Changes at Espasa Studio
Dear artist,
How are you? Seems like finally Summer has decided to stay for a little longer!
Summer tends to be a bit of a downtime at Espasa Studio, so I am making the most of this season and changing things behind the scenes, and also creating new ideas! So I thought it was time to share all of this with you.
The reality is that it is hard out there for anyone, for any business, so it is even harder for a small business like Espasa to thrive.
I was terrified with the idea of having to stop Espasa, I couldn’t avoid to see it as a failure. If you know my story, you know how much this means to me, to my grandma, to my art.
So that wasn’t an option. Espasa isn’t going anywhere. But when something isn’t working, a change is required, so things are changing at Espasa and I am moving into a different direction.
I didn’t want to stop doing workshops because I know I can help people with them, but I simply don’t get enough numbers to run them: maybe I don’t get the right day of the week, maybe my workshops aren’t interesting enough, maybe there is no interest in workshops anymore, who knows!
But it has been playing in my mind that I also would like to focus more into my art and illustrations which at the moment is what I enjoy the most. Spending time in the studio and doing my own art. So I decided to review what I want and my ideas, and this is what is coming and changing from September.
WORKSHOPS & LESSONS
I worked out that doing open workshops at the studio can be a bit difficult to manage as numbers have been low and perhaps the time timetables weren’t working.
Instead of doing open public workshops at the studio, I am doing them on demand workshops or private. This means that workshops can be booked with me in advance, so if you are a group of friends who are planning an activity all together, perhaps a birthday, a hen do or a baby shower, a painting workshop can be a fun activity to do!
Here you can see the current workshops that are in offer: https://www.espasastudio.co.uk/workshops-1
I am also planning on preparing tote bag decoration workshops, as well as baby grow decorating for baby showers ( from September).
You can always book a workshop with me at Espasa Studio, in Guildford or a location of choice.
I will still be teaching some open to public workshops at Guildford Institute in September, October and December that are open to book now, you can see them here: https://www.guildford-institute.org.uk/event/paint-an-abstract-seascape-with-acrylic-gi-24-024-face-to-face/
And I will probably be partnering with other businesses, so seasonal workshops may come up, that is why it is always handy to subscribe to my newsletter, so I will be sharing what is going on. Or even better, follow me on Instagram for more daily behind the scenes content.
Just a reminder, I am offering 1 to 1 lessons at the studio, for adults and kids. If you are interested in knowing more about it, please get send me an email here: hello@espasastudio.co.uk
ONLINE SHOP & PRODUCTS
I have temporarily closed my online shop, but you still can buy my products online from my Etsy shop here: https://espasastudio.etsy.com
I am also starting to create new products which will be autumn inspired as well as I am already having to start thinking about Christmas ( I know, too soon!) but that is what happens when you run a business!
But I am not forgetting to enjoy summer, and I am embracing this season creating new things like this paper flowers which may develop into new products, or perhaps a workshop!
I am also desgining new cards and prints and hopefully I will find a great printer to print quality products, something I would like to focus more towards the end of the year.
Paper flowers are a very fun activity I recently discover.
Perhaps if I get better at it I could run a workshop?
So many ideas for September!
ILLUSTRATION SERVICES
You may have seen that I am offering now illustration services, I wanted to share with you all about it as well.
Illustration is always something I really enjoyed, and recently I was commission to design a wedding menu for one of my best friends.
From there, I thought I could explore it a bit more, and nowadays I am offering 3 types of services, which include menu illustration and also live illustrations. Live illustration can be for a birthday party or a unique gift for your wedding guests.
I have also been asked to do some house illustration, which I think could be a nice early christmas gift to have planned.
You can read more about it here: https://www.espasastudio.co.uk/illustration
TIME OFF
So this is what I have planned from September onwards, you can keep updated through my newsletter or on social media. I am sure other things will pop up and I would be more than happy if you keep joining me in my adventures!
But before all of that, I am going to have a very nice summer break, where I will be off Instagram and there will be no newsletters. Things will resume on the 26th of August, when I will be taking part at Peaslake Summer Fair and selling my pieces and paintings again.
I hope to see you there and I hope you enjoy summer!
With love & art,
Laura