Harder times, more gratitude.
Cold winter days are a great time to pause, reflect, and plan ahead. With the new year looming fast I spent some of today working on my 2023 goals & plans. Each year I fill out my calendar with birthdays, events, trips, & deadlines for creative projects I’m working on. 2023 is no different so I’ve been filling in bits on my new 2023 calendar. It’s lovely to write on & I already know the new notes sections are going to be filled out each month. While I'm doing this I've been thinking about the year overall & reflecting on what worked, what didn't, and some of the bigger challenges. I'm going to share a note on these below.
Firstly, the calendars have gone fairly well for me this year & I’m very grateful for your support. At this point I’m down to the last 10% of stocks. If you want one kept and would like to pay closer to Christmas let me know and I’ll pop it aside for you.
While the calendars have tipped away for me, there’s a noticeable drop back in business this holiday season. It’s a pinch I and many other creatives and makers I know are feeling this year. It’s hard for us to compete with budget prices and crazy sales from big companies like Amazon. When you support a small business like mine you keep the money local. The different print options I provide exist through the work of 6 other independent Irish suppliers. From framers to print labs, to packaging, and more. When you buy a print from me it is made with materials and efforts from other Irish businesses as well as myself. Whatever profit I make when all is said and done floats back into the local economy. Whether that’s buying a coffee from a local coffee shop, a drink in a local bar, a book in a local bookshop, or dining in a local restaurant. It circles around. I can never compete with Amazon etc. I know times are challenging, but if you can, please support local makers, artists, and creatives with your purchases this Christmas season.
Regardless, whether you've bought my work, shared it, liked it, encouraged me, or entertained my rants & worries, thank you. It means the world to me, & I'm sure I echo many creatives, makers & artists here in Ireland in expressing this gratitude. Thank you.
