Honestly, I don't do New Year's resolutions because I don't like setting myself up to fail :) However there is something lovely about the idea of starting anew and I usually begin the year with a sense of optimism and all sorts of vague intentions to be organised, have a clean house, exercise more, etc. etc. The 'clean house' one in particular seems to fall apart very quickly!
From a business point of view the thing that I've learnt most in 2013 is that the person who knows most about my business is myself. I've spoken before about how lovely it is to have the support and advice of other small business people but there's another side to contact with others - you can be overwhelmed with information or side-tracked into doing things you're not sure about. Not that people are trying to lead you astray, it's just that every business is different and what works for one may not work for another. There's also that feeling of panic when you see that someone else seems to be totally on top of everything and you just feel like you're floundering in a quagmire of confusion and never quite catching up.
So my intention (if not quite resolution) for 2014 is to have faith in myself and the work I do. I got lots of lovely encouragement towards the end of the year when customers came looking for my candles because they just 'got' what they're all about. That has really spurred me on for this year because when you're a crafter coming up with ideas in isolation from everything else, the first thought is always 'will anyone like this?'
To have people actually say that they like them and will come back for more is just the most wonderful feeling :)
I started the year by adding a few updates to my shop, building on my vintage china collection. Here's a little glimpse and plenty more to come...


I also have added this beautiful handpainted vintage teacup, perfect gift for a birthday or Valentine's Day :)