“Glimmers” are small moments of joy, safety, and ease as defined by the the Polyvagal Theory. These moments of goodness can help shift our biology, calm our nervous system, and restore our body back to a state of thriving instead of just surviving. I love the idea of focusing more attention to the good versus the bad so that’s exactly what this blog is for - to highlight all the good things that happened to our small business this year.

January

Winter Cheer: Plants & Beer Event

The Winter Cheer: Plants & Beer Event at Loose Ends Brewing took place the third Saturday of each month January-March. This happened to be the very first one and we were just blown away by the support from the plant community. They had really interesting and informational presentations and they did a giveaway for a free rare plant. To enter to win the plant, you had to shop from 3 different vendors and we’d sign off on their cards when they did. It really was a lot of fun and we’re looking forward to this event again next year.

February

Took a Month To Plan and Grow

February can be quite the slow month for us so we took this time to think about what our future looked like as a business. We came up with social media plans, future product ideas, goals, and more. It’s nice to be able to take time to be able to plan things. Everything always works out so much better that way and I think we really benefitted from the break.

March

First Wholesale Sticker Order

Early this year we signed up for a Faire Account. Faire is a wholesale marketplace where retailers can go find unique goods for their own shops and spaces. In March, we got our first wholesale order. Our first order consisted of 3 different sticker designs that were shipped off to Boston, MA. That was our first time shipping an order there, too!

International Women’s Day

This year was the 6th Annual International Women’s Day Celebration in Clark County and the second time we’ve participated in vending during this event. There were some women-owned businesses vending, speakers, and of course good company.

April

New Polymer Clay Magnets

In April, we announced the idea that we were creating polymer clay magnets. Our first magnets were our houseplant earring designs, and Monstera and Gloriosum leaves on top of a white, shimmery circle. These are sold at markets and in-person because we have yet to add them to our online shop. Oops.

May

Gem City Gardening Gals Plant Swap & Shop

The Gem City Gardening Gals Plant Swap & Shop is one of my favorite events of the year! There are 50+ local plant vendors, artists, food, and more. It’s always so fun to be surrounded by so many rare plants, talented artists, and friends too! It’s the second one we’ve participated in and it’s always a great time.

First Friday Makers Market Returns

Last year we ran a market here in downtown Springfield, Ohio for local makers each First Friday May-October. It is an opportunity for makers to get their goods in front of people. We love being able to showcase all the local talent right here in our community and beyond.

Launched First Sticker Sheet

In June we launched our very first (and still our only) sticker sheet! We had the idea at random and it just sort of happened. This sticker sheet features seven different popular houseplant leaves for all of our plant people, and though it hasn’t been a high-selling item, we love it just the same. If you’ve ordered plant-related items online from us, you’ve probably received one of our sticker sheets for free just so we can try to get rid of them since they don’t sell that well.

June

Launched Sun Catchers

Back in May we launched our very first set of sun catchers. There were 4 that we released initially and now we have 6 different options with more on the way. We love our sun catchers because when the sun shines through them, they cast beautiful rainbow prisms all over the room. There’s just no way to be anything but happy when you see those rainbows. They’ve become quite popular and we’re so happy to be able to spread that joy to you.

Wholesale Stickers @ Gathering Grounds Coffee Shop

Gathering Grounds is a coffee shop in Russells Point, Ohio who make it a priority to support local art and artists. They have ordered some of our stickers wholesale to sell at their coffee shop! Another physical location that carries my stickers, how cool! I personally haven’t been able to make the trip there to see them, but I hear they look great.

Start of 2nd Year @ Springfield Farmers Market

Inside in my booth at the Farmers Market

Springfield Farmers Market season is our favorite time of the year. There’s something magical about waking up and coming together to form a sense of community with those who surround us. We love being able to buy fresh produce, baked goods, and other little handmade gifts from those who grow and create them. We meet so many wonderful people and make so many connections that it’s impossible not to look forward to this market every year. This was our second year actually setting up outside the market and it has really changed our lives. This market really helps us be able to survive and feed our family. We’re so grateful for the Springfield Farmers Market.

July

Josh played music during the Springfield Farmers Market

It might have been a rainy day, but it was still a good one. I got to do what I love while I watched Josh get to do what he loves. It’s really cool to be able to watch him play. I’m proud of the progress he’s made and how much he’s grown over the years as a musician. He has had the chance to play at the market several times now and each time he just gets better and better.

New Polymer Clay Earring Designs

Our “Strawberry Fields” polymer clay earrings

July was pretty much a normal month with our regular market schedule so that left time to create some new styles of polymer clay earrings. I came up with our “Strawberry Fields” design and to this day, it is still one of my favorite pairs of earrings I’ve ever made. They actually rarely sell, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop carrying them. Even if you wouldn’t or couldn’t wear them, you can’t deny how cute they are!

Booth/Shop Updates

July was filled with growth for all of us. Over summer, I like to update 1 thing each week, when I can, to our shop/booth to make it everything I’ve ever hoped for. A lot of this process has been trial and error. I’ll buy a display I think will be perfect for our decals and it turns out they don’t all fit the way I wanted them to so I have to start over and find use for the new shelf I just got. I’m happy with how far we’ve come but I can’t wait to see what it’s like when I have it how I want it.

August

Luna’s Artist of the Month

2 pairs of our polymer clay earrings at Luna in Dayton, Ohio during our Artist of the Month feature.

In August, I had the honor of being the Artist of the Month at my favorite plant shop, Luna in Dayton, Ohio. It’s such a charming little plant shop with so many planty accessories and other cute little gifts. I was able to bring a small collection of my items to have for sale during the whole month of August. I seriously still can’t believe I was given that opportunity. I always loved visiting Luna when I was in the area so it was really a full circle moment for me.

MarketFEST for the First Time

We were about to set up a booth at MarketFEST, Springfield’s only night market, this year! It was the first time in a couple years (since COVID) that this event has been able to occur so that made it even more special. We love the Springfield Farmers Market and being able to set up with those vendors for a night market was super cool!

Re-Launched Planned Parenthood Stickers

Last year, we donated $220 to Planned Parenthood from our fundraiser sticker sales! This year, we were asked to bring them back so we did! Unfortunately they’re not as popular this time around, but any little bit helps and we’re thankful for everyone who has purchased any this time around.

Date Night @ THE NEON

Fun, unique events are the ones that really catch our eye so when we were asked to sell our handmade jewelry at Date Night @ THE NEON, we were so excited! They played a movie called “Romancing the Stone” which partially takes place in Columbia and features the hunt for priceless treasure. There was even authentic live music, vendors, and a Columbian food truck before the movie showing. How cute!

September

Front and back of the t-shirts I designed for Scout’s here in Springfield

Bold Journey Interview

I got to participate in an interview with Bold Journey magazine in September. This interview was about imposter syndrome as an artist/small business owner and how I deal with that on a day-to-day basis. This was the second interview I’ve been part of and I’m so excited to have been able to share this with you. You can check out that article here.

Scout’s Merch Design

I’m a freelance graphic designer so I get to work with a lot of really cool bands, brands, and businesses to bring their visions to life. In September, I got to create a fun design for Scout’s Cafe right here in Springfield, Ohio. If you happen to visit, be sure to check out their merch when you go! I may be biased, but they are the best.

A curious California sea lion checks out the sea lion cups I made for their care team

Made Custom Sea Lion Cups for Zoo Employees

If you know me, you know that I am obsessed with sea lions and the Columbus Zoo. You also know that we go as frequently as we can so we’ve made some friends along the way. One of the pinniped trainers reached out and asked for custom sea lion glass cups for themselves and eight of their coworkers so of course we had to make it happen. And yes, I made one for myself, too. Still one of the coolest things I’ve been able to do.

October

Champion City Flea Event

This was the very first time we had set up at a flea market event before and it was as unique as you could imagine. There were so many vendors, inside and out, selling such cool items. From handmade goods like us to vintage t-shirts to a delicious lunch from a local food truck, there was something for everyone there.

Donated Basket to Project Woman for their Diva Night Out

Project Woman is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by providing services and programs to protect, educate, and empower. I donated a basket to them with uplifting items and the money raised from this event benefit our emergency shelter services for survivors of domestic violence so I was eager to help in any way I could.

Donated Basket to Planned Parenthood for their Gala

In October, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio reached out to me and asked if I could provide a raffle basket to them for their gala to raise funds to keep reproductive health care accessible. Because of all that Planned Parenthood does to ensure that people have access to healthcare and education, as well as because of their support for reproductive rights and bodily autonomy, I was thrilled to work with them.

Planned Parenthood Designs

A photo of me in my booth at the Springfield Farmers Market as featured in my Shoutout Magazine article

By far one of the coolest things I’ve been able to do so far as an artist is create nine different designs for Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region. These designs will be printed as art for the patient rooms in their five health centers throughout the region (Dayton, Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Springfield). They came up with nine different affirmations their patients might need to hear the most and gave me creative freedom. I’m so honored to have been able to do this for them.

November

Shoutout Magazine Feature

I got to participate in an online interview with Shoutout Ohio where I got to discuss my business, things I’ve learned along the way, and what I love about my city, as well as give a shout out to those who have helped and encouraged me along the way. If you want to checkout that article, you can find it here.

2 Year Anniversary of Our First Market Event

On November 20, 2021 we set up at our very first market ever! It was nerve-wracking to say the least, but we had a great time and we learned a lot! The Champion City Holiday Market opened up so many doors for us and we’re so thankful for all that went into making it such a great event. 2 years later and we’re still doing market events, incredible.

Most Online Orders Per Month

In November, we had the highest number of online sale than any other month since we’ve been in business. Almost all of the orders we received contained a pair of our “Holiday Snack Cake” earrings. In the two years we’ve sold these, they’ve been a huge hit. We’re so glad you love them like we do.

December

1 Year @ Scout’s

A photo of our offerings at our pop up shop in Sip & Dipity

In December of last year, I got to set up shop in my favorite local coffee shop, Scout’s, right here in Springfield, Ohio. This is the first anniversary since I brought a small collection of glassware, stickers, and earrings to sell there and it’s been such a rewarding experience. Any time you visit Scout’s, I hope you check out our selection! We’re always changing things up.

Shop Reopening for Retail

Late this year we decided to try to bring the shop back to life for a nice holiday shopping experience, especially since the ice rink is right next to us this year. I got to work organizing all the craft materials and opening up the space so people could come in and see what we have to offer. I’m so happy that we’ve been able to do this again. I’ve missed having a nice, cohesive space to shop.

We really appreciate all of your support this year. Whether you frequently visited our markets, shared our social media posts, recommended us to a friend, purchased from us, or cheered us on from afar, thank you so much. Because of you, this year was a huge success. We hope next year is even better and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Sage & Oak.

Also as a special thank you for reading this blog, take 10% off your next order with promo code: “BLOG10”!

Small Business “Glimmers” of 2023