2023 wrap up!
The most unoriginal first sentence of a blog…what a year! lol sorry but that’s just how I feel every year and I know so many can relate. Learning and growing forever is my motto. And this was certainly a year of a lot of both.
I grew this business into a full blown, profitable, mini art + stationery empire this year. I often think about how “big” do I actually want my business to be? Because quality over quantity is important to me. I want to have my business and also have a life. I also love running things out of my home. Right now. When the kids grow older, maybe I’ll change my mind about that! But in this phase of my life with motherhood, it’s working.
I learned I have a unique sense of style to bring to the world. Something I always questioned as a creative. I think it took me 9 years to fully find my creative voice and at the same time, that’s also something that continues to grow. One major shift I made was using my own work as inspiration and actually stop comparing myself to other artists. I put up a mood board full of my favorite recent paintings and favorite wedding stationery pieces so I can glance at it whenever I want for a boost of confidence and inspiration.
I also learned, there’s never enough time to do it all. No matter what, I have a back of mind to do list of things that I may never get to. I may never organize my pantry to look like the home edit. I may never hang the shelf I bought for Mason’s room. JK that has to happen. But I may ever be able to have homemade meal every single night for my kids. But I will just continue to do my best.
I worked with such lovely people bringing their wedding stationery visions to life. I’m so lucky to have such wonderful, appreciative and excitable couples find me and trust me to work with them! I love how unique each one of their ideas are and how with a few conversations, I can get inside their heads and bring the imaginings there to fruition. We truly have so much fun!
I FINALLY created artwork that spoke to my contacts at Anthropologie for BOTH greeting cards and tea towels! A dream I have had for years and years is to sell my products in Anthro and it felt like it would never happen. What I learned is, it takes some to hone in on your personal style and you really have to earn a purchase like that. I was so desperate for so many years to get in there, I was thinking backwards. It’s not “Why won’t they buy from me?” - it’s actually, “What can I do to make them WANT to buy from me?” - This mindset shift made such a difference.
I also got 2 more big order with Home Goods! They first ordered cards from me before the pandemic and then after that, the world was weird. I’m honored to have the opportunity to sell my cards to a store that brings such joy to so many and allows them to get beautiful things at a fair price. With the large quantities they order, it allows me to drop my price to match their margins and still make a profit!
I love hearing how many of you have found my cards in Anthropologie and Home Goods and purchased them! It’s such a win. Thank you all for following my journey on social media, shopping from the stores who carry my products and shopping on my Etsy page! I love you all and I have a blast sharing my creative process with you and will continue doing so as long as you all stick around having fun with me!
I never imagined I’d feel comfortable talking to my phone and sharing videos of myself with the “world” but all of the positive feedback and inquiries I have received from doing this, makes it actually an enjoyable process. I’m surprised and pleased!
2023 was grand. 2024 - let’s do it again but this time, let’s throw in a Caribbean vacation! I am taking recommendations, thank you.
