Hello, wonderful friends and cherished members of the ikkimall family!
It’s ikki here, sending you the warmest greetings from my little corner of the world, filled with colourful threads, buzzing ideas, and endless gratitude for each and every one of you.
I hope this message finds you wrapped in warmth, perhaps with a comforting cup of something lovely beside you, taking a well-deserved moment for yourself.
You know, running ikkimall isn't just about creating and sending out digital-parcels (though I adore doing that!). It’s truly about connection. It’s about the smiles I imagine when one of my creations finds its new home with you. It’s about the kind words you share, the patience you show, and the incredible loyalty that honestly fills my heart to brimming.
You aren’t just clients; you feel like fellow travellers on this funny, complicated, beautiful journey of life. Your support isn't just transactional; it’s the wind beneath my creative wings, the encouragement that keeps the inspiration flowing, and the reason I get to do what I love every single day. For that, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for being so wonderfully you, and for being such an integral part of the ikkimall story.
Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle – the designing, the making, the packing (compiling to be exact!), the endless cups of tea to keep going! – I find myself needing a little boost. A reminder. A spark. We all have those days, don't we? Days when the clouds seem a little lower, the path ahead a bit unclear, or when we just need a friendly hand to squeeze, even metaphorically.
And often, for me, that friendly hand comes in the form of music.
Isn't music just magical?
It’s like a universal language that speaks directly to the soul, bypassing all the clutter of our minds. It can be a time machine, instantly transporting us back to a cherished memory with just a few notes. It can be a comforting blanket on a chilly day, wrapping us in familiar melodies. It can be a burst of pure energy, making us want to dance around the room (I might be guilty of this while completing orders sometimes!). Or, it can be a quiet source of strength, a gentle nudge reminding us of our own inner persistency.
There’s one particular song that, for me, is like a reliable ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. No matter how many times I hear it, it never fails to lift my spirits, straighten my shoulders just a little, and put a hopeful smile on my face. It’s a song about courage, about finding your voice, and about the quiet power that resides within each of us, even when we don’t feel particularly mighty.
It’s a song I find myself humming when I’m working on a tricky new design, overcoming writer's block, thinking about taking a leap of faith, or even just when I need that little reminder to speak my truth, kindly and gently. It feels like a warm, encouraging hug in musical form.
And because you all mean so much to me, because I cherish this connection we share, I wanted to gift you this little piece of auditory sunshine today. It’s my absolute favourite pick-me-up anthem, written and performed by the incredibly talented Sara Bareilles. Her songwriting is just exquisite – so honest, so insightful, and often hitting that perfect note of vulnerability and strength.
The song is called "Brave."
Perhaps you already know it and love it too! Or maybe this will be a wonderful new discovery for you. Either way, I wanted to share it here, with all of you – my honourable, loyal, and truly valued ikkimall supporters.
Take a few minutes, if you can. Pour yourself that comforting drink, settle in, and have a listen. Let the melody wash over you, and really hear the beautiful message woven into the lyrics.
(Please press play below and enjoy!)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQsqBqxoR4]
“Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave…”
Isn't that just lovely?
Every time I listen, I’m reminded that bravery isn't always about grand, heroic gestures. It’s not necessarily about slaying dragons or climbing the highest mountains (though it can be!). More often, bravery is found in the quiet moments.
- It's the courage to be authentic in a world that sometimes asks us to be otherwise.
- It's the bravery to speak up for what you believe in, even if your voice shakes a little.
- It's the courage to share your creations, your ideas, your vulnerabilities with the world – something I know many of you, as creative souls yourselves, understand deeply.
- It’s the bravery to start something new, whether it’s a hobby, a job, or a difficult conversation.
- It’s the courage to ask for help when you need it, or to offer it freely when you see someone else struggling.
- It’s the bravery to keep going when things get tough, to put one foot in front of the other, even when the path feels long.
- It’s the courage to be kind, both to others and, crucially, to ourselves.
- It's the bravery to simply show up, as you are, imperfections and all, and know that you are enough.
Running a small business like ikkimall certainly requires its own flavour of bravery. There are moments of self-doubt, challenges to overcome, and the constant vulnerability of putting something you’ve poured your heart into out into the world, hoping it resonates. Your support, your kind feedback, your repeat visits to my little Etsy corner – these things bolster my courage more than you know. You help me be brave, every single day.
And I think about all of you, navigating your own unique lives. Each of you has a story, filled with your own triumphs, challenges, joys, and quiet battles. You might be celebrating a milestone, navigating a transition, pursuing a dream, caring for loved ones, or simply finding the beauty in the everyday. Whatever your current chapter looks like, I know that it requires immense strength and, yes, bravery.
Maybe you needed to hear this message today.
Maybe you’ve been holding something inside, waiting for the right moment to let it out.
Maybe you’ve been doubting your own strength or feeling a little lost.
Maybe you just needed a reminder that you’re not alone in feeling whatever you’re feeling.
If this song can offer even a tiny spark of encouragement, a little nudge of hope, or just a few minutes of uplifting melody to brighten your day, then sharing it here feels like the most wonderful thing I could do. Think of it as a musical hug, sent with genuine care from my studio to your home.
Life can be such a complex mosaic, can't it? Woven with threads of pure happiness, deep sorrow, quiet contentment, and frustrating knots. But within these, there are also these gleaming threads of resilience, kindness, connection, and courage. Sara Bareilles’s song feels like one of those gleaming threads, reminding us of the beauty and strength that exists within us and around us.
It reminds me, too, of the importance of community. Whether it’s our little ikkimall family here (including my best Univ. colleagues; Danny & Lila!), our friends, our families, or the wider communities we belong to, there’s such power in lifting each other up. In cheering each other on. In offering a kind word or a listening ear. In sharing the things that bring us joy and hope, just like I’m hoping to do with this song today. We all shine a little brighter when we share our light.
Thank you, truly, for being such a wonderful community.
Thank you for choosing ikkimall, whether you’ve been here from the very beginning or have just recently discovered my shop.
Thank you for your patience when things take a little longer (the joys of a one-person operation!).
Thank you for your incredibly kind reviews and messages – they genuinely make my day, every single time. Thank you for allowing me to share my passion with you.
Your trust and loyalty are gifts I treasure deeply, and I promise to always honour them by putting my best effort and whole heart into everything I create and do.
My deepest, most sincere hope for each and every one of you is that your future is filled with brightness. May you find joy in the small things and strength for the big things. May you always find the courage to be unapologetically, wonderfully you. May you feel empowered to chase your dreams, speak your truth, and navigate life’s adventures with a brave and open heart. May your path ahead be illuminated with hope, happiness, and endless possibilities.
Keep shining your unique light, dear friends. The world needs it.
Thank you for taking the time to read and listen today. Sending you all so much warmth, positivity, and virtual sunshine!
With heartfelt gratitude and cheerful wishes,
~ikki ♥
(P.S. If you have a song that always lifts your spirits, I’d absolutely love to hear about it *please send me an email or DM* if you feel like sharing! Let's create a little playlist of positivity together!)