Goal #2 for 2009: Organize Inventory

Remember I promised to write more about my goals for 2009? I got distracted by other things to write about, but I've been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish this year, and writing lists (on paper - so old fashioned!) that I keep changing and updating. One thing that really sticks out is that I need a better system to stay organized (actually, technically, I need a system to GET organized in the first place, then stay that way). So - goal #2 is organizing my jewelry inventory. (Goal #1 was stocking my online shop, in case you missed that post). Luckily, I don't have a lot of finished jewelry in my inventory at the moment - I did a pretty good job of selling off a lot of old stuff in 2008, and I even took apart a bunch of things that weren't quite right. At the moment, my stock of finished jewelry that is listed on etsy fits in a small box, and my stock of jewelry to send to galleries is basically non-existent because as soon as I have enough to send somewhere, it gets sent off. (Is this because I'm selling more, or because I don't have as much time to make stuff now that I'm a mom? I wish it was the first, but I suspect it's more the second....) So, what I need to organize is my inventory of beads, findings, metal, and all the other raw materials (and tools) that I use to make jewelry. This is no small undertaking. I have been collecting beads and tools and small objects that might look neat in jewelry for years. I have resin. I have boxes of found objects. I have broken vintage jewelry I might remake into new stuff. And then there's the stuff I use on a regular basis - pearls, gemstone beads, wire, pliers, files, hammers, steel block, stuff for polishing, torch & accessories, and the various findings that I make a bunch of at once - earwires, head pins, fused and unfused jump rings, etc. In 2008, if I wanted to make a pair of earrings, I'd either grab a readymade pair of earwires & head pins & a few beads, or make the metal stuff myself, and put it all together. I didn't worry about whether or not I could make another pair exactly like them. But in 2009, I'm selling limited editions online, so I need to be able to duplicate a pair of earrings after I sell them. That means I need to know where the beads are that I used, exactly which findings, handmade or manufactured, were used, and if handmade, the length and gauge of wire I used, so that the next pair will be very nearly identical to the original. My brain kind of hurts just thinking about what an insanely organized person I need to become to accomplish all of that. But I am happy to say that I'm at least off to a good start. I located the item number of the pre-made earwires I use, so that hopefully when I run out I can order more. And I bought some bead trays and a carrying case for them, and have started organizing my beads. I'm even giving each type of bead an inventory number! (I hear that more organized business owners use these numbers to track their inventory.) I'm not sure what I'll do with these numbers except make a note of what number bead was used to make an item. I did find out that my favorite pearl earrings are made with bead # FP041. I feel more organized already! I'm hoping to sort and number at least all of the things I use frequently, so that it's easy for me to find what I need and see what I'm running low on. Wish me luck!