Looking Ahead to 2014

I guess it’s the time to look back on the previous year and make some goals for the year ahead.

2013

Highlights

• My website has finally reached a state with which I’m happy. The blog is cranking along pretty well. Even some of the galleries are finished.
• New and exciting directions for my pottery including decals and new glazes.
• 1st wood firing experience.
• 1st attempt demonstrating and selling at a festival.
• Accepted into my first juried show.
• Put together my first ceramics camp/class.
• Attended a fantastic pottery workshop.
• Made some connections: met some local potters and I’ve started to connect to others through social media.
• Got to hep with a stop at the Michiana Pottery Tour.
• Successfully defended my fantasy football title.
• Was part of the winning team in the first WNP staff dodgeball extravaganza.
• Purchased a slab roller for the clay studio.

Lowlights

• My primary sales outlet left town.
• I still can’t grow a beard.
• My teams: more disappointment than success?

So, looking back, it was a pretty fantastic year. I hope to ride this wave  into 2014 and beyond. So let’s take a look at what I hope to accomplish in the next year:

2014

Top Priorities

Things that I want to get done before 2015 rolls around.

• Etsy! My top goal is to set up shop and start getting my work “out there” for everyone to see.
• Find at least one store in the physical world to sell my wares.
• Apply to at least 3 exhibitions/festivals/shows this year.
• Offer another class for the staff at WNP.
• Make my own stamps.
• Continue to shoot a handful of family or senior portraits with my wife.
• Make more connections and increase my social media presence. If you’d like to connect:
  • Facebook (243) and Facebook Page (70)
  • Google+ (63) and Google+ Page (4)
  • Twitter (59) (not a high frequency user)
  • Pinterest (33)
  • Instagram (62)
  • LinkedIn (17 connections)
• Make sets of pots, start defining a standard shape for mugs, cups and bowls.
• Write some great, original content for my other site.
• Continue to test new glazes and perfect the application of the glazes that I have now.

Lower Priority Goals

The “it would be cool to do this” category. If it doesn’t happen, we’ll try next year.

• Try some color decals.
• Learn some PHP or Javascript.
• Start an email newsletter.
• Upgrade one of our cameras and at least one of our lenses.
• Get a screened in porch for the back of our house.
• Improve my Adobe Illustrator skills.

I’m sure there are some other things that I’m forgetting. But that should keep me busy for a good part of 2014. Now I just need to lay out my plans to accomplish each goal. Perhaps in another post?

Anyway, I wish everyone out there the best that 2014 has to offer. Thanks for reading.