Life as we know it
Hello friends,
It's been a while since I've shared some personal snippets. Over the past couple years, I've transitioned myself out of New Crop's social media and in messaging, not for any particular reason - I just wanted to give the stage to the beautiful textiles and dresses that deserve its full thunder.
As I write this, we are in the midst of navigating a global pandemic which has everyone turning inwards and reflecting. With so much uncertainty as a new mom, and as a small business owner- we have to trust that there is medicine in the shadows.
November 6, 2019 Oriana, my daughter was born, and a re-birth for myself as a new mother. It felt as if the tectonic plates beneath me have shifted and settled into a completely different world as I knew it.
Postpartum was intimate, challenging, and beautiful, but the long nights turned into short months. By February, (3 months later) I had to go back to work. Mentally I was ready, emotionally I wanted to stay with my baby 24/7.
A month later when we were all ordered to stay home during the Shelter in Place order in the Bay area. The tectonic plates shifted once more - and the entirety of everyone's normal had completely changed, yet ours fell back to a very similar routine of our postpartum days.
As many moms found out - including me, working full-time and caring for an infant without childcare help is a juggle. We're grateful to the healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, farm workers, delivery folks - and everyone out there who show up everyday to help keep everyone safe, fed, and supported throughout all this.
Our days our simple, connected, sometimes hectic but meaningful. Our routines included creating meals, working, creative projects, yoga, reading books, walks through the park, singing and dancing in our kitchen, facetiming with family - and yes lots of snuggles with Oriana and our dog Gonzo.
I'm struggling with missing my family, friends, and witnessing the hardships of small businesses around us. I know Spring is generally the busiest time of year of New Crop. This is the season of weddings and vacations!
Due to the nature of our work environments, we're still able to take orders. From early on, we were faced with the challenge that I lived in California, our dress manager and dress artist is in Guanajuato, our embroiderers are in Chiapas, - just to name a few.
The dress passes many hands and many homes before it makes it to you. While this unanticipated slow down is challenging for us - along with many other artisan based businesses, we are grateful to be healthy and to have each other.
If you are able to support small businesses, and independent workers - please do. A little goes a long way. So go ahead and order that take-out, or buy that gift for someone you love. Maybe leave that well deserved good review, or share their company on social media. Any sort of gesture or appreciation is much needed at these times.
This shall pass, until then -we hope you and those you love are staying safe.
hugs,
Charmie
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