A Season of Reflection
Looking Back with Gratitude, Looking Forward with Wonder
November has a way of inviting us to slow down. The gardens have grown quiet, the trees have surrendered their leaves, and the earth begins settling into its long winter rest. As the days grow shorter and the year draws to a close, it's a natural time to reflect on where we've been, what we've learned, and all the things we have to be thankful for.
And goodness, do we have a lot to be thankful for this year!
What a year it has been!
In 2026, Iron Vixen Herbal Co. was born. What began as a collection of ideas, a love of herbs and folklore, and a desire to create something meaningful slowly took shape into something real. A name, a little fox, a brand, and eventually a table filled with things made and gathered with care.
I could never have imagined just how wonderful this first year would become.
Over the course of the year, Iron Vixen had the opportunity to participate in more than ten craft fairs, farmers markets, and community events. We packed and unpacked, arranged and rearranged displays, learned what worked (and what most certainly didn't), and discovered that building a small business involves a great deal more than simply making beautiful things.
There were early mornings, long days, unexpected challenges, plenty of laughter, and more than a few lessons learned along the way.
But the greatest gifts of this first year weren't found in sales totals or the number of markets we attended.
They were the people.
The wonderful customers who stopped to visit, shared stories, asked questions, and took a little piece of Iron Vixen home with them. The fellow makers and small business owners who offered encouragement, shared advice, and reminded us that community is built through connection rather than competition.
Somewhere between setting up tables and packing away the last boxes, acquaintances became familiar faces, and familiar faces became friendships.
And for that, I am truly grateful.
Like a garden, a small business takes patience. Not every idea blossoms, and sometimes the most important growth happens where no one can see it. This first year has been full of that kind of growth, and much of it is only beginning.
On a personal note, I also began my Master's program in Integrative Health this fall. It's been an exciting opportunity to deepen my understanding of herbalism, traditional plant knowledge, and the many ways we connect with the natural world. I've already been learning so many fascinating things, and I'm looking forward to sharing some of that knowledge with you as Iron Vixen continues to grow.
Because while the garden may be settling in for winter, things behind the scenes at Iron Vixen are anything but quiet!
What's Growing for 2027?
As I write this, there are several exciting projects taking shape, and I can hardly wait to share them with you.
I'm working on educational herbal videos, informative explorations of magic, folklore, and traditional practices, and new classes that will offer opportunities to learn and explore together.
I'm also developing new and improved herbal formulas, drawing on both traditional knowledge and the research and education I'm pursuing.
Another exciting step is working toward my Certified Kitchen Manager credential, part of my preparations to eventually expand Iron Vixen's offerings to include herbal teas and other botanical goods. There's still work to be done before those products are ready, but it's a direction I'm particularly excited about.
Some projects are still little more than seeds of an idea. Others are already beginning to take shape. All of them are part of my hope to make Iron Vixen more than a place to find unique handmade goods. I want it to be a place where curiosity is encouraged, old traditions are explored, and a love of plants, folklore, and creativity can be shared.
2027 promises new ideas, new opportunities, and plenty of surprises. I can't wait to bring you along for the journey.
From Our Little Corner of the Woods
Before we turn the page on this remarkable first year, I want to offer a heartfelt thank-you.
To everyone who visited our booth, followed our journey, purchased something handmade, shared a kind word, or simply stopped to say hello — thank you.
You helped turn a little idea into something far more meaningful than I could have imagined.
As November settles around us and the days grow shorter, I'm reminded that growth doesn't always announce itself with blossoms and bright green leaves. Sometimes it happens quietly, in the roots, in the learning, in the connections we make, and in the dreams we're brave enough to pursue.
There is still so much to learn, so much to create, and so much to look forward to.
And just like the garden resting beneath its blanket of fallen leaves, Iron Vixen has plenty of life stirring beneath the surface.
With gratitude and a little woodland magic,
Iron Vixen Herbal Co. 🦊