Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! It has been quite the year, and like many, I am very much looking forward to the new year beginning. I have been wrapping up things on my to-do list (like painting, cleaning, donating things) so that I can start 2025 off with a nice clean slate! There is something so refreshing about a new start and a new year. 

As part of my preparations for 2025, I have been organizing my beading supplies. I always love to do this as I rediscover forgotten treasures in my stash. I found some lovely charms that I forgot to use, some gorgeous Czech Glass Cathedral beads, and oodles of seed beads. As I look back on 2024, I realize that I didn't do as much of one of my favorite techniques - kumihimo! One of my goals for 2025 is to work on kumihimo projects. I also want to create more loom designs, and I think some bead woven designs using 2-hole beads. I love how the 2-hole beads become like little puzzle pieces and the challenge of making them fit together is so fun!

Another thing on my mind is something my husband asked me on New Year's Eve 2023. He asked me these three questions:

1. What are 3 things you are most proud of in the last year?

2. What are 3 things you want to do in the next year?

3. Are there things you have to let go of to make your 3 goals happen?

The last question is the one that really got me thinking. For me, I did have an obvious answer of something that was holding me back from making my goals happen. It was incredibly helpful to think about it in these terms and it really helped me go into the new year with a fresh perspective. Also remember, things you want to do in the new year don't have to be physical goals but can also be a new mindset or way of looking at the world. I am so grateful that we all get to have this fresh start at the turn of the year. It's a chance to move forward, let go, grow, and in many ways start over. 

As 2024 wraps up, I am so grateful to be part of this incredible community. Thank you for sharing your year with me. I hope you have enjoyed the live classes we have started doing again and I love that we now get to "talk" during the classes and share ideas, laughter, and friendship. I very much look forward to sharing many more memories with all of you in 2025! 

Cheers to 2024 and hello to 2025!

Julie