pov: a 23 y/o business owner ✿ designing a new collection & making my first plushie! #studiovlog

Summary

In this engaging vlog, artist and small business owner Tammy shares her journey to relaunch her art shop with a new business model. Transitioning from made-to-order to made-to-stock, she plans a limited drop of pre-made items and incorporates outsourced manufactured goods she designs, like plushies and lamps. Tammy uses Milanote for project organization, showcasing her creative process, from sketching new characters to sculpting and pottery. She candidly discusses the challenges of self-employment, emphasizing self-care and the importance of process over perfection. The vlog offers a behind-the-scenes look at her work-life balance, manufacturing inquiries, and陶designs, ending with her first plushy sample order and a peek at her Notability sticker pack project.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Tammy is an artist who runs a small art shop that was closed for a few months but is now preparing to reopen.
• 🛍️ She is changing her business model from made-to-order to made-to-stock, with a limited drop of pre-made items ready to ship.
• 🔄 Tammy plans to include more outsourced manufactured items that she designs, such as plushies, lamps, and stationery, alongside her handmade crafts.
• 📋 She uses Milanote to organize her shop launch, which helps her visually plan and track her tasks and ideas.
• 🎨 Tammy is working on new character designs for her upcoming launch, including a bunny cake and a peach Maxine sculpture.
• 🍑 The peach Maxine sculpture is made from translucent clay to give it a jelly and glass-like appearance, which is a new technique for her.
• 🥚 Tammy emphasizes the importance of self-care for self-employed individuals, like taking breaks and eating well to avoid burnout.
• 💻 She is also exploring Alibaba for manufacturing plushies and other items, which is a new and challenging step in her business expansion.
• 🛠️ Tammy discusses the sampling process with manufacturers, which involves multiple rounds of feedback and adjustments, and can be costly.
• 🍲 She mentions the importance of taking care of oneself while working from home and the benefits of self-employment, such as getting more sleep and listening to her body's needs.
• 🖌️ Tammy is working on a pottery collection and a sticker pack for Notability, showing her versatility as an artist and her involvement in various creative projects.

Q & A

What is the name of the channel owner and what does she do?

The name of the channel owner is Tammy, and she is an artist who runs a small Art Shop.

Why has Tammy's Art Shop been closed for a couple of months?

Tammy's Art Shop has been closed because she has been taking a break, but she is now ready to open it again.

What major changes is Tammy planning to implement in her business model?

Tammy is changing her business model from made-to-order to made-to-stock and she plans to include more outsourced manufactured items that she designs.

What is the tool Tammy is using to organize her May shop launch?

Tammy is using Milanote to organize her May shop launch.

What is the purpose of the mood board in the center of Tammy's Milanote board?

The mood board in the center represents the vibe Tammy wants for her shop launch, aiming for a summery, fresh Farmers Market feel.

What is the significance of the 2024 vision board for Tammy?

The 2024 vision board helps Tammy stay grounded and reminds her of the goals she set for herself for the year.

What is the first task Tammy focuses on for creating her new products?

The first task Tammy focuses on is making rough sketches of her new characters to determine what she wants to release next month.

What materials does Tammy plan to use for her peach Maxine and strawberry cake sculptures?

Tammy plans to use translucent clay for the peach Maxine and strawberry cake sculptures and shade them with chalk pastels.

What is the process like for Tammy when working with manufacturers on Alibaba?

The process involves submitting a design, waiting for a sample to be made and shipped, which costs around $100 per sample. If changes are needed, additional samples and costs are incurred.

What is Tammy's experience with ceramics compared to polymer clay?

Ceramics is a different game from polymer clay because with polymer clay, Tammy knows exactly what it will look like before baking, whereas ceramics involve a longer process and more uncertainty.

What is the issue Tammy found with the ceramics she picked up?

Tammy found glazing issues on the rim of some of her ceramics, which could affect their food safety.

What is the task Tammy is doing for Notability as their Ambassador?

Tammy is designing a sticker pack for Notability for the back-to-school season, including academic and lifestyle stickers.

How does Tammy feel about her self-employment and its impact on her life?

Tammy feels that self-employment has taught her to love herself more, allowing her to get more sleep, exercise, and listen to her body to avoid burnout.