m going to do it because, like a drawing or painting or piece of music, you may get it down on paper, but it might not be quite right. That’s how I feel about this little chair.

I may not do it immediately, but I will tackle it again.

I think the mistake I made with this chair is over-thinking it. Trying too hard, instead of letting its simple elegance direct the process. It is something I’ve been prone to do over the years, which just proves my core belief that simple is almost always better.

Since the show/sale on November 27th, I have been pondering the future of the Refined Collection, and all the other parts of my work/life. This is absolutely the perfect time of year for me to do this … partly because I don’t get all wrapped up and crazy around the holidays! So, for the next few weeks, I will be looking at all the things in my work/life, seeing what works and what clearly doesn’t. Asking myself some serious questions and mining for the answers. I think this is going to be a very fruitful time indeed.

I know that I have learned a lot about myself through the furniture. Since I have allowed myself to be completely immersed in it, I see how my mind and body have reacted – and I like it. But I am equally aware that there are many other things I want to work on at this time. So, the trick is going to be, making time to work on them all.

I’ll let you know what comes out of all of this – just in case it might be helpful for you as well.

Cheers, sarah