Hey there, friends and followers. I’ve got a bit of news to share about my journey as an artist. After seven months of pouring my heart and soul into my Etsy store, I’ve made the decision to press pause on that chapter. It wasn’t an easy choice, but let me walk you through my thought process.

Firstly, creating art is a part of who I am, but it’s not my full-time gig. My days are mainly filled with the world of IT engineering. Art is my retreat, my space to unwind. I’d carve out a couple of hours each day to dive into this passion of mine. However, I started to notice a shift. My peaceful hobby time slowly turned into a rush to market and promote my work on every social platform possible. Even though I’ve got a nice little group of fans on Instagram and LinkedIn, it seemed like all the effort I was putting into promotion was just echoing into a void. My Etsy shop just wasn’t getting the traffic I’d hoped for.

Now, let’s talk about Etsy itself. It’s a bustling marketplace teeming with talented artists, many who’ve already made quite the name for themselves. Trying to stand out in that sea of creativity felt like trying to shout over a crowd when you’re on the quieter side—it’s tough! Plus, many of these artists are selling their work at prices that are hard to beat, especially when you’re a one-person show like me. My art rarely made it to the top of search results, and I started to feel like I was at a standstill.

The crunch for time and the intense competition took a toll on how much joy I felt when I picked up my art supplies. I didn’t want that. My hobby was turning into a hustle, and the joy was slipping through my fingers.

That’s why I’m taking a new route. I’ve decided to try my hand at art markets, beginning with the Mystical Market in McKinney. This direct approach to sharing my art feels right. It’s been refreshing and thrilling to prepare, stepping away from the screen and into the tangible world where I can interact with you face-to-face. I’m creating more, smiling more, and feeling that old familiar spark of joy when I finish a piece.

Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about planning and building my own booth. It’s like I’m crafting a little world where my art lives, and that hands-on process has already been rewarding.

In closing this Etsy chapter, I’m not saying goodbye to sharing my art; I’m just changing the scenery. The journey so far has been more fulfilling than I could have imagined, and it’s only just beginning.

Thanks for sticking with me. I can’t wait to see some of you at the markets and share my latest creations. Until then, keep creating, keep exploring, and, most importantly, stay true to what brings you joy.

See you later,