January has always been one of my favorite months. Some people might think I’m crazy—especially with Michigan’s frigid weather (currently –5° with five inches of snow)—but hear me out. January gives me permission to hibernate. The rest of the year feels frantic: running here, rushing there, always on the go. But January comes quietly, just after the holiday bustle, and I’m perfectly content slowing down—cleaning out closets, decluttering, watching reality TV, and playing Ms. Pac-Man (yes, I really do have an arcade game in the basement). This January, though, I’m especially focused on my business and what it will take to reach the finish line—retirement. Only Gem Fans started as a fun hobby: swapping jewelry here and there, selling a few pieces, keeping the ones I loved. Somewhere along the way, it grew into full-on entrepreneurship. I love it—and I love everything about Etsy and its brand. As a minimalist, it allows me to pass along pieces others can enjoy while still building a beautiful vintage collection. One day, I hope to expand into home goods, clothing, and other vintage finds—things people want or need at affordable prices that are just as beautiful (if not more so, in my eyes). That brings me to my shop name. When I first started, Only Gem Fans was a playful nod to a popular website—cute, catchy, and not taken too seriously. Now that the business is growing, I sometimes wish I had chosen Vera’s Vintage, named after my late grandmother, who loved antique jewelry and thrifting. But that ship has sailed; the branding is set. Don’t get me wrong—the name isn’t bad. I just occasionally question how Christian it is of me. That said, the black heart symbol has become my signature, and I truly love it. Stay tuned for many more Black Heart Collection pieces I’m curating this January—and thank you for walking this journey with me. 🖤