Happy New Year! 2011 has been a banner year for me as an artist. I said “Yes!” to some big opportunities and worked to make them successful.
In 2011 I launched my new blog website, which I love, started a fan page on facebook and had sustained sales through the year in my bentbottle etsy shop.
The last half of the year especially was very exciting with the release of the book 
Sculpture and Design with Recycled Glass, which I was fortunate enough to be included in. I was juried into the Etsy Pavilion at the 11th Annual One of a Kind Show and had a very successful weekend with many new contacts for the coming year, great sales and stellar press. The third big opportunity that came my way was the 
ongoing project with the Garfield Park Conservatory and the creation of the Catching Hail Bowl. I have been fortunate to get some great press coverage for this unique fundraising effort and look forward to working on this well into 2012.
The business side of being an artist has been at times a challenge but I do enjoy parts of it like organizing and marketing. I updated and improved many of my business practices for the One of a Kind show and will carry forward the organization and improved procedures for next year. As part of that effort I have my first intern working with me, starting the first of the year. I am excited to have a fresh perspective, and extra hands on board to help with marketing and production.
A toast to ring in the new year, to more of the same!
See you next year!
Bryan
