New designs available // License our surface designs // Abstract Beauty

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our Abstract Beauty designs that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // Happy Camper Designs

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our Happy Camper prints that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // Dino World Designs

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our Dino World designs that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // Pura Vida Designs

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our Pura Vida Designs that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // Strawberry Summer

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our Strawberries that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

License our surface designs // Zebra Love Art Licensing

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our Zebra Love prints that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // Wild Cats series

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our Wild Cats that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // Retro Splash Abstracts

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our abstracts that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // Memphis Designs

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you our colorful Memphis print that is available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // New Abstracts

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our abstracts that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // New Marble Abstracts

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our abstracts that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

New designs available // License our surface designs // Boulder Gym Love

Did you know we create new designs every week? We update our fabric library almost every week and add new designs and color versions frequently. But for over 8 years we’ve been licensing our surface designs to companies all over the world too. Did you know our designs are not only available on fabric and wallpaper but they are also available for licensing?

When we create print designs we can create custom, exclusive work for our clients, but we also license our designs for non-exclusive use. Because we do understand exclusive print designs can be a little too pricy if you are just starting out with your small business. Most of our clients start our licensing surface patterns that are non-exclusive. They are a great solution for those of you who are dealing with a tight budget. We can create new colors, tweak details to make them more unique to the brand so they are a little different from the prints available on Spoonflower. We understand how competitive the market can be, so even though you license our print designs non-exclusively; we avoid licensing to similar branches. So you can use affordable designs that are as unique as possible to your brand and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing so.

Every week we create new print designs. This week we wanted to show you some of our climbing inspired designs that are available on fabric and wallpaper in our Spoonflower shop. But also available to license directly for your brand.

We’ve worked for small starting businesses and big fish with stores all over the globe, so don’t be shy, I bet we can offer you something that works for you too. So if you see something you like, here on the blog, or over at Spoonflower. Please reach out and send us a message and we’ll tell you all about licensing our surface designs.

How to set new goals when you’re forced to redirect your attention and energy // spoiler alert: haven’t got the answer yet

It has been a while since I posted something a little more behind the scenes of the studio. The past year has been pretty much a deep pit and it’s pretty hard to find something positive and uplifting to share about business when yours just went down the drain. But I think there have been so many 'after' and 'reflection' stories, it's time to speak up when things are in fact still dark and fuzzy.

In 2016, I signed the papers for the new business: opening a shop and starting my own fabric production has been a long time goal, and I was working my way up to this moment for a couple of years when I decided I had to share the energy and workload to build a strong foundation for this new venture. And so I did. I sat around the table with my new business partner for over a year until it felt like we had talked over and tackled most bumps in the road. We signed contracts, looked for a place to rent with an office space, storage and storefront. And we set everything in motion to get things going. I invested all my savings for renovations, production, decorating the new space. And it was a good energy, things were moving, things got checked from our list. The website was ready to be filled with new products and our store was finished. Then my colleague flaked. After giving a go on our first fabric collection to our producer, a day later she told me she wanted to step away from the business, and she already started to put everything in my name.

The first cracks
During the renovation of our new space already noticed the fair of making decisions for my partner. We had written down our thoughts and expectations before the start but I noticed she did not keep her end of the deal. There had been some discrepancies. Trust was broken. Eventually, I found out numbers were a mess too, and I was glad my gut instinct told me to pull the plug right away. I could not run a store, creative studio and keep busy with productions all by myself, so after our shop finished in February, we only stayed open for two months until things came to an end. We hadn’t even sent out our grand opening invites yet.

The goal
Some of you might know I struggle with fibromyalgia. For me finding another way to earn a living, without having to create every day (but not giving up on the drawing either) was my goal to start this venture. My fingers are not very reliable so I cannot count on my hands to keep drawing for another 10 years. Working on a more sufficient income stream was one of the reasons to get into the process of starting a Little Smilemakers fabric production. My designs are copied so quickly, this was a good way to keep new prints private and only expose them as a finished product. Stay afloat as a designer and keep making a creative living.

The shop was closed a year ago already and has left me empty. Only a giant pit filled with smelly leftover shit to deal with was left. This week my accountant closed the 2017 books. And I had to face it all over again. The financial loss, the financial insecurity that came with investing so much time and energy into the shop and not building the studio. Trusting someone who completely went Houdini on me was another thing to deal with. I felt like I lost my spirit. My little fighter mentality. My determination.

Recovering from scattered dreams
If you have your mind set on something, you take all steps necessary. It is a clear vision that drove me towards building a store for years. And if someone suddenly takes away that future, that vision, and that goal, pretty much everything is up for discussion. It was my own decision to stop, and I think it was the right one. But I felt forced. It is not what I pictured. I was thrown back to my bare foundation. Felt so lonely emptying out the shop, by myself, on a rainy afternoon. And I haven’t shaken off this feeling yet, not even after a full year has gone by. Yeah, sorry this story will not be a very inspiring one. But I receive so many comments from other aspiring designers. Questions about how to successfully build a business. Well, I have felt like a fraud. I don’t have a clue. If anything it is all hard work, determination, setting goals and stay focused, but that’s not all, clearly.

Getting up again
A year has passed, and I am still making up for the financial loss and probably have to keep on doing so for the upcoming two years. My health is getting worse, so long working days are pretty much impossible. That, and the fact that this entire thing has cost me so much energy I can come home completely exhausted after just doing some groceries. So this is not an inspiring story. Just a real one. And I still feel very much stuck in that pit. I have more ‘good’ days that a few months ago. (Breaking your heart is not a very awesome thing to deal with during all this either, minor detail) But I think writing down this story might help some of you that are also not quite ready yet. Stuck in some darkness, feeling lost. Lonely and defeated. Usually, you get out with some big eye-opening epiphany and you look back on it think I survived. There are so many stories they actually make me feel worse, I am simply not there yet. I am not even remotely gone processing this. And that’s OK.

The future
What’s up next is seeing something in my future again. Something that makes my heart tick. Creating a new goal. Going toward something meaningful. It’s times like these when you are thrown to the bare version of yourself. You have to trust your own foundation, and maybe that is what makes it harder, when your foundation isn’t all warm and steady, you have to get that light on all by yourself, it takes a while. I noticed some of the people I had been close with suddenly make me feel worse. They kept asking me why it would feel this mayor. Why I couldn’t just get over it and be happy with what I have. I heard so many things that just made me feel even worse, made me feel I had to apologize for feeling shitty. So at this point, I have stripped my circle to the bare minimum. I have to be OK with myself first before someone tells me they're not OK with where I am right now. If there is any advice I would give at this point is that you can do it alone. It is pretty awesome to get some ‘happy’ injected from others but don’t make other people make you feel even heavier when you’re down. I put some people on hold. Not because they are bad people. I just had to put my own needs first.

I hope with all this said; some of you might find the OK in not feeling OK. For every bad trip, you need time to recover. I am so not there yet. At all. But with the 2017 books closed this now finally feels like a new chapter. Slowly things are moving towards the right direction.

Top 5 things every starting creative should know // Starting your own design business

I was drinking my coffee at one of my favorite lunch spots here in the city and realized a lot of waiters are just creatives in disguise. Nowadays it is so hard to find a job, even after doing master after master and a great amount of unpaid internships all over the world, graphic design business and other creative business in general do not have a lot of 9 to 5 job openings. But if creating is in your genes a Barista job will eventually wear you out so lot's of newbees try to start their own business and struggle, since doing business is something completely different than creating things.

There are so many designers in this world. Why did I ever think this could be a way of making ends meet? Well, it is possible. With the right mind set, eagerness to learn new skills and flexibility you can come a long way. If you are a designer yourself and don't know where to start keep reading! Here is my personal top 5 priority list. Things that I think can really help you out while starting your own creative business.

Create a solid business plan
I never started out with a clear business plan but working in the design industry for almost 10 years made it very clear what I did and did not want for my own company. When I myself started Little Smilemakers Studio it was not to get rich and make lot's of money. It takes a good steady foundation to built something solid.

The most important thing, the one to start off with is setting clear goals. Be realistic and humble. What would you like to do? Make a description of your workflow and plan your days. What clients would you like to work with? How much time would you like to work? What is most important? What sacrifices are you willing to make or not make? Could you work from your home office and save money or would you like to have a studio? Where would you want to be a year from now?

I schedule a little time to reflect ever quarter. What can I improve? What is going well? Where there any major issues to deal with? It is important to make time to overlook what you are doing. Sometimes there is so much to do you loose track of what is important to you. The one thing that being an independent designer should always keep in mind: Am I doing what I love? You can always go back being a Barista without all the responsibility of running your own business.

The art of social Media
The first thing you should know: Social Media is your new best friend. And as your friend it needs frequent attention and now and then some critical input. I know lot's of designers that do not have their own website. We live in a very visual world and you can reach a lot of new potential business partners via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Instagram. Before posting and oversharing make a plan about what you think is representative of your business, be honest and only share things that reflect your skills and set a light on what you do best. Don't be afraid to delete old posts, comments and images that seem to lack quality if you at it later on.

Be visual. As a designer there is no better tool to present your portfolio to the world than on the internet. And we are working a in a very visual business, that is a big pro! But always be critical. Try to avoid posts that are too informal, no one wants to see your pet four times a week. Of course you can stay a little human too, but try to make the balance 20/80 when you post via Twitter or Instagram.

"Social Media is your new best friend. And as your friend it needs frequent attention"

Make sure your image is of good quality. If you want to post a finished product make sure you use with some good lightning that really improves image you put out there. Stay away from harsh lightning and mid night flashes. Just wait for the next morning and use natural light as much as possible. Research shows that light colored photography and visuals attract 80% more traffic than dark images. Something to keep in mind.

Create a Facebook page for your business. This looks very obvious but it needs a lot of work and make sure you upload frequently. By not posting anything for a few weeks your hits will drop and people might think you are out of business or just traveling the world. I always like to plan my posts, you can schedule posts if you are out of the office for instance so your page will stay active. I post things that I am working on, finished products and projects (tag your clients pages) but also try to come up with themed posts around the holidays and seasons. Variety is key here. Try to inspire your audience with everything you put on there and make sure all designs and creations are yours.

My favorite type of social media is by far Instagram. It is easy to post, tag and comment and that way your work will be found easily and lowers the threshold for people to get in touch with you and your work. Keep things interesting and inspiring. Keep in mind who you want your audience to be and connect with them by using tags. For instance I create a lot of designs very suitable for wallpaper and fabric, textile and home decor companies will study their market by searching by tag. So if you make patterns add 'Fabric' and 'Pattern' to your post. If you create typefaces add 'type' and typography etc. The right people will know where to find you. I have had several companies contacting the studio after getting connected over Instagram first.

Twitter is a great way of getting some attention too. Make sure you follow business related people and companies and keep a flow of communication going. I only use Twitter for current topics, design news, tips about online education and design courses etc. Keep in mind your potential clients are watching you. Don't get too involved into politics and off topic issues and mind your language. And always check your spelling!

Earn passive income
Making money as a designer is challenging but a true creative knows how to use their skills and make them into at least some money. I mainly create patterns and illustrations nowadays but started out as a graphic designer making brochures and logo's. I grew into creating things i love to create most and have the ability to focus on one thing now. But that can take years to accomplish. And you know, even designers, they got to eat.
On the internet you can earn a loaf of bread or two by selling your work via stock or Print on Demand websites. For instance I started out selling my photo's via Shutterstock, they were just there soaking up all this space on my computer and they were good enough for print and magazines so I started uploading my travel photography and themes that are popular in stock: food images and conceptual situations. I never earned a lot from selling my photo's, since I am not a very good photographer, I do not have the right technical skills to be a pro but from there I realized that I could just sell my illustrations there too. Even nowadays if I am not working on a project I still pass time creating new work for my stock portfolio and Society6 shop.



If you have no projects to work on and like to create things every day just keep in mind you can earn passive income with illustrations. photo's, musical compositions, paintings, video. There are many websites on which you can put your artwork into t-shirts or bedding for instance. But you can also start a blog and add advertisements to your page. Create video tutorials, typefaces or design templates. There are a lot of ways to earn some passive income. Research what works best for you and your business and once you have a decent portfolio and get the hang of it you will see the work will pay off. And don't forget to share your products via Social Media!

Join design organizations and connect to a creative network
Ah yes networking. It might be my least favorite part and I am so lucky I don't have to depend on other people too much. But working by yourself can be lonely, but also can keep you back from improving your skills, creative or business wise. If you are starting as a designer it is probably a good idea to consider attending meetings where people come together and can talk about similar experiences as a designer. I think networking is my weak point. But you simply can not do everything yourself. Keep creating, representing yourself to the world, learning new skills, researching wold markets, stay on trend and on top of that stay critical about your designs. Networking is a way to stay up to date and get feedback which is very important.

There are always people that have better skills in some areas in which you could use some extra. It is better to focus on what you can do though. I have a designer friend that is amazing with software, printing techniques and new features. If not for him I would just get a new computer plug and play without taking care of the right presets and things like that. Some people have more experience in doing business overseas, some have good knowledge of the producing side. It is good to have these people under your speed dial when things get complicated.

In Holland there is a design organization called BNO. Joining a design organization like this gives you access to legal information but also is a way to represent yourself as a legit designer. You can have a face to face with people but you can also join an online creative network. Whatever works for you. Do some research, there are several design organizations in each country.

Be honest & humble
If you don't have any colleagues to tell you "this header is a little off" you have to make sure you be critical about what you create all the time. Be honest about what you can and can not do. If a client approaches you and asks you to create a website and you are technically unexperienced don't prove yourself you can do it. Learn some skills first before taking your business for a test ride.

People always ask me "how does it feel to see your designs in shops world wide." I like to see how my designs pop up everywhere but it is still my job. I know my skillet, I know what I am good at and I see a lot of things that could use a little improvement too. Just because I am a designer that is creating prints for a famous brands and thus visually out there doesn't mean I am a good teacher or art critique. Some designers have this diva attitude which doesn't look very attractive on anyone to be honest. And I think literally people should mind their own business.

"Learn some skills first before taking your business for a test ride"

Be honest about your skills and trust your own creativity. Don't envy competition and don't try to be that competition. Work on your own skills and your own handwriting will convince people to work with you because you are unique and different from anyone else. Stay true to who you are.

You will have to work together with people and simply have to come up with a solution to their problem: company needs design. Know your skills and rather than lose patience in the process, give step by step feedback why you think your design would meet their needs. I have worked with a designer that had a complete lack of overview, made things that simply weren't practical and were not at all meeting the clients expectation. Keep communicating during the entire process. Instead of going back and forth meet each other half way. Stay in touch after you finished a project. Letting go of your creation can be hard and sometimes a client is persistent and really doesn't see what you see and it is hard giving up your baby. But it is true: kill your darlings.

Keep in mind, things worth your while are never easy. Stay on to of your game, set clear goals and work hard. For me it meant working 70 hours a week which is all right since I do not have a family or husband who need time. I am always looking for things to improve, stay on top of my numbers and after more than three years I can finally say I kind am getting the hang of it and can take a little step back in hours and if I travel it is not only for business anymore.

Fabric Feature Friday // Handmade doll clothes // by I can’t dance Sweden

A few weeks ago we were tagged by Jenny on Instagram. She had just finished a cute pink sweater made with our Hemmers/Itex panda fabric. But not just a regular sweater, Jenny makes doll clothes. Oh yes googly eyes!

We fell in love with her panda creations immediately and wanted to write a little something about her and her small creative business. Jenny is based in Sweden and has been creating doll related items for over 8 years. She makes doll clothes but also designs dolls herself which she draws, prints via Spoonflower and then tuns into stuffed fluffy creations. She designs fabric, jewelry and all sort of other fun items. This girl is truly creative by heart. And we love her whimsical and joyful style.

If you want to create some cool doll clothes yourself? Check out our fabric available at Spoonflower. Most of our designs can be scaled down so if you need another scale of a specific design just send us a quick message via our Spoonflower account. If you are curious about what Jenny is up to? Follow @icantdance on Instagram or check out her Etsy shop to find these cute doll dresses and sweaters.

Made with Little Smilemakers Studio Fabric // September 2016

It is so exciting to see a finished project after working hard on a new collection of design or a series of illustrations for our clients. But with finished fabric designs it is even a bigger surprise to see what customers create. To see how final products evolve when people put their own creative energy in there is amazing.

If you browse around on Etsy or Instagram for some kids fashion you are very likely to stumble upon some Little Smilemakers prints. Most creatives with small home based businesses sell their projects via internet and tag us via Instagram. So we see some amazing things pop up in our feed every month. We love how Little Smilemakers creations are the foundation for other creatives all around the world to work with. So here is our monthly blog post that features some creative results from Hawaii, Utah, Latvia and Australia. This month we selected a whole bunch of fun minty pastel fabrics turned into the most gorgeous items. Kids fashion, nursery accessories and home and interior decoration, so much to choose from! We have selected a cool mermaid romper, some teepee items, cactus fashion and some cute new born leggings with our hot selling feathers. Take a look and see if there is something for your little one too. This is our September selection.

Sew Modern Tots
This small Hawaii business sells some fun kids items. We love Hilary’s mermaid creations! And we love seeing new photo’s pop up on our Instagram timeline. With lo’s of water, so fresh and breezy! And because every girl needs a fun romper like this we had to feature this one piece for our September post. But the mermaids are not the only Little Smilemakers designs she has for sale in her shop. So if you are looking for some cool creations with our ice cream watercolors or texture cactus fabric, take a look in her shop!



Little beans Baby Shop
Stephanie is a Utah based mom of four and creates wonderful pieces of fashion for kids when she is not busy with those cute red heads of hers. She runs a small Etsy shop where she sells her fun collection of kids clothes. For this months feature we selected the most adorable cactus hoodie. I bet the red head in the photo is part of the family somehow! We also selected a cute new born set made from our teepee fabric. If you want to see more fun creations check out her shop!

Rainbow Arrows designs
We are so happy to see all these new customers all the way in Australia, unfortunately we do not offer any good wholesale prices and Spoonflower can be pretty pricy so we would like to thank all of our customers ordering our fabric from other parts of the world. Rainbow Arrows is a handmade business based in Australia. This small shop sells sweet and stylish baby accessories. We are featuring their teepee bibs but there are more Little Smilemakers prints available: our trending black and white grids and our watercolor blue blossom design are also available. Of course she has lot’s more to choose from so take a look and keep track of what’s new!

Wuf Kids
This Latvian shop has some cool things to offer. We love their range of leggings and we adore their fun little fabic crowns. So clever! But theu have lot’s more cute tems to choose from. And lot’s of Little Smilemakers designs! Triangles, flamingo’s, teepees, ice cream cones, grizzly bears, and our minty feathers of course. I bet we forgot to mention some other designs but take a look at their Facebook page and see them all!

How to deal with a creative person // 5 things to keep in mind while working together with an artist

Working with creative people can be challenging... We artists have to be our own boss, legal department, marketing consultant, tech wiz, accountant and of course designer. We are skilled in designing but corporate matters... I work together with several businesses, some are small stay-at-home-mommy-etsy-shops and some are giant monsters in textile and home interior, in a good way of course, monsters are funny and extremely cool.

But those giant companies have their own skilled legal teams, communication managers and some have artist managers even. If you run your own creative business you have to connect with the corporate. Doing the best you can, trusting the people you work with. But running a business with the heart is a no-go in this world. Money first right? Well, artists don't think like an average corporation would. And that is where you might get frustrated working together with a designer. We just don't think alike. Here are some tips how to deal with us mad artistic people.

Stuck in our cave
I have to admit a lot of artist can be a little flaky, sometimes unprofessional even, when it comes to their communicative skills. I do think running a creative business means also paying attention to the business side you don't necessarily like and your communication with clients is very important. But however artists are no corporate human beings that work 9 to 5 shifts. Emails might get answered a few days later or in the weekend because we are busy creating and feeling inspired. Creative people own a computer but usually spend only a few hours a day at their desk. Nothing is a bigger buzz kill than negotiating about money when you are in the flow of creating a new collection of designs. We have to cut off from any outside distraction to create so that means we have to 'step away from the computer.' We will come out of our caves eventually and respond to your requests.

Artists also eat
I will be the first one to admit I love my job, however, it is a business. No one is money-injecting my company and I work hard to make myself a living. Somehow lot's of people expect us to work for free or in exchange for 'exposure'. No thank you, exposure won't pay our bills. If you need a design: just pay your designer. When we license Little Smilemakers artwork you do not have to pay us per hour. To create one solid design we invest hours and hours of work, draw, scan, edit digitally, prepare for production, we spend days researching materials, trends, the global market, we have to get materials, software, and also a steady computer. Did I mention you are working with an artist that has 10 years of design expertise? It is all in the €87 license fee. Suddenly seems like a bargain right? If we would really add every single expense to your bill we wouldn't be welcome working for you. But we are artists, we want to stay creative so we will make concessions, money is not our biggest priority, our passion is. Staying close to the heart keeps up creative. But don't expect us to cut costs, we don't have much wiggle room financially.

Don't put us on a pedestal
We don't need the center of attention. Our work might be 'visible' but most artist like to stay behind the scenes, I literally have a behind-the-scenes volunteer job in our local theater. But most people seem to think creative people like the exposure. Well, I sure don't. I turn into a frightened deer when someone puts me in front of a camera. Just credit us and we'll be fine.

Let us breathe
A creative process is… a process. It takes time to mature and grow into something amazing. In this time and age we all expect things to happen right away. A good design needs some time to ripen. I think I can speak for most creative people when I say: we need our freedom. I started my own business because working a 9 to 5 job killed my creativity. We artists need our freedom, and that freedom doesn't come with price tag. Don't try and cage the creative bird. Let us breathe and trust our skills and expertise. Also, the majority of creative people are introverts. So I can tell you from my own experience we need some time to think and make a decision to get to the point where we can excel. Don't put us on the spot about time schedules and costs. We will get back to you on that.

Be honest
The biggest problem for me in this profession is the fact that lot's and lot's of people copy and misuse our work. We artists usually do not have a legal background. Artists are very vulnerable when it comes to the legal side of their businesses. Big companies don't pay a full license since they can take the financial risk of getting fined. The textile industry is crazy competitive and sometimes the artist gets stuck in the middle. We might work together with competition, get over it! We do not have a legal department fighting for our rights and we can not afford to hire those people, artists don't make tons of money. Don't expect us to send you a 10 page legal agreement. So if you work with us please be human and honest at all times. We don't have any problem letting go of business relations that aren't.

photo credit: Berc // Fotolia

About being an artist // Running your creative business and embracing who you are // 5 tips for the introvert

My work is obviously very visual and most people would think since my work gets a lot of exposure, I would adore the spotlight too. Nothing could be further from the truth though. I love to be by myself, on my own, but I have always known even as a kid, I had to push my boundaries to accomplish what I wanted to do in life and step out of that comfort zone. I am an introvert, that might come as a surprise. But sometimes things that are not necessary you are part of running a business.

To actually make a living as an artist it means I have to get together with clients, meet up with new people, network. I have never felt very comfortable in groups, let alone have financial negotiations with giant companies... It can be exhausting. But since I was a little girl, I always knew I had to do things I didn't like to get some place I would love to be. I pushed myself to sing on a stage, because I knew it would terrify me, and trust me, I am not a good singer. I have skills but singing is not one of them... I would always say yes to new things to get me out of my comfort zone. So yes, I do these interviews and yes, I welcome in a camera crew for a little 'day of an artist' shoot in the studio. I guess the friction also is a form of inspiration, reflecting on what I am doing. Without any tension being creative is hard. It is a love/hate relationship with that part of my creative career.

I know lot's of creative people, designers, architects, dancers, musicians that are passionate and great in what they do but really struggle to put their skills out there since part of their business is reaching out to potential clients. Here are 5 tips for all introverts that try to run there own business.

1 // Don't try to be an extravert
Being an introvert is good enough. Embrace who you are. Except the fact that you use your energy slightly different than your extravert friends. Surround yourself with people that understand your needs. Embrace your needs and don't feel bad about spending time alone to recharge. Trying to be someone you are not will exhaust you. Take your boundaries seriously. Think about what gives and takes your energy and find your personal balance.

2 // Meetings with clients
I like working together with people, but spontaneous meetings are not my thing. Find a way of working together that suits you best. Preparation is key. For me that means taking a step back and writing down all essentials. Researching the topic, finances, listing questions and then get a face to face. Preparation will get the introvert a long way. If I can not do any research or have a get together without a proper preparation my mind will drift off and never get to the point. In meetings other people will comment and I would never get my point across.

3 // Talking about finished projects & doing interviews
Introverts need some time to let things sink in. Take time to prepare yourself and be loyal to yourself. You will be much happier about the outcome. I once had an interview and was completely unprepared. I asked for the list of questions to prepare myself but never got them. Once we sat together and started the interview and the camera was rolling every question seemed completely irrelevant to who I was and what I created so the answers, oh dear god the answers…. I talked about all random things popping up in my head, i felt pressured to say some certain things and finished my interview with a speech about how awesome seed is. That was not a good interview!

4 // Personalize your workspace
Usually introverts are more sensitive for their surroundings so make a list of what you need in your direct work environment. I start each day with a clean slate, with a clean and empty desk. And since I have my own home studio I can surround myself with things I love, artwork that inspires me, photo's of loved ones. If I am researching I use the living room where I can create a mess of magazines, sketches and moodboards. That way my desk will always be organized. Create your own little bubble you feel comfortable in, where you can recharge your battery.

5 // I will get back to you on that
Introverts might have a little difficulty responding to a certain situation in the moment. While extraverts try to get an answer at the spot. When I visit trade shows and meet up with new potential clients there are so many things to discuss. Can we work together? Where can we see your portfolio, can you do this and that for us? What does it cost? I try to keep a first meeting a little superficial before making promises I can not keep. Negotiating finances and bringing structure in planning new projects needs a little maturing, having a good thought things before answering is more for filling than a quick agreement. Also your business partners will get the impression you take them seriously when you spend some time researching the matter. Just say: "I will get back to you on that."

Behind the scenes: Top 10 pro's & con's // having a home office

When starting Little Smilemakers Studio I knew one thing: to make a living as a creative artist I had to keep my expenses as low as possible. So I started working from my home office instead of renting an expensive office downtown. I thought: "If the cash-flow will get steady, I can look around for another place to work outside of my own home" Almost 4 years later I am typing this post on my dinner table with classical music playing in the background and a washing machine reminding me to hang my wet clothes.

Sometimes I wonder why not rent a place and keep my work a little more distant from home. But at the same time working at home makes me more creative, gives me more freedom and of course, I travel quite a lot, so why pay rent for a workspace that is empty four months a year? So yes, four years later I am still working from my home and I love it, wouldn't change it for the world. But then again I am single, don't have kids, so I have the place all by myself.

I always advise young start-ups to not spend money on rent if possible. Cut costs as much as you can. Start small. First and foremost you will have to earn a steady income to provide a living for yourself and maybe also for your family. I do not have the responsability for a kid, or have to be a girlfriend when my spouse is home, have food on the table at some certain time... Does it work for everyone? I am not sure, but I have made a little top 10 of things I love and things I do not love about working from my home. Here are my personal pro's & con's having a home office:

1 // It is cheap
Face it, starting your own business can be a huge struggle. Make end meet is hard being creative so cutting costs starting out is a must. I started working from my own dinner table simply because i could not afford a decent place somewhere else. After three years I turned one of the rooms into a proper office. Not worrying about paying the rent, that is a great luxury.

2 // Never stuck in morning traffic
The best thing about working from your own home office must be the fact that you have so many extra hours to spend on whatever you want to do. You won't have to worry about being stuck in traffic every morning and every night. You don't need to spend any money on a car or gas, cutting costs is a big must if you start your own business.

3 // The Healthy lunch
I remember working in a 9 to 5 business structure where my lunch time got planned by projects and deadlines. I had a very unhealthy diet since I did not have time to eat a proper lunch, sometimes I forgot all about it or the pile of work forced me to skip lunch all together. I love that I can make whatever I want, my kitchen and fridge are only a few steps away. I eat more frequently and a lot more healthy since I run my home studio because I have time to prepare something decent. It takes a little longer but it is also a nice break from work too.

4 // It is all yours
I thought about sharing a creative space but the thing I got attached to during the years i am working from my home is the fact that everything feels like me. To feel comfortable is so important for my creative process. Putting me in a clean cubicle or office space where I can not decorate my walls, add a personal touch or rearrange furniture will kill my creative flow. I need to be surrounded by good energy and my studio if filled with things I love. Inspiring artwork, little personal memorabilia, reminders of loved ones and travels.

5 // Flexibility
Oh I love the freedom. I can pack my laptop and work anywhere. Lot's of lunchrooms and coffee places have free wifi and working from a free spot like that will change your perspective a little and triggers creativity. I can do errands during the day and don't have to get into shops on rush hours. I can go to the beach on a hot summer day and work nights if I want to. Freedom is very dear to me. I love it.



6 // The daily mess
There are always things to do at home. Clean dishes, scrub the floor. A home can be a place of distraction. My home is always clean and tidy. If not, when I have a deadline and finish up work I find myself in the kitchen, cleaning. A messy home is a messy head so I can only focus when there is no random stuff laying around the house. These house chores can be a real distraction!

7 // Smelly food & meetings
Before meeting a client i made this amazing salmon, broccoli pie. Not a very good idea when you invite professional people over to have a chat.

8 // You never leave work
That is probably the hardest thing about working from your own home. Your work will never leave the building. It is there, so I work late hours and during winter nights I can be stuck at my desk round the clock. Closing the door to my home office doesn't seem to do the trick. Separating work and quality time can be hard. I love my work so it always draws me back in.

9 // My house is always clean and organized
I can not work in a mess. It will distract me from my deadlines and it really bothers me up until the point that I will do my dishes before finishing my deadlines. So my home is always tidy and clean. I can do my laundry while working and take little breaks to vacuum or clean the windows. Even though is is a distraction is a bad way, it is also quite healthy to stand up from your desk and move around a little.

10 // Unlimited Space
I have a studio in a separate room so I don't have to work on my dinner table. But I do have enough space to expand to my living room when I have meetings or I can use a few friends to pick their brain about a project or concept I am working on. I can use my entire house when needed or limit myself to one room. Usually I shift my work into different rooms. My home office is used for serious labour: Designing, e-mailing clients. And my living room I use for writing my blog, painting, drawing and doing research.

Let's celebrate pink / 5 reasons why we all adore this color of positivity and optimism

Colors have a strong but also subconscious effect on our everyday lives. During my design studies, studying color was our most demanding and time consuming subject. As a visual artist I was taught how to influence and effect others with my use of the color spectrum.

Pink is the color of compassion, optimism and love. Pink is soft and warm and often used for feminine related subjects. With a little hint of red this is a passionate color that will give you a calm balanced energy and triggers positivity. Studies have shown that when you are surrounded by pink, negative influences have lower impact. All though nowadays society sees pink as a gender related color, a color of feminism and romance, there is a good reason to celebrate pink for all of us.

1 // I love pink personality
After blue, pink is the most beloved color of the spectrum. It works soothing and is associated with our nurturing side. Is pink your favorite color? It will probably reflect in your personality. People that prefer pink over any other color are usually a little more sensitive to the needs of others. Do you have a need to protect and take care of others? Do friends see you as warm and easy to approach? The color represents a nurturing part in us.

2 // Pink & branding
Pink logo's are usually made for feminine businesses. Such as beauty parlors and massage salons, fashion brands and glossy magazines. To attract more female clients this is the color to use for your brand. It is soft, warm and open. A good combination to attract people to your business. To add a little more professionalism and sophistication pink is usually combined with a strong gray or black. To keep it light, youthful and fresh, on younger female market, pink is usually mixed with whites and pastels that enhance the softer side of the color.



3 // The color of motherhood
It is impossible to give birth to a daughter an not receive pink gifts. But even though we see pink as a female gender color match, it is the softness, warmth and nurturing effect that drives us to make things pink. It might be why pink is mostly represented on the market even though blue is the most favored one.

4 // pink & business
Are you the girl boss just like me? Do you have people working for you or are you manager in a big firm? Studies have shown that powerful woman wearing pink are seen as more approachable, warm and calm. Most female CEO's wear strong colors and are seen as superior.

5 // Girls & boys
Of course whether it is subconsciously or because we were brought up in a world of pink, we woman all feel a little more girly when we are dressed in pink or decorate our house with a hint of pink in there. But I personally think we now are at a point in time when we all want to let go of the little girl boy box too. Woman might be a little warmer, softer and maybe have an instinct to nurture, all of that is also part of men. And no, not only gay people have a softer side there. Pink is not a color to separate from gender. Think about all the romantic gestures that are related to love and also marriage, pink is also a color of romance that brings people together. Embrace the softer side.

Fun fact: traditionally pink was a color used for boys in Belgium

Pink has been a girl-only color for a long time but there is a more conscious trend going around. We all have the need to get back to nature, eat more healthy, purify our lives, consume less. So if we talk about pink it is usually from the nurture point of view. Do consumers really want pink for there girls or are we taught to choose pink over any other color? Pink will be battling between nature and nurture. But it is good to see a blossoming gender neutral market. Even in our business we see a growing demand on gender neutral themes and colors.



But what if you don't like pink?
Usually a strong reaction on color comes from a subconscious level. Of course you can dislike a color but if you really feel like you hate the color pink it might relate to a disbalance within. Did you grow up in a safe environment where you felt nurtured and taken care of? Do you woman feel feminine?

I never necessarily liked pink much and if I see it from a psychological point of view, yes this strong reaction might have something to do with me on a more personal level. I see that designer colleagues and friends that run there own businesses all have a little thing against this crazy popular color. Is it because it is forced on us woman to relate with everything pink? Or are we out of touch with our feminine side? Or just quirky designers that take a prefer a different approach?

Nevertheless pink works for me personally but also in our Little Smilemakers design business. Our pink designs are most popular, people are crazy for pink! And working on a market for new borns is kind of awesome. Yes, that triggers our warm, motherly sides too. I wonder if you can relate to this topic. Do leave a comment if you have something to say about this topic.