Friends, family, delightful internet strangers —
It’s with mixed emotions that I write to you today to share that I’m closing Syds Fab Shop. I don’t quite know whether this will be a permanent closure, or what it will look like if/when I return. What I do know is that I am excited to take a step back at this point in time.
Over the past year and a half, Syds Fab Shop has been my heart and soul, a venture born of profound self-discovery. Through Syds Fab Shop, I’ve accessed a part of myself that I have always repressed; I’ve honored something intrinsic to who I am. I steered all my energy toward creations and mediums that both fueled and expressed the joy and freedom I felt while creating. Each piece was created with an abundance of exploration and giddy delight, and I think that shines through.
It’s opened something inside of me that will never close again, and I’m so grateful for this journey..
Throughout this journey, I showcased my creations in Houston, Dallas, Chicago, and Salt Lake, and got to see my art on platforms such as 1stDibs and Saatchi. I hosted an art market with other local creatives, and sold work to people I’ve never met across the country.
Despite the immense love and dedication invested in this venture, the harsh reality is that sustaining it financially has proven to be a challenge. Aside from the obvious challenges of running a business, feeling the pressure to create art that people want to buy is suffocating. Don’t get me wrong–the fact that people want to buy my art, and the fact that many have–is incredible. But when my pieces haven’t been selling quickly enough to make this a viable career, I have been holding myself back on new creations, asking ‘but who would buy this’. I’ve made creations I’m proud of, but don’t contain the same spirit.
Right now, I want to take a step back and explore my creativity. I want to push myself to make art that may never see the light of day. I want to make weird art. I want to make bad art. I just can’t do that under the umbrella of Syds Fab Shop, which I built in the limelight.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you – my followers, friends, and family – for being a part of this incredible journey. Your support has been the wind beneath my wings, and I am humbled by the kindness and patronage shown by so many. Whether it was passing encouragement, the purchase of a piece, sending me supplies, or giving me an entire week of your time to help me show my art (shout-out to my parents, sister, and Erin Martin)--your support has meant the world.
While Syds Fab Shop may be closing for now, my creative journey is far from over. I am still dreaming up new creations and bringing them to life every day. The decision to step back from making a living through my art is not a goodbye to creativity but rather a reevaluation of the path forward.
Rest assured, those of you on this email list will be the first to know if and when I decide to return to selling my art, or if Syds Fab Shop morphs into something different. The spark of Syds Fab Shop will continue to flicker in the background, and I hope to share new artistic adventures with you in the future.
Again, my endless gratitude for you and your support. Thank you.
