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oh joy is 10 years old!

10-years

10-years

Holy crap you guys. This month, my blog and business turn TEN YEARS OLD. How on earth did that happen? When I hit publish on my very first blog post 10 years ago, I never thought I'd turn this site into part of my job, have a space to be able to reach and connect with so many of you, and to have the chance to share my ideas with the world. Even once I started blogging more seriously, I never thought I'd still be doing it 10 years later. THANK YOU for being here no matter how long or how short you've been following along…

I know you haven't all been following along since the beginning (but if you have please let me know who you are!). Because I love timelines, next week, I'll be sharing a little bit about where I've started and where I've come—both as a designer, blogger, business women, and as a person. I always enjoy seeing how people follow their paths and also what happens when their path changes into something they didn't expect (raises hand).

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend! I hope it's full of things that make you sparkle inside…

{Photos by Casey Brodley, art direction by Joy Cho, styling by Ariel Fulmer. Cake topper from Sweet & Saucy.}

48 comments

  1. Congratulations Joy! Yours is one of the three blogs I read because your style is inspiring to me as an artist, and your personality and stories about your family are always uplifting and real.

  2. Congratulations! I love your style and family posts – I’ve got two kids about the same age as yours, so I know what you’re going through. Thanks for the design inspiration (I’m an artist/designer too) and hope you keep blogging for at least 10 more years!

  3. Congrats Joy! I’ve been following since 2008 when I first started uni. You inspired me to keep design and creativity a part of life. I’m so excited you’re coming to Vancouver, hope to see you at IDS West!

  4. I’ve probably been a follower since 2008 or 2009! Crazy to think that’s 6 or 7 years. Time definitely flies! Congrats on 10 years and here’s to 10 more!

  5. Congratulations! I started following your blog sometime during those first few years (when still in Philly), and have checked in regularly ever since. Even though there is quite an age difference between us (probably 15 years?! Me being the older one!), I always find inspiration here! It’s been a treat to watch the evolution of your blog and your business. Thank you for sharing your passion and creativity.
    Here’s to your continued success!

  6. i’ve followed you for what seems like years and years (i can’t remember if it was from design*sponge when you had your stationery line? i still have some of your cards, i like to hoard pretty paper;) and admire what you’ve created in this space. also, since your kiddos are just a little ahead of mine in terms of age, it’s a great peek into what to expect/anticipate! also, your first post? LOVE it. makes me laugh that you’d consider yourself a dork/nerd in any way. congrats to 10 years!

  7. Congratulations on 10 years! I’ve been following you on an almost-daily basis for about 8 of those years. We’ve gotten married and had two babies on similar timelines. Thanks for sharing your life and creativity with us! It definitely enriches my life.

  8. Congrats Joy!!!! I’m so happy we found each other so many years ago and are friends! I can’t remember when I started reading your blog, but honestly, I think it was sometime in 2005.. Remember when you posted my stationery? Girl crushes on each other! haha! Love you and so proud!

  9. Congratulations, Joy!! I can’t wait to read your upcoming posts reflecting back to the beginning. I started being a regular reader of yours back in Dec 2013, which is when I had the goal of launching my blog by March ’14. Reading your book, Blog Inc really encouraged me to go ahead with it (even though it was a scary thought). Thank you for the inspiration! I’m happy to report that things are going well in blogland. :). Wishing you continued success!! Xo, Tee

  10. Congratulations Joy! You were my very first find just a few years ago when I was looking to create a little web space to both contribute and branch out in my educational field. I am always inspired by your bold color mixes and creations– (and especially seeing your two girls growing along the way which has built a quiet, and fun independence within with my work that I never even dreamed of. Thank you so much for all you do and share with us, and wishing you many more happy decades to come! 🙂

  11. Congrats Joy! What an amazing journey. I have loved reading your blog and it’s been such a pleasure to see you grow it so beautifully. I wish you more success. Keep those creative juices flowing 🙂

  12. 10! happy birthday. Absolutely been dipping in and out since the beginning, can’t believe it. Still using teacups from when you got paired with me in the teacup swap (but the cat toys are long gone!) Like you I’ve also expanded with husband and child (just the one here) since you started blogging. Madness!

  13. Hi Joy! I’ve been following you since 2009, i really don’t remember how i found your blog, but i know i loved since there.
    So happy to see how it expanded, and developed.
    cheers from brazil!

  14. i have been following this blog since jan 2006. i had a bunch of surgeries and was practically bedridden for most of 2006 with that and complications and all i did was read blogs and watch tv. it was a lifeline. also im a philly girl so i had that connection to you guys and i used to be a florist (love your style). love this blog and your little family and really enjoy watching the girls grow. thanks for sharing them too 🙂

  15. I’ve been following you since 2006 I think! Definitely before you were married! I was a freshman in high school and found you in the sidebar of Design Sponge (who I in turn found out from a TIME magazine article, I also remember discovering Etsy and Dooce at the same time).
    I remember your posts about Beth and, being a kid in the suburbs, worshipping every fashion and decor item you coveted…i looked up to you (still do!) so much, but it’s so interesting looking back and realizing how much you’ve evolved! The tone of your blog back then now seems so youthful (but not immature) even though at the time I thought it was sooo grown up? It’s also funny how looking back my high school years feel like such a hazy long time ago, but I feel like basically the same person!
    I’m basically now the age you were when you started Oh Joy, and I can’t say I have my life half as figured out! But I think I’m enjoying the journey :).

  16. Such exciting news, Joy!! I’m one of those who’s been here since the beginning (you designed my first logo for Whirled Events waaaay back when we were both newbies to the entrepreneurial world!). Congratulations on all that you’ve accomplished – I can’t wait to see what’s to come!

  17. Congrats Joy! Yours was one of the first blogs I loved and followed, and you remain as inspiring as ever. Here’s to the next 10! 🙂

  18. What an incredible milestone Joy 🙂
    An awesome motivation for those of us who are still dreaming of turning our hobbies into a full time, fulfilling and fun job 🙂 x

  19. I found your blog sometime around 2007 when I googles something like “cute cupcakes”. I was a newlywed, fresh out of college. had just started my first “real” job in magazine publishing, and your blog was the first one I ever read. It’s been bookmarked on on my toolbar of every computer for almost 9 years–I don’t think I’ve ever missed a post! I’ve been with you since you lived in Philly, chronicled your food ventures on Happy Lady Eats, and your only kids were your cats! What a huge influence you have been to me as I’ve grown from as a bright-eyed editorial assistant at a local food magazine to now owning my own business as a prop stylist, crafter, baker, and event planner. Congrats on 10 years, here’s to many more!

  20. I came across your blog sometime when you lived in Philly many years ago. I remember noticing that we had the same Dwell bedspread and I’ve been reading ever since. Thank you for sharing your life, lots of great advice and creating an inspiring space. Congrats!

  21. Wowww 10 years, that’s a thing ! Congratulation Joy and thank you for bringing us so much inspiration for both our personals and professionals life. I am a new mum (baby was born last 4th of july!) and new business owner and reading your post/watching your videos always leaves me full of energy to keep going on this journey !
    Cheers to Oh Joy !
    x
    Fanny

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