Happy 2016!
Last year, at about this time, I decided to take a big leap. I quit a stable part-time job that I loved and started making pottery full-time. Looking back I am amazed at what I accomplished:
-I participated in 10 shows all around Colorado, most of them over the holidays.
-I filled 54 orders on Etsy and made four times more in sales than I did in 2014.
-I gained 140 new Etsy shop favorites (nearly doubling what it was before).
-My work was featured in a magazine.
-I started selling in 2 additional galleries.
-My Facebook page nearly tripled in likes and response over the year.
Those are numbers that I can look back on, but what makes me really proud is that my customer reviews are still 100% positive and I know that I really worked and tried my best with everything I did. I couldn't have done anything without the help of my many wonderful supporters so THANK YOU! I am looking forward to growing even more in 2016! Here is a little taste of what I will be working on:
This month I am starting to create a new line of children's dishes. I am getting so many great suggestions for animals to make and am really looking forward to seeing how the prototypes turn out!
I had great response to my sculptural creature collection. It seemed like the weirder I got the more people loved them! I also started making custom creatures based on beloved pets. This year I am going to make sets of little creatures, for example, 'Ocean Life Creatures' which will have 4-5 ocean creatures as part of a limited collection. I am also planning on creating 'The Woodland Creature Collection' with a bear, fox, bunny, mouse, and mushroom; 'The African Safari Collection' with a rhino, giraffe, lion, hippo, and one other.... And I'm sure as I get working my mind won't stop there! (If you have suggestions feel free to comment!)
Of course I will still be making many more of my one-of-a-kind thrown, carved and altered mugs. I really love making them, and it's always a miracle when I decide to sell them rather than keep them!
I have been going through a jewelry phase. I sometimes day dream about going back to school and studying jewelry making. I might decide to take a metal smith class this year, but until then I will make pendants with gold luster! I have a few of these in my
Etsy shop, and can always take custom orders.
I feel so lucky to have been working on my art this past year. I know that I have grown immensely and will continue to do so.
(A big thank you to Brad Nielson who took all of my professional photos).
