Fantasy self

I started a group with a couple of friends that is based on monthly meetings designed to set goals and encourage each other. My friend Lillie also made a piece of art recently that described her most perfect dream self in a dream life situation. These two encouraging forces made me want to paint (metaphorically) a picture of my best future self so that I can have a clear idea of what I want. I think this list will help me stay on track.

Potentially Achievable Dream Elise: (artistic/professional self)

- Dream Elise is taking spanish and sign language classes

- Dream Elise finished her first storybook "Mail Order Alligator"

- Dream Elise has loads of fun teaching workshops all over the place

- Dream Elise manages a handful of freelance illustration projects

- Dream Elise had a show at a local cafe

- Dream Elise felt confident to bring her show to a gallery

- Dream Elise is not scared of technology- scans & edits like it's nothing

- Dream Elise found a way to make digital art prints that look perfect

- Dream Elise believes in herself as an artist- not plagued by self doubt

- Dream Elise is an organizer of BBB & has become very helpful

- Dream Elise launched her secret website idea

- Dream Elise gets a space in Salem's Artist Row

- Dream Elise keeps her workspace tidy or at least functional

- Dream Elise feels capable of drawing a human

- Dream Elise finishes what she starts!

I hope that I didn't gross anyone out by talking in third person like a creep. I didn't put a deadline on this because that would surely lead to pressure and guilt but I wanted most of the things to be achievable soon-ish. I will not be proud if I am a senior citizen when I get this stuff done and will take any advice or assistance I can get.

Feeling a little bit blue

I've heard that this week is proven to be the most depressing week of the year and I admit that I am feeling it's true for me. I wouldn't say I feel depressed but I am experiencing a general dullness paired with a bit of disappointment in myself.

Every morning I make my tea and sit on the couch to write out my list of plans and goals for the day. I love this morning ritual but lately I have paired it with an evening ritual of looking at the list for the day, seeing how little I have accomplished and going to bed feeling like I'm failing. I think I set myself up for this by having unrealistic ideas about how much I could achieve once I was full time on Argyle Whale. It's probably amusing that I thought that my day job was the only thing keeping me from creating every day, making home cooked meals, having a spotless home and being a better friend and a sharp dresser!

I bet I'm not the only crafty entrepreneur who left her job and found out that there were still only 24 hours in a day.

Tomorrow I'm making a smaller list.

Goal completion = bigger goals!

I am so pleased to announce that I've just succeeded in making my goal of 200 Etsy sales in the year 2008. I have been running Argyle Whale since January at about half speed due to other jobs and so I'm doubling my goal to 400 Etsy sales for next year since I'm only working a few hours per week now. That would really be something!

I think 2009 is going to be my most ambitious year ever. I have big plans.

These are my big plans:

- Jenn and I are totally revamping argylewhale.com and adding a checkout.

- I am soliciting boutiques nationwide to develop wholesale accounts. My goal is 10.

- I am joining a street team and an artist's association.

- I am getting my own studio outside of my home!

- I may (If I'm accepted) do an artist's residency type thing in my town where I do workshops and get a mini storefront. A little Argyle Whale store for real!

- I am expanding my line to include items in a variety of price points. Big prints + little buttons.

- I am taking screen printing and letterpress classes so I can be prepared to transition out of Gocco printing when my supplies run out.

- I am hopefully going to go on semi-tour and have a full lineup of craft shows to vend at.

Holy frijoles! I have never written it all down in a list like that. I better get going!