Opening My Online Gift Shop:
A Journey of Passion, Patience, and Perseverance
2024 has been a transformative year for me. Together with my husband, we decided it was finally time to bring an idea to life: opening an online gift shop! After a year of back-and-forth with full-time roles, starting, quitting, and restarting my path as a graphic designer, I’ve learned that finding a balance between work, motherhood, and managing my chronic illness can be challenging. I love the independence that freelancing offers, but finding a design role that fits my life and needs has been an ongoing journey.
So, while continuing my job search, I thought, Why not start my own gift shop? It’s something I’m deeply passionate about, and it gives me the chance to showcase what I love doing most: creating illustrations and designs. Working on the shop has been like a masterclass in everything from handling suppliers to marketing to figuring out the logistics of an online business. This isn’t just a "side project"—it’s a passion project where I pour all my love for illustration and design.
I’m especially excited about creating custom illustrations and stationery for real people with real stories, helping make milestones memorable with something unique and personal. In fact, my daughter’s First Communion inspired me to design a set of custom watercolour stationery just for her, and I hope to bring that same joy to future clients looking to make their events special.
The shop has only been officially open for two months, the journey is just beginning. If you love what you see, let others know, and stop by to say hello. Your support means the world!
Check out my shop and let me know what you think—I'd love to hear from you!
