Fall and spring are special seasons, clear reminders that change is constant. When I was younger and my business was in the heart of downtown Toronto, in the 401 Richmond building, I didn’t like change. Yet every day, I was creating change by making a new hat or accessory for someone else.
Being a small business owner, earning a living from my skills and supporting the people who helped bring my vision to life, was a great responsibility. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed by not knowing how a new design would be received. Had I created something people would love and want to own? Had I made the right sizes? Would I sell enough to cover the year’s overhead?
I didn’t start Gwendolyne Hats thinking I would make a living from it, although, of course, I hoped that one day I would. The reality was that I worked two jobs, day and night, for five years before I felt able to focus on just one: Gwendolyne Hats. During those first twenty years, I employed three people in my business.
Looking back, I realise how strong the desire to work for yourself can be, and how much you’re willing to do to keep your dream alive. Fortunately, the love of my life, William S. Brown, was by my side throughout those years, using his incredible design and poetic skills to spread the word about Gwendolyne Hats.
Today I visited the Scarborough Bluffs with a friend. Feeling that fresh breeze off the water was a gift of precious time. Looking out at the Bluffs, I was reminded of how time and change shape the landscape, just as they shape our lives. How we choose to celebrate ourselves each day depends on how willing we are to step outside our routines.
I have some new additions coming to my shop this fall. In January, I decided to explore gel plate printing, a technique I use to create imagery with acrylic paint on paper. After six months of experimenting, I finally felt happy with both my techniques and the results. I now have a series of paintings that I’ll be offering in my shop, and recently, my first painting sold. These works will be available framed or unframed.
Now that work in the film business has slowed down, I’ll have more time to connect with you. The workshops I began offering this season have been very successful, and I’ll be scheduling more. If you’re interested in taking part, feel free to drop me a line.