A Year in Review- 2024
2024 has been a year of unexpected challenges. The year has felt like it went by in a flash, but that it also took forever. It’s hard to believe it has almost been a year without Charlie.
The theme for the year was definitely “you’re worth the time it takes to learn a new skill” and learning that a lot of those skills were already inside all along. “You can do hard things” was another theme for all the things I thought (and still think) are hard.
It all began with big ideas and a grand plan- buy a new kiln, move the electrical supply, and renovate the studio. Saying goodbye to Charlie halted those plans. There were times when I wanted to give up, but I knew that Charlie would not have approved. I was told he was proud of the things that I made. That one of his joys was taking people around the studio to show them what was created here.
Learning how to process grief differently is a daily challenge. One thing I learned was that a part of what we miss from our animal friends is the reflection of ourselves that they show to us. That was Charlie’s biggest gift that I am working to remember every day.
In many ways, it doesn’t feel like I made that many things this year. After looking at the numbers, I actually sold a similar amount of pottery compared to the year before. 852 items went off to new homes in 2024. 13% of my sales for the year occurred during the South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour. Dahlia tuber sales tripled from 2023. This year, sales between the studio were less evenly divided. 64% of sales were in-person or direct, whereas 36% were online. In years past, this has been more evenly split. However, I did far less work creating content for social media this year.
It takes a lot of energy create digital content. Many days I was feeling sad, tired, or uninspired to share to the vast unknown. I have always known there was a correlation to social media and my online sales, so it is validating (in a way) to see the numbers directly reflected by that knowledge. In another sense, it is also comforting to know that I do not necessarily need to be reliant on social media. There are many artists who only sell works from their content. With all the flux in those platforms, it is important to have a network of sales channels.
I am truly grateful for your support and honored to be able to create things every day, sharing them with you. Now the renovations are completed, the new kiln is installed, the electrical upgrade is complete, and I’m ready to make new work for 2025. Looking ahead, I am thinking about bringing back some workshops this year. Do you think you would be interested in one? The Attleboro Arts Museum Flower show is right around the corner, and before we know it, it will be time to wake up the dahlia tubers (they go on sale April 15th), and welcome the tulips. I am also working on some community events with South Coast Artists, to share ideas on the topics that inspire many artists in our region.
Thank you so much for being a part of this journey. Please give yourself a hug- you deserve it.