Let me just begin by saying I love everything I do and share and that I cannot believe I am even writing these words….I truly gave it my all.
Change is inevitable, and making changes in my business is hard, a business I created, enjoyed and loved with my heart and hands. Maybe it’s just me wanting to hold onto ‘things’ that I wish could be the same, maybe it’s just hard letting go.
But, just maybe there something even more exciting waiting for me if I just let go of a few ‘things’ that I wish would stay the same.
This is not ‘out of business‘, this is just change.
A Few Changes
To Zoom Classes
Zoom classes became my bread and butter, along with publications and pattern sales. It afforded me an income to earn a living and be able to call it ‘a business’. Sadly and unfortunately class participation averages went from 60, to 40, to 30, to 2 participants each month over the past 2 years. Change was happening before I cared to admit it….I needed to make the change that was right in front of me.
Our Zoom Gathering Schedule will remain until February 2025 (here). My hopes are that you will fill a seat and enjoy a Gathering or Two until they are no longer offered.….with much sadness I might add.
I am grateful, appreciate and thankful for the friendships we have made over the years and for the continued support.
For Now, but maybe not forever, one day we will all play together again.
Our Keepsake Journal
The Keepsake Journals have been the most rewarding, most joyful part of my Artful Journey ~ and although I will continue to create the designs and the written patterns ~ there will not be a Zoom Gathering Scheduled, or a FaceBook Group to share.
And each Keepsake Journal page will roll out ‘as created‘ and not necessarily on a monthly basis as previously done. I will continue to share each new design and pattern thru this website (here).
for now, but maybe not forever.
The Keepsake Journals are forever in my heart, and so grateful for this Journey with you, the ‘Keepsakers’.
We’re still Keepsaking!
And to Our Instructional Pattern
It’s all I know. I design, take notes, type it up, photograph it and share it. It is my passion, living and enjoyment.
Back in the day it was easy to create a design and offer it to a publisher, create a book, offer a pattern, and create a class. Not so long ago it was ‘a given’ to sell at least 50 to 100 patterns for each release …..unfortunately over the past 2 years I have sold no more than 2 a month, yes 2. There are a lot of factors to this ~ lack of interest, slowing industry, slow economy, destash group resales, social media agorithms, not paying enough to the search engines ~ and maybe even out of site, out of mind.
For now ~ I will continue to offer new instructional patterns for all the Keepsake Journals and a few others with no set release schedule (and of course the ol’ favorites are still available) ~ we have alot of sketches and ideas. We’ll take it one day at a time,
for now, maybe not forever.
Purchase Patterns (here).
Website and Blog Changes
The Blog, Daily Dose (here) , Gallery (here) and Website (here) will still remain ‘as is‘ for your enjoyment. The Blog may change just a tad ~ blogging when the time is right vs on a set schedule.
It brings me great joy to create and share with you.
To Social Media
I’ve been making changes to my Social Media presence for a while now and I can honestly say I feel ‘better’ as a person and as a business person without the constant 24/7. Life is being lived.
I have checked in from time to time even outside of my ‘Facebook Friday’ rule ~ but each time it left me feeling empty and sad, I just wanted it to be the ol’ Facebook that kept us engaged, sharing and together. So as far as changes ~ I just may even be less present. It goes without saying ~ I miss the ol way, the ol connections.
My artful time is better spent creating than trying to make the reach, trying to make Social Media do what I want it to do.
This is not goodbye, or not forever, but for now ~ it is simply just a few changes. Maybe these changes are not what I would have chosen for my business, and things will look very different than I would have planned. But what I do know is that good things are ahead, it’s in the Promise, and in my Faith. These changes may just be making room for more (and different) growth for this little business built on Creativity.
Thank you for each follow, each purchase, each class seat filled, each comment, each message, each phone call, each gift, each subscriber, each newsletter subscription, each note and for all the encouragement along this Artful Journey. It is everthing.
For Now, but not Forver. Keep Following, we’re still here, we just look a little different.
~*~
Follow Our ‘Daily Dose’ of Inspiration (here). Daily.
Amy, I’m sorry to hear of your change but also know, from experience, that change can bring new opportunities that you never thought possible. Believe me when I say change can be a good yet hard decision to make. I made major changes to my business model in the past few years. I’ve loved watching your artistic journey over the years and have always been a fan of you, your work, and creative spirit. I’d love to stay connected, feel free to contact me any time with news, new opportunities or even just to say hi. Take care and good luck. I will be watching for any and all news from your world.
You are so sweet Christy I would love to stay connected I enjoy your friendship! It was/is a hard decision to let go of a few things I loved ~ but being on the other side of it (well, just barely over the other side) I do feel free to experience and create a new beginning and am excited to see where it all leads. Hugs.
Change is hard but also beautiful because it lets you honor your start yet challenge you to evolve in the same breathe. Wishing you luck in your endeavors Amy and always here for you if you need me for anything!
Thank you Kelly! Being on the other side of decisions already feels wonderful! Sometimes it is the decisions that we get hung up on ~ I’m already dreaming of what’s next. Thank you for your kindess, I just might reach out one day, hugs!
Amy, I’m so sorry to hear this. I just love the whimsy of your creations, and your trademark red & white twine in every creation. Always made me feel good inside when I would see your patterns.
Best wishes to you in all of your new endeavors, my birthday buddy.
It certainly was a pleasure. 🙂
Thank you Lisa…..was always so fun to stay connected thru social media as Birthday Buddies…but although I am changing a few things, alot will remain the same and I hope you will continue to enjoy what I have to offer…..and we can stay connected! I always looked for my Birthday Friend to celebrate!
I wish I had more time to attend ZOOM meetings with you. Hoping you find happiness in new endeavors—for now. Is it possible to review the ZOOM meeting from a previous journal page I attended? I don’t remember getting a password.
Hi Cindy! Thank you so much for enjoying all we have to offer! If you participated with me thru the ‘Artful Webinar’ Zoom Classes they have the recordings, if you participated in the Zoom Classes offered thru my Website then please check your emails ~ all the video recordings have been sent to you via email. I hope this is helpful! Thank You.
I went through the same thing years ago. Wishing you all the best. I love your artwork!
Thank you so very much Catherine ~ I love your artwork as well. Like you, I will continue to create!
Sorry to hear you won’t be around much for now, but not forever. I love seeing your wonderful designs and always enjoyed your enthusiasm. But things change, people change, and life goes on in whatever way we need to live it.
God bless and best of everything.
Thank you Barbara ~ circumstances led to a decision, but maybe to make room for something new? ~ after the dust settles in my mind, I will be able to see possibility ~ and I am excited about that.
It is so hard, Amy. I am sorry to read this. I wish you all the best for the future, whatever you decide to do. <3
Thank you Sheila….continuing on, so many ideas!
Dear Amy Joanne…I know on a way way smaller scale what you are talking about. I have taken myself out of the loop for the most part since 2021 with breast cancer and at the same time that happened my husband had a brain infection and was hospitalized for 3 weeks. We both “limped through 2022 and 2023 until we put our home on the market, sold it and moved to an apartment and a much smaller studio space. The move just about killed me as my husband also fell and broke a bone at the base of his spine and got to miss all the fun packing up. The move happened in July of 2024 and we are in the apartment. I gave away most of my painting surfaces, still have my paints and WILL be making ornaments this holiday season. The keep the creative process going, I have also started making soap which has been great but I still miss the painting.
I give you a lot of credit for hanging in there and understand the love of the work that we have done/do. If you can make just one person smile looking at your wonderful creations that is one of the best feelings in the world. Thank you for sharing and continuing to share your creativity with all of us!
Thank you for sharing your story, I will certainly keep you and your hubby in my prayers. Yes, some decisions are met by our circumstances ~ I feel like I’ve been thru every emotion, but on the other side of it ~ maybe it will be making way for something even more beautiful. One thing is for sure I will always enjoy Creativity and Sharing! Now you have me wanting to try soap making!