A Time to Grieve ‘My Business’

This blog is a ‘living’ history of my Artful Journey, well at least the last 12 years of the journey. And this blog post is simply written like an entry in a journal ~ a place to jot-down my thoughts and feelings about my artful journey as a business….it just may be an end to something familiar….but it could possibly be a new beginning to something even more beautiful.

~*~

I heard something the other day that made perfect sense to me. It was about a Pastor that retires and grieving the loss of his calling, his passion and his people. It made sense in a way that grieving is not only a way to cope for the loss of a loved one, but allowing time to grieve any loss, even a calling, a passion or a small created business like mine.

It’s been over 9 months since slowly closing the door on my business (as it was), and life as I knew it. I’ve been so unsettled, and have exhausted all the ‘let’s try this again this way and see if it works‘, I’ve been feeling like I let people down or failed in some way, I just want to finish what I started…..but I’ve learned now that what I really need is time to grieve my loss, my business.

Creating your own business is so personal and it is very much a part of who I am, unlike leaving a ‘real’ job, it is truly like leaving a part of yourself behind.

‘Classic Amy Joanne‘ has been learning and growing for 35+ years, and as a business for the last 12 years. It was created from scratch, from the bottom up, from my inner most thoughts, ideas, skills, and drive. I nurtured it, belonged to it, cared for it, watched it grow, and loved it with my whole heart, It was me. I have had such great moments of joy and even pride ~ from the time I received my first ‘best in show ribbon’ at a Chapter Meeting, to my first published article in a magazine, to being a part of a book sold in Hobby Lobby, to receiving my tax id#, to building a website. There were conventions, zoom classes and ‘big brushes’ cheering me on, there were faithful students who became friends, there was small shops and art centers, there were so many words of encouragement and like minded people. Was it all just a moment in time?

Really our whole industry has been in decline, I’m not alone in my thoughts I presume. I’ve struggled to make it work and revive it the last couple of years and I am still a big cheerleader for those that continue on. I am still a huge fan and a customer too…..but I feel the need to give it a good cry and work thru this grief of loosing ‘something’ that was so incredible and fulfilling to me, something that I wanted to continue to build. It still stirs up in me, and sometimes I’m pretty mad about it, I still reach for it, long for it, dream about it. I didn’t ask for this and I feel a tremendous loss. So many unfinished ideas. I question ‘Why does something so wonderful need to end? Am I to tuck it away as only a sweet memory? Am I waiting for a new seed to take root? Do I still dare to dream?

I am grateful for my faith ~ for I know it is God who leads me on this beautiful journey of an Artful Life and Business and I have no doubt he has a beautiful plan for the rest of my journey. He has so much more planned than to sit in this grief. I thought I was headed in the right direction into his purpose for me, but I know now it was preparation for something he has waiting for me, something beautiful I am sure. I believe God is saying ‘Something new is coming, I have a new purpose for you, make room’. It makes me uncomfortable and excited at the same time, because I am not quite sure anything can be more wonderful than what I already had. I don’t know where I am heading, but I need to Trust in my Bible lessons that God will place me where he needs me, and for his purpose and I know it will be so satisfying and beautiful. He is making room.

A new season is stirring, the whole world is moving. I am afraid of the unknown, being in transition and changing my ‘Classic Amy Joanne‘ identity. But I write this to tell you my story, maybe it will even help or encourage someone else too, and We will dream again.

I am dreaming again of what Classic Amy Joanne will be.

Here are a few moments and hi-lights in time from the beginning of Classic Amy Joanne (with captions).

and below are a few ideas that made Classic Amy Joanne who she is ~ with our heartfelt Keepsake Journals, Baby Bundt Boxes, Gather Rounds, our Recipe Card Project, Little Makers, Painting Clubs, Coordinated Wreaths, Classic Chalk Art, our Vintage Scale Series, Created Characters, Giftables, Door Knob Gifts, Pull Toys and so much more.

All things coordinated for your home, table and gift giving.

I’ve been praying alot, reading alot, and thinking alot, its been a time of refreshing and renewing and I don’t really have it all figured out (yet) but in the praying and the planning I know God only has good for me (and us)….and his timing is always perfect.

This website/blog is and will remain a place to share all things creative here at Classic Amy Joanne, simply to share an Artful Journey, whatever it may hold.

here are a few words from Christy Wright that speak to me ‘in this Season’ and where I am at.

You can rest while others hustle, You can go off-line while others are on-line, You can scale back, while others ramp up, You can finish the year soft instead of strong, You can rest and reset and breathe and soak in the magic instead of giving into pressure to keep up and perform. This is your month, your year, your family, your business, your life. There is no right way to do it. The right way is what is right for you.

…thank you for all you have given to my heart and business, we’re still here sharing in all things Creative from my Heart and Home to Yours.

~*~