Happy February to all!
It was about two years ago at about this time that I started to think about moving to Salt Spring Island. Everything happened really quickly and I took the leap of faith. It has mostly worked out really well but the downturn in the economy really curbed my ability to find my own permanent place here on the island within a couple of years. I'm going to be brutally honest but the place I was originally in was not great. I made it work which was the criteria for the first place here. I was hoping to buy my next place here but have had to delay that goal to see what the housing market does here. Right now, it's so crazy. Let's leave it at that.
In the meantime, I have found a better place to rent where I'm actually warm and can make product in the winter and have air conditioning in the summer so that things don't get too hot. I can have my little mini studio and operate my online business and farmstand. I will be changing how I sell as I am focusing this year on my online business and not partaking in the local farmers market. It takes away from some of the shopping experience but you know if you are on the island we can always make arrangements to check out my studio and sample and shop in person. It is exactly why my email and contact info is right on the website. We will figure it out! Just contact me before you make your trip and I can even custom make your order for you before you arrive.
And because I will be selling in a different way, I am excited to start my new Launch Campaigns where a limited number of One of a Kind items will be dropped onto the webpage and social media for sale while supplies last. It will be exciting and give me the opportunity to make some really cool items! I will get to make some really ahmazing glass, soap and candles. I’m looking forward to getting settled and making for these events. I think you will enjoy them too! There is just something creative and special about making something unique and limited. That being said, I will continue to have my regular stocked candles available online 24/7 though I am starting to pare down on my selection as over 100 scents is just too much. So if you have a beloved scent and want to stock up, I would suggest that now is the time.
The move will also help me organize further (since the last move) and wean out some of the equipment that I haven't used for two years so that I can replace them with things that I will be using... (spoiler alert, like a kiln) ... or even cracking out my old stained glass equipment to be used in combo with the kiln. There's some cool tealight/holders/melter/light ideas spinning around in my head! And when I'm not having to be at markets on Saturdays, I can be at studios on Vancouver Island, taking glass fusing classes to learn how to make my own glass containers, etc. The possibilities are endless and I'm looking forward to having the time to learn some new skills.
And so we swerve and zig instead of zag but it's such a fun ride to be on. Sure, there are moments when I feel like throwing up but I just ride it out and before you know it, it's the ride of a lifetime feeling again in alot of positive and exciting ways. Thank you so much for going on this adventure with me! Your support and suggestions have planted the seeds for these ideas/concepts to even evolve. I appreciate you more than you will ever know!
Eternally grateful for you, your support and this life on Salt Spring Island. I cannot wait to convert these ideas in my head into reality and share them with you!
Sending all of my love until next time!
Lana