For my first post of the year, I want to look back on 2020, before looking ahead. I’ve had time during my post-holiday holiday to reflect & revel in the “firsts” of last year for Bari Zaki Studio. And there were several. I’d like to start by thanking everyone for Real Mail, and email, and texts, and the occasional voicemail. Your thoughts and kind words really have sustained me… through this prolonged period of uncertainty.

Most recently, the responses to my “Apple a Day” post on December 31 were heartwarming in the extreme. Yes, they were emotional for me, and they also gave me such a feeling of community. It’s an incredible sense of connection to everyone—individually, but also collectively. (If you missed that post, or would like to read it again, you’ll find it immediately below this one.)

I’ve asked people who e’d me about Merrill Smith’s fundraising project whether I might share their comments, and here they are, starting with Merrill’s:

“ Thank you again for sharing my story. Your followers have responded with alacrity. Remarkably my cupboards are almost bare, very hard to believe after years of creating, thinking about this, working through the various iterations for so long. The website just went up three weeks ago, and the apples have dropped from 109 to 24. Head-spinning, M. ”

“ What a lovely way to remember a dear friend and leave a legacy to be treasured for a long time. Thank you, Bari, for writing about your friend and reminding us all that it’s about love and relationships ❤️ All the Best, Jocelyn [in Pennsylvania] ”

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“ Thank you. Just thank you for such an encouraging start to this New Year. PS I saved my box from you, of my studio sale purchases, to open at Christmas. I am such a thoughtful gifter. :-) Blessings, Rachel [in California] ”

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“ This beautiful email moved me greatly. Today, the first day of the year, is a day of remembrance for me: Adrian. There will be four more this month for my immediate family. I am glad to say that my sister Kathleen is three years a survivor from ovarian and two years from breast cancer! My “Apple a Day” is the dark gray/black shiny on a white stone. It speaks to me of my understanding of how life and death are held simultaneously. Purchasing it links me universally to the community of shared experience. The moment of Adrian’s death, I was at work examining a newborn baby. Then, as now, I choose life. As I did on January 1st, I will both light a candle and eat an apple on each remembrance. With love and gratitude, Janice ”

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“ Bari, please keep gracing us with your artistic insights and talents, your positivity and creativity, and your gorgeous selection of book and paper art supplies and projects. Wishing you a very healthy new year! Susan ”

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“ What a lovely year-end gift this email is, Bari! Thank you for sharing this story and images. Cheers to you and Merrill for this project and the loving friendship of Merrill and Amy. All my best, Barbara ”

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“ Thank you for sharing this touching story. I ordered an apple/box and each time I look at it I will think of my friend Debi, who succumbed to ovarian cancer. She was a teacher and an artist. We spent many hours creating together. She would have utterly delighted in your store. Your work with Merrill is collaboration in its purest form. And the ripple effect .... unknowable. Best wishes for 2021. Chris [in Iowa] ”

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“ Thank you for this post. A friend of mine died of ovarian cancer this year. I just purchased an apple in her memory, and Merrill delivered the apple in its box yesterday. What a beautiful piece of art. I hope Merrill finds peace in this project. It is a beautiful way to remember Amy Rosenthal. Good health and beautiful art to you and your family in 2021! Barb L. [in Chicago] ”

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“ Thank you, Bari, for sharing....the gift of you (and this story and all the stories you share). You are light, always, especially in these dark days. My best to you and your family, Nina [in Chicago] ”

In November, my first-ever online studio sale was a mesmerizing merchandising marvel for me. When the Studio Sale 2020 page went live at 8:00 pm CST on November 20, I literally held my breath for a moment, wondering what would happen…. and it didn’t take long to find out! Thank you to everyone who shopped, and apologies to those of you who had your potential purchases mysteriously vanish from your cart when another customer beat you to check-out. The sale was a great success, except for the disappointment of not seeing people in person and having a chance to chat. On the bright side, it was lovely that so many customers were able to shop this year from other states and even Canada.

Zak, as always, managed the wrapping of purchases...and this year, he handled all the “parcelizing,” which was no small task. We had a wonderful washi moment, as I began to prep a long row of washi snippets (along the edge of the table) to have at the ready for wrapping—at which point Zak observed that I was only using one pattern of washi. He requested that I use multiple patterns so it wouldn’t get boring, perhaps for himself, but definitely for the recipients. I love his attention to decorative detail!

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Zooming back to the sheltering summer, I finally cannonballed into the deep end of teaching online. I won’t say that I took to it like a duck to water, but I have loved being able to teach students around the globe. Certainly, a highlight of the fall was co-teaching Bookful of Art with Cat Bennett. We had 40-plus students, gathered virtually for four Saturday mornings. Cat and I were so chuffed by the enthusiasm & camaraderie of the group, and we are eagerly anticipating our second four-part workshop, Bookful of Accordion Art, starting later this month.

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Zooming even further back, to March 17, the beginning of the shelter season, when I debuted Bundles of Stationery Joy, to encourage the joy that comes from sending mail. The bundles were greeted with such enthusiasm, that they inspired Deluxe Bundles, and then Booster Bundles, and then Autumnal Bundles. The Booster Bundles were my favourite, as I had hoped to raise $500 to contribute to MoveOn’s #SaveThePostOffice campaign… My total rose to $699, which it was my thrill to round up to $700. Thank you one more time to everyone who contributed!

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I know how fortunate I have been in expanding my online presence to creatively bring the studio and workshops to a larger audience than ever. I feel like I’m forging new paper-love frontiers! I am excited for the year ahead, and hope to have the long-awaited pleasure of reconnecting with you in person. Until then, I wish you health, creativity & heartwarming connections.

Brimming, Bari