They say that memories last forever. To paraphrase Charles Dickens, this year has been the best of times and the worst of times. Best of times, you ask? While a global pandemic and lockdown have been the worst, the time spent social isolation has led to personal introspection and hard decisions.
Six years ago, I bought a paper crafting kit that would change my life. I reluctantly joined Stampin’ Up! not to become a demonstrator, but earn a discount on great crafting products. I held my first class in an attempt to help me offset the cost of my new hobby. After a few months and a lot of hard work, my classes started to take off and I was immersed in a confetti of card making and blogging. In two years, I earned my first incentive trip, going on to earn two more. And in 5 years, I hit 100K in personal sales.
My success at Stampin’ Up! can only be attributed to YOU! Being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator has introduced me to women all around the world that I would never have met before. I’ve laughed with you and cried with you…and when it all was said and done, I’ve crafted with you, in classes, at retreats, on stage in front of 900+ demonstrators, and online on Facebook and YouTube. YOU are the reason I crafted and blogged every day for over 5 1/2 years as well as the reason I started making five months of daily videos during the Covid Pandemic. You, my friends and customers, have sustained me through good times and bad.
That is why I come to you today on the final day of the Stampin’ Up! year to share that I am retiring from Stampin’ Up! I never imagined that I’d be sitting here surrounded by amazing memories of the wonderful times we’ve spent together telling you I’m leaving. As I mentioned before, the time spent in lockdown has given us all time to think about who and what’s important. It’s time to refocus my efforts on my family, my career, and myself. Stampin’ Up! has consumed my life for many years and I’ve felt pulled in too many directions for quite some time.
I will forever be thankful to you, my friends and customers, for your loyalty and support. I’m not leaving crafting. I’m actually excited to pull out some of those crafts that I used to love and have been gathering dust over the years. And who knows, there may be new crafts just waiting to be explored. So stay tuned…this is not the end, it’s just another way to make more memories that last forever.
Until next time,
Michelle Zanavich
Upcoming Events
Making Memories with Michelle’s online store will be opening later in October. Check in later for significant savings on new and gently used Stampin’ Up! materials, tools, and other paper crafting items.
