2023 Year in Review

The last time I did a year in review was in 2020! You can read that here. I managed to miss the last two years, but alas, I'm here now with this little highlight reel of 2023.

I set up my booth at the Albuquerque Downtown Growers' Market, the NM Artisan Market, and the Holiday Rail Yards Market.

 In 2022, I attempted this same solo hike, which follows the whole ridgeline of the Sandia Mountains outside of Albuquerque. I wound up breaking my wrist 13 miles into my 22 mile day -- and had to hike out many miles by myself with a broken bone to get out. I was determined to go back and do the hike, and I did!

A huge decision I made this year was to leave my part-time day job at the university and accept a new full time position elsewhere (I'm still in a similar field - commercial interior design & project management!).

It's been a big adjustment, and a time-management challenge, but I'm so glad I listened to my gut. The pressure is off, and I feel free to work on this creative business in the nooks and crannies of life and allow it to flow more naturally and with ease. No regrets.

 A dream come true was visiting my dear friend Sarah in Sweden!! I had two whole weeks to explore with her and I walked away with so much inspiration. Here's a whole collection that was inspired by this trip.

This is the same Sarah I co-authored a book with back in 2016! I have a few copies left here.

I've never counted before! I was curious to know how many cards and towels I've sold. Mind blown -- Thank you!

Here was the most popular greeting card, and this was the most sold towel, with this one a close second.

 Slightly less camping happened in 2023 than in previous years. So much of my inspiration and recharging happens outside!

 If there's one thing I realized when looking back through photos, it's that I don't take nearly enough of my friends!! I was lucky to have many camping, backpacking, birthday celebration, ski hut, solar-eclipse watching and wedding trips with friends in 2023!

Honestly, 2023 was a love-hate relationship with my garden. I found myself with much less time to focus on getting the weeds in check, and mosquitos were out of control in my area this summer. Nevertheless, I managed to have many perennials come back happy and healthy! The garden is another endless source of inspiration for me. 

 I LOVE creating stationery kits. I love sending packages to my subscribers every month, and I love the idea of more snail mail going out into the world. These kits make me accountable to creating new artwork every month, and I really love the structure of having this deadline!

Here's more info about the stationery kits.

I started making small runs of my little block prints for stationery kits! I've made a handful for kits this past year -- and I am so inspired to do more!

A goal for 2024 is to offer small batches of block print cards for sale on my site.

 A completely unexpected twist of events this year led to the purchase of this little cabin in the woods in northern New Mexico! This tiny little 432sf A-frame cabin is a dream (even if there's no running water yet, and only an outhouse!!).

I've loved staying here and bringing up a little art project to work on in front of the wood burning stove in the evenings. It's been so fun to be able to share this with others, too! Even though it's not perfect or "complete", I've embraced the imperfection and started renting it out occasionally on the weekends.

 A camping trip to Baja has been a dream for a while, and we finally did it! Ringing in the new year with a clear sky full of stars on an empty beach was a dream!!

There were so many memorable moments this past year that I don't have photos of, or don't have space to share. I'm looking forward to making 2024 a year of BALANCE -- balancing my time, making space for passion projects that aren't tied to my income, and searching for that sweet spot in between productive work and soul-filling work and play.