How I’m starting afresh this month.

September is here, and with it comes the sudden urge to start afresh and make the most of what’s left of this year. You’ll find out what that means for me - and my business - in this post!

By now, we’re a week into this new month and I think I’m finally done figuring out what I want to do with this fresh start. Admittedly, my Summer was busier than usual, which didn’t leave me quite enough time to prepare for what I usually prepare for when my favourite time of year comes around. All the more reason to focus on the following couple of points these next September weeks, and make up for that. With the sole purpose of keeping this side business of mine nice and growing. Funnily enough, that WILL mean saying goodbye to some things in order to make room for said growing. Here goes!

no more patreon (for now).

Yep, providing my Patrons with this month’s rewards will be the last thing I do on there for the foreseeable future. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve really enjoyed making those phone wallpapers, printables, and whatnots, but it does take up a lot of time in a two-jobber’s life. The idea behind it all is super-sweet, but - I think - more suitable for full-time(y) artists. If I ever make it to being one of those, I’ll undoubtedly return to Patreon, but for now I’ll focus on taking on more commissions and working on a broader collection of postcards for every occasion, to grow out my webshop and business.

update my website and shop.

I’m thinking a new logo (check?), a couple of new doodles, and adding more pictures and info to give visitors a wider sense of what I can do and/or draw for them. This little paragraph is short, but all the more important, and VERY high on my to do list. Can’t wait to share the updates with you!

a clean slate when it comes to commissions.

I’ve been dying to reopen that list, you guys… D Y I N G. But I just haven’t been able to free up the time with all the long-term commissions I’d already accepted. My planner was all over the place, but I’m glad to announce that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and I might (read that again: might) even be able to accept a couple of Christmas commissions once I finish up on oooone little thing:

focus on a big project and paper work.

And with little thing, I mean one big-ass project I can’t wait to really get started on. It will take up the whole month of September, and it’s SO good, I look forward to sharing the end result with you. I can’t really say much about it yet, but let’s just say that it’s a pretty big milestone when it comes to Spells & Pencils. Besides this project, this year’s taxes are coming up as well, so it’s high time I - once again - get my paperwork in order and implement a new, more handy system in the run-up to next year. Wish me luck, because these things are definitely not my forte.

fine-tune and tighten up my work schedule.

I’m a liiiiitle bit of an after-hours workaholic, especially when it comes to stopping once I get started (my boyfriend will confirm this, haha). What’s more: I totally suck at planning out what I want to work on first, since there’s always so much going on in my brain. Don’t get me wrong; getting to spend so much time on something I love doing is a dream, but the fact is that I’m no longer the only person I need to take into account when it comes to my - terribly-planned - work schedule. Spending time with my partner, family and friends is important, too, and so I plan to pay special attention to organising my work hours in a way that’ll up my productivity, as well as my (quality) time away from the drawing board, with the people I love most. Again: not my forte because it’s all still rather new to me, so - once again - send luck my way. And tips. Lots of tips.

find and implement new ways of communicating.

Let’s be honest and admit that the classics amongst social media aren’t what they used to be, so I’m making it a priority to find new ways to share things with you. For example; I absolutely LOVE the idea of a monthly newsletter, am currently looking into switching languages again on this blog to feel closer to my biggest and most supportive audience of besties (that’s you), as well as dipping my toes into making more videos.

There’s a lot to consider, and - especially - tons of things to plan, so excuse me while I leave you on this note and get started on all of the above, would you? ;)

Love, always, and talk to you soon!

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