I don’t often take the time to stop and reflect on the things. However, I’m two weeks into my maternity leave and am already missing work so thought this would be a good opportunity to roundup what has happened this year. It’s been busy!
It’s not all rainbows and unicorns running a small business but I’m grateful that since April 2019 this has been my full-time job that allows me to pay the bills. Sure, there are some perks like sick pay, pension (and now maternity leave) where working for a larger corporation would have its benefits, but for me the flexibility that comes with your own business outweighs some of the positives that would come from having a different job.
Being able to work flexibly has been particularly important this year, as unfortunately my Mum became very unwell towards the end of 2023. There has been an awful lot of juggling, but thankfully somehow I don’t think I’ve dropped the ball *too* many times. Having a business where it doesn’t matter if I’m jumping online or packing orders late at night or early in the morning has meant that I’ve been able to support her - and when I have worked it’s felt like a tonic.
Navigating the healthcare system and the associated admin (let alone actually caring for someone) can feel like a full-time job. So I’m pleased (and a little surprised!) at all of the wonderful things I feel I have accomplished this year. None of these would have been possible without my own support system of incredible family and friends who have all gone above and beyond. And of course, my wonderful customers.
On to the good stuff: my top four 2024 (in no particular order)
1. Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle online course
Since I launched Whole Punching back in 2018, the business has come a LONG way. I’ve partnered with designers to create new kits, worked with big retailers like John Lewis and (best of all) had the chance to meet many of my fantastic customers through workshops that have helped people learn new craft skills or refine their punch needle technique.For as long as I can remember I have wanted to launch an online course. I know it can be difficult for people to join a face-to-face session: they aren’t always in parts of the country that are easy to reach for everyone and people are busy!
If you’ve ever thought about joining one of my workshops but life got in the way – or if you’ve never heard about them but like the idea of learning a new crafting skill – then this is for you. In the autumn, I launched a new, online Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle course.
The course takes you through the fundamentals of punch needle and helps you produce your own punch needle project. Students of the course receive:
- 20 videos covering all the punch needle skills that you need to get started: nearly 4 hours of craft content that you can work through at your own pace.
- Detailed written instructions to accompany the videos.
- Membership of a private punch needle Facebook group where you can ask questions and chat with other crafters in a warm and welcoming environment.
The course is accessible for everyone – it is suitable for people who are entirely new to punch needle, beginner punch needlers or more confident crafters who want to refine their technique.
Mary is already enjoying it:
“At the moment I'm going through the video tuition, and learning a lot, AND realising why none of my work was successful before. Very well explained tuition and very good with actually showing how to do things. Love it!!”
I know how important step-by-step guidance can be when you are starting out with a new craft – and that’s exactly the approach I’ve taken with my online Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle course.
I’ve tried to provide students with everything I needed as a beginner: a good understanding of the core materials, a firm grasp of techniques and (most importantly) the confidence to create their own projects.
2. New Whole Punching website
I created my first website back in 2019 with a very limited knowledge of the online world. I’d been selling via Etsy and Not On The High Street prior to this and while both had been useful platforms, I wanted to have something that was mine and would help me build stronger, direct relationships with my customers. I created a very basic Shopify website, which still felt very fancy to me and very much did the job. As the years passed and technology advanced I wanted my website to be able to provide an easier and more seamless shopping experience.
I joined a wonderful online small business community this year (The Ecommerce Assistant Community) and with the support of Elle and other lovely business owners I have updated my website. Hopefully to the untrained eye you shouldn’t really have noticed much has changed, but it should be easier to navigate and find what you’re looking for.
3. Becoming a Mrs (and eventually changing my name)
Don’t worry I’m not going to get super soppy but suffice to say that I feel incredibly lucky to have met someone as wonderful as my husband. Getting married was such a joyous experience and I wish we could do it all over again. His support has not only helped me get through this year but also to thrive. (Thank goodness he’s started editing my blog posts too as some of those early ones truly were spectacularly odd!)
We celebrated back in April with a small group of close family and friends followed by a honeymoon on the beautiful island of Tresco. We had a really gorgeous few days away soaking up early Spring sunshine, eating delicious seafood and exploring the stunning botanical gardens. If you haven’t been, it truly is a very special place.
4. Expanding the family (and team!)
Just because this year wasn’t shaping up to be busy enough, we are also expecting our first baby towards the end of the year. As my husband booked April Fools’ Day for us to get married, I’m fully expecting this one to arrive on Christmas Day, just for the laughs. As I finish writing this on Christmas Eve morning (thank you insomnia) he hasn’t made an appearance just yet. As the first grandchild on both sides there are a lot of people very eager to meet him - although I’m not sure our two cats feel the same way. We’re currently spoiling them with an excessive amount of treats in order to buy their love.
Slowing down isn’t something I’m used to, but the last few weeks of pregnancy have definitely forced me to put my feet up a bit. I’m really looking forward to taking some time away to focus on my new role in life.
I won’t be gone for long and I’m leaving you in the exceptional hands of one of my oldest and dearest friends, Mia. I’ll be taking a period of maternity leave until at some point in the spring and whilst I’m away Mia will be processing and fulfilling orders for you. As a very talented tattoo artist, she’ll be balancing this alongside her own job. As a reminder orders are processed and dispatched in 3 – 5 working days, there’s no Amazon Prime here. I’ve not forced Mia to learn how to punch needle - instead I’ve created a library of resources to help you whilst I’m busy with nappies and battling sleep deprivation!
Thank you for continuing to support my small business this year. I hope to be able to bring you new projects and another online course in 2025. In the meantime, I wish you all a restful break and a very happy Christmas.
