The good thing is I've been missing the creative process of writing and sharing my creative life with you so I plan to make more time for blogging and get ahead with scheduling posts, so when life does get busy there will still be regular posts. That's the plan, anyway!
So, what have I been up to?
January was a chance to take a step back and see what I have achieved so far and what I can improve on in the year to come. I haven't got any new year resolutions as such but my goal is to grow and improve on what I started last year.
The last few months of 2017 were busy with the build up to Christmas, making stock, attending craft fairs etc. Even during this time my number one sellers were still the Scrabble Birthday cards.
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| available in various ages in my shop |
fizzi~jayne workshops....
My biggest achievement last year was that I taught my first workshop and we made Christmas gift boxes.
This was something I wanted to do for a long time and I finally ignored my fears and did something about it. I was worried I wouldn't be good enough to teach, that no one would enjoy the class, basically self doubt reared it's ugly head. However, I loved it! I forgot I was teaching and was in the moment enjoying it and everyone else seemed to have a good time too!
I have more classes booked for February and March at No3 Royston (see the details here) and I'm looking for a second venue to teach at too.
New products....
Last year I took steps to grow my business by finding a manufacturer to produce my designs on coasters. It was a big decision to move away from hand making them but it was a process that was not efficient and with a lot of waste. They are still my designs and I have found a manufacturer based in the UK, which was also important to me.
By using a quality producer means I can grow my business and give me the opportunity to design other types of products in the future.
As a February treat I have reduced my coasters to £3.50, usual price £5, until 28th February and they are available in both my Folksy and Etsy shops.
I've started to sketch new designs and I'm also attending an evening course on Adobe Illustrator so there is lots of creativity and experimentation going on behind the scenes. I hope to have something worth showing soon.
In order to create new designs and improve my illustrations I have been drawing more regularly just for fun and been sharing them on Instagram under the hashtag #fizzidoodles.
This has been great to get the creative juices flowing and giving me some stress free me time.
It hasn't all been about work....
Weight loss has been on my "to do list" for a while and I hadn't gotten very far but back in September I joined Weight Watchers and so far I've lost 32 pounds!
My weight loss has helped improve my fitness which is good as I've signed up to do a half marathon in March!! I signed up for the half before I joined Weight Watchers and although I've always been a runner, this will be the furthest distance I have ever run! I will be running in memory of my Nan who we lost last year, raising money for the Alzheimer's Society.
As part of my training I ran the Winter 10KM in London and here I am with my medal....
I've set up another Instagram account @fizzijayne_runs, specifically for my running and weight loss progress.
My plans for the rest of this year are to...
- teach more workshops
- create new designs and add new products to my range
- get back to weekly posts on my blog.
- continue with my health and fitness journey.
- being creative, just for fun!
