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My blog passed the 15-year mark this month, and I have been quietly celebrating for the past couple of weeks. I’m so proud of the creative community DGD has fostered, and love reminiscing about all of the DIY projects, home renovations, recipes, crafty parties, and pet-themed stories that have gone live on the blog over the course of these past 15 years.
It really is a dream come true to get to write about my favorite subjects every week, and to think of all the other skills I unexpectedly picked up along the way, like photography and now videography with the advent of Instagram Reels.
Oh, and of course I can’t forget about the fact that this creative lifestyle and brand I’ve built for myself also brought me to pottery! Which leads me to today’s newsletter topic: the career evolutions of bloggers, like me, who started out in the 2010s.
(Photos below by Veronique Ione)
“I’m so proud of the creative community DGD has fostered, and love reminiscing about all of the DIY projects, home renovations, recipes, crafty parties, and pet-themed stories that have gone live on the blog over the course of these past 15 years.”
I’ve made amazing connections with other home décor and DIY bloggers since launching back in 2011, and have had a blast watching those creatives build upon their burgeoning brands.
I remember a time when “the thing” to do if you were a DIY blogger was to get a separate studio that would be painted white and filled with colorful props, craft supplies, and photography equipment. Then there was the rush toward pop-up workshops (remember paper tassel garlands and balloon arches?!).
Right around the time that a lot of us “OG” influencers were reaching our 10-year anniversaries, I noticed that we started shifting away from just sharing DIY crafts, and getting more into DIY home décor. A lot of us were moving into bigger homes at that time that needed renovations, so our content shifted in that direction.
And now as we move deeper into our second decade as bloggers (and having literally survived a global pandemic), the evolution is getting even broader. I’ve seen people move into property management, house flipping, real estate, client-based interior design, professional photography, event planning, podcast hosting, historical home restoration, set designers, novelists, landscape and still life painters, and even full-time ceramicists (I’m actually not the only one I know of).
I love checking in on the bloggers I followed way back when to see what they’re up to. It’s encouraging to see so many of them still maintaining their websites, keeping us up to date on the new things going on in their careers. On the other hand, it’s interesting to see those who have decided to shut down operations to focus entirely on their new career paths or parenthood (nearly all of the bloggers I know from back in the day have started families by this point).
It has been a wild year of transition for me as I swap from part-time ceramics and full-time blogging to full-time pottery and part-time blogging, but like all of the other DIY bloggers who have veered along their paths, I’m choosing to follow my intuition without pause.
The last time I felt this strongly about leaping into the unknown was when I started a little crafting blog called Dream Green DIY. I can’t deny the fact that I’m ready to add something new to my life and business goals (although it’s worth noting that my blog isn’t going anywhere!). At any rate, I can’t wait to see where the DGD brand ends up in the next 15 years.
Have any of your favorite bloggers from the early 2000s moved on from keeping their website updated? Or are they still active? I’d love to know who you used to follow and who still holds your attention.
New On The Blog: In case you missed it, I just released more than 50 new handmade modern ceramics in the DGD Pottery Etsy shop! Learn more about the collection and order your favorites from the blog post here.
What I’m Watching: I actually have been opting for reading before bed recently rather than watching shows (although I did love this art-filled NYC home tour on AD’s YouTube channel). I generally feel pretty overstimulated by day’s end, so I really appreciate the quiet time that silent reading provides.
What I’m Reading: Speaking of, I’m still very much obsessed with the Red Rising series that I got for Christmas. I just started the third book, Morning Star, on Monday, and am hooooooked.
Favorite Recent Purchase: This cutie tabletop display shelf is a new favorite of mine. I bought it for an upcoming ceramics market in Charlottesville, where I’ll be selling my ceramics and art prints, but I think it would work really well in an everyday home to display books, organize office papers, or even to corral new-in magazines and mail.
Looking Forward To: Finally painting our main bathroom tomorrow! I’ve been putting this project off for months, but it’s time to cross it off the list. I’m exciting to hunker down for the afternoon in my painting clothes while I listen to old episodes of Fresh Air on NPR.
A few favorite posts from the Dream Green DIY archives:
🛒 This newsletter contains affiliate links. This enables me to earn a small commission from the things you buy at $0 cost to you. Thanks for your support and for trusting my recommendations—rest assured that I take a lot of time to research so I’m only sharing the best of the best with you.
💻 For more of my life, home renovation, and DIY design business, follow along on Instagram, and check out my blog, Dream Green DIY.
🧡 And last but not least, I think you’re absolutely amazing! Don’t forget to treat yourself this week because you undoubtedly deserve it.
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