2025 Recap, 2026 Trends
Where have you been, loca?
Starting in late May, like anyone who sets off to start something new, had no idea what this year would bring. I only knew that it would depend on what I put into it - how many markets I attended, how many hours of week dedicated to researching best practices, how much time I was dedicating to developing my craft. As I look back at the photos I took to document my journey, I am really surprised at myself and thankful that I was able to stick with it. It’s hard being a business owner, it’s hard when you are already working a 9-5. I’m thankful my current role at the architecture firm fuels my creativity in a different way during the day than the art does in the evenings and weekends.
Burn out, it’s real. I took a break from the website and keeping it up this fall. I didn’t have anything catchy to write about, I didn’t have enough hours to take my Instagram and put it into a blog. BUT it’s something I want to keep up. I either find excuses not to do something or I wait until my ducks are in a row before I shoot my shot. I will say though, that is something that surprised me this year. I didn’t wait for my ducks to line up, I didn’t wait until I had a clear plan or path forward with step 1, 2, 3… I just started. I started doing something and kept the plate spinning as I started something new. I didn’t wait for it to be perfect. I threw spaghetti at the wall and some of it stick. I didn’t grow up with this style, but after doing it for some time I see a lot of benefits and lessons learned that I otherwise wouldn’t have learned through trial and error.
This year I created original paintings, holiday ornaments, LOTS of drawings and cards, and experimented with products I didn’t have out yet, like upcycling old architectural tile into various crafts. That’s something you’ll see more of this year. I told my fiancé that I would work on getting rid of a lot of the tile so we can rearrange our office, so be on the lookout for those pieces!
Shopping Local, Will Continue Shopping Local
2026 is said to be the year of originality, the fight against AI-art, and a push back to genuine intentions with gift giving and creativity. I’m guilty of exploring what AI can do for a small business. But seeing the after effects of what harm it’s doing, I’m nervous to continue on with using it. Ultimately, I want to learn more about its impacts (good and bad) and why we should proceed with caution. That being said, as a small business owner who doesn’t even like to make art prints and everything is handmade, I’m excited about this “trend”. Hopefully more people will take their creations into their own hands, or even support and shop local artisan works would make a huge impact to local economies.
If there’s anything you do this coming Spring, consider shopping from local artisans that celebrate regional art and conversations, rather than mass produced products that easily get discarded too soon after they’re produced. Shopping local and supporting local is the way to go! Here’s to a good start to 2026.
