2018 Thoughts and Plans for Next Year
2018 Highlights
I made over twelve new or variant plush designs this year in addition to a set of new enamel pin designs! The enamel pins were graciously funded by my amazing Kickstarter backers. I also vended in twelve shows this year! I think that’s a new record for me!
2019 Business Plans
There are three things that fell to the wayside that I want to pick back up for next year, because I really enjoyed them and I felt like it helped us connect more: The Shlii Kawaii Club newsletter, blogging on this website, and doing videos, whether its vlogging, timelapses, etc. I feel like doing more videos should be at the top of that list. After posting several timelapses, I had many people come up to me at shows and tell me they didn’t realize I was making each plush by hand, that it was just me handling everything, and/or how much work goes into each item.
The Norfolk Merdogs. Yeticorn. Baby Bigfoot. All of these goofy characters were my take on cryptids- with a Shlii twist of course! I want to continue making kawaii cryptids for 2019. Keep an eye out for a Jackalope, Mothman, Altie, Kraken, etc.
Thank you for all of your support throughout 2018. Here are my social media and shop links to follow my work:
BigCartel Shop | Etsy Shop | Instagram | Facebook
Personal Things
Many of you know that our younger dog, Beasley, passed away after a three month battle with cancer on January 10th. It was an unbelievably painful start to the year, and I honestly have struggled throughout this entire year. Since I work from home full time, Beasley’s absence and what he went through cut apart my heart every day. But during the time of finding out his diagnosis and then losing him, Shlii fans, customers, and complete strangers stepped up to support me with so much love and kind words. I cannot thank you enough. I really can’t. I’ve read through your comments several times this year; you all have helped me to keep going through those darkest moments.
Even though it’s difficult for me to write about those things, it’s important because it shaped my entire year. I’ve been a little unfocused with everything, I’ve made some mistakes, I fell behind with answering messages and emails. I actually ended up turning off messaging on my Facebook after someone left a bad review on my page because I didn’t answer their message. But it turns out turning off FB messaging was one of the best things for me this year!! So that really did end on a positive note (and you all can still message me through my shop, my website, and my Instagram.) Thank you for your help and for your understanding this year. I’m so grateful for you all being incredibly amazing throughout everything.