I have just begun my first stocktake in my beadshop. I'd been becoming used to newcomer's reactions on wandering around my little shop for the first time ... " ...Never seen so many beads ... hate to stocktake in here..." and similar comments. And I am not fully automated/computerised/bar-coded, so the task of counting beads and estimating stock value did loom as a daunting prospect. Not so, in reality. I've learnt things that I must do to make it easier next year, but so far, it's ok. BUT, you know what is Really Really Hard??? What keeps distracting me from my purpose and keeps the frustration bubbling just below the surface ... it's SO HARD to stop playing with the beads and having repeated flashes of inspiration like lightening in a storm? I often play with the new beads for display, but many of the "old" beads are passed over because they are so familiar. But when I touch them, really look at them, move them, whatever, ... it's magic, and I want to play. Now. It has fired me up, and I now know another technique to stir the creative juices!