Its been an incredibly busy summer and fall for me this year. I booked more large events than I ever had in the history of my business, pushing the envelope despite the harder economic times. For the most part, the plan worked. While most of my shows were not wildly profitable, I still ended up making a decent money on most of my summer shows and holding my own in the fall at my smaller craft venues. I'm not sure how next year is going to play out, but I will put my best foot forward, continue to master my craft and book more of the same venues.

I have one last craft fair to do and an open studio here in my home and then I am done for the holiday season. I'm grateful for that. I have many new designs that I want to complete for next spring and can't start manufacturing them until December comes. I am also planning on reorganizing my home studio. I'm not sure if I like where my bench is now and I want to add a locked cabinet for the various toxic elixirs I use to texture and color metals and to store my torch more safely. Also, we are planning on removing the carpet and giving me a Pergo "wood" floor that will be easier to keep clean.

I am also finishing up my semester in Diamond Grading as I continue to work on my Gemology Certificate. I have one last 3 unit class to take after this and then I go on to taking a course in professional jewelry appraisal. I hope to open up a jewelry appraisal office sometime in the next two to three years to supplement my jewelry making business.

For now, I am simply looking forward to enjoying the holidays with my family. Good food. Good times. I can't wait.