Ep. 14: The Joy in Art: How Shelly Kim Turned Burnout into Opportunity
Release Date: 11/12/2024
Art + Audience
In this solo episode, Stacie opens up about a hard truth many creative entrepreneurs face but few talk about: what to do when your art business hits a plateau. Sharing a vulnerable and candid story about a product launch that flopped, Stacie reframes business stagnation not as a failure, but as a signal for evolution. With practical steps and heartfelt encouragement, she walks you through how to diagnose the root of business slowdowns, how to reignite momentum, and why a plateau might just be the push you need to evolve into your next chapter. Today on Art + Audience: Facing the Quiet...
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In this dynamic season two opener, Stacie is joined by her sister, business partner, and fellow creative force, Angie Classen, to talk about all things business at Gingiber. The duo dives into what’s actually working in today’s economy for product-based art businesses. Sharing the strategic pivots they made during their Mother’s Day sale, Angie and Stacie reveal how they grew sales and profits—despite fewer transactions and a tricky retail climate. From discount fatigue to smarter ad spend, and why knowing your numbers might be the most creative move of all, this is a must-listen...
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In this special season finale, Stacie sits down with someone very close to her heart—her sister, Angie Classen. Many people know Stacie as the face of Gingiber and Learn with Stacie Bloomfield, but behind the scenes, Angie is an essential part of the team. Together, they share the journey of working as sisters, growing a thriving art business, and the lessons they've learned about trust, resilience, and navigating the challenges of running a company with family. This heartfelt conversation is filled with wisdom for creatives looking to build sustainable businesses—especially those who may...
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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...
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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...
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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:...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineIn 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:
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Shelly’s Art Origin Story: How art transformed from a simple hobby into a full-fledged career. Initially, Shelly began lettering to unwind from work stress and found joy in creating without constraints.
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The Evolution of Craft: Shelly explains how experimenting with various art mediums, from watercolors to digital iPad drawings, helped rejuvenate her love for creativity, especially during the pandemic.
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Authenticity Over Niche: Insights into why Shelly chose not to confine herself to a single artistic niche, allowing her work to evolve organically and leading to unexpected opportunities like press-on nail collaborations and partnerships with major brands like Michaels.
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Outsourcing and Support: Shelly candidly shares the turning point when she realized the necessity of asking for help to prevent burnout. She highlights her initial struggle with accomplishing tasks and how hiring a video editor and virtual assistant has positively impacted her workload and creativity.
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Lessons from Mistakes: The importance of not overloading oneself and learning to delegate effectively—crucial takeaways for any creative entrepreneur.
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Advice for Artists: Shelly’s encouragement for artists to celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, and to stay connected to the joy that sparked their creative journey.
Connect with Shelly Kim:
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Instagram: @lettersbyshells
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Website: lettersbyshells.com
Connect with Stacie Bloomfield:
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Subscribe, Rate and Review: Art + Audience Podcast
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Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com
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Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart
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Facebook: @ShopGingiber
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Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber
- Join the Creative Powerhouse Society and build a profitable art business with Stacie Bloomfield, visit leverageyourart.com/membership or email [email protected]