2024: A Year Aligned in God’s Purpose

The last 2 years kicked my butt.

In 2022, I overdid it, so I went into 2023 thinking I needed to take a step back and take on less. I booked fewer weddings, went to fewer markets and didn’t create as many collections. I just wasn’t feeling as much purpose in my work anymore, and I was exhausted. I tried some new things, and they just didn’t come together.

I think I needed a year of things that didn’t work so that I could really evaluate what I want this business to look like in the context of my life and purpose. It was unsettling. But in the uncertainty I found myself growing closer and closer to God. I was off-centered, and when I finally turned to Him He got a hold of me and started to straighten me back out. I ended 2023 with much lower numbers than I’d hoped for, but far more connection with God than I’d ever known. 

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So here’s where that shift started.

Back in July of 2023, I was deep in my season of, for lack of a better term, “What the heck am I doing?”. My identity was my work, and my work didn’t feel right. So I didn’t feel right. And of course, because it’s how God works, the week that I felt the most lost was the same week that  Rockbridge Church started their series called “Abide” (Here’s the link to the first one, check it out). The whole message felt like it was created for me and the season I was in, and it made me both relieved and really uncomfy. 

It called out where I had gone wrong. I’m 2022 I had worked myself to death to see numbers climb, which they did, but I’d often forgotten who made me an artist in the first place. I forgot WHY I was an artist. I’d detached my “why” from Jesus and burned myself out. It also showed me what I needed to do to start getting aligned with God, because when you’re detached from the vine, it isn’t going to work. 

After hearing those sermons, my mind slowly shifted from “God, I can’t figure this out” to “I know you’re helping me figure this out”. It took a few months of releasing a LOT of control for me to feel confident in my art again. Being a self-employed 25 year old, ESPECIALLY in the arts AND in this economy isn't something anyone should try to take on alone.

 Lesson learned. Thank you, Jesus, I get it now.  Won’t be trying that again. 

Having the peace that I’m following God’s guidance has given me back so much creative energy and excitement. It’s in the quieter moments that I’ll have these ideas that feel SO right and SO purposeful that I know they’re from Him. Imagery, logistics, timing, all of it pops right into my brain. This has happened a lot during my 6am lap-swims when there’s nothing in my ears, and my brain is still because my body is moving (hello, ADHD). 

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So what are some of these ideas? Where am I taking them? 

Here’s where I’m starting. Beginning this Sunday, January 7th, I’ll be releasing a Print of the Week. 

Every Sunday I’ll choose a brand new art print, which be highlighted until the following Saturday evening. At the end of the month, 25% of the sales from each week’s highlighted print will be donated to a cause doing good for people (and animals) in my community. I already have the first six weeks ready to roll, and WOW am I excited to start sharing.

Keep an eye out for the very first one this Sunday! You’ll be able to find it on my socials, and if you’re on my email list, I’ll tell ya about it there too. I’d love to learn more about where the needs are in this community, big or small, specific or broad, so please shoot me an email if a cause is on your heart. 

Thank you for following along, encouraging me, and reading this far. Here’s to a year of alignment with God’s purpose for my life!

-M

I'm Pursuing MWD Full-Time!

Hi, I’m Merryn, designer, artist, and owner of Merryn Williams Designs in Lexington, Virginia.

For the first time since I started this business three years ago, I can FINALLY say that I get do this full time. I’m a textile and stationery designer!

Gosh, that feels good.

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On MWD’s third birthday two weeks ago, I gave my notice at my relatively new job. I didn’t plan it when I got up that morning, but I’d had a couple weeks of knowing it was coming… I just thought it would be in a year or so.

I had talked myself into taking a job because I felt like I had to. I felt like I needed to move away, work in the field I studied, and be solo at this point in my life. I’ve had that in the front of my mind since before I graduated, and it caused me a lot of strain during the COVID hiring freeze. I had a degree, and no job. I was so focused on how I was “behind” that I didn’t look at what I was building. My business grew so much during my months at home, but I referred to it as my “side gig” while I waited for my full-time job. But for heavens sake I had a job. I was self-employed, but I felt like that wasn’t enough, and I did that to myself.

Well, I got the job I’d been praying for in May, and almost immediately I wanted to undo my move. I really talked it up to convince myself it was the right choice, but I felt uneasy every step of the process. I felt like I was walking away from a big part of my soul by moving away from my family and community and putting my own work to the side. But during these months, as I struggled with packing up my life the transition to a new area, my faith has grown and I’ve started to feel very centered. I’ve stumbled upon some incredible podcasters that speak on faith, and I’ve listened to some episodes with my mouth open because of the similarities to my own situation (I love you Annie F Downs and Jordan Lee Dooley! Huge fan over here), and I really truly believe I was meant to find those episodes. I began trusting God again, and in the moments I’ve been scared and frustrated by my future, I have felt unbelievably clear guidance from Him. I swear I heard the words “you aren’t supposed to be here long”. In the moments of joy surrounding my business, I could feel God showing me “this is for you”. Between the encouragement from my family and friends that I’ve told, and the signs and peace from God, I feel so good taking this leap of faith and making this my career.

On the topic of careers, I’ve gotten quite a few questions about my degree and why I “don’t want to use it”. But honestly, I wouldn’t be able to pull this off without having studied Interior Design at Virginia Tech. We learn more than just space planning, codes, and construction documents. My professors instilled in us the ability to present our ideas and advocate for our designs, and how to create based on concept for a cohesive and purposeful final product. We learned about scale, repetition, pattern, texture, proportion, quality and so much more that plays into what I do with my textiles. And more importantly than anything else, we were reminded that we can take our education a number of routes, spanning from big-picture design leads, to creating the smallest details that finish off the designs. And hey, fabrics play a huge role in the functionality and character of a space, so maybe some day one of my classmates will pull one of my textiles for a project. Which would cause me to lose my mind. So I’m just using it in a different way is all, but it’s mixed up in everything I’m doing. Also, Go Hokies!

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 I’m currently finishing up a few more weeks at my job in Richmond (and I love the Richmond area, just for the record), but three weeks from now I’ll be back in Lexington, and I CANNOT WAIT to officially root my business there. I have so many new designs, patterns, and gifts coming for you all, and I’ve been blessed with many new wedding clients and collaborations for the coming months, which means PROFFESIONAL PHOTOS OF MY WORK! I’m really looking forward to focusing my days on this work that I love, and giving back to my community. Now that I’m coming home with no intention of ever moving, I can actually get involved to the extent that I’ve been wanting to. Not to mention, I’ll get to spend all the time I want with my people. And let me just say, there’s no shame in wanting to put down roots in your hometown, surrounded by the people and places you love. You don’t have to move to be a functional adult, and I wish that had clicked in my head before I uprooted myself.

So thank you to anyone that gave me any ounce of encouragement. Thank you to the people that buy my art, follow along, like my posts, or refer me. Thank you to the other business that sell my creations or commission custom work. Thank you to the couples that trust me to be a part of their weddings, and to the amazing venues, vendors and planners that have welcomed me to the wedding industry. Thank you to my ambassadors for sharing my work even when I dropped the ball on their monthly gifts during this move. And thank you to my family and close friends that have listened to me think out loud over and over again… I promise I’ll cool it now.

Excited to be my own boss, and to switch from working 9-5 to working 24/7! Bring on the coffee!

-M

Maisy's Memory

At the beginning of June, my family said goodbye to my childhood dog Maisy. It was her time to go to heaven, and the 11.5 years with us were full of walks, belly rubs, snacks (both given and stolen), trips and naps. She is so loved, and was so gentle. She’d nudge us with her big black nose, and lick us on the face, and gave everyone an extensive (and loud) sniffing when they came to the house.

We think she knew she was rescued, and we always said she was so appreciative… she had a look in her eyes saying “thank you, I love you”.

Sharing a post-walk popsicle! Those little legs need a break.

4th of July at the bike parade in town, wearing her festive harness so she didn’t yank our arms off pulling on the leash… too many new smells for a little dog.

Maisy was a rescue, just like our cats. We adopted her in February of 2010, when I was 12, and my siblings were 9 and 6, and she’s the first and only dog in the Williams family. We had always been big into adopting instead of shopping for pets, and man did that strengthen as we watched her change. She came to us underweight and anxious… the SPCA thought she may have been out in a recent storm that totaled at almost two feet of snow. No one ever came looking for her, and I’m so glad they didn’t because it means we got to take her home. She was about 2 or 3, and was a mess.

When she came home to us, she started out eating puppy food to put some weight on her. She started to “thicken up” if you will, her fur got darker and brighter, and a identifying black spot of fur on her tail showed up. She was getting healthier, and more social. By May of that year, she rolled in the grass for the first time, showing she trusted us, and that became her thing. She’d get out, head to the grass, and hit the ground. All we had to say was “bellies?” and she’d flop onto her side for us to scratch her little round belly, which was covered with spots like a cow.

Our lives revolved around taking her along when we could, and making sure she was never alone. Maisy was the sweetest, most gentle dog, and was always right under our feet, as close as she could get to her family. She loved her cat siblings Marshall and Gwen, and even the deer in our neighborhood weren’t phased by her. The most aggressive thing she ever did was lick, and she didn’t even mind a yank on the ears (or as we called them, “ponytails”) by a kid. She never ran off, just took herself on walks toward the Chessie without asking. She never passed up an opportunity for a treat, or a shoulder rub, or a chance to lay in the sun in the dining room. We’ll miss the “click click click” of her walking around the house, but there will always be memories of her in every room.

Too hot out for dogs.

Watching dad with the popcorn at the local drive-in theater…. is he going to drop any? How fast can she get to it?

Hiding so she didn’t have to get a bath.

Ride in the Jeep to dog camp!

From June forward, 50% of each order of a Custom Pet Portrait or Dog Collar Bandana will be donated; 1/2 to Edgewater Animal Hospital, and 1/2 to the Rockbridge SPCA. Maisy was nothing but good, and we hope to do a lot of good in her memory.

To donate to Maisy’s Memory without a purchase, use the button below. Each donation will be split between EAH and the Rockbridge SPCA.

Donate to Maisy's Memory

We love you, Maisy.

- M

Owning a Small Business: What I've Learned

So this blog is not a “how to start a business” guide, but more of a compiled list of things I’ve learned by doing. It’s been about a 2 1/2 years since I started Merryn William Designs, and the way I started is not how I function or view the business now. I’m now living at home with a college degree, whereas I used to be working out of my dorm room and juggling classes. So I’ve learned a lot, messed up a lot, and really love what I’m doing. I hope one day to do this full time, because I could truly spend every waking hour growing this business and live the happiest life!

Here’s some things I’ve experienced that have been a part of getting me where I am now…

• You need your friends and loved ones to get you going. They’ll be your first Instagram followers, the first people to see your products and work, and your biggest and most honest supporters. My supporters wear my masks, sport my stickers on water bottles, and share my work far and wide as act as ambassadors, and give me a space to sell my work. I’ve grown because of them.

• Imposter syndrome is REAL, and it started almost immediately. By definition, imposter syndrome is the feeling that you aren’t as competent, or talented, as others think you are, and it goes hand in hand with perfectionism. In my case specifically, I’m an enneagram type 3, “ the achiever”, so peoples opinions of others are extremely important to me, no matter how hard I try. But identifying my niche and outlining what I had have to offer, I was able to ease the feeling that I “wasn’t legit”. I had a tough time charging money for my work, and ended up giving away a lot because I was so uncomfortable with people paying for my work. I just couldn’t believe it it when I watched someone purchase one of my stickers in Urban Farm Girl for the first time. I was standing there, watching someone check out while I set up some new cards, and my excitement was cut short by “oh my god the actually like my work”. I had SO MUCH self doubt, and still do sometimes. But something that really helped my confidence in my work has been selling in person, while leads me to…..

• There’s nothing better for you business growth than meeting people face to face. When they’ve interacted with you, customers feel an attachment to knowing who made or designed the item they purchased. Telling people my story, and in return hearing where they plan to use my art is my absolute favorite part of booths. I tend to get so tied up in chatting that I forget they’re paying until they ask “do you take cash or card”? To say I can’t wait to be back out at Season’s Yield Farm for Bread Days, at my booth with a croissant in hand, is an understatement. Hurry up, April!!!

• The best way I’ve been able to extend my reach is through giveaways and contests. I love gifting, so it feels like I’m sending someone a present when I ship the prize to the winner.

• Working with others on collaborations is extremely rewarding because you end up with a perfectly curated products that combines expertise. For an example, check out the Wine Tasting cards in my shop that I created with my friend Jackie (@wine_fax on Instagram).

• My most successful projects have been the ones linked to people or places I love, simply because I can speak to the sentimentality of it. That’s why you see so much Virginia Tech and Lexington, and fabrics named for my friends and family. It’s all got a story, and I love hearing y ’all’s when I get orders for custom homes and pet portraits. Meaningful work is the best work!

I’m sure I’ll look at this and realize I missed something, so I’m sure there will be a continuation.

Thanks for stopping by and reading,

-M

Thank you, Urban Farm Girl.

Thank you, Urban Farm Girl on Nelson Street, in downtown Lexington…

For giving me a place to sell.

For trusting me when I was brand new, with two greeting card designs and no clue what I was doing.

For being excited with me when I came up with something new, and for promoting me to your customers.

Thank you for including my products in your lovely store. My little business has grown in my home town because of your support.

Up-cycled seating at Urban Farm Girl. Photo from the Instagram page @urbanfarmgirlbv

Photo from the Instagram page @urbanfarmgirlbv

I met Sarah Dyer, the owner of Urban Farm Girl, at a Business After Hours event while I was interning at our local Chamber of Commerce during the Summer of 2017. When I returned the Chamber the following summer, I began to get to know her more through events, and the ambassador program. I loved her store, her work, we connected over being Hokies, and most of all I thrived off of her loving personality and enthusiasm when she agreed to sell my work.

My display in the store, featuring my original bin in the background.

We started with a cute wooden bin, with a chalk panel that said “local art” on a table by the checkout desk. As I created more products, Sarah excitedly offered to sell them, too. Over the course of a year, one bin on a table turned into my current dresser display in the front of the shop. I owe a lot of success to that dresser, let me tell ya.

Nowadays, she keeps me in the loop about when downtown’s busiest weekend will be, when my stock is low, and even who is buying my products. Market research, people!!! What did I do to deserve that? I’m beyond spoiled to have this partnership.

Sarah has been an incredible resource and mentor for me as a new business owner in the world of retail. So thank you, Sarah, for all that you have done for me and my business.

…so check her out y’all! 19 West Nelson Street, right across from the theater. The cutest teal storefront, you can’t miss it. My little display is just a tiny portion of what I believe to be one of Lexington’s best businesses. Sarah carries stunning and unique up-cycled furniture and pieces for the home, local art and jewelry, candles, and a smattering of other irresistible gifts. She event reps a company that creates rugs and upholstery materials, which is a HUGE asset for downtown Lexington. I have to practice self restraint every time I go to drop of new products, I swear I could convince myself I need everything in that store.

-M

It’s all in the details…

New favorite hobby from this summer: close ups of materials and design details. This is why it took me twice as long to organize the materials library.

Here’s a smattering of those images. Enjoy, I definitely did.

It’s nice to slow down and look at the little stuff every now and again.

-M

Welcome to MWD's new home.

Well, today marks a year with my little business. At this point, I have more ideas and design “to-do lists” than ever, and boy do I need an outlet. So here we are, with a website that will contain my ideas, projects, services, and the new online shop for Merryn Williams Designs! Oh, and this blog.

I started MWD in August of 2018 as a way to funnel all of my artwork outside of classes. I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember and have been giving art as gifts, but had never really thought of it as a business; it was just for fun, and nothing else. When I finally took the step to join Etsy on 8.9.18, I was quickly in love with being able to share my work with others in this new way, and it continues to be one of my biggest joys. What started with a single greeting card in my shop has grown to more cards, vinyl stickers, custom work, prints and now fabrics. Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting me!!

With this new move from Etsy to a website, I’ve decided to re-brand a little. You’ll notice it in my colors, fonts, slogan, and logo. It’s a little brighter now, to match what I do. Not sure what I was thinking then, but a grey logo doesn’t work with watercolor. No ma’am.

I went with a serif font, mostly in all caps, which contrasts nicely with the more fluid forms in my work. Its a base that doesn’t distract from the work. The mauve came about because of my new love for dustier versions of my favorite colors; watercolor has a tendency to mix once on the paper, and always dries lighter than when first applied. This mauve is just one of the happy accidents I’ve ended up with before, and it’s grown on me. Its soft and a little desaturated.

*** Sidebar: my new sneakers are this color too. Practiced self restraint and did NOT buy a mauve sweatshirt last week before I left Martha’s Vineyard. Very proud of myself.

So to say the least, I’m excited. So, so excited. Check back every now and again to learn about new products and releases, and to read my weekly Monday blog post.

Thank you all again for the support, and for joining me on this new journey!

-M