The year is running out, and I'm thrilled by how far I've come in my needlework journey. It's been a mind-blowing journey, although it seems like a rollercoaster kind of ride, but I'm still excited about what I've learned, the knowledge I've acquired, and the accomplished project I was able to get through despite the loads of activities I've got. One of the highlights of the year for me was making my footwear go worldwide, as I was able to craft a masterpiece for a few Hiveans who're staying in Europe.

Reflection

I started the year with uncertainty about whether I'll ever be able to have time for my needlework niche because of how busy my new job makes me feel, but along the way, I was able to motivate myself and get some inspiration from others to craft out time for this aspect of my life, and in the end, I feel blessed for how far I've come and the things I've been able to accomplish within the year 2023.

But then, since I still have a few days of vacation before resumption, I started by making myself a pair of palm slippers. After making that, I felt it wouldn't be nice if I didn't send something tangible to my brother's wife and my niece, so I made them two identical palm slippers as well. It was a delight, and I'm pleased to know they love and appreciate my kind gesture.

After resumption at work, I couldn't do much non-attend to that aspect of me again for about 4 months, until a faithful day when one of my footwear had some issues. I thought within me that it'd be unwise for me to pay someone else to help me do it when I could easily do some myself, and in the end, I was able to get some of the tools I needed handy for the job.

That singular act announced my skills to my new neighbors, and before you knew it, out of curiosity, they started asking if I was a professional in shoemaking. I said yes, but my new job isn't giving me time for it. Well, to cut a long story short, I got two new orders requesting that I make something nice for them, and that's how I ended up making footwear for my landlord's son and my new neighbors.

Lessons Learnt

From there, I went on to make many more footwear's between those periods earlier this year, but then I was short of some tools, so I decided to pay a visit to one cubler store close to my residence. I told him I'm also in the trade and would love to use his space and tools for some of my work once in a while, and he agreed.

It was one of the best decisions I made this year because visiting the store helps me make a new friend, and before you know it, I was already learning new things and how to go about lasing shoes more easily than I knew; it was mind-blowing. I also learned some hacks on how to easily fix the sewing machine when it develops one fault or another. These are things that, when they happen to my sewing machine back then, I usually call the attention of engineers, and they charge me a huge fee to fix it.

I was glad to learn, and in exchange, he also learned several things from me too. Each time I make a shoe in his store, he comes to help but is amazed at some of my style, and when he finds one that seems complex or easier than his, we'll ask, and I gladly put him through. It's just been a wonderful part of this year for me.

Accomplished Goals

Like I said in the first paragraph of this write-up, the highlight of the year for me is having my footwear go global and gaining more customers around the globe. The hive blockchain made this possible because it was via the footwear I uploaded here that this Hiver from Amsterdam, Netherlands, noticed my work and decided to give me a try, and despite not knowing her actual foot size, I was able to craft out some masterpieces that she loves.

She even made a post to highlight her experience and reviews of each of the Birkenstock sandals and summer sandals I made for her, although one of them wasn't fitting properly. I believe it's an eye-opener that'll make me do better moving forward.

Overall, the goal was to at least make five shoes before the year runs out, and that's super low when I usually make over 200 in a year. Normally, but my job made me set such a low goal, and at the end of the day, I was able to go past that goal and make about 16 footwear's, and that's not including several repairs I did for clients in my neighborhood.

That's all for my end-of-year reflection on my needlework project from the beginning of the year until this moment. I hope this inspires you. Do have a wonderful time and stay blessed.

Thanks so much for your time. Have a wonderful day.

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