Spring Cleaning

Well, spring is finally here, I think. Though I still hear about snow flakes here and there. The sun is out more than not, our forsythia, outside, is showing lots of yellow. The crocus are up and some daffodils and tulips are showing green.

For me, as a Jewelry Designer, it means time to take stock and clean out from the winter "pile it here" until later. The taxes are finished. Every year, it seems I get frustrated all over again with getting my business information together. I figure, next year will be different. It just seems to take more time that I feel it should.

So, I have a big question for all of my readers. Do you get into the same "rut" and if so, do you plan to make changes? What changes do you plan to make? I really think we could come up with some great ideas to help each other.

I'll start.

With me, it isn't that I don't know what to do (mostly) but actually doing what I should is the hard part. For example, keeping good records. I have a great program to help with inventory. (Jewelry Designer Manager). However, I need to remember to enter new purchases. (I do that fairly well) BUT I need to remember to remove items as I use them and then add the finished piece to my inventory. That seems to be my down fall.

I noticed another problem as I started to clean up. I found about four pieces unfinished. Strange why things are not finished. Some how making new things is more fun.

So, let me know what your problems are and more importantly, what can we do to fix the problem. Waiting to hear.

Science with a Mission

Just a quick report about the live Science with a Mission Auction held last Saturday evening. They were able to raise over $6,500 with items in the silent and live auctions as well as 3 tables of raffled items. Everyone had lots of fun and it was obvious that they like to eat. One $25 certificate to a local restaurant took in over $150. I'll have to check out that restaurant! Babysitters were also very popular.

Oh, yes while I'm in an update mode, taxes are going well. A word of advice. Be sure to keep good records especially on any Mutual Fund/stock purchases and sales. Gathering the necessary supporting information can be done, it is tedious to say the least. Hopefully, by tomorrow I can be back on my preferred list of things to do. Jewelry designing.

Also, remember not to wait so long!

Aren't I just full of helpful advice ?

B

Income Tax time

To those of you who have already completed your income tax, Congratulations! I seem to put them off to the last moment.

I spent almost all of yesterday working on ours. And, I'm not finished. I've been using Turbo Tax and usually find it easy and quick to do our return. For some reason, this year it seems less helpful. Probably me. They totally missed asking me if I had a Schedule C to fill out. In their defense, when I went from the "question" format to "forms" it was there and filled in with information from last year.

Now, I realize that the program can only work with the information I give it. IBC is no excuse. So, I know that I must have given it some incorrect facts. NO way did I earn that much last year. Otherwise, my check book would be showing many more dollars than it does.

Today I was set back in finding my mistake by an eye Doctor exam. At first I thought my husband could not go with me. Turned out he could and good thing because at the last moment the Doctor decided to dilate my eyes. Nice sunny day too. I'm starting to show my age when it comes to having my eyes dilated. It takes a long time to undilate. Almost 6 hours this time.

Fortunately, there was a Red Sox game on toward the end of the 6 hours to take my mind off of that. They beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3.

I was unable to do more on my Viking Knit project either. Oh, well tomorrow I'll get back on schedule. Taxes, taxes (with a break for Viking Knit, of course)

I did receive a nice suggestion in a comment on how to improve my tension from http://janra-jewelry-designs.com/creating-vk.html. Thanks, I'll try your suggestion.


B