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Abigail Doan Studio's avatar

Happy almost one year. We have loved following along for this transition. Exciting new work!

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A Maker's Day's avatar

Thank you! And so happy to see you over here! I hope you are doing well!

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Jenny M Phillips's avatar

I always love reading and seeing what you are up to! I'm happy to hear that life is good a year in. The Dutch clearly have the life/work balance down. Please show photos of your commissions when you can:)

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A Maker's Day's avatar

Thank you! Yes, images coming soon ... in progress and another just ramping up. I could post pictures of me pouring over dull real estate maps with my readers on, lol!

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Kerry S's avatar

I live on Bainbridge Island, WA (a 35-minute ride across Puget Sound from Seattle). I love it here, but also love traveling to Europe. Amsterdam has been a favorite. I would like to hear about the magazines that inspire you. Please share with us sometime in the future.

I love your studio! And your work is really wonderful! Cheers, Kerry

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A Maker's Day's avatar

Thank you, Kerry! Thanks for following along. Ah, I've heard so many lovely things about Bainbridge Island but have never made it up there! Do you know about Peter Miller Books? It's been on my forever list of places to visit in Seattle. Amsterdam is a unique place, isn't it? I will indeed be happy to share my magazine inspiration. I'll write a post soon. Your free access happens to be available in the U.S.! It's a little hack I discovered ;-)

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Kerry S's avatar

Hello! Yes, I love that bookstore! It's on my route when I go into Seattle. I go to the Seattle Art Museum, then across the street to the Four Seasons Hotel to dine and have a cocktail at Goldfinch, the to DeLaurenti grocery store, then to Watson Kennedy, then back to the ferry. That's a typical outing with some of my besties! Yes, I agree that Amsterdam is a unique place....as is the rest of the Netherlands. I look forward to more posts from you! Have a lovely creative day! Cheers, Kerry

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A Maker's Day's avatar

Lucky you with the Peter Miller books. I love his newsletter. Sounds like a lovely day with friends. I'll add some of those spots to my list when I finally get the chance to visit Seattle!

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Sophie Truong's avatar

So happy to see that life in NL has been sweet to you. Life/work balance is most challenging in the US...

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A Maker's Day's avatar

Yes, I'm sure you know this allllll too well, running a small business there. But what a lovely business you have .. swoon!

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Isadora's avatar

Maybe their efficiency is calculated over quality not quantity, so it would seem that slow and deliberate fits right in. Also yes on free access :)

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A Maker's Day's avatar

Yep, they say they are very productive. And the other thing I hear is that since they're not overly stressed from too much work, they can jump right in. It's so true about the stress reduction I've felt since moving here. And yay, yes on the free access tips post!

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Rachel LaBour's avatar

I work about 28 hours per week. Each day I start around 8:30 or 9 and stop around 2/3 pm. I like having a really regular rhythm. Stopping so early in the afternoon feels so relaxed. When I occasionally put in a full day (working until 5), it feels so exhausting because I'm just not used to it anymore!

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A Maker's Day's avatar

Thanks for sharing your schedule! It's so interesting to hear how others in the NL strategize their work hours. I try to cram in my hours from M-Th so I can either take all of Friday off or at least a 1/2 day. Many of my neighbors me at our annual block party that their schedule is T/TH in office (usually Amsterdam) and M/F working from home with Friday off. It makes sense for you with a little one to stop work at 3 every day. Doesn't it help you so much to go into the studio refreshed each day?

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