Quick Digest:

• Stockist Updates
• Changes to Online Store
  • DumbyDepot! A "secret" shop for email subscribers...
• The Future of Dumbyworld
• Subscriber Code: NOTASTICKER
  • 30% off ANYTHING online that is not a sticker
  • Does not expire!!!

WHERE THE HECK HAVE I BEEN

WHAT DAY IS IT

Sorry I'm late, I do not know where the time goes, I have no excuse this time ha ha ha

I hope you've all been enjoying the new year so far... all things considered. Did you make any resolutions after all? Did you celebrate Valentine's Day? Do you feel the onset of Spring?

 

EMAIL SUBSCRIBER DISCOUNT CODE

Using the code below, please enjoy 30% off ANY item online that is not a sticker :)

NOTASTICKER

This code does not expire. Please read on below for more context!

(Free Shipping on stickers and orders over $75 automatically applied at checkout)

THANK YOU!!!! TRULY!!!! Thank you for being an email subscriber! I really appreciate the time you take out of your day to read up on whatever happenings have been going on in my life and in Dumbyworld.

 

STOCKIST UPDATES

I am all set up and officially selling in-person with Sweet Life Boutique in Stockton, CA!

My vendor space at Sweet Life Boutique!!! They let me decorate it however I like!

 

Included in my vendor space is a little info card :) no AI!!! Support artists!!!

 

A close up of some of my Valentine's Day stock :)

 

Sweet Life Boutique identifies as a collective, rather than a consignment shop, and the community they've been able to build really shines through and emphasizes that alignment! They're constantly holding events and classes, and the vendors are restocking and bringing in new treasures always. It has been such an honor to be accepted as one of their vendors and I look forward to my time with them :)

 

CHANGES TO ONLINE STORE

So... over the past few months I've come to really feel the weight of running a business by myself while also working a full time job. On top of personal endeavors like a new relationship, moving, and the never-ending climb towards physical and mental wellness, many many many things I've enjoyed in the past seem to be falling through the cracks. Unfortunately, this includes creating things for Dumbyworld.

I think I've already mentioned before the struggle I've been experiencing keeping stock up, in regards to handmade items like crocheted soft toys or clay artwork. I'm managing to keep up with creating inventory for my stockists, but I find myself falling behind on stocking the online store. Making online listings takes a little extra work, what with photos, descriptions, and shipping. I am just one person and as much as it hurts me, I have to find a way to balance the rest of my life with this part of my life.

All that being said, I've decided to transition Dumbyworld's online storefront to a sticker-centric shop. I'll still be making art in other forms, but the availability of those items will be reserved for in-person stockists like Bookish or Sweet Life Boutique for the most part. I likely won't be doing events anymore, but if I take on any markets in the future, my non-printed/manufactured items would be featured there as well.

I really appreciate all of you who have come along with me in my artistic ventures!! I want to honor each of you with special access to DumbyDepot :) It's a "secret" section of the Dumbyworld online shop where you'll still be able to view and purchase items that are not stickers or other printed products! Here I'll include overstock not placed at Stockist storefronts as well as special little one-off items from artistic explorations throughout my days. I have a lot of things I'm hoping to try, so please look forward to it!

DumbyDepot itself is not yet available to access, but until then please enjoy 30% off any item on the online store that is not a sticker using the code NOTASTICKER :) This code does not expire! Also... I'll be having a sticker sale pretty soon as well and you'll be able to combine those discounts for maximum money off P: hee hee hee... Once DumbyDepot is up, you folks will be the first to know!

 

THE FUTURE OF DUMBYWORLD

Even though I am pulling back on the online storefront, there are still so so many things I want to explore and do under the Dumbyworld brand. I've been thinking about starting a snail mail club. It's still only an idea for now, but I'd like to create something where I can share handmade, physical media with others on a regular basis. Things like handwritten letters, postcards or prints, exclusive stickers, photos, zines, and the like. This is all still entirely in the idea stage still, but if it's something that interests you, I'd love to know!

Like I mentioned above, I'm going to be trying out some fun new things with my crafts that may end up listed in DumbyDepot :) I have a lot of ideas bouncing around my head for clay art. Things like magnets, little mini flower vases, and jewelry. I've been wanting to explore crocheted items outside of soft toys as well. Sometimes I end up with experimental items brimming with charm and it would be nice to send them to a loving home rather than tuck them away in my cabinets. Please look forward to seeing my weird little projects in the future!

 

OTHER STUFF

I've been consuming more art than I've been creating art this year. It has been... kind of nice, really. I'm watching movies, listening to full albums from start to finish, reading books, buying stickers... All this consumption of others' art has only reinvigorated me to create things on my own. I made a shawl for a friend of mine and gave it to her on Galentine's Day. I'm working on a crocheted blanket full of flowers for myself. I've started drawing again. I have so many things I want to write. A big part of this has been the absence of monetary incentivisation of the things I create. I've really loved running Dumbyworld, but there's something really special about making things and not assigning a price tag to them. It feels especially good to create something I'm happy with and intentionally not share it on social media or promote it as a product. There's no bigger meaning to any of this. I just like making things and the things I make give me joy. I'd like that to be enough.

Earlier this month I went to SJ Made Friend Fest and it was so incredibly lovely. I cannot fully express the transcendent delight I felt walking through an entire convention comprised solely of art created from the hearts of human beings. I literally cried at a few booths from the enormity of wholesome-ness I experienced. It all felt so alive and warm and kind and genuine. Each booth had something to say, something to share, and all of it original and earnest and NOT DROPSHIPPED. It was so, so beautiful and all I could think of while perusing each booth was "What am I earning money for if not to spend it on things like this."

I've been hiking more, too. My partner loves hiking and being in nature and I've been learning to love it myself. Please enjoy this photo from our last excursion to Point Reyes. The world is real big. Explore all that you can, or something, I guess :)

It's hard to tell from this photo, but we're at the edge of like a 1000 ft. cliff!!

There's a whole lot of bullshit happening out there, but despite everything I hope you are doing well. I hope you have a soft place to sleep at night, I hope you have people you can share love with. I hope you have snacks you enjoy. I hope you have comfy clothes. I hope every day you find something that makes your heart warm and fluttery. Take care of yourself :)

 

With love,
Ciara