Wow, just watched President Obama being sworn in.  It was amazing to see all of the former Presidents & Vice Presidents all on the same stage.  There is nothing like Aretha singing “America The Beautiful”.  And how charming was Yo-Yo Ma?!!  What a great smile and a beautiful piece “Air & Simple Gifts” composed by John Williams.  Barack’s speech was beautiful and inspiring.  I’m definitely pumped.  So pumped in fact, that I don’t mind paying my sales tax today.  I’ve had a paradigm shift towards the government and how much a small business like mine has to pay out.  Here in TN it is 9.25% which is a tough add-on when you are selling jewelry.  Oh, well- let’s hope it’s put to good use for the greater good!  One great thing is that you can e-file.  Congrats to everyone for electing a new President.  Let’s hope for the bright days he can see up ahead….

Just so you all know I’m not some kind of booze-hound, my profile picture came from our 1st annual Man Party held before Christmas for all of those guy shoppers who sometimes need a little help.  That aside, this is my introduction to those who may be reading the blog.  Hello!!!  I’ve never blogged before, so there will be a learning curve to finding out what is interesting, boring, and completely unnecessary.  I  imagine this will contain some of all bits.  From my daily battles with my arch-nemesis jewelry manager (a computer program, not a person) and the torture my hands go through bending all of this wire, to the fun process of creating new designs and techniques to make the things in Judith’s head come to life – you guys will hear/read it all.

I think Judith mentioned I’m a lit major, and I’m a total nerd ( I’m always reading), and I also run, so those things might make it in here every once in a while.  So woohoo!

It’s Monday and it’s snowing.  That wouldn’t be so exciting if you were living in a place where it snows a lot but here in Nashville it hardly ever snows anymore so we consider it to be thrilling.  It has been really cold lately and it’s nice that it has warmed up enough to snow.   It’s also not the kind of snow that is dangerous on the roads so right now it is a pretty backdrop to a winter day.  Heather and I are working to close out 2008 by doing inventory of our jewelry making supplies, tools & our finished goods.  This is the part that is a big dragola, but it’s got to be done.  Our main goal is to streamline and try to hold on to only parts & pieces that we can sell- the rest will be written off or sold on ebay.  These are the things you just have to figure out on your own and you do the best you can.  It just takes time to get your process & systems down.   We can’t wait to get back to the business of designing for Spring & Summer ’09.  We’ve got some great things in the works.  But first things first…