Almost a decade ago, I sat at my workbench for the very first time, dreaming up what would eventually become Dear Survivor. Back then, I was in my early twenties, sharing a Silverlake apartment with a couple of incredible roommates and figuring out my place in the world.

Fast forward nearly nine years, and I’m still in awe of how this little idea grew into something so meaningful—not just for me, but for the incredible community we’ve built together. Dear Survivor has been my passion, my livelihood, and a way to connect with people in the most rewarding and unexpected ways.

This spring, Cody and I are preparing to welcome Baby Howell, marking one of the most transformative chapters of our lives. With this joyful transition comes exciting changes—not just for us, but for Dear Survivor as well.

For almost nine years, my days have been spent at my workbench, creating each piece by hand, packaging it with care, and sending it out with love. But with a new baby on the way, I know that my workdays are about to look very different. While this change is thrilling, it also comes with its share of unknowns.

As a solopreneur, I’ve always balanced my creative dreams with the realities of running a small business. I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I love, but Dear Survivor is also how I earn an honest living. As we enter this next season, I know the business will need to evolve to meet both my personal and professional transitions.

For a long time, I’ve held a dream of fully unleashing my inner artist to create signature pieces with wild abandon—bold designs that truly reflect everything Dear Survivor stands for. Balancing that dream with commercial viability has always been a challenge, but impending motherhood has awakened something new in me: a deeper boldness and a quiet strength. There’s a voice inside me that keeps saying, Now is the time.

I don’t know exactly what this next chapter will look like, but I do know I’m ready to embrace it. I have a few exciting designs and ideas already in motion, and I can’t wait to share them with you in the months ahead.

As Dear Survivor evolves, your support will mean more than ever. Whether it’s treating yourself or a loved one to a piece that speaks to you, sharing our story with a friend, or recommending us to your network, every gesture helps this grassroots movement thrive. Dear Survivor has always grown through word-of-mouth and the genuine love of this community—that’s what makes it so special, and it’s what inspires me to keep creating.

Through it all, what keeps me grounded is you. This community—the people who have supported Dear Survivor over the years—has been the heart of this journey. Whether you’ve placed several orders a year or recently discovered us, every piece I send out is crafted with so much care and gratitude. I package each one with well wishes, hoping it brings joy with every wear.

2024 has been a year of quiet inner shifts, and as we step into 2025, it feels like the start of a new chapter full of transformation, growth, and evolution. Cody and I are so excited to welcome this season of change, and I hope you’ll stay on this journey with us.

With love and endless gratitude,
Christine