The last year - 2021 - has been my first full year in business, so I wanted to take a look back at what I’ve achieved and what I’ve learnt along the way.

I had a look back at my ‘Makers Year Book’ and this time last year I made a list of the things I wanted to achieve in 2021. It was actually quite a modest selection of goals, and top of the list was ‘learning how to create repeat prints’.

This was so interesting to look back on, as I’m coming to the end of this year with a full portfolio of prints that I’m really proud of. I’m excited about opening my Spoonflower shop in 2022, and also reaching out to work with licensing partners for Surface Pattern Designs. I’ve been building up a list of possible clients using Airtable, and this Skillshare class with Shannon McNab was super helpful in helping me organise my portfolio and all the information I’ve gathered.

The thing that has helped me build up my portfolio is taking part in lots of different design challenges. One of the best for pushing me to create things I wouldn’t normally try is the Spoonflower Design Challenge. I’ve got a few new designs I have added to my portfolio for 2022, and this is a post I wrote about some other challenges I participated in back in the summer of 2021.

I’ve also taken part in the 'Fun with Faces’ Challenges by Charly Clements which have been great in challenging me to create lots of different portrait styles, and I actually now really enjoy drawing people.

The themes that inspire me for my print designs almost always have a vintage look and feel, and I’ve created a lot of Pinterest boards for inspiration. I also create moodboards of my favourite images, and these also help me pick out the colour schemes I want to use.

In summary, these are the amazing things that I’ve achieved this year:

• I’ve launched 4 new product collections including ‘Hamster Party’, ‘Retro Swim’, ‘Plant Peeps’ and ‘Festive Stockings’. These have all been really well received and really helped me refine the types of products I want to offer going forward.

• I have built a Surface Pattern Design Portfolio of over 25 designs, and I’m looking forward to working with clients in 2022. I use Airtable to organise my portfolio and the contacts I have been approaching.

• I have sold at 8 different in person markets including Reading Vegan Market, Buckingham Meet the Makers Market and MK Handmade and Vintage. I’ve met so many lovely new customers and other indie traders this way, and learnt a lot about which of my products are the most popular.

• I have built a mailing list of newsletter subscribers where I share exclusive discounts, early access to new collections, creative tips and behind the scenes insights. You can sign up here if you want to be involved.

• I have sold more than 100 cards on Thortful since I created my account earlier this year.

• I’ve had more than 100 orders on my Etsy Shop.

• I have written almost 20 new blog posts about my new collection launches, how I run my business, behind the scenes of my creative process and more.

• I have created my Aw21 wholesale catalogue and price list and contacted possible stockists who I’m looking forward to working with in 2022.

• I’ve had press in Stylist and Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.

• I’ve built a Portfolio of editorial style illustration and I’m looking forward to working with my favourite publications for Editorial work in 2022.

• I signed up to Skillshare and took more than 11 different classes, including Pattern Design, Character Design, Gouache Painting Techniques, Abstract Multi Media Painting, Drawing Faces, Drawing Figures, How to Find Clients and Sketchbook Development.

• I took part in various creative challenges on Instagram including #funwithfaces, #30daysofgoodhealth, #3x3creativechallenge and #12daysofcreativecheer.

• I’ve participated in lots of Spoonflower Design Challenges for Gnomes, Stone Fruit, Ditsy Adventure, Kitsch Valentines, Take and Hike and more.

• I’ve signed up to be part of the 2022 Caversham Arts Trail - watch this space for more details!

I’ve decided I want to pivot my business somewhat in 2022. I would like to do more in person events, as I’ve become tired of exclusively working from home over the last 2 years. I’m working on some new workshops with MADEbyTamalia, a creative studio in Caversham which I will be launching in March and July. Sign up to my newsletter to keep up to date with details.

I would also love to start doing some live illustration. I’m looking forward to doing live portrait illustrations at Weddings and events. I can create stylised portraits of you and your guests in 10-15 minutes using watercolour and pen and ink. If you’re interested in booking me for your event, do get in touch!

Alongside this, I’m planning to do more collaborations with clients on illustrations for books, magazines and advertising.

Let me know in the comments if you have any plans for 2022, I’d love to hear them!