Random Thoughts (and ‘new’ photos) about ‘Classic Amy Joanne’

I’ve been a little distant over the past 6 months or so. We’ve had some sadness in our family and quite a few life-hiccups ~ along side of starting two new jobs, finishing up on creative pre- scheduled obligations, the holidays and finally the beginnings of creating a ‘new’ feel for this little business.

I’m so happy to be back at my painting desk, crafting, blogging and sharing (at a healthier pace), and I thank you for hanging in there with me. I’ve received some nice ‘thinking of you’ notes and appreciate each one.

~*~

As you know over the past two years or so, I have been making some changes to this creative business (and blogging about it) ~ trying this, changing that, moving forward, holding back and new beginnings ~ and I never really quite got to where I thought I was going and where I thought I wanted to be.

Beyond the good ol’ ‘decorative art’ haydays of magazine articles, printed patterns, payouts from paint and brush companies, large conventions, shops, and travel classes (and hundreds of people participating) ~ I’m not sure there is anything more I could have done in today’s ‘decorative art’ world to keep the business doors open as a Full Time Artist, here at Classic Amy Joanne. Posting daily on Facebook and Instagram, growing ‘followers’, creating pages and groups too. Blogging weekly and growing a beautiful Website ~ with such things as the Daily Dose, A Gallery, Private Pages, and A Creativity Shop. Publishing a monthly Newsletter. Also teaching locally, in the Studio, in Shops and thru Zoom each month if not more, also creating Clubs and Keepsake Journals. We have had published books, patterns and magazine articles (even sold in Hobby Lobby). We’ve had a booth at the Ohio Hoot Convention. We have even been on TV Cable more than once. ….but ‘this’ creative business never really got off the ground as a ‘full time income business‘ ~ well maybe a 4 figure business according to the tax guy….full time hours without the full time pay, surely a nice side gig. (and A big thanks to my Hubby for giving me the opportunity to live my dream while he kept a roof over our head and food on the table….he’s a keeper).

I have come to a conclusion (after some much needed rest) ~ that maybe I would be better at ‘my business’ if I wasn’t trying to ‘run’ a business at all. What if ‘my business’ was about nothing more than sharing creativity? What if ‘my business’ was not about earning an income or having a job at all? What if this new approach was quite possibly even better.

I had a light bulb moment a few weeks ago when I heard the words of Christy Wright (A Podcastor and Author) ~ she said ~ what if ‘it’ would all be for purpose over profit, seeking private growth over public praise, or presence instead of performing. mmm, interesting.

But I kept thinking ~ the Business of Classic Amy Joanne had to be for profit. I mean that is what a business is right? What would Classic Amy Joanne ‘be’ if it wasn’t ‘a business’? Did that even make sense? Isn’t the goal of a business to earn money? …and is money the only ‘thing’ that determines if a business is successful? (I am guessing it is ‘how you define ‘Success’ and what it means to you.) If I changed my mindset and really thought about what Success or Goals or even Dreams meant to me, would it even be money at all? To me a successful ‘business’, dream or goal should be what ever you determine it should be, not what the world says it is.

So I set out to find what success means to me and what if I replaced ‘money’ with simply being happy? Success = Happy. …..so, if I was replacing ‘the income’ then the first thing I needed to do was find a job (another source), a job that I would love, taking the pressure off the ‘business’ as an income. Then ‘my business’ would be about Sharing Creativity. Sounds like Happiness to me.

And over the past 6 months there has been alot of keeping the Faith, Trusting, Praying and Personal Growth all leading to these changes, change in ‘my business and for my life’….for a purpose.

And today I have never felt more equipped to live my life and enjoy the ‘business’ I created, with its new purpose of simply Sharing Creativity (with a little side gig).

I’ve Also removed the Facebook App (Social Media presence) from my phone (read here), I am now totally free from its hold on me and it feels so wonderful (the account is still active to look back on, all 10+ years). And now, I am even more present in my everyday moments with my hubby, my family and my friends. ‘Things’ that I held onto and felt so strong about before ~ I don’t feel pulled to anymore. I am present in my own life.

During my walk and prayer time I stopped asking for outcomes and asked Him to help me ‘see things‘ with new eyes. It does feel good to be free from it all, the goals, the drive to earn a living, free from Social Media and schedules, simply free to just be, (and still Creating!)

….oh and by the way, my new job is in a Bakery.

This doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed the journey, the hard work, the folks I have met and created with, or even Social Media. And it goes without saying that I am grateful and appreciative of every follower, every sale, every student. ….and I have met some really beautiful people.

So we’re going to take it slow and steady, and keep all the good stuff. We will keep writing the blog ~ where I will share the journey of ‘business’, along with recipes, craft making, paintings, collecting, home DIY projects, Holiday fun and more. We will also continue creating ‘downloadable designed patterns’ for our Keepsake Journals and others too. You will also find daily posts thru Instagram and thru this Website on the Daily Dose Page (here) & Gallery (here), and on occassion we will write a Newsletter with any fun new design/pattern updates.

Creating with a new purpose, right here at Classic Amy Joanne.

Thanks for sticking around, we’re still here sharing all things Art & Home thru ‘My Cottage Life’.

PS….I can’t wait to share about my new job at the Bakery and Our very own ‘My Cottage Life Shop’ too.

So much more to come, from Gingerbread Rimming Sugar and Melties (this week), to Building a Snowie, to Apple Blossoms, to a Farmer’s Market Giftset with Recipe included…..we’re back.

Creatively Yours, always, Amy.