A Year Ago
A year ago today, I posted this on my personal Facebook page:
Today I hung my last two exhibits at (art gallery name.) Over the past 6.5 years, I have hung over 180 exhibits, created a new gallery and gift shop space, met hundreds of artists and found a new love of art.
(Art gallery name) took a young artist right out of college, gave her a chance and responsibility, and turned out a somewhat older and wiser gallery coordinator.
(Art gallery name) will always hold a special place in my heart. That place has seen me through engagement, buying a house, marriage, infertility, pregnancy, raising my son (he took his first steps in the gallery!) and so much more.
Many people have asked me what my next steps will be, and I’m not 100% sure. I’m going to take the rest of 2017 to focus on my family and my house (we still have unpacked boxes from when we moved down here 🙄) and see where life takes me. I’m excited to see what 2018 brings my way!
November 1, 2017 was my last day at my dream job that I had held for 6.5 years. I have a degree in art and have always wanted to own my own art gallery, but when we moved to small town Mississippi in 2011, I figured that dream would stay a dream. Thankfully a wife of one of my husband’s co-workers mentioned a small gallery in the next town over, and I quickly sent an email with my resume.
The next 6.5 years were some of the most challenging and rewarding of my life. That gallery saw me on my best days, and on my worst. I learned so much from the community, my coworkers, and myself, and I’m forever grateful. Unfortunately near the end of my time, some management decisions were made that I felt weren’t in the best interest of the gallery, so I decided to end my time there.
Back in fall 2016, I had begun making small cross stitch pieces for myself and family, and had begun to entertain the idea of selling them. Spring 2017, I decided to start a small side business, had decided on a name and commissioned a logo. In my Facebook status, I wrote that I didn’t know what I would move into next, but I had secretly decided to work hard on Clover and Leaf for a full year to see if I could make my side business into a full time gig. January 2018 I made Clover and Leaf official in the eyes of the government, opened a business bank account and began this wild ride.
In January, I made some small goals that I didn’t share with anyone else, just in case they didn’t come true. In my first year of being opened, I wanted to sell 10 pieces and be in one craft fair. I am proud to say that I completed both of those goals in September.
While I’m not yet bringing in a full time income, Clover and Leaf is growing in leaps and bounds, and I’m excited to “go to work” every day. I am thankful that my husband is supportive of Clover and Leaf in so many ways, and because of him, I am able to grow this new dream of mine. I can’t wait to see what 2019 brings.
