Top 5 Faves for the Month
Starting an art business is no easy task. It’s a passion project fueled by a desire to create what you want to see in the world. It can be fun too. It’s taken me 5 years to create a pattern collection after making 100’s of one off patterns. Here are my favorite things that I have been loving this month, that’s helping me with my art journey. I hope they can help you too.
Procreate. This robust yet easy to use iPad app has been so helpful in the process of creating individual patterns. I can sketch, draw, recolor and make repeats all here! I still use Adobe Illustrator, but Procreate has been my go to. And I can take it anywhere because it’s on a portable device. So if you’re an artist, do yourself a favor and get Procreate. For $12.99 as of the writing of this post, it’s so worth it!
Canva. This amazing app has been so helpful when making quick mockups of my designs. It’s so easy to do. I do pay for the monthly subscription for Pro access, but you can still use it with the free option. You can make mood boards, post cards, calendars, desktop wallpaper, portfolios and the list goes on.
The Happy Planner. When I started planning my new collection, I needed a planner not only to keep me organized but also to give me a boost in my mood. Every time I look at it, the designs are so cheerful they inspire me to keep creating. I’d love it if my designs were on a Happy Planner - I’m speaking this into existence! I bought mine from Michael’s when they had a sale but other websites have them too.
Spoonflower. This site lets you upload your own pattern designs to make fabric! It’s awesome! I was able to upload 30 designs and play with the scale on the website. You only need to upload a pattern tile as a jpg or png. It’s easy to use. They also have many types of fabric that you can print your designs on. Once you proof your designs and check your samples, they can be ready to be purchased by anyone and you get a commission. Many surface designers do this.
Apple iPad. My bestie LOL. I use her (Patty) every. single. day. Patty has held up to spills, drops, sticky kids fingers and constant use. I have an 11-inch iPad Air 4th generation model. It’s a great size for beginners. One day I will upgrade to the iPad Pro for more storage and drawing space. But for now, Patty is the MVP!
So that’s my Top 5 for the month of December. There are so many more things I’m loving that I could mention but I’ll save it for next month. I can’t wait to share it with you then!
In the meantime, stay inspired and keep creating.