A sad day in Modish-land

I was going to wait til next week to announce this, but since news already seems to be spreading, and since it's all that's on my mind, I thought it best to tell you all now...

My little shoppe that could, Modish Handmade Goods, will be closing at the end of this month. 

It's not for lack of success, quite the contrary in fact- it's just plain too much work for little ol' me.  I've long since sacrificed time with family and friends (and myself!) to get this blog and then the shoppe off the ground.  I thought once I quit my full time job, I'd have more free time, but it didn't work out that way- it was fun and fulfilling, nonetheless, and my loved ones supported me, although they didn't see me much :) 

But, this past month has been a hard one with 2 family emergencies that threw me for a loop and caused me to question what kind of life I'm leading if I'm working alllll the time.  It's easy to ignore how much you're working, when you're working, but when you're forced to step outside of your life for a bit, you can see it with a fresh perspective. 

That new perspective showed me that I yearn to lead a life where happiness is a priority, spend more time with the people I love and do more for myself so I don't lose "me."  I don't want to say, "No, I can't, I have too much work to do" as the answer to everything, anymore.  I want to live out at least some of the benefits of self-employment (lunch with friends, walks in mid-afternoon, cafes with wifi :) instead of being holed up in my office for 60-80 hours a week- even tho I have only myself to answer to and am grateful for that, I'm a damn slave driver apparently- that's just too much to be working, for me.

So the hard decision was made to close the shoppe down.  I will dearly miss my consignors and customers, I will miss seeing all the beautiful items arrive in my mail box, taking photos of them, and showcasing them here, but a greater part of me is ready to follow my heart and indulge a new career path that will hopefully allow me more free time.

So, this blog is still going to remain a daily dose for you all, and with more time to focus on it, hopefully it can become even better!  I also hope to further explore my first love of writing with a new site that will offer writing and marketing services to small businesses, so I can continue to serve this wonderful community, just in a different way. 

I appreciate all the support you have given to me and the shoppe over the past year+!  I am overwhelmed.  And I'll be listing the last of all the new items I have over the next week, so be sure to stop by and pick up anything you've had your eye on, before it's gone for good! 

I'll have more updates as we get nearer to the closing, but just wanted to give you all a head's up about what's going on.  I'll miss the title of "shopkeep", but am psyched to pursue the title of "writer" (my dream come true!) and look forward to exploring new ways to serve this community even better.

Thank you thank you for all your support.

Much love,
jena

Comments

[Aimee]

Hi Jena,
I'm so sorry you have to close your shoppe!
You have put together an amazing website and although I am so happy you are keeping the blog, I know how hard it must be for you to have to close something that's so close to your heart.
You have to do what's right for you. Maybe at some point in the future you can find a partner to do it with you. I'm here to help you if you need it!!!
Thanks again for doing a great story on my jewelry. I really appreciate it and take care!
Aimee

[Tay]

Hi Jena...

Now it's clear why we rarely see each other, living so close! Both of us working *all the time* and holed up in our spaces! I hope this change, while bittersweet, brings the needed balance you seek...and inspires more creativity and joy! I'm excited to hear more about the new venture as well and send good thoughts for you.

If you'd like to meet for tea or lunch, drop me an email.

[Design for Mankind]

Jena---

I know I won't be the only one who feels this way, so I'll try to keep it short and sweet. I can guarantee the short part, but not the sweet.

You need to know what a tremendous gift you've given to indie designers and lovers everywhere. To have a beautiful forum, an aesthetically WONDERFUL place and a well curated collection for those who shop indie has been a bigger blessing than you can see at the moment.

We all can't thank you enough and I know I'm so saddened, personally, b/c whether you realize it or not, you were a great inspiration and mentor to me.

Keep writing--- you're wonderful at it, and we'll ALL keep reading.

And if you ever decide to re-open Modish (WITH HELP!), I'll be your little elf and you can slave drive me all the way from Oregon. ;)

Love to you, Jena.

[Design for Mankind]

And ok, I just re-read that first sentence. I meant 'I can guarantee the sweet part, but not the short.'

See? I am so LONG-WINDED! Sorry, dear. ;)

[rifferaff]

jena: sorry to hear you're closing your shop but i'm excited that you seem to have your priorities in order and will be getting your life back. sounds like you're making a good decision.

[modish]

You ladies are just all so lovely- thank you for the support! Here's to finding some sort of balance!

[cindy k]

hi jena - i'm also sorry to hear that you are going to close your shop, but glad (inspired) that you've decided to take a step that will make you happier, so you can keep going!

[Catherine Chandler]

I think you are making a wonderful decision. We spend most of our lives working, so I figure we should a. do something we love, and b. make sure we have time to spend with our friends and family, and have fun!

[modish]

thank you Cindy!

And that's exactly it Catherine! It's scary to make a big change (especially since I'll have to pay rent and eat at some point soon here!) but it's nice to have my thoughts re-affirmed through all of you!

<3 jena

[Victoria Everman]

It is quite sad to hear that the shop is closing, but your reasons are 100% valid. I'll still continue to be a big fan and supporter of the blog :D

[daisy janie]

All the very, very best to you, Jena! Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. I'm sorry that your newfound perspective was gained through emergencies (never pleasant), but I'm glad that you've taken the opportunity to learn from the experiences and change what needs changin'. Not everyone sees life so introspectively. Be glad you have that to take with you on your next journey.

[tula]

much love. we all support you!

xoxo

[Eddie Christy]

Thanks for sharing! Creativity is always alive, if not in the form we think it should be in. I have no doubt that you will find fulfillment in another way and in different timing.

I'm glad you're keeping the blog up! I love all the great ideas from you!! :)

[Jen Wallace]

I just heard the news, and I am sorry to see my favorite competition close up shop. ;) I know how difficult this decision must have been for you. It sounds like you've got your priorities straight though and I do applaud you for recognizing that there is more to life than work.

I will certainly miss your shop though, even though I have my own shop, our taste is so similar I was always finding cute new discoveries in your shop.

I am sorry to hear about your family emergencies and I do hope everything is sorted for you. You are a wonderful person on top of being an indie icon and I wish only the best for you.

I am glad to hear that you are keeping Modish open, b/c it's definitely on my short list of faves.

Take care, Jena and let me know if you need anything (like publicizing a closing up shop sale or something).

Jen

If you ever open up Modishoppe again, give me a holla.

[FaniSong]

It's sad to hear that your successfull store will be closing. I am gonna miss it.

However, life is too short to just work allll the time. Many times, the most important thing is not what we do... but WHO we spend time with. I agree with you about spending more time with the beloved ones, I wouldn't miss it for the world!!

GO Jena, GO Modish, yay!!!

[Andy Mathis]

I admit, being sort of late to the party, not knowing too much about the shoppe, but can understand being overwhelmed.

When something isn't fun, then it's a chore, and we all have enough of those in our life.
So, sad to hear of the change, but you sound excited. Good for you.

When 1 door closes, another one opens. You just have to be aware and know when to walk through. . .

Hugs to you. You'll be fine.

[Elizabeth]

I will miss looking through Modish, but I can totally understand the need to simplify your life. This blog, for me, is just as inspirational and I find great gift and craft ideas here. Good luck on your new ventures and doing daytime activities!

[jenny v.]

raising my glass... here's to following our hearts, ching ching!

[My]

Best wishes in whatever you decide to do next. It is a very difficult thing to work for yourself because you are everything; the art department, accounting, HR and the list goes on.

Life is very short, enjoy it while you can.

[modish]

Wow, thank you thank you everybody for all your support! It's much needed and much appreciated as this was a difficult decision and it's scary to think about starting a whole new endeavor from scratch, but I'm so glad I have all of you help boost my confidence. Thank you!
<3 jena

[lindsay]

Well good for you for trying, and putting your all into it! And bravo also for knowing when it isn't fitting into your life and knowing when to make a change. Good luck with your next efforts :)

[Mary]

Hi Jena!

I join everyone else in saying how much I will miss your keen eye for truly unique indie goods. But I can relate to that pull from your "first love", as mine, too, is writing, and is part of the reason I have put my jewelry on the back-burner so I could refocus and pursue my passion. It's funny how the business side of writing helped me find my way again. :) I hope it does the same for you.

Plus - how great that you will be able to do what you love everyday! Not everyone can say that.

All the best to you, and I look forward to seeing what you do in the future!

[Tiffany]

So sorry to hear that you have to close the shop, but also good for you! Change is good, and I'm sure your family and friends will be glad to have you back!

[Sharleen Morco]

I sent you an e-mail, but I wanted to thank you again for being such a wonderful home for my goods. :) I will miss Modishoppe!

[modish]

Thank you ladies! I will miss the shoppe too, but hopefully this means I'll be on to bigger and better things that make me feel more fulfilled/on the right path.

And Mary, I hope it does the same for me, too! Thank you!