Why Surface Pattern Design?

6 years ago I was a stay at home mom, pregnant with my 4th child and painting for fun from home trying to create things I could wrap my daughter in or wallpaper her room in.

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Little did I know what the future had in-store for me. After uploading my watercolor artwork to SPOONFLOWER selling it as wallpaper and fabric, I realized how I could make a living selling my art on their platform. I fell in LOVE with selling to other creative minds who would buy my fabric and make things for resell using my fabric. I became obsessed with creating for THEM. During this time, I started to peek interest at larger brands asking me to make them designs as well as license my current ones to their brand.

At this point, I was completely self-taught. I really didn't even know how to make a pattern "correctly" in terms of surface pattern design. I was nervous and ashamed to give my files to these large companies and have them find out I really knew nothing about what I was doing. When they asked for Pantones, I was like....Google....... "What is a Pantone?"

Google was my best friend through these first years, I searched to see if I could find more information on "How to create patterns with watercolor."

Skillshare (A learning site) popped up and I saw Bonnie Christine's courses listed there. I instantly connected to her and her style and her teaching! I then learned what a REAL surface pattern designer was, as well as how to create a REAL pattern, I followed Bonnie on social media, and then took her first ever Immersion program when she offered it in 2018.

The Immersion program CHANGED MY LIFE. I was bringing in an income around 60K doing things my way on my own ( Which I was SUPER happy and content with.) We didn't "need" that income, but it sure didn't hurt!

After applying the things I learned to my business over the next year or two, My business income grew to over 6 figures. I started working part-time as Head of Design for Copper Pearl, a baby company (Dream job too), and my husband quit HIS JOB to come work with me! My dreams really started to roll out and my design business exploded.

I pinch myself every day that this is what I get to wake up to as a job. I have got to work with so many amazing small businesses selling them my designs, and made friends out of so many of them.

I love that I have found a dream job of being able to use my creative gifts and help others with the talents I have.

I know it is possible for everyone willing to get off the sidelines and jump into the unknown. I am grateful for educators who have helped me along this path and I hope to give back too!

Cheers to more good years ahead!

XOXO,