Annual Meeting (if you can call it that. . . )
Who knew setting goals was so much of a process?? But we did it, finally!! It took a fascinating mix of dogged determination, three brilliant minds, and the tantalizing promise of a reward to drag us through it. There may also have been some amazing snacks from the local food co-op. . .
For myself, I've always found it easier to just
create than to actually make some conclusions about where that creativity is or should be taking me. Seeing how our goals had evolved over the past year or two was impressive, but what really made me sit back and ponder how all of us had changed was the way that the discussion took place.
It seemed like we just sat down after a seriously tasty breakfast (food creativity is a skill I envy) and started talking about where we were now - product-wise, time-wise, etc - and suddenly, we were making some fairly definitive statements about what we hope for for E Cubed in the coming years. It's almost as if in our previous discussions, we had forgotten to talk about the "now" and simply jumped into talking about our company ten years from now. It makes sense that you'll have a better idea where you're going if you have at least half a clue as to where you
are. Now, since we know where we are and know to give ourselves several avenues to allow for the mutability of the coming years, it's MUCH easier to define (even if it's broadly) where we want to go.
The next day, all 3 of our kayaks went onto the car (3 kayaks, 1 car, no problem) and we indulged in some good old fashioned head-in-the-clouds dreams as we drifted across Grafton Pond in the sun.
All in all, a highly productive and endlessly entertaining weekend!!! This weekend will be a great follow up to our meeting - our first show (come see us in Portsmouth!) with our new goals in mind. Can't wait!
Labels: goals, planning
Bow St Fair in Portsmouth NH
We'll be at the Bow St Fair in Portsmouth NH this weekend. Come on down and see us, 10-5 Sat and Sun. Bow St will be closed off for the fair, we recommend parking in the garage on Hanover St. Rain or Shine! A suggested $2 donation for entry goes to support the Seacoast Repertory Theater.
Important Meeting
We had a goal setting business meeting last weekend. The others may chime in with what we learned, but I think we got some good relaxation out of it.
Books
It has fallen to me to forge ahead in our bookmaking experiment. I seem to have an overabundance of supplies (not at all unusual) and a dearth of time in which to create.
I've acquired some books on the cheap to try deconstruction/reconstruction again, the deconstruction having not gone so well the first time I tried. It's harder than you think to deconstruct a bound book so that it can then be re-bound!! I'm experimenting with ways of thinning out the cardboard cover so that it can be punched, while maintaining both the structural integrity and the overall artistic effect.
I desperately want to try with the Nancy Drew books that I've gotten - I think the combo of the covers with all the different kinds of papers that I've acquired will make excellent journals.
Pictures of my early attempts to follow!
As we progress in our jewelry I am itching to work more in metals using cold connections at first and also some PMC. I would also like to learn to solder with a torch! Previously this idea terrified me as my setup was in my future in-laws basement. I could just see me burning the house down. However, I am now (finally!) a homeowner and will soon be setting up a work area in our garage. Here's how it stands now:
Not a good picture, but that is probably a good thing! Hopefully by this time next week it will be a workable space!
New Jury Photos
We decided we needed some new jury photos, since our work has started to change and our booth has had the full makeover (more than once!) so we spent some cold time in the garage setting up a booth just for a couple of shots. We still flubbed the lighting a bit (the garage is not tall enough for the full setup) but the shots came out okay.
Labels: necklaces, new items, photos
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We'll be at a show with our jewelry on Saturday from 9am to 3pm at the Mascoma high school on route 4 in West Canaan NH. Take exit 17 off of I-89, go east about 7 miles, there will be a sign for the high school on the left.
Labels: shows
