Hey there, I'm still here! Big breaks on this blog always coincide with major life changes like having babies. This time around it's a career change and moving to another time zone!
Here's the deal.
For almost two decades, I've worked as designer, Design Editor, and eventually Design Director in the newspaper industry. My roles have encompassed designing pages (oh, so many pages!), photo editing, production and managing design departments. It was an amazing experience working in that kind of daily deadline-driven environment. However...with print media struggling to stay relevant, the last several years saw friends laid off and benefits cut. Gray storm clouds rolled in over my career. What now? Do I even want to do this anymore? There was a feeling of playing for a losing team and that gets old--quick.
During this time I discovered memory keeping. I fell hard. It just makes my heart happy, no other way to say it. I could do the same visual storytelling I'd be doing for work, but with my story, my way. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a side profession with creative teams and product design. I was also meeting people online and at industry events who I really connected with. (Oh, you know who you are!)
A big, bright light bulb went off. It was time to take the bull by the horns and be proactive with my life. Time to get out of the comfort zone of newsrooms and jump into the world of paper crafting full time.
Well, it's happening. Last month, I happily accepted the position of Product & Design Manager at Studio Calico. This is a new role in the company, managing the design and performance of all the products the Studio Calico offers and will develop. This company is doing amazing things; I'm chomping at the bit to get going! I have complete faith in owners April and Greg Foster, who--besides being truly good people--have so many exciting plans for Studio Calico's future. I'm thrilled/happy clapping/energized to be part of the team that will make it all happen.
I put my notice in at the newspaper; it wasn't easy. I was profoundly sad to leave that part of my life behind. So very much had been invested. Then there were the people. Friends that I've worked with for more than fifteen years, best friends. Working nights, weekends and holidays in a pressure cooker together does that to people. On my last day, I'd make eye contact with a friend and we'd just lose it. The newsroom gave me a farewell and I made a speech that was 85% ugly cry. (Cringe. Nothing like a big group of people watching you cry, right?) All part of the process. Change is hard.
In a few weeks, Jim and I are packing up the girls and the house heading due west to Kentucky. A major life moment for us all. Jim couldn't be more supportive and game for anything, I'm amazed by it. The girls know, but don't really get it. They are more worried about Elsa and Anna and the big freeze right now. Thank you for being patient with this blog as I get adjusted. I'll always come back! In the meantime, I'm always on Instagram and will continue to participate on the Studio Calico Creative Team.
Here's to new adventures!