How to Start Making Art

I've heard this question so many times, whether it's about painting, writing, fabric art, and more.

How do I start?

It would be nice if there was a magical answer, a surefire formula that always lead to success.

But the answer is far less neat than that.

Because...you just have to start.

And you have to be willing to do your art badly. 

At least at first. And maybe for a while. 

You have to paint/write/stitch wild and messy with lots of mistakes because that is how you learn.

Yes, you can always take classes and read books and watch tutorials. This will help. It can help a lot. 

But you still have to do the work of the class/book/tutorial imperfectly, with the openness of a beginner.

You have to practice.

And, with time, your knowledge grows. You refine your skills. You learn what you like, what works, and what isn't your thang.

But first, before anything, you have to just. start.

If you're willing to just start, and to make mistakes, that is the beginning of all your dreams coming true.

Just start. Paint badly. Write awkwardly. Stitch messy.

And if you keep going, keep practicing, keep showing up, sooner or later, you will find you are living the creative life you always dreamed of.

Are you ready to start creating right now, but don’t know how to get started? Keep reading, because I have something that can help with that…

Start creating — without the overwhelm

I have just released a one-of-a-kind DIY kit to help get you started creating fabric art easily, quickly, and without the overwhelm. 

This kit will allow you to experience the joy and sense of accomplishment of hand-stitching your very own piece of fabric collage art. 

Even better, your finished piece makes a gorgeous piece of home decor to keep or gift!

This kit comes with all the support you need to create the beautiful celestial mountain fabric landscape pictured. 

The only supplies you'll need to already have on hand are fabric or embroidery scissors, some paper, and some glue. 

Your kit even comes complete with a comprehensive video tutorial where I walk you through each step of the process. And if you still have questions, I'm available to answer them via Etsy's messenger.

Are you ready to make fabric art with me?

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Meaningful Art Gifts for the Holidays

The most fun — and most difficult — part of gift-giving, especially around the holidays, is finding unique, one-of-a-kind gifts with meaning. Gifts with heart and soul. Gifts that, in spite of the cliche, really do keep on giving.

That’s partly why I do what I do. Why I create art. Because artwork and all things handmade are instant keepsakes, unique and irreplaceable, and is imbued with deeply personal and specific meaning.

And! I just did a mega art shop update, adding a ton of new offerings to my Etsy shop! Keep reading to find out what’s new, and to be inspired with unique gift-giving ideas…

If you’ve been following along with my Etsy shop, you may have noticed lots of activity I’ve been busily adding a TON of new items, most notably blank greeting cards, new fabric art hoops, and even some stickers!

The addition I’m most excited about are the blank notecards.

I’ve been wanting to offer blank greeting cards featuring my art for a while — years! —  but wasn’t sure how to get it done affordably. But recently I worked it out! I ordered archival quality photographic prints of my pieces from a print shop, then used glue dots to affix them to sturdy white cardstock. Each card comes paired with an envelope in a cello sleeve.

The best part? The prints are removable — which means that after you use the card, the recipient can remove the print and frame it.

Not only are the cards utilitarian, but each card is a little gift in itself!

This pleases me greatly. :)

I’ve also been hard at work stitching more fabric landscapes and cute little holiday hoops. I have two adorable 3” Santa hoops that can be hung on the wall or displayed on an easel on a table — or I can add a ribbon and turn them into an ornament for you!

My favorite of the hoops is this shimmery, sparkly, elegant winter scene. Looking at this, I can practically hear the snow falling in that muted way it does on quiet nights. Those pearls were a bit of a beast to stitch on, but it was well-worth it. I love how they turned out. 

An extra fun new addition to the shop is this pack of stickers! Each sticker is a reproduction of one of my tiny art magnets (coming soon unless I sell out of them at local markets!). They each feature an encouraging — and potentially sassy AF — saying. 

And! All domestic US orders now come with complimentary free shipping! You can optionally upgrade to Priority Shipping if you desire to have some cool art in your hands faster. :) 

Want me to ship an order to a loved one? I can do that too, and include a little gift note with it.

Just send me a message with what you’re looking for along with your order. Unfortunately, I cannot offer gift wrapping at this time…but if you’ve ever ordered from me before, you know my packages are always fun to open. :)

Okay! I think that’s about it from me! Get thee to the art shop to see all the new things waiting there for you and your gift-giving needs (or hey, treat yourself, it’s all good!):

Get 25% off any one art shop order by subscribing to the She of the Wild newsletter list HERE.

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First time we’re meeting? Click here to subscribe my newsletter & receive a FREE copy of Ordinary Miracles, my short but mighty collection of poetry:

New Affirmation Art Printable!

Spice up your art journaling, card-making, or scrapbooking with a brand new art paper pack of vividly painted affirmations.

The artsy elements in my instantly downloadable art paper packs are pulled directly from my own painting and art journals.

My collage paper PDFs are 100% unique and unable to be found anywhere else! Use them again and again.

All you need is paper and a printer (or a local print shop!) and you’re on your way to invigorating your art practice with these inspiring and original collage papers.

Instantly download the packs from the art shop and start creating!

And! Get 25% off any one art shop order by subscribing to the She of the Wild newsletter list HERE.

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First time we’re meeting? Click here to subscribe my newsletter & receive a FREE copy of Ordinary Miracles, my short but mighty collection of poetry: