From Home Studio to Creative Press
This past summer, I made the transition to working from home after closing my downtown store and moving my business full time to our acreage. It seemed like the perfect setup: the freedom to stay in my pajamas all day, a constantly clean house, meals always ready on time, and more flexibility. For someone who’s always been busy juggling multiple roles, it was refreshing to experience this slower pace.
Yet, as the days passed, I realized something important — working from home wasn’t for me. Sure, the perks were undeniable, but there was a growing sense of isolation. As an introverted extrovert, I enjoy my alone time, but when solitude becomes the norm rather than the exception, it starts to feel less refreshing and more isolating, especially as the summer’s excitement faded away.
With school starting, I found myself driving my son into town every day. What had once been a simple 4-block drive from my shop to his school in the heart of town had turned into a daily back-and-forth trek from the acreage to town and back again. The drive was monotonous, and there was little need for me to stay in town during the day.
That’s when a new opportunity presented itself, one that felt like the perfect mix of creativity, flexibility, and social interaction. A local creative business was looking for someone to join their team as a digital press operator, and I decided to jump on board. The timing was right, and it offered the chance to blend my creative skills with something fresh.
So, I started my newest venture as a part-time digital press operator!
The Best of Both Worlds: Creativity and Community
While this new role might seem like a shift from my background in furniture refinishing and interior redesign, it’s actually more aligned than you might think. As a digital press operator, I work with all kinds of printed materials — from pamphlets and flyers to books, photos, business cards, and more. I get to use my creative skills, but now I do it on paper instead of with paint. Check out the products we offer- Click here Graphic Press.ca
In this new role, I get to explore a whole range of paper types: from cardstock to gloss text, silk, synthetic, and bond. Every project requires the same attention to detail and understanding of colour psychology that I’ve always used in my work with furniture and interiors. The only difference is the medium. Instead of transforming a dresser with the perfect shade of blue, I’m helping customers pick the best colour scheme and material for their printed designs.
What’s even better is the new work environment. The office is just a short 4-block drive from my son’s school, which means I can drop him off in the morning, head to work, and be done by 3 PM to pick him up. No more repetitive drives back and forth to the acreage. It feels good to have a daily routine that includes the energy of a small-town business. Plus, my new boss is great, and there’s a fun office mascot: Claire, a mini golden doodle who’s a great little sidekick at work.
Rediscovering My Passion for Furniture and Design
One of the unexpected benefits of this new part-time job is the balance it’s brought to my life. Because I’m only working until 3 PM each day, I still have time for my other passions, like refinishing furniture. I’ve realized that while I still love refinishing pieces, it’s back to more of a hobby for me now — something I do because I enjoy it, not because I need to. I still offer paint and interior consultations, so if you need help picking the perfect colour for your bathroom or finding the right art for your living room, I’m still here for you. But it’s no longer my primary focus.
In a way, this shift has taken the pressure off and allowed me to rediscover my passion for design. I’ve come to appreciate that creativity can take many forms. Whether I’m printing a beautifully designed business card or choosing the perfect shade of green for a kitchen cabinet, it all taps into the same love for aesthetics and attention to detail.
A New Chapter, a New Balance
This summer taught me a lot about what I want in my personal and professional life. While the idea of working from home initially sounded ideal, it turns out that I need the structure and social aspects that come with working in a team environment. By taking on this part-time role as a digital press operator, I’ve found a new balance that allows me to be creative while still having the flexibility to spend time with my family and pursue my other passions. This also means there’s now a local pickup spot for Fusion Mineral Paint! While I don’t stock the paint at my new workplace, orders can still be placed online and conveniently picked up from Graphic Press. And while you’re there, I can help you order your Christmas cards and calendars, making it a one-stop shop for your creative needs!
And that’s the best part — I now have the freedom to focus on what I truly love, both in my professional and personal life. Whether I’m working on printed materials in the office or refinishing a beautiful piece of furniture at home, I’m doing it on my terms. It’s a new chapter, and I’m excited to see where it leads!
