Yes, it’s that time of year again.
Looming ahead is the close of another year with the promise of a fresh, new year following closely on its heels.
Does that suggest anything to you?
It does to me.
This time between Christmas and the New Year is the perfect time to take stock, refresh all those tired energies, outdated systems and designs that may not have worked out so well and begin on new ones as I did with Blue Frangipani below.
For me, though, it’s time to tidy my workroom, reassess where everything should go, and find storage solutions for completed work while generating a little more room to move between machine and hand work.
After that, I plan to take stock of things like servicing my machines, topping up my needle supply, ensuring I have plenty of paper and ink cartridges for the printer moving into the New Year and going through my stockpile of threads and beads.
These are simple housekeeping chores, but once done, they should allow me to focus entirely on my work and commitments for 2025.
Because I find, the more organised I am, the smoother everything seems to run.
Are you the same?
Roadblocks may suddenly appear but forewarned is forearmed, and half the battle is having some plan to head off stress and to ensure I meet those engagements I’ve committed my time and energies to.
On paper, it all sounds great. But it’s the doing that’s hard. My answer to that is to begin with small, daily forays into my workroom, dealing with one area at a time. Each small triumph ensures I’ll be back again the next day.
Ordering supplies and servicing machines is a matter of moments, but once done, should free up the year ahead.
Then I need to sit down and plan my next body of work, although truthfully, I’ve already started. Writing a short brief or description will ensure I maintain focus to continue working innovatively. I’ll display this somewhere highly visible to keep me on track.
Teaching engagements for 2025 need to be looked at to ensure I have supplies enough for each but the largest call on my time is developing new workshop offerings.
Moving into a new year is all about hitting that reset button, and it’s a button only you can hit. If same-old, same-old isn’t working for you, then it’s time to change.
My strategies for this Reflect, Review and ReSet process come from years of experience, so if you’d like to follow my simple steps, here they are:
- review your workroom or studio area to assess what works and what doesn’t
- do a stocktake and re-order necessary equipment, tools and materials
- book machines in for annual service
- plan a body of work for the year ahead – or take your current work in a new direction
- write a short brief or description to help keep you on track and place it somewhere visible
- if you teach, look at teaching engagements to ensure you have adequate supplies
- consider learning a new technique to add to your design arsenal
- begin a sketchbook art practice
- develop new workshop offerings for the year ahead or list those you wish to attend if they will strengthen your work
Trust me, a little planning now saves loads of time down the track.
So my best Christmas Wishes to you all for your own creative studio practice. It’s not always an easy road but it certainly keeps us all working to fulfil our aims and dreams.
And from me to you, here’s some pre-Christmas cheer, a video of my latest exhibition, Escape – because what I do, is my escape.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
All views and opinions expressed are my own, except where acknowledged information is included from other sources.