All I can say is that for the past few days here at Beehive Co-op Mt. Kisco we have been really, really busy. My fingers are tired from wrapping so many gifts and tying countless bows. From what I hear Beehive Atlanta and Cincinnati have also been hopping! So here's to happy designers, happy customers, happy gift recipients and ending the year on a high note!

Designers....you have a few days off...rest, relax, recuperate but then...back to work! We have bare shelves to fill and a whole exciting new year around the corner. Yes, I said exciting. Because it is. It’s been a tough year, there is no doubt, but it’s during these tough times that our ingenuity, our resolve, and our passion gets tested and strengthened. And yes, 2009 will also be tough, maybe not as rocky but certainly very challenging.

But my hope is that what started out as the “get crafty” trend will turn into a full scale way of life. That people will continue to feel the pleasure of making things or giving things that have meaning and support a sustainable way of life. I hope this gets internalized and passed down to the next generation. The feeling that Beehive alumus Christy Petterson expressed in the NY Times recently will hopefully be internalized for years and years to come. She said, “I just like the fact that I’m supporting someone who’s trying to make their way in the world by using their talents, and my money is going directly to a person instead of a chain of middlemen. For the same amount of money, the specialness factor is way higher. It’s more heartfelt than if you bought something from a big-box store.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/business/23craft.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=craft%20sales&st=cse

This “back to basics” notion is something that I actually love and really believe in. These values are things that I think have been lost during the me, me, me consumer frenzy of the past decade (or more). It’s an interesting cultural shift that is happening and I am so proud to be a part of it. Every day, no matter how overwhelming it is, I am always so excited about the people I work with, talk to and interact with and it keeps me motivated to work harder and keep on going.

So although I know I’m preaching to the choir, here’s to ending on a high note and celebrating all the good things and accomplishments that happened in 2008!

Happiest of holidays to all! And to all a goodnight!