If you’ve been a regular here on this blog for a long time, you may have noticed I’m not as consistent in posting this year as I have been for the previous 15 years. (Something that’s sort of funny is I wrote this post on Monday, got busy with other things, and realized Tuesday I never hit publish!) Posting less wasn’t something I planned, but as this year has unfolded, I find myself having to drop “write blog post” off my daily to-do list more and more. Writing the blog post has always been a top priority, but as traffic and income from the blog dwindle (I talk about that in detail HERE), it falls lower on the priority list. While I am a “creative type” and a dreamer, I am also pragmatic when it comes to my business. I am willing to look at the profit and loss reports and pay attention to which efforts are fruitful.
Right now, art is the most fruitful branch of my business. It’s what is most profitable. It’s where the exciting things are happening. It’s where I’m getting more work than I can fit into a day. I never dreamed this oil painting hobby I started in 2017 would roll into my business and then become the star of the show, but it has. So, that is where most of my time and energy have been focused. A very close second has been working on my books. As I’ve shared, I have one about to launch (Move Slow & Make Things is available September 1), one that is in the layout phase, and one I’m currently writing. I’m still figuring out the best way to balance everything, but I take it day-to-day and make progress on priorities in small increments.
What has been a huge surprise this month, though, has been the response to making my fine art prints available on the wholesale site Faire. (If you’re a retailer and want to carry my prints in your shop, you can check out available prints HERE.)
I met with my friend Emily Lex earlier this year to ask some questions about her business. We’ve known each other for years as peers in the home blogger space and, a few years ago, she transitioned her business to feature her watercolor artwork. Our business paths are similar, so she seemed like a good creative mind to tap. She told me to get my prints on Faire, so I finally did.
For the first few days, I didn’t receive any orders. We were just getting set up and still needed to polish my listings and shop profile. I figured I would have to invest in some advertising as well. One morning, to my surprise, I had an order. Then another one and another. Orders have been coming in at a rate of 2-3 each day, which doesn’t sound like a ton, but when people are ordering dozens to over 100 prints with each order, it all adds up and it has kept me busy!
So, I’ve been running out of packing and shipping supplies and coming to the realization that my current set-up isn’t going to work for a higher volume of orders.
The nice thing about selling prints is that it is scalable. Eventually, I don’t have to be the one packing up the orders. I can hire someone to manage that so I can spend my time painting and writing. For now, though, I need to be the one doing it, so I can refine the system and make adjustments. I’m slowly figuring it out, but it means I’m spending a lot of evenings and weekends packing up orders.
Jeff has been helping when his schedule allows, but it still requires a lot of my time.
With the success of the prints, I’m taking time to consider other product possibilities. I’m still ordering samples and testing out ideas, but I hope to have some new products to launch soon. I may even sneak in a few before Christmas, but we’ll see.
One of the perks of listing on Faire is that it’s connected me with retailers who once carried the milk paint line or who knew of my work refinishing furniture and selling antiques. I’ve received so many kind messages from people who lost track of what I was up to, and now they are carrying my prints. It’s interesting how things change…
11 Responses
I love the behind-the-scenes of how your business works as a creative! I’m getting into watercolor and this is inspiring!
What a wonderful update! Hoping all the best for you as you continue to create and adapt.
I do wish the very best for you and your business. Totally understand how you must pivot to move forward. That said, when I look around my home and see all the projects you inspired and motivated me to finish I’m sad we may be loosing that part of you.
I buy wholesale and would LOVE for you to offer your prints on stretched canvas!
I had another inquiry about that, and I’m willing to look into it. They are more expensive to buy and ship, though, so I’d have to test it out to see if it makes sense on a small scale. They’re not sold through me directly, but Creative Co-op has made some of my paintings into stretched canvas prints.
That is so interesting that you mention Emily Lex, because she is the one other person that I follow regularly and I too find similarities in the two of you, which I love. I understand how you have evolved. It is natural, and we are all evolving as well. You inspired me to begin painting and now for many years I paint in watercolor every day, because it makes me happy. I do love being a part of your other creative projects, like in your home renovations, gardening, and all of the projects you take on. It is very inspiring and motivating, so I hope that will continue in some way. I have all of your books, I think, including the Barn Quilts coloring book from 2017. I’ve saved the magazines that had photos of projects you have done in the past. They are still current because you have a wonderful eye for design. Thank you for many, many years of inspiration and I hope you will be inspired to continue.
I wish you luck in all of your endeavors. I am creative but not one to market my wares. I just love reading your blog and getting encouragement from your messages. I have been a long time follower and am so happy that you are being discovered and appreciated. 🩷
I love your blog and have been inspired by you for the many years I have been following you. I have all your books and am looking forward to the new one that I preordered. I also was so excited to be one of the winners on your preorder contest. I will be so sad if you discontinue your blog, but I do understand how much time each post takes as a former blogger myself. Thanks for the many years of inspiration, and I wish you great success with all of your endeavors.
I too have been reading your blog for as long as you have posting them. But, I’ve noticed how much your painting has grown. Now, I understand why you are changing directions. Your talent is unmatched and I’m very happy for your success. I may have a look at Faire too. I can’t afford an original but we’ll see what is available. Best wishes and God Bless. I know you’ll be a “smashing” success!!! As with ALL things you take on.
I’m so sorry I’m starting to follow your blog after all the years of decorating and watch your blog grow! God has really blessed you, and that’s just terrific!
I have been reading your blog for a very long time. It started back when you had your own mineral paint and you did refurbishing of furniture, which I am still highly interested in. Being you have left that behind, the only other thing that interests me is designing and decorating my home and the ideas I use to get from you.
I still take an occasional look at your blogs, mostly on things you write about that have to do with your travels.
I wish you well with your new interests.