2026 plans? Less planning.

When I started my business, I took advice to stick with it for two years and see what happens. I took classes, built plans, set goals, followed structure. Two years ended in 2025, but as I look back on the year, in many ways I feel like I just started. Yes, I created an assumed business name and logo in 2023, but it wasn't until 2025 that I created a business card that I really liked. 2023 brought my first sale, but I moved to a home studio and my first product lines (and SKUs!) in 2025.

I feel like I understand how a small business runs and how to throw relatively consistent ceramic designs and shapes, but I'm still a newbie regarding the creativity and originality that fuel passionate artists. When I started this venture, pottery served as a great medium for me to learn. And the way I usually learn is to set goals, attempt to achieve them, then assess what can be improved. But I also find that Winnie the Pooh is right when he reminds me that "the very best of somethings come from nothing."

I pulled together some photos of my favorite pieces from the year and not only was it more difficult than last year; I'm starting to see some real potential there. I know, I know, I had potential from the beginning and I'm so appreciative of all of the folks who encouraged me in the earliest days. But this potential feels different. It's not just about my techniques and making (where I am making strides!); this year's potential is about my artistic voice.

I started to create "series" early on, but that was because I felt like it was a requirement for business. I quickly started to feel liked I had to make more of those designs rather than getting an opportunity to explore. 2025 did bring a practical realization that getting more serious about selling also meant that I needed to have more consistency in my products and designs, but I still left room for creativity and letting items evolve out of mistakes. From several of those mistakes I started to see patterns and preferences evolve in a less structured way than before -- in a way that feels more like my soul rather than my brain -- messy, playful and authentic.

I'm not sure where this is headed and although my brain wants to know, I'm going to try to let my creativity flow -- week to week, quarter to quarter. That doesn't mean I don't have some plans. I have shows and sales goals in mind (e.g., enough sales to cover my bills). But from an artistic standpoint, several of my favorites from 2025 were entirely unplanned. So my goals for 2026 are to have less goals, make more, and be excited and surprised by the journey!