Studio Ramble: Real Talk on Running Doodle and Design Studio, Fall Etsy Shop Launch, and Procreate Goodies
If you've ever tried to juggle forty things before your morning cup of coffee, welcome, friend.
This is what it’s like running a one-woman creative studio while sketching, dreaming up new ideas, and very occasionally remembering to send shop updates.
Today, let’s get a little real about all the behind-the-scenes madness and what’s brewing for the shop (spoiler: it involves stickers, pastel Halloween, and weird tech stuff).
Table of Contents
The Reality of Running a Creative Business
Being “busy” doesn’t even begin to cover it. The to-do list is a living, breathing creature that only seems to mutate and multiply by the hour.
If you’re a chronic over-scheduler like me, every day feels like “let me just do 9,000,003 things real quick.”
There’s always something to finish, something to fix, and, let’s be honest, about three coffee cups gathering in the studio at any given moment.
Sometimes I put off making business update videos because, well, isn’t everyone’s to-do pile big enough already?
Why I’ve Hesitated to Share Business Updates
Let’s just admit it, I always assume telling you how much stuff I have to do will make you curl up and nap.
It can feel like I’m just repeating “so much to do, you guys!” and honestly, what’s new? But hey, maybe hearing about the small business mess helps us all feel a little less alone, right?
Introducing the Fall Etsy Shop Launch
I've added some new items to the shop. Etsy has been on the back burner a bit as I've focused on creating content for you guys. I'm finally in a place where I feel like I can slow down the content output and crank up the creation of new products. Yay.
So, as I type this, the Fall products have actually hit the shop! I uploaded the goodies this week!
You can check out a line of whimsical duck-decorated bookmarks, print, and sticker sheet or head right for the Fall Harvest Collection with cute ghost prints, a new sticker sheet, and some fun printable notebook covers!
Check out behind the scenes of the Fall Harvest Collection if you're interested in the inspiration and creation process.
Still to Come in the Etsy Fall Launch
- I'm working on another witchy line, because so fun!
- Digital Sticker Sheets and Stationery
- More Printable Notebook Covers
- Seamless files for purchasing
- How to Procreate Fall Art Lab
Preparing Listings and Improving Presentation
I’ve spent basically all of last week taking pictures, making listings, and swearing (gently) at my camera lens.
Mockup photos are getting better, sometimes they still look like my cat took them, but you know, progress.
Video skills? We’re not even gonna talk about it. If you see something weird, let me just say, I'm working on it. I have never recorded videos before, so it's a slow process!
Working on New Procreate Content
A chaos-friendly shortcut to cute, layered Procreate stickers — even if you’ve never opened the app before.
I created this kit because when I opened Procreate the first time, I had no clue what to tap, layer, or brush. If that’s you, you’re not behind — you’re just beginning. Let’s make it easy and fun.
Grab your starter file, brushes & layer guide. Let’s make stickers!
My Procreate starter kit freebie is still the most popular thing around here; people love it for jumpstarting their sticker-making dreams.
I’m piling on content for Procreate newbies and diehard doodlers, but most of these creative ideas work even for folks who don’t own an iPad.
Procreate content coming soon includes:
- Step-by-step tutorials on sticker making
- Tips, tricks, and fresh inspiration
- More freebies dropping into your inbox
Get a head start creating your first digital sticker with my Digital Sticker Guide in Procreate if you want to see how fun and easy it actually is.
Details of the Procreate Starter Kit
If you haven’t grabbed it yet, the Procreate Starter Kit comes with everything a sticker-making rookie needs:
- Fully layered sticker file (peep every step, zero guesswork)
- Free brush and stamps
- A sneakily handy layers cheat sheet
All designed to make you point at your screen and say “Ooooh, so THAT’S how you do it!” Snag your copy here: Procreate Starter Kit.
Current Sketch Work: Herbalist Collection Idea
Right now, the sketchbook is filling up with plans for the rest of the fall Etsy drop. It’s not exactly fall (but who cares?) and the vibe is pure witchy apothecary happiness: Think herbalist tools, little jars, mysterious greenery. So much fun. I love a good magical moment.
The Many Hats of Running This Business
Every day in the studio(read play room full of chaos and a toddler) is a new hat.
One minute I’m the artist with the messy bun, the next I’m admin, then tech support, then content writer.
And don’t even get me started on the tech and all the not-so-glam backend stuff.
I adore creating, I tolerate the spreadsheets, and sometimes dream about a personal assistant who just handles “the other stuff.” The tech tries to get me down at every turn.
News flash, we aren't quitting over here. We will just bang our heads against a wall until we figure it out. In hopes that one day we will learn to work smarter, not harder!
Maybe we should just take a break and play with stickers instead, check out these Creative Sticker Uses for all kinds of interesting ways to use your stickers.
Email Client Transition Challenges
So, who thought switching email platforms would be easy? Not this gal. I’m hauling forms off the old system, wrestling new ones into place on the blog, and somehow ending up with forms that are huge or, some days, just weirdly off-center.
If you get duplicate newsletters, oops, sorry, blame the “tech spiders.” If anything feels wrong or you don’t get your freebies, you can always:
- Reply to the newsletter email
- Go to the contact form and let me know
Staying Connected and Receiving Updates
Speaking of email….If you want to see the new sticker magic early (plus, not miss product or content drops), toss your email on the list.
First dibs always go to the newsletter crew, especially for sneak previews, new products, new posts and videos, and of course, discounts!
Fall Art Lab for Procreate
Heads-up for the digital doodlers: I’ve got a new Fall Art Lab ready! If you liked the starter kit, you’ll love this.
Get ready for:
- Three unique sticker projects (layered files included)
- A full PDF guide to walk you through every part
- Step-by-step on sticker creation, with bonus “paint by numbers” freedom—choose your own colors!
No rules, just chill creativity and instant digital fun. Interested in learning Why I’m Turning My Art Into Digital Products and What’s In it For You
Personal Reflections on Content Creation
It’s messy, it’s ridiculous, and I actually wouldn’t trade it for anything. Creating art and writing goofball blog posts is how I bring a little joy and laughter your way.
Every day is a new slice of chaos, but hey, that’s where all the real stories come from.
If you vibe with this energy, hit like, subscribe, and drop your hot takes in the comments. There’s plenty of messy art, new shop drops, and tutorials to come.
Sometimes it’s chaos, sometimes it’s magic, usually both, but always very real. Thanks for hanging out and see you next time!
Make sure you’re on my newsletter list so you don’t miss the next shop update or Art Lab launch.
🎥 Prefer to learn by watching?
I’ve got a YouTube channel full of quick, no-pressure tutorials made for tired, creative souls like you.
Subscribe here and catch your next creativity boost, one sticker at a time.
Love and messy buns,
❤️
Cynthia McDonald
Helping women find creativity in the chaos — with stickers, stationery, and a little bit of fun
