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« on: November 29, 2014, 06:10:05 PM »
"...i gave myself one goal only, to be able to hand address our holiday cards for 2014. so that gives me 12 months to learn and practice. i practice every day for at least an hour...or as long as baby boy is napping. no trying to turn this into a business. no trying to earn money doing this. no etsy shop. i don’t want to turn it into a job, with deadlines and stress. this is for my enjoyment...at least for now..."
that is a snippet from my Introduction post back on January 29 of this year. i had started addressing my family holiday card envelopes last night and it hit me...omg, my goal...this was my goal, my end game. and wow, i am sooo not at the end, but still at the beginning of an incredible journey...
i didn't know way back then that the sound of the nib on paper, the glisten of wet ink, and the smell of sumi would reignite a passion within me that had gone cold,
i didn't know that i would connect with so many people all over the world. and i would soon call so many of them my friends and colleagues,
i didn't know that i would share discussions on ink, nibs, marriage, parenting, laughter and tears with those friends,
i didn't know that attending IAMPETH would be life changing,
i didn't know that my work would be featured in a calligraphy magazine,
i didn't know that the guy who made my first custom holder, Brian Smith, would become a dear friend,
i didn't know that business would come knocking at my door,
i didn't know that i would be registering as an LLC,
i didn't know that joining instagram to document my progress would open up yet more of this world, and i would connect with even more people,
i didn't know that i would be asked to participate in so many wonderful projects, from styled shoots to on-site work,
i didn't know that i could geek out at a guild meeting for over 3 hours, chatting over oblique holders and metal flanges, and love it,
i didn't know that i would be beaming with sheer delight as i see so many friends flourish in their own lettering journeys,
i didn't know that i would become the one giving advice to so many,
i could never imagined any of this, and so much more...
and there is still so much that i don't know. but what i do know is that if you put your heart, blood, sweat, tears, and love into something, ANYTHING is possible!!! that is why i encourage so many people on IG, answer questions, and send supplies, because i want people to believe that they can do it!!! it's not easy and takes a ton of practice, but if i can go from nothing to where i am now, 11 months later...anyone can, anything is possible if you set your mind to it!
as always, a glorious thank you to Erica, my idol and a wonderful source of inspiration, without her i would still be trying to figure out how to draw that damn E!
and thank you to all of you that have helped me get where i am today. not only did i reach my goal, but i surpassed it beyond my wildest dreams!
much love to Erica, Nickki, Linda, Linda, Moya, Stefanie, Natascha, Amy, Joy, Schin, Janis, Elsa, Sienne, Mary Ellen, Gail, Leila, Jodean, so many to name...
every time i see a new member join, i have to smile at the wonderful little nook we have here, and i hope they enjoyed it and gain as much as i have from it.
xoxoxoxoxo!!!