Hi friends!

It’s been a long time since I’ve last posted here, and for that, I apologize for dropping the ball. I also haven’t posted on my Facebook page since what, Easter?! That’s over 3 1/2 months ago. Ugh, I realize I totally suck at the social media aspect of marketing, and I’ll try to work harder at that, but I make zero promises!

I’ve been thinking.. soul searching.. hurting.. crying.. whilst moments of joy and brilliance have popped through here and there in the form of art, these last few months have felt a little lil bit heavy all around.

Mid-April, I was a vendor at a craft fair, and the only person to buy one of my magnets was my best friend’s Mom. Bless her!! But, even though the customer count was fairly low for that particular show, I did come home afterwards and had a good cry. I had walked around the fair and purchased items from other vendors that caught my eye, to show my appreciation and help their businesses out a bit, and I was left wondering why not a single vendor there felt compelled to do the same thing for me? But then you know what? I started to feel guilty for expecting that sort of thing in the first place, from people who aren’t me. Truthfully, I would really only want someone to purchase from me, if it was an item that they felt personally drawn or called to.

I kind of took a step back after that. I was pulled into the social media trap of looking at everybody else’s art and thinking how amazing those pieces are, and how talented those artists are, and feeling like I don’t even measure up. Well, for the millionth reminder to myself: Thou shalt not compare, for it is the thief of joy!

I realized that for my own peace, I need to treat this more as a fun side endeavor rather than a button down business. I need to create as I’m inspired to create and not put any timelines on shit. If I don’t make any sales at a show, it’s OK because there’s likely a piece in the bunch that may eventually go to a person who truly admires it. If I don’t sell anything ever again? That’s OK too, because I’ll have a whole damn wall and multiple refrigerators full of creations that I LOVE to admire on my own. Thankfully, I am fortunate to have a steady and reliable day job, so anything that comes from this is a bonus, and I get to have fun doing it in the meantime. THIS, I need to always remember. Art, stickers, magnets, etc. is such a saturated market as it is, and if I hold expectations of myself to perform well (See: posting online in a timely fashion, updating the website so one can actually order, satisfaction with sales at craft fairs) then I’ll burn out and go nowhere.

So from this point forward, you heard it here first.. I am throwing all ExPeCtAtIoNs out the damn window!

That being said, my most recent creations have all been 100% handmade. I can’t say I won’t ever create another digital design of some sort again but I personally enjoy the finished product more when I know it hasn’t been touched by a single computer. Any one who knows me knows well and good that I greatly loathe AI. And although my designs were never ran through an AI generator, I feel they are like one tiny step below AI. Yes, they are laid out how I like and arranged by me, but the content of the clipart/imagery in those pieces were created by random internet strangers and made AVAILABLE to me for use through a paid membership. It feels like I can only take 50% credit for them because yes, I took the photos, but I didn’t design any clip-art images - the quotes aren’t mine to begin with, I just picked the fonts - I didn’t choose the initial colors, I simply filtered the hell out of it until it looked pleasing to the eye.

So, I’ve realized that I am happiest and the most satisfied creating utilizing tools of the hand and that’s the route I’m most likely going to stick with. Though, shout out to Canva, because I did have a lot of fun with that program creating some of my earlier magnets.

Without further adieu, here is everything I’ve completed since Easter!

A Colorado (+some Chicago) Collective

Photos taken on our Chicago trip last October and our most recent Colorado trip this past March

The Last Digital Creations, For Now Anyway

I wanted to make a magnet to commemorate 2026: The Year of the Fire Horse, and also wanted to pay tribute to all the awesome moms out there, especially mine ;)

Springtime Creations

First time playing with some glitter paints, the giant flowers remind me of Super Mario!

Busy Watering My Own Grass – A reminder to myself, and anyone who needs it, to nurture your own world and pay very little attention to what the rest are doing

It Won’t Storm Forever – After a storm passes it often leaves behind something beautiful

Become So Zen – Life’s always going to throw you shit, so this is reminder to myself to not let it affect me so much.

Fun with Black Light / Glow Paint!

I got these new glow/black light paints and paint pens and was excited for a night of just playing around, but I’m pleased with how these turned out, and how cool/fun they look!

Positivity

A few positive affirmations I wanted to bring to life + my first foray into florals using a sunflower from our yard, dried out with silica gel!

Hope you’ve enjoyed the little update and viewing some of my recent creations. Until next time!

Magnetically yours,

Katie <3