2026 welcome to… February?!
January has been long and hot. All my plans for a fun start to the year were put on hold when I got sick right at the start - and I ended up sick at the end, too! I think I spent a week feeling well.
And you know what? That’s perfectly OK. I spent time with my family and enjoying that one cool week we had. I found myself a little stressed with my business because of that lack of time, and I am determined that next January I either have all my marketing done ahead or I pop a little note up that I’m out for the whole month! I ended up not sending a newsletter AND being stressed about it, which was the worst of both options.
This year I am learning to keep myself and my schedule more open. My kids are both in full-time school so my main time with them is on the weekends. As such, I'm only doing a handful of markets and will instead be spending my time on commissions, applying to group art exhibitions and competitions, and running a few workshops later in the year. These are all more flexible and let me work when I can, whereas market stalls require not just the set-up and running time on the day, but also a lot of organisational and packing time from me both before and after the market.
This year I am…
Creating space for creativity
Putting myself forward for opportunities
Keeping myself open to joy
I’m leaving in 2025
Over-scheduling
Overheating at markets
Putting everything else before art
I’m bringing into 2026
All my awesome art and small-biz buddies
Excitement about our native flora and fauna
What events am I doing?
I’ll still be doing a handful of markets this year. I’m focusing on local and environment themed ones, so my first 2 of the year are the Manning Laneway Festival in March which I help organise, and the Love the Lesch Festival in May run by the Leschenault Catchment Council.
I will be painting for group exibitions. I’ve already painted my first piece of the year, a little painting of planthoppers that will be in the Ellenbrook Art’s “Small Wonders” exhibition. Last year I did 3 pieces for the Incognito Art Show last year, which I can finally share - I’ve posted them below! I painted a blue wren amongst the melaleuca (this idea became a new design!), a blue wren snacking on a dragonfly, and a butterfly amongst some heartleaf flame peas. All of them sold, which was very exciting, and I am planning on participating again this year. All the money from their sales goes towards the charity picked by the show, and it’s a great way for me to play with some ideas. I’ll also be keeping an eye out for exhibitions around Perth, especially those with a nature theme.
I plan on setting up some workshops over winter, when it’s cool enough to combine a nature walk and painting session. If you would like me to run one near you, let me know and I’ll have a look at venues nearby.
What about the shop?
The online store will run as normal! I’m also looking for more wholesale and consignment opportunities, as these are less likely to have weather issues than markets and provide access to a wider range of people. One of my goals for the year is to get my products into every state & territory of Australia. I’d love to hear about any places near you that might be a good fit for sustainable products featuring our native garden friends!
Thanks for reading!
