Studio News - New Opportunities Await

My husband has been after me for months to visit a new, local shop in downtown Manheim and talk to the owner. He knows the owner through her husband. I assumed the shop would be like so many others I've visited throughout Lancaster County, PA, filled with quilts and country decor that doesn't mesh well with the style of my art. I think I also avoided visiting the shop because I wasn't sure how to talk about my work with a stranger. It just felt too vulnerable.

So I've largely focused my efforts on getting my website and shop going, writing this newsletter each week, and posting to social media. Well I finally decided to visit the shop on Friday afternoon after taking a look at pictures of the shop on social media. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a shop filled with plants, floral arrangements, woodland illustrations, nature-inspired earrings, journals and so much more.

I entered the store with the idea that I'd just take a look around. But the shop was empty when I arrived and I came face to face with the owner as she offered me a welcoming smile. Before I knew it, I'd introduced myself and mentioned that she knew my husband. We started talking about her shop, our husbands, the lovely plants, and then art in general. I mentioned that I was an artist and showed her some of my work, including the phone case I had with me that sports one of my favorite illustrations.

She loved my work and is very interested in carrying products with my designs in her shop! I'm meeting with her again this week to show her some of my products and work out some logistics.

While I'm excited by this opportunity, I also feel like I found a new friend, a kindred spirit who understands what it's like to go after a dream. I bought some stickers from the shop that I love and I hope this is one of many such encounters in the future.

Little by little, I'm finding my way and it feels good to be able to share these little victories with you.

I hope my journey sparks hope and curiosity for your own adventures.