If you have been here for a while you know how ‘things‘ have been over the past year or so (read here) and (here) and (here). I have spent time stuck on the path at the fork in the road and wondering which fork to take. I sort of packed my bags and pitched a tent in this very spot for a while….a long while ~ I watched life go by and spent time looking up at the stars and dreaming. I spent time in prayer and deep within God’s company. I spent time with the door shut and looking for the window to open. And I have learned the next big step is always hard when your not ready to ‘step off’ of the landing you have been standing on.
Over this past year I asked myself over and over, is my business a ‘business’ for profit or is it a business for another purpose. If it isn’t for profit than what ‘space’ does this occupy? What is Classic Amy Joanne? How do you want to move forward? What about it brings you Joy and Purpose?…and so on.
And while I don’t have ‘life’ figured out or even what my next big step is ~ I know in this moment ‘who I am‘ (and whose I am). And I am ready to begin again on this Artful Journey.
I now know who I am ~ I am a ‘Creative’ with an entrepreneur spirit, I enjoy designing art, writing blog posts, making candles, and playing shop keeper and all that goes into each endeavor. ~ I have found a comfortable rhythm that brings peace and joy to my heart.
I am two(…and 1/2) years shy of 60, I have experienced more life behind me than in front of me. I have learned the difference between needs and want. I have learned that having a relationship with God is most important. I have learned that success isn’t defined by money.
I’ve seen a big shift in the blog world, social media and how we share and communicate since I began my Business. Things move fast, I move slow. We can’t go back (I’d love to ditch the phone). I find myself saying ‘remember when‘….alot.
It was either be changed by ‘it’, I change with ‘it’, or simply change my thinking and make the changes best for me as Classic Amy Joanne.
……and based on all this and time ‘in the tent at the fork in the road‘ ~ I have made a few decisions of Who I Am as ‘Classic Amy Joanne’. Settling into a new way of life on this artful journey.
Classic Amy Joanne, the artful journey, this is who I am
THE BLOG ~ Over the next couple of months there will be changes to this Space ~ becoming a place to share all things Art and Home (…as always) but stepping back from the push to sell ‘me’ and into a place of simply sharing. Sharing how we make our house into a home, with new flower beds, hand painted walls, a new mural over the fireplace, new curtains and rugs, organizing projects, and giftable ideas with plenty of Art, Crafts and Recipes too….…and also a few stories to tell along the way.
THE BRAND ~ I am building a brand with Candles and Homegoods sold thru our Home & Travel Shops, Our Christmas Open House and thru-out our Community….and also along the way sharing all the bits and pieces and how-to’s with you here on the Blog ~ from building the workshop, to building the shop itself, to the open houses. Also sharing scent making, branding, logos, marketing, merchandising, displays and more.
I’ve joined Substack and hope you will join me there too! …Sure I still have Facebook and Instagram every now and then ~ but I am finding Substack fills my bucket just a little bit more and meets me where I am at…and hopefully you too.
and just a note…..The ‘shop of patterns’ has been removed from this site ~ But the good news is I will recreate a page of available patterns to order via email to be invoiced and sent….just a few extra clicks on your part. in the meantime feel free to email your needs.
And Some projects I hope to work on are~
To build kits of ‘Art’ for our local Hospitals, for long stays and treatment centers. It’s been on my heart for a while and I have lots of supplies from teaching to share.
To create an on-line magazine. Not because it’s been asked for, but because I want to. I love the layout of a good magazine….thinking back to Mary Englebright’s Home Companion, how I loved her style.
And of course I will still be painting the mountains of unfinished Artful projects and sharing them with you along the way ~ including our Keepsake Journals, Storybooks, Little Makers and more.….just delivered to you in a new way.
❤❤❤❤❤❤
With age, comes wisdom.
Love ya, my dear best friend.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Thank you for sharing Amy. I’ve been feeling very much the same as you…..adrift with thoughts of “what next” and how to keep the spark. I have worked a high pressure corporate job for over 25 years and at the end (July 2025) felt completely used up and burnt out. For the past 10 years, I’ve focused on getting back into decorative painting and found teaching is a passion I truly love. I thought I’d retire and go full into teaching and designing but in the past 6 months since, un-tapped opportunities presented themselves and I’ve discovered all I really want to do is be creative and gather with friends. I still want to teach but all my life have loved to organize and plan events. I continue to come back to the idea of organizing gatherings, retreats, craft events. I don’t know exactly what that looks like yet so for now, I’m going to continue to create and enjoy painting, crafting and being with people who inspire and encourage. I love your posts. I find so much of what you write is familiar to my own story. I am cheering for you in my little corner of this great big world! Keep going – you’re doing great!!
I have always enjoyed reading your blog posts and missed them. Good luck on your new adventures and keep me updated.
So glad to hear you are on your way! Looking forward to all your new news!
So nice to see you, Amy! Wishing you the best i your creative ventures!
So happy and proud for you Amy – you (in my opinion) have always had it together. Soon I will be 79 and still trying to figure out what works best for me….!! Can’t wait to see what is in store for your next adventure.
Amy I am so happy for you! I have missed you! (((Hugs))) Caroline
Sounds like a good plan that will work for you. Wishing you all success in your new endeavors!
How exciting!!!! I saved this to my notes several years ago and recently saw it again (wish I would have saved where I got it from) ……
Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than unto men” We get to create art! We don’t have to make stuff we get make stuff and be creative. We have to remember who has given us our ability to dream, to conceive, to write, paint, design, speak, and make…these are all acts of worship. Keep your attitude in a place that births art that is GET TO works not HAVE TO work.
What fabulous news. Cheering you on. ✝️✝️✝️❤️