Monday, January 10, 2011

Looking Back at 2010

What a year it has been in the weaving world!  Here is the quick review:
Looking back at 2010, I realize that I was focused on the numbers. I set high goals for weaving sales and
at the end of the year, I had realized my goal of earning $5000. Well actually, a little over that. So, while working a day job, I managed to earn an average of $100 a week, every week. Sweet!

Having Etsy shops is so much fun and contributed largely to this success! Another goal was to reach 100 Etsy sales by the end of the year and I have not yet attained that one.  I opened my first Etsy shop, ASpinnerWeaver,  in 2008. In 2010, I opened a second shop, IWeaveSashes, to sell the natural fiber sashes, garters and straps I weave for historic re-enactors there and separate them from the modern stuff like scarves and shoelaces and other stuff that may contain synthetic fibers.  Between the two shops, to date, I have logged 92 sales.
My lesson: Going for the numbers has influenced my work. I tend to make what I have learned to expect will sell and not take too much time to experiment with new ideas, techniques, products, etc.

One of the fun (and sort of stressful, too) things I did a lot of last year was custom orders. This kept me so busy at the end of the year, that I didn't get around to blogging much. So, here are a few photos to catch you up with what I have been working on.


Pair of boot bracelets for Uggs with name, date and leather tag with customer's "symbol"
Strap for a Gadulka.  inspired by these colors and this belt
Strap for a purse. Fringes on one end are 36" long. Similar to this one I did earlier.


These last few photos were done in a hurry before shipping off the orders, and not of the best quality. Which leads into the next post about what I want to do in the upcoming year.....

5 comments:

  1. I've just started weaving on an inkle loom after weaving on a full floor loom for years - I came across your blog and love your braids /inkles, whatever you call them! I'm inspired!

    Clare (http://flaxandfleece.blogspot.com/)

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  2. Oh I know what you mean by not taking the time to experiment but to weave what will sell! Me, too! And I don't do the time-consuming stuff like leno and fine finishing work...but still love it! Congrats on your sales, Annie!! xo

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  3. Clare- Nice to meet you! I'm glad that you found my blog and am glad you find it inspiring!
    Cait- I guess as long as we are having fun it's all good. I'd love to have you show me your secret for creating such beautiful mixed warps!

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  4. Congratulations on meeting your goals. Heck, 92 is close enough to 100 for me. You've made some inspiring and beautiful things in 2010 and I've enjoyed seeing them all. Here's to a happy, creative and productive 2011!

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  5. Oh, thanks, Theresa for your good wishes! And thanks for being a faithful reader. ~Annie

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