Sunday, January 20, 2019

Don't Quit on a Dream


This past week I had to bring my parents into the city for a doctor appt. It was a follow up to my mother's hospitalization in November for a couple of mini-strokes. On our way home we stopped for hamburgers at Wendy's. My parents are of German and Italian decent, one is the work hard, no emotion mentality, and the other is all about yelling and criticism. My parents are not that severe, but it was how they were raised and some of that carries forward. Needless to say, I didn't get a lot of encouragement for creative endeavors as a child. But now at fifty, I don't need my parents approval or encouragement to know that I am following the right path for me. I debated all through the car ride to the city and the doctor's appt. whether I would share my exciting news or not. Finally, seated across from them, hands wrapped around foil covered burgers, I gathered my courage and said the words, "I've started my own small business as of the first of the year."  The smile that lit my dad's face warmed my heart. Explaining the concept of teaching an online art workshop and eventually selling my photography integrated art pieces via a virtual shop may have been a little beyond their comprehension, still, the look of pride on my dad's face meant everything to me.


I have had the dream of having an art business since the early 1990's, before my daughter was born. At the time, the only crafty skills I had were rug-hooking, counted cross-stitch, and collage using mod-podge, stencils and the decorative paper of the time. It was the mauve and green era so I covered everything paper mache in that color scheme.

The only place to sell your handmade art was at craft fairs. I dreamed of long rectangle tables clothed in black fabric, artfully styled with my paper mache creations and framed cross-stitch pieces.

But then our daughter came. There was no time for cross-stitching or collage work.

Eventually though the child grows up, goes off to college, graduates and starts a life of her own.



I have spent the last seven years learning photography, a more marketable art than counted cross-stitch. Craft fairs are no longer the only option for selling your art, thanks to the internet. It is easy to get your work out there and test the water before you ever make the decision to actually set up an Etsy Shop or a website to sell from.

Almost thirty years of holding onto a dream, never willing to completely let it go.


January 1st, 2019, I finally fulfilled the dream. I applied for my LLC for Twisted Road Studio, the name of my new creative business. The beginning of the next week it was official, I had a small business. Since then I have been busy setting up a bank account, a credit card, securing the domain name, an Instagram account, and a Facebook page. Things are coming along well. Next steps include getting my logo and branding done, and getting a website setup.


In my last post, I said I was going to create some postcards for an exhibition at a local art museum. I completed four postcards for the Postcard Salon exhibit and hand delivered them almost a week before the deadline. I am excited to go see them hanging on the wall. The exhibit opens January 24 and runs until February 7. The postcards are small versions of the art I hope to create integrating my photography and sell via Etsy.






25 comments:

Kate said...

So excited for you.

Angie Lambert Photography and Illustration said...

Congratulations, Sarah. This news is amazing, encouraging, and exciting! I’m looking forward to enjoying your new artful adventure.

Jessica said...

Whoo hoo! Wonderful news and do exciting for you! Off to add your new accounts to my feeds. ❤️

Peggy said...

Bravo to you for starting your new adventure. I will miss this blog. I am one of your faithful readers who has enjoyed all your creativity in photography. I have learned from you and enjoyed your photos and words and am sad that you are ending this blogging journey. But I am extremely excited for you at the same time. Good luck to you in this new enterprise.

Dave Meredith said...

Sarah, awesome news. Good luck with the new venture.

Janet Hug said...

Congratulations, Sarah. I look forward to seeing your creative work in the future. The postcards are dreamy and captivating of your artistic vision.

Masha said...

Awesome!!!! Blessings on your new journey, <3

Ellen D. said...

Best of luck to you in your future endeavors! I will miss the blog as I checked it every week to see you photographs and read your thoughtful words. You are very talented and I wish you the best!

Carol said...

I have to admit that I am sad to see you go from this venue, although I have done the same, so I completely understand the current limitations of blogging. I will miss your adventures and your beautiful writing. You have often inspired me! At the same time, I am so excited for you as you continue your dream. I was also not encouraged to follow my art, also delayed by my wonderful children. So I know how much it means to find your place and your tribe In the art world . I’m so happy for you!

Lilbitbrit said...

I do wish you well on your adventures. Sad you are leaving this space. It's a platform I have always loved but it has changed, not what it was. Will follow on Instagram. Happy Twisting Roads.

Unknown said...

I will definitely miss reading your blog, but I am happy for you and the next part of your journey.

Electric | Journal said...

Congratulations, Sarah. I am so excited for you! Good luck in your new adventure... but I will miss your blog, your beautiful photography, and traveling along with you as you explore. I'll bookmark your new sites, and look forward to seeing your new adventure unfold.

Cathy H. said...

Congratulations, Sarah, for not giving up on your dream and seeing it come to life. I'm excited for you, although there are tears in my eyes that you will be closing your blog. I have always loved to come here and be inspired. I will follow you on FB. Wish I could on Instagram, but that's not possible right now. Looking forward to this new phase of your life and photography! Oh, and the postcards are wonderful!

Unknown said...

Post Card Salon near me by chance? This is awesome news!!!

chasing the sun said...

Your postcards are wonderful! I do get what you are saying about blogger and blog land...Congratulations to you ❤️❤️❤️

Karen Lakis said...

I'm so excited for you! I love your postcards - so much creativity in them. And I love the way you're mixing your photography with other medias. I'm a little sad about the blog though (insert crying emoji here). I know I'll keep up with you on instagram - and maybe facebook (ugh-I have a contentious relationship with facebook. I'm only on it because it seems unavoidable...).

I was so happy to hear about your father's pride in your business. You have so much creativity, I know you'll do great and continue growing and evolving. Yay-you!

Sandra said...

Good luck to you on your continued creative journey, Sarah. Many blogs have been deserted since I started blogging. People are finding other platforms and other ways of sharing what they do and where they're going. Thank you for your Facebook invitation which I received in my mailbox. FB just isn't a place I like to hang-out, but thank you for thinking of me! All the best to you! Sandra

Carolyn Marie said...

Sarah, I am so sad to read that you will no longer blog! I have followed you since the Coffee Shop Chronicles and have enjoyed your journey all these years. I admire you for having a vision of your eventual life and for having the perseverance to work toward that goal for all these years. You will be missed. Wishing you all the best!

Carola Bartz said...

You go, Sarah! It is so good to follow your dream and super exciting to finally see it taking off. I wish you so much luck for it. You are very talented and your art is beautiful and I'm sure I'm not the only one who it speaks to (sorry for this awkward sentence).
I agree with you about readership being down on blogs, I've noticed that as well. I will continue writing mine as it gives me so much joy. Maybe I see you there every now and then, otherwise probably on IG.

Barb said...

Best Wishes on your new endeavor! Your mixed media is wonderful - so much to catch the eye. I hope to stay in touch on Instagram.

Stacie said...

So excited for you Sarah!!! I am so happy and honored to be working with you for your new branding.

Michelle B said...

I am jumping up and down for you right now. :) Congratulations on your new business! I absolutely love the name and your artwork is gorgeous. You have put together your photographs and words perfectly. Even though we finally don't need our parents approval anymore, it sure is nice when they give a little thumbs up.:) I am also a little sad to see the rain boots put away. I will miss your blog and the adventures you take us on. I will have to get back to Instagram to see what you are up to. Best wishes on your new adventure!

Jill said...

Yay for you!!!!!!!!!! I know about that family support thing. And the friend support thing. Or lack there of as we are speaking about. But thankfully for the internet, you can find like minded people! I don't do a lot of Facebook these days, but will like the page and hopefully connect here and on Instagram in the future yet. I'm still blogging because it was a good thing for me and I know the few people that still read it enjoy it. I hold up a virtual glass....here's to your new business!!!

Foteini Malli said...

Thank you so much for the company you kept me all those years! It was such a joyful experience to read your news, your trips and admire your photos! You deserve all the best... Follow your dream wherever it may lead you.

Elisa {With Grace and Eve} said...

I am so happy for you! Here's to dreams becoming reality! I look forward to connecting on instagram. Also, this post is very timely for me - and I appreciate your sharing what you've learnt and how you've grown. Thank you. Elisa xx