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Ep. 02: From Tech to Textiles How Seamless Patterns Changed Mandy's Art Career

Art + Audience

Release Date: 06/11/2024

Ep. 19: Behind the Booth: Lessons from the Atlanta Trade Show show art Ep. 19: Behind the Booth: Lessons from the Atlanta Trade Show

Art + Audience

In this special episode, Stacie records live from the bustling Atlanta Market alongside her team members Amanda and Jessica. They share behind-the-scenes insights into preparing for a wholesale trade show, the highs and lows of the event, and what it takes to pull off a successful booth. From budgeting tips to unexpected hiccups, this episode offers a raw and informative look at the trade show experience and why it’s worth the investment for artists and entrepreneurs.   Today on Art + Audience: Trade Show 101: Stacie and Amanda explain what wholesale trade shows are, why Atlanta...

info_outline Ep. 18: I Bought a 100+ Year Old Church—Here’s the Wild Story Behind It show art Ep. 18: I Bought a 100+ Year Old Church—Here’s the Wild Story Behind It

Art + Audience

In this reflective and inspiring solo episode, Stacie invites you into her recent journey, which spans creative self-discovery, a transformative trip to Scotland, and an exciting new chapter as she reveals her second big secret. Stacie shares heartfelt lessons about slowing down, rediscovering creativity, and living an artful life—all while balancing the demands of running her art business, Gingiber.   Today on Art + Audience: A Transformative Trip to Scotland: Stacie recounts her solo journey, a rare opportunity to connect with herself and focus on her well-being. From long walks and...

info_outline Ep. 17: Why Your Art Isn’t Selling (and How to Fix It) with Brooke Glaser show art Ep. 17: Why Your Art Isn’t Selling (and How to Fix It) with Brooke Glaser

Art + Audience

In this insightful and inspiring episode, Stacie chats with illustrator Brooke Glaser. Brooke shares her journey from handmade greeting cards to becoming a professional illustrator with her work featured in major retailers like Target. She discusses how failures—like an expensive trade show with no immediate sales—became powerful lessons that propelled her career forward. This episode is packed with practical advice on refining your art, navigating uncertainty, and growing your creative business with intentionality and resilience.   Today on Art + Audience: Meet Brooke Glaser:...

info_outline Ep. 16: The Secret That’s Taking Me All the Way to Scotland show art Ep. 16: The Secret That’s Taking Me All the Way to Scotland

Art + Audience

In this solo episode, Stacie shares an exciting personal milestone—she’s writing a book! Stacie pulls back the curtain on the journey of how her upcoming book, The Artist’s Side Hustle, came to fruition, including moments of serendipity, setbacks, and sheer determination. Reflecting on her creative path, Stacie offers inspiration for artists chasing big dreams, even in the face of self-doubt.   Today on Art + Audience: A Major Announcement: Stacie reveals her secret project—The Artist’s Side Hustle, a book to help artists build their creative businesses in the margins of their...

info_outline Ep. 15: Avoid This Costly Mistake: Insights from Mable Tan’s Art Business Journey show art Ep. 15: Avoid This Costly Mistake: Insights from Mable Tan’s Art Business Journey

Art + Audience

Today, Stacie is joined by Mable Tan, a surface designer from Melbourne, Australia, who transitioned from photography to art licensing. Mable candidly shares her journey through major career pivots, the impact of closing her successful Etsy shop, and the painful yet invaluable lessons she learned about managing finances as an artist. Their discussion dives into overcoming tax-related missteps, vetting accountants, and the critical need for structure in a growing art business. This episode serves as an empowering reminder for artists to take themselves seriously and build strong business...

info_outline Ep. 14: The Joy in Art: How Shelly Kim Turned Burnout into Opportunity show art Ep. 14: The Joy in Art: How Shelly Kim Turned Burnout into Opportunity

Art + Audience

In this episode, Stacie welcomes the vibrantly passionate Shelly Kim, the artist behind Letters by Shells. Shelly shares her incredible journey from discovering art as a stress-relief hobby to building a thriving business that has embraced a multitude of creative outlets, including lettering, digital art, and DIY projects. Discover how Shelly navigated periods of burnout, found joy in artistic exploration, and learned the invaluable lesson of outsourcing to sustain her passion.   Today on Art + Audience: Shelly’s Art Origin Story: How art transformed from a simple hobby into a...

info_outline Ep. 13: Black Friday Game Plan: Tips to Boost Your Holiday Sales show art Ep. 13: Black Friday Game Plan: Tips to Boost Your Holiday Sales

Art + Audience

Black Friday is just around the corner! In this solo episode, Stacie takes us behind the scenes of her journey through Black Friday successes—and some not-so-successful moments. Sharing candid stories about her early days selling on Etsy, Stacie highlights the lessons she learned from a disappointing Black Friday and offers actionable advice for entrepreneurs preparing for the holiday shopping season. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or just getting started, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you strategize, promote, and maximize your Black Friday sales.   Today on Art...

info_outline Ep. 12: The Tillage Village Talk: Harnessing the Power of Positive Procrastination show art Ep. 12: The Tillage Village Talk: Harnessing the Power of Positive Procrastination

Art + Audience

In this special episode, Stacie joins Shirlee Fisher for a presentation within The Tillage Village Membership. In her talk, Stacie delves deep into the intricacies of procrastination, exploring how to turn it from a foe into a powerful ally. She shares her personal journey with procrastination, distinguishing between negative and positive procrastination, and emphasizes the transformative potential of structured delay. Through candid stories and practical advice, Stacie provides listeners with strategies to embrace procrastination intentionally, boosting productivity and creativity in the...

info_outline Ep. 11: Finding Your Creative Voice with Genna Blackburn: Building a Cohesive Brand and Audience show art Ep. 11: Finding Your Creative Voice with Genna Blackburn: Building a Cohesive Brand and Audience

Art + Audience

Today, Stacie is joined by her good friend and illustrator, Genna Blackburn, for an insightful conversation about finding your signature style and growing a loyal audience. Genna shares her journey from graphic design to surface design, how she overcame creative blocks, and the challenges she faced while transitioning into art licensing. They discuss the importance of developing a cohesive Instagram feed, building an email list, and consistently showing up for your audience. Genna's story serves as an inspiring roadmap for artists looking to balance creativity with audience growth.  ...

info_outline Ep. 10: Finding Clarity: Sandra Mejia on Narrowing Your Creative Focus show art Ep. 10: Finding Clarity: Sandra Mejia on Narrowing Your Creative Focus

Art + Audience

Today, Stacie sits down with Sandra Mejia, a Colombian-born, Canadian-based illustrator and pattern designer. Sandra shares her incredible journey of leaving a corporate career, pursuing her creative passions, and learning important lessons along the way. They discuss the challenges artists face when starting a business, the importance of focusing on one thing before expanding, and how artists can regain focus after trying to do too much. Sandra’s story is a testament to the power of taking risks, listening to your body, and building a sustainable business without burning out. Today on Art...

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Today on Art + Audience, Stacie is joined by the talented Mandy Corcoran from Amanda Grace Design. Mandy shares her incredible journey of building a thriving art licensing and online education business while homeschooling her three children. Despite starting her career in her forties, Mandy has achieved remarkable success by staying true to her passion for surface pattern design. Her story is a testament to the power of persistence, authenticity, and the willingness to embrace constructive criticism.

 

Today on Art + Audience:

  • Introduction to Mandy Corcoran: Mandy introduces herself and her business, Amanda Grace Design, highlighting her work in art licensing and online education.

  • Unique Background: Mandy's background in tech and education, including being the first female Cisco Networking Academy instructor on the East Coast, and her transition to art and design.

  • Starting a New Career: Mandy discusses starting her art career in her forties while managing a busy household and homeschooling her children.

  • Embracing Challenges: The importance of finding time for creativity amidst daily responsibilities and how drawing on her iPad at night helped her build her brand.

  • Finding Focus: The pivotal moment when a portfolio review revealed the need to focus on what truly brought her joy—creating seamless patterns.

  • Overcoming Obstacles: Mandy's experience with receiving harsh but constructive feedback and how it redirected her towards her true passion, leading to significant career growth.

  • Advice for Creatives: Encouraging listeners to prioritize what they love creating, avoid comparing themselves to others, and embrace their unique paths.

  • Quality Over Quantity: The significance of focusing on the quality of art rather than chasing vanity metrics like social media followers.

  • Investing in Growth: The value of seeking honest critiques and investing in professional feedback to improve and grow.

 

Connect with Mandy Corcoran:

 

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