Saying goodbye to 2022

I decided I wanted to write one last blog post before the end of the year. I haven’t written any since April, and so many things have happened that it is only fair to write about it.

In April, I started hosting again in-person workshops. I started with a coffee painting hosted at the beautiful Dabbling Duck, where we have been hosting workshops till today.

Then I moved on to hosting workshops at Espasa Studio, followed by my first time taking part in the Open Studios in June, where people came to see the Studio. Is then also, when I sold my first Shere postcard and obviously, I did a happy dance when no one was looking ( apart from Mr D who recorded it on a video).

Lots of people came to see the studio, and the mailing list was growing and growing! Full of hopes, I started planning for the Christmas season and the next Open Studios in winter time.

But all was going too well when I got the saddest news in July: my grandma left us. I still miss her everyday, but it comforts me that she knew Espasa Studio was born and carried her name proudly.

I dried my tears, and I started planning and preparing everything for the next Open Studios: I made a plan, and I am proud to say that I sticked to it! Not everything went as planned, but I managed to create cards, one of my big goals, and products at Espasa.

In November, the 11th, on my grandma’s birthday, I opened the Espasa Art Shop, another goal achieved. No one bought anything that day, but I couldn’t care less: I was so happy I managed to open it that day that I celebrated it anyway.

At the end of November, I took part on the Open Studios Christmas edition and there weren’t as many visitors as in June, however I managed to sell christmas cards and christmas decorations. Also, I was over the moon to see how many people signed up for my Christmas card workshop!

And the last big goal I had this year was taking place in a Christmas Market, which I did last Saturday. It was cold, despite being indoors, I sold some stuff and met some lovely people. I didn’t make any profit but I wanted to do it anyway.

I know this all may sound a bit silly, that I am cheering for just doing stuff or no one buying from my business or not making any profit.

But the objective of this year was to try, to do stuff, to explore. I had a clear plan that I followed, and that being me, means a lot. I ticked all the goals and ovjectives, I’ve seen my dreams becoming true in front of my eyes because I put the time, the work and the effort.

I also made lots of mistakes and I learn even more from them. I learned from other people, from other businesses. I discovered what I like and what I don’t, what I want to do and what I don’t want to do anymore.

And you know what? I am ready for 2023 to be a good year at Espasa. 2022 was a rollercoaster, it wasn’t a bad year, it was intense, full of different emotions.

If you have read my timeline, thanks for sticking till the end! And to everyone who has supported me, who attended my workshops, who has bought from Espasa, who reads my posts and listen to all the silly things I have to say… I don’t know how to thank you enough.

Thanks for believing in Espasa and in me.

Now it is time to rest for a little while and I will be back with more stories and more art to share with you.

Have a wonderful Christmas and I will see you next year :)