6 Month Freelance Update.
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I am getting later and later in the day with this blogging but I'm still at it every day! I will complete all 25 days!!
I have been a freelance illustrator for near enough 6 months to the day since HMRC recognised me as self employed and my business name was approved. Aww yeah, I went professional.
The last 6 months have been a bit mad and it's been one heck of a learning curve but I've had a pretty great time. I am 100% pleased I made the decision to come home and move back in with the folks (and then back out again, natch) because it gave me the financial freedom to take the leap and try and make my own money, which is not something I think I would have had the opportunity to do again.
Since starting my own business, I have worked on 11 jobs, some big, some little, some for a lot of money, some for a bit less, some for weeks on end, some for months, some for a few days and one which I am taking into 2016.
Because of when I started, the Christmas card orders were my biggest seller in volume, but not the biggest money maker. Doing bulk card orders is a quick turn around which makes it fun and engaging and obvs delightful to be drawing something Christmassy in August. My GOT themed designs were the most challenging but definitely the most enjoyable.
Working with businesses, like the quick turnaround of 1500 compliment cards and the commissioned illustrations for Vale Cider was a blast and something I'm not used to, primarily working within children's publishing beforehand. I'm excited to see the outcome of my collaboration with graphic designer Ben Seas for the North Wales Businesses map which shall hopefully be distributed early 2016.
My continued work with Llantwit Major Horticultural Society is ma main breadwinner and something I'm continuing to work on right the way through 2016 and hopefully longer! Keep an eye on their social media pages and websites for all my work!
The past 6 months have taught me that it is difficult to be freelance but I've been lucky enough to work on 11 well paying jobs that seemed to roll in nicely one after the other. Taking my tax off myself every month is a bit of a pisser and it took a while to see any profit after my expenses were out but all in all, I'm excited to see what the next 6 months hold!