Wowzers, what a season!! Every year I mention to almost every person I pass on the street of my amazement at how fast the year has gone. I find myself saying "well, last Christmas only feels like last week" and "I'm no where near ready for Christmas", this year was no different, in that respect!
Except, every year I really mean it, in the fear of sounding like my mother, the years go faster and faster every year! However, this year actually was different. This was the first year I had fully immersed myself into my new business, I was feeling my way around in the dark in 2022, I was engaged but I didn't really know how to progress with limited funds and only a few tools, it's hard to get going. This year has brought me so many new customers, new followers and so much support. It really has made the world of difference to my business. But only through A LOT of hard work, hours and hours in the workshop and many days doing markets and fayres. Not to mention admin and the other boring things I just wont mention here!! I have had to sacrifice time with friends, family and most definitely time to myself (which seems to be at the bottom of the list). But that won't be forever, only until I'm a rich and famous silversmith, selling to the stars (everyone needs a goal, right?!).
I'm incredibly excited for 2024, I have so many plans for new and very different ranges and new markets, getting further afield rather that staying only in my local areas. Trying to spread my name and getting jewellery out there to so many more people.
But I will make some changes, my wonderful and very supportive partner tells me that I need to have strict hours, to not write emails at night with a scheduled send of 8am the next day, and to enjoy my days off rather than the constant whirring of "have I done this", "should I have done that", "am I good enough"... the usual self employment malarkey!
So here's to a new sparkly year ahead with lots to look forward to.
As ever, thank you for reading this far and for your support through 2023!!
xx