The theme of 2025 was absolutely "I tried really hard." It was a huge year for growth, change, and improvement for Flower Sisters (and for me, too). 2025 forced me to transform from someone who creates art in solitude, into a more confident and settled version of myself.

Cool things that happened

• Visited a preschool class to talk about art
• Had an intern
• Attended 12 vendor events from May - December
  
• Took my first oil painting class
• Redesigned the website & logo
• Streamed on Twitch and made internet friends
• Upgraded my vendor event setup to look more polished and professional
• Made 1,002 pairs of earrings

Changes from last year

Vendor Events

In 2024 I was graciously lent tables and a canopy from other artists to do my first outdoor sale, and in 2025 I was able to purchase my own. My display definitely improved this year. The green tablecloths were my favorite purchase - wrinkle free, great color, look nice and tidy. Also SIGNAGE. I painted a cute little banner sign to hang off of my canopy this year (if you came to the Farmer's Market you probably saw it or bonked your head on it). The new tall sign in this picture is so new I only got to use it in my November and December sales. 

Website & Logo

Starting in December of 2024 I began my efforts to design a logo. I didn't really have a logo, just a free template from VistaPrint for my business cards. I wanted a logo that was my own, reflected my business and what I do, and also looked kind of cool. I tried really hard but seemed to spin out every time I started working on it. I eventually gave up the ghost and asked a talented friend for help. After many iterations and design work, the new logo dropped at the end of February. In my itty bitty experience I thought maybe that would be all the necessary work to creating a brand (LOL), but then there were headshots, brand colors, a unifying theme on all social media, rebuilding the website, redesigning business cards, making new signs, and on and on and on. There is still progress to be made, but we certainly came a long way this year.

The Studio

My favorite changes were to the studio itself. This year I got two L-shaped desks and reorganized everything. There are shelves on the wall to keep clutter off the desk (and instead directly in my line of vision, ha!). My clay is no longer thrown into a basket stored under my desk, but is neatly arranged in labeled storage drawers. (This was a huge relief to members of my Twitch community who saw me throw the clay in haphazardly every week!)

In the beginning I built the entire workspace around my workflow, assuming that I would be the only person in the studio I built for myself and my work. Very quickly I had children who wanted to make art in the space I made, and then later needed an extra workspace for an intern. As time went by I noticed that the temporary folding chairs I had for guests had been in the studio for months and were used every week when my friends came over for "studio time" or to "play jewelry." I am still possessive of this space I made, but the stack of folding chairs leaning against the wall now brings me joy because I know they're being used by people I love. To see my children making their own art alongside their artist mother makes the struggle for growth worth it. This space that I created has let in a lot of goodness, friendship, and love.

Life Lessons

I don't know that there would be a lesson for me to learn this year, but I'm going to try to put it into words. This year I gave myself permission to grow into more of a person, allowed myself to take up more space, and let myself feel the sunbeams instead of only letting others have the light. When I gave this loving space to myself, I also made a loving space for others. I tried really hard this year, and I think it worked out.

❤️ Kate