Don't Blink!
When I began writing this blog update it was the 17th September. We had 99 days to go until Christmas, and I was feeling smugly prepared* for the spooky and festive seasons ahead.
*Prepared for me. Everything being relative, I’m sure many other business owners would have felt nervous to attempt the season with the plans I had tucked into my back pocket.
I stupidly allowed myself to blink and over a month has passed, we’re now 63 days away from Christmas and I seem to have put those plans in a pocket with a hole in the bottom.
sigh
Some things never change but we carry on regardless. Thankfully, people have been buying things from my Christmas range since August so at least I know something is working somewhere…
In September I was lucky enough to visit Coffee Cats and the dragons at Lincoln Castle, spend some more time with D and K when they popped up to see us, and had the lovely Sophie and Neon come and stay for a weekend.
Earlier this month we had a blast at Yardbirds in Grimsby for the Out of the Ordinary Halloween Market. It’s become one of my favourite events to trade at, with lovely visitors and friendly returning faces at a very cool venue. It’s always organised well and curated so that we get to work alongside so many great local creatives.
My favourite drawing challenge of the year, Mab’s Drawlloween Club is well underway and I’ve created a few new pieces from the prompt list. I will focus on those in next week’s blog entry.
For now, here is a peek inside my sketchbook at some bird studies I’ve been making in preparation for painting something central for the rebrand.
Speaking of the rebrand, I’ve attended a couple of useful workshops that have helped me think about what I want from the business going forward. I always find it good practice to revisit fundamental questions about my motivations for, and requirements from the business as these things can change over time. I’ve often found that I’ve drifted from my desired pathway with time as well and it’s helpful to pause, take stock and course-correct when needed. Life has a habit of bundling us along and sometimes we forget what we were trying to achieve in the first place.
November and December will be fully focused on the background work needed for the upcoming changes, as well as navigating silly season!
That’s it for this journal instalment. If you’d like to keep up with all things Hannah Kate Makes and everything coming next, sign up to The Spooky List and I’ll send the latest art, shop and event updates straight to your inbox. You’ll find the form below.
Stay spooky, and don’t forget the clocks go back this weekend!
HK x
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