Hello Friends!
It’s officially the last day of the year and, as promised, I’m here to deliver an end of year summary! However, as I am currently of the belief that this once-a-year day should be spent doing the things you LOVE MOST, (yet inevitably never do enough of), I can hardly advocate that you spend your precious time reading this! Park it for tomorrow! Or the next day – I’ll never know!
… Speaking of the last day of 2023, I am writing this on the second last … and, I’ll be honest, my thrill for end of year reviews has diminished somewhat due to several days of merry making & relaxing. SO, consequently, we are going to keep this light and breezy!
In fact, I’m tempted to even just let the photos do the talking. You know, save me a few thousand words…. Alright with you? Swell! Let’s run with 80% pictures, 20% words! Sounds like a breezy New Year read to me. (& I’d open the actual post link as the emailed version will, likely, compress these pretty pictures!)
~ I’m a liar, turns out I managed to waffle on like usual! ~
A Year of More Illustrations than I Ever Believed Possible!
Turns out that if you dedicate large chunks of your time to drawing, you’ll end up with a hella number of illustrations! Not all these were transformed into stickers, nor put to use, but for a notorious 90 percenter like me, this is a serious number of finished drawings!
Etsy Stats
Truth be told, I felt a little hesitant bringing this up, predominately because I’d loathe for anyone to feel bad for me. Sure, the numbers are far less impressive than I first dreamed of achieving.. but, reality set in a long time ago! Plus, I can hardly claim to have put in all the hard yards of marketing my store, especially after deciding to study UX Design. These days, I’m just happy to be here at all.
Nonetheless, it still feels a little embarrassing to share these numbers, however, at least I can say I gave it a good go. I wanted my 30th year to be different and, in it’s own small way, it was. I threw a lot of ‘mud’ at the wall and, truth be told, little stuck, but a few things did! Time will tell whether Friend of Note will be one of them.
(And heck, a small blush would be more than worthwhile if my results make anyone else feel better about their own numbers – numbers that don’t quite match the assurances you see on YouTube & the likes.)
Thanks to Etsy’s End of Year Graphics!
Revenue vs Cost
Considering that I spent ~$700 to create the above stickers, what with the the purchases of a sticker cutting machine, ink and paper, you can immediately see that I’ve run at a significant loss. (Never mind my time spent!) However, keep in mind that I did use these supplies to create additional pieces for 3 commissions, (bumping my revenue up by ~$100).
You may also remember that I created a parcel of goodies for a creative studio in Pascoe Vale? Disappointingly, this proved fruitless, but I’m hoping I can get these back and try elsewhere!
Is it all about the money?
Nope! As you may have noted, we haven’t accounted for the amount of fun and satisfaction gained from creating these products! Not to mention, the addition and improvement of skills. As someone who values growth over money, (within reason!), this isn’t to be sneezed at.
Finally, let’s not forget, this doesn’t include the support of my Advent Calendar, which, in the last months of the year, gave me a little boost!! To those of you who purchased one, THANK YOU! I managed to sell 7, which was a personal record. (& I loved the sharing of the finished trees!!)
Final Thoughts?
As of now, that’s all I’ve got for you! It’s likely more than you ever cared to know anyway! ;p
Due to an unexpected December, (which I cannot be bothered going into now), I am not sure what 2024 will bring. I do know that finishing my study will be my number one priority for the first few months. Inevitably, Friend of Note will be taking a back seat … for real this time. That doesn’t mean I will stop drawing – that would be a terrible idea. However, I can’t imagine I will be releasing any stickers in the first quarter of the year. I would have loved to have created a Valentine’s series…. but I will have to save that for another year.
Fear not though! It’s not all bad news! Blog posts will continue in the meantime… though likely on a once-a-month basis.
Hopes for 2024?
You thought we were done, didn’t you? Sorry, couldn’t help myself!
As a BIG New Year fan, in typical fashion, I have been setting up the rough foundations for day-to-day lifestyle changes and, dare I say it? Goals for 2024. Yes, yes, I know one has no idea what the future holds and circumstances can rapidly change … but I liked to pretend I have some control. It’s still a work in progress, so we won’t delve too deeply, but I can share that the overall vibe is ‘to finish things’. Sure, not the catchiest of resolutions but when I scan through my list of aspirations, it’s certainly a trend.
We’ve got the obvious, chunky ones like ‘finish UX/UI Design course’. Yet as someone who is looking to set up her own version of a ‘no-spend year’, I’ll have just as close an eye on the small things, ie; finishing products and food items before even thinking about replacements!! Think shampoos, makeup, clothes (until they are worn out), peanut butter, BOOKS! SO MANY unfinished books! I don’t know about you, but this sounds like a fun little challenge.
Lastly, (& I mean it this time), for the sake of New Year fun, I also created these cute little cards, over the last two days. Cards that capture some of the tasks that will help me focus on the things I value most. The idea is that it’s a physical to-do list!
In the evening, I pick out the cards that will form the framework for the next day. Then as the next day progresses and tasks get ‘ticked off’, I move them to the back. I just made it up on a whim, so I have no idea if it will work :D It was joyful though to trawl through Pinterest for relevant images, felt a bit like creating a mood board.
In short, I’m hoping it will allow me to switch tasks without relying on my phone, minimising the risk of getting distracted!
Thank you for being here! SO much love to you all! Talk soon & see you in 2024!
Fiona. x
Inspired as always 📥
BP