Monthly Archives: March 2019

I’ll be on my sabbatical

Mini Sabbaticlas, self-care

Hey,

My 7th week sabbatical is coming up this week.

(It’s a practice I’ve been sticking to since October 2015 inspired by seanwes.)

I often get asked what I do during my sabbaticals.

I stick to my routine more or less because I feel the best when I follow my routine. I also maintain my biz, like responding to emails and shipping orders. I try not to schedule big deadlines during my sabbaticals.

Other than that, I prefer to not have anything pre-scheduled so I can do whatever I feel like!

If Dave happens to be around during my sabbaticals (he also has his own business), we might go see a movie or go thrift shopping. Maybe I do a big picture planning for my business. Or just read and doodle on my couch.

(You can read my blog posts to see what I’ve done during my past sabbaticals.)

I do what refuels me.

I work very hard while I’m “on” so having a regular recharge time has kept me from getting burnt out.

Do you have a regular time off or self-care routine? What refills your energy reservoir? Or are you having a hard time taking care of yourself?

Tell me in the comments 😊 I genuinely love hearing from you!

There won’t be any blog post next week. See you in a couple of weeks 😘

xo

I’m a pessimist.

Growth & Development, Hand Lettering, My Thoughts, self-care, Self-Help, Shop, ,

When I’m at craft fairs, my customers ask me what inspires my art.

I tell them I’m not a naturally positive person so I need a reminder to be happy.

So I make art that’s uplifting and positive.

Often people respond with “me, too!” 🙋🏻‍♀️ or “yeah, it’s so important, especially now.”

I make happy art because it brightens my day and I want to share the joy with you.

Here are some of the messages I think of on a daily basis. If you’re needing a little boost today, soak it in 😘

I have this hanging on my living room wall.

I often take so much for granted – my husband, health, friends, etc.

When I’m in a funk, this message is a great reminder that I still have a lot of things to be grateful for.

I’ve got this in a sticker form and have it on my laptop where I see it every day 🌈

It’s easy for me to feel I’m not _____ (pretty, talented, thin, productive, focused, loving, good wife – you name it, I got it.) ​enough especially when I compare myself to others (more on that next.)

It’s nice to see this reminder and tell myself that I’m enough the way I am today.

And THIS. This also hangs in our living room.

I use social media, like Facebook and Instagram, every day for my business. I love how easy it is to connect with my friends and community there.

At the same time, it’s made it so much easier to compare myself to other people on the internet.

These are the thoughts I have often:

“Woo, look at her beautiful studio space! My work space is a mess, and I can never show it to anybody.”

“Her shop has so many sales! I wonder if I’d ever be so successful.”

“Wow, she has so many followers and likes on Instagram. Why don’t I have more?”

I still have these thoughts, but this message grounds me.

I remind myself that there are lots of people who have fewer followers or “likes” (or not on social media at all!) and have a very successful business.

(Or HAPPY.)

And everyone’s journey is different. I’m the only person who can know 100% of what’s going on in my life and business. What works for someone else may totally be a wrong choice for me.

It helps me to find peace wherever I am in life.

And if you’re having similar struggles, I hope it helps you, too 😊

xo

Find Honeyberry Studios in more retail shops! 👀

Shop, , , ,

Hey,

I’m so excited that several new retailers have joined the list of stockists who carry Honeyberry Studios goods this year ✨

I want to send a warm welcome to:

T-SPOT​ – Manzanita, OR

Petals & Vines​ – Monmouth, OR

The Third Planet​ – Bellingham, WA

Black Bear Outpost​ – Black Diamond, WA

Island Books​ – Mercer Island, WA

Seattle Chocolate (flagship & airport store) – Sea-Tac & Tukwila, WA

Baskets of Joy​ – Seattle, WA

Sip and Ship​ – Seattle, WA

The Lookout​ – Spokane, WA

The Proctor Mercantile​ – Tacoma, WA

I absolutely LOVE working with shops big and small – it tickles me to know that my creations are loved by customers I’ve never met or talked to 💗 

I have a goal of getting into at least one shop in every major city of US! 🇺🇸 Sounds big but I believe it’s do-able 💪

If you have a cute shop in your area that I should be in, do send me a message and let me know! 

(Bonus point if you have the contact of a buyer or owner 😽)

You can find all 60 retailers who carry my goods here. 

Shop local and support your community ✌️

xo

​

 

Self-care, Coeur d’Alene, and price adjustments

New Products, self-care, Shop, ,

Hey there,

How’s it March already?? 😬

In Japan we have a saying: January goes, February runs away, and March leaves. I guess people have felt this way about the first three months of the year for a long time.

It’s nice to know it’s not just me. Hehe 😀 Do you feel the same way?

As this post goes out, we’re in Spokane for Custer’s Spring Arts & Crafts Show. Come visit if you’re in the area!

In the meantime, I have a few announcements today, so let’s jump right in.

First off, I have a couple of new items available in the shop!

“Self-Care is not Selfish” design is now available as magnets!

It’s been one of my customer-favorites, and the vinyl stickers with the same design has been very popular as well. I’m excited to add this to my magnet family.

What a helpful reminder for every day 💗

I’ve also added Coeur d’Alane greeting card to my line just in time for the show in Spokane this weekend.

It’s also available as 8×10″ and 11×14″ archival giclee art print.

I love how colorful it’s turned out 🌈 I’ve been told many times how beautiful Coeur d’Alene is. I need to visit there!

You can find all these items in my shop or at shows.

OK, on to another news – I’m adjusting a couple of product prices effective June 1, 2019.

For your reference, 8×10″ art prints are currently $22, and gift wraps are $12 for a roll of 3 sheets.

This is both due to manufacturer cost increase and to balance out my prices in general.

Everything else stays the same ✌️

If you wanna grab them at the current price, shop before May 31st 🏃🏻‍♀️

Have an awesome day!

xo

Do you love one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry? 💎

New Products, Shop,

I did it!

I survived the NW Flower & Garden Show!!

THANK YOU for coming to support me. Meeting new and old friends is always the highlight of my shows.

It was my first time exhibiting at the NWFGS, and I was lucky enough to share a booth with my maker friend, Sarah from Magpie Mouse Studios.

In fact, it was Sarah who asked me if I wanted to share a booth with her in the first place.

The cost of doing this show was quite high (for me), so without her inviting me to split the cost, I probably wouldn’t have done it.

Sarah and I have been at several shows together before – I’ve always admired her colorful enamel jewelry and her upbeat personality.

Until I shared a booth with her, I didn’t know just how complementary our products were.

During the 5 days we were together, we played with pairing my greeting cards with her one-of-a-kind earrings.

Look how cute they are!! 👀

I’m so in love 😍

You can click on each photo to shop the card you love 😽

Earrings are all handmade and one of a kind – many of the ones in the photos have sold out – but you can check out Sarah’s Etsy shop to find something similar.

Have a wonderful, colorful day!

xo

ps. Always free US shipping when you order $35 or more.