The Biz

During this much needed winter break I have been doing some heavy thinking and a whole-lotta dreaming….along with praying, listening to hear God, talking to Mom and learning thru, mentors and courses, and taking it all in.

A light bulb moment happened during a mentoring podcasts ~ the presenter said, ‘Do folks even know what you offer?’ ~ well dah Amy, if someone new scrolls upon your site they will probably scroll right by ~ the name Classic Amy Joanne tells them nothing and there is no elevator pitch.

So over the past few months, I set out to create ‘an offering’ beginning with the very first page of my website ~ to capture your interest and create offerings!

It came with a lot of pondering, thinking and yes creating a…..”what is it that I offer?” Yes I am creative, Yes I love my home, Yes I love cooking and new adventures in crafting…..and I love sharing it all, but what is it that I offer?, and is it earning a ‘living’ or is it all just for fun. Can it be both?

Narrowing it down to 3 areas to focus on this year ~ and each are presented on the very first page on this website (view here).

We will Gather to Create Art thru our Keepsake Journals and Storybooks, (view schedule here, beginning again in March), (learn more here), (shop instructional patterns here), thru In-Studio and Zoom.

We will Make and Market Beautiful Candle Scents & Such ~ which will be sold thru local Markets & Events ~ offering more than a table with a tablecloth, but a whole Shopping Experience, (view schedule here, soon).

And

The Blog, a place to share all the happenings thru Art, Home and the Biz ~ (view here).

Sharing it all thru our Newsletter and Facebook Fridays ~ and always word of mouth.

We can’t be everything to everybody, but we can be something to somebody.

Our hopes are by sharing Art thru Gatherings, In-Person Markets and even Blogging, our business will grow ~ to bring artful JOY to your heart and home.

And that is a refreshing good start.

If you would like to visit our journey in 2023 and what we ‘let go of’, read more (here).

~*~

At Home

We’ve been working on a few DIY’s, organizing (are we ever done), cleaning, cooking, baking and well, …..just simply nesting.

Our kitchen is still where we left it off at the end of Summer (green pantry cupboard here)~ taking one project at a time. The sewing machine will be coming out soon to add yet another layer of mixed patterns and color. Always a work in progress, and that’s good enough for me.

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In The Studio

After the last class in November 2023 ~ the Studio became a dumping ground for every project idea that came to mind. I just love having all my projects in sight, but it came upon a time to organize the space in order to organize my thoughts.

Pulling out the step stool, wet mops, dust cloths, furniture movers, boxes and bins to clear the space and ready ourselves for 2024!

I must say, it feels better already…..

Our first Gathering will be in February ~ and our first Zoom Gathering will be February 22, 2024 (learn more and register here).

We’ll be ready.

It’s about Gathering and a little learning too in a relaxed no rules setting.

~*~

On The Table

We have been revisiting a few favorite recipes ~ including many Soups, perfect for winter days (soup recipe).

And making new sweets for my sweetie ~ enjoy this ‘Cookie Cake‘ recipe from Si of A Bountiful Kitchen from her website (here).

Simply just adding a little pink food coloring to the icing and added a little heart detail with a sprinkle of powdered sugar…made with love.

~*~

Reading, Podcasts and Videos

I just finished reading ‘Fear is not the Boss of You‘ by Jennifer Allwood ~ she gave me the push that I needed for this small creative woman owned business (find Jennifer here).

And just started reading ‘Heirloom Rooms‘ by Erin Napier ~ I am really enjoying the read, but then again I am a Home-y. It reminds me of a story I just wrote called ‘The Hallway‘ (read here). Find Erin’s book (here).

Also enjoying Podcasts by Christy Wright, ‘Get Your Hopes Up‘ and ‘Business Bootcamp‘ ~ both faith and business based. Christy’s book ‘Business Boutique‘ had me craving more (book here). Find Christy’s Podcasts (here).

And also enjoying many videos on Youtube ~ from home decor to penciling to watercolor, to British Dramas (yes that too), and right now I am all into Nianiani (here).

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A few Favorites

Favorite Song, right now (here), and this too (here).

Favorite Meal, for the moment (here).

Favorite Dessert, can’t get enough (here).

Favorite place to find creative surfaces (here).

my Favorite Scent, this month ~ Cottage Kitchen (pm to order).

I’ve been reading this Blog, for 10 years (here).

And following this Cook, (here).

And my next purchase will be (this) book.

And lovin’ anything Pottery (my teacher), she’s the best.

Sharing all things creative

will you share ‘Classic Amy Joanne’ with a friend ?

~*~