We’re closing the shop

On mistakes that bring great freedom // The last day is this Tuesday, May 27.

“We can still make something beautiful” print, available here.

Hi friends,

I’m writing with news that feels tender and strange. We’ve decided to close the main shop. It’s happening soon — the last day is this Tuesday, May 27. I would have told you sooner, but it’s taken me days to write this email (see: feelings).

TLDR: The main shop is closing after Tuesday 5/27. Until then, original paintings, prints large and small, and stickers are available 🤍

Our hope is that we will be back periodically with new art and a smaller range of prints, but if there’s anything you’ve had your eye on, now’s the time.
britchida.com

Danielle and I were sitting on the back porch on the first truly warm day of the year. I told her that lately, the initial thought that flickers in my mind when I wake up in the morning is to check my notifications for shop orders, and that lately, if there are none, I feel terrible, the grit of failure-feelings sticking all over me. I told her this, which felt embarrassing and lonely to admit, in the same conversation that I told her that I’ve never climbed a tree. Closing the shop was already on the table, and when Danielle heard these two things together she said, yes, we’re definitely closing the shop, and I’m taking you to climb a tree. I don’t know if that makes sense as a reason, but it’s at the heart of it.

I want creative space. I want to turn off the shop lamps, flip the sign in the window, step outside, lock the door. I want to go home for dinner. I want to close up and go in the back and paint. The shop has been open almost 24/7 now for about 7 years and now I’m imagining something that is a bit easier on us. What if we just opened up from time to time for new art drops, or to offer a small, rotating selection of my favorite prints? And in between I turn my gaze fully toward making work that is thoughtful and not rushed? and toward you, my community? I feel my energy triple when I imagine this. Last week I did a live check-in and art meditation for mental health workers, just for fun. It felt amazing. I want to more of that and less social media marketing.

Do you know that feeling? When some possibility comes to you and suddenly you don’t feel so tired anymore?

I want to celebrate my limits. I want to be honest about them. I want to build my life around them instead of trying to overcome them.

I haven’t done this before now because I’ve been too scared of not making enough money. There is a part of me that is still so afraid of not having what I need. It has always wanted to pick up more hours, save all my dollars, make sure no one is mad at me. It’s afraid of closing the shop, afraid of taking a day off. It thinks that if I loosen my grip, everyone will leave. It is very much survival mode and very little play.

Now, I am making the first move to love this part better and protect it a bit. I want to let it rest.

This might be a huge mistake. But, I am not 22 years old anymore, thinking that if I just do everything right it will all work out. I am almost 40 now, and I don’t want to miss out on the kind of mistakes that bring great freedom.

So. We’re trying it out. Behind this decision are spreadsheets and therapy sessions and long porch conversations, and we are still figuring out what this will mean in the long run. Here’s what we know for now:

• The main shop is closing after Tuesday 5/27.

  • Until then, original paintings, prints large and small, and stickers are available. We have the time and stock on hand to fulfill any orders that come in in the next few days, so if there’s anything you’ve been wanting, swing by now.

  • I had planned an end-of-spring sale for this weekend: all orders $50+ get a free 3-pack of stickers (automatically applied). It’s happening now despite the fact that I didn’t promote it at all. To keep things simple and celebratory, it will apply to all $50+ orders until the shop closes.

  • Our plan as of now is to not reorder sticker designs, so we’re thinking once they’re sold out, they’re gone.

• We have plans for a Pride pop-up in June. More info soon 🏳️‍🌈

• We are leaving up the member shop with it’s small collection of exclusive art since that’s an established perk of membership. Truly, the steady support of our members is the only reason we are able to consider reorganizing our work this way. This shift will give me more time to invest giving back to our supporters — I’m so excited. If you’d like to be a part of it, consider joining us.

• After May 27, only a small selection of original works will be available to purchase via inquiry. The full catalogue is open for the next couple of days.

Thank you so much for your investment in me a creative person in our community. I don’t say that lightly. I love this work and I’m lucky to be able to play around with reorienting it in a way that will allow me to do it for a long time to come. This all is a community effort, something we’ve created together. I’m so grateful to be continuing on with you. I love you.

- brit

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