How I Started My Art Business | Making Stickers, Prepping for Launch & Tips to Get Started

[@fructusillustrations]

Heyyy! Thank you so much for watching! I appreciate all the support I'm getting here! Many of you have questions about how I make stickers or how I get my printer to work and so a video on that is live on my channel!!

[@ArtingFromScratch]

Where do u get enamel pins made

[@Calliezacc]

You’re inspiring and proving to other artists it is possible 🪷✨❤️

[@adakoz-xb3gz]

hi

[@firebutterfly]

One of the most well put together, "how I started', videos that I've seen. Congratulations on your shop.

[@fructusillustrations]

Aw thank you! Youre so sweet! This video was living in my head for a long time so I'm very glad you enjoyed it!! 🥰

[@777VIBRANT]

It really is ❤

[@3rayallen]

@@fructusillustrations You're biggest mistake was made at the first step; deciding what product to sell. Instead of going based off your passion (American women sigh) or interest, you were supposed to do market research and determine a profitable niche and then go from there. The cute sticker market is way way over-saturated and you can't beat the better and cuter designs of larger companies who have a team of artists, much more talented than you. You already messed up from step 1. That's why you don't just blindly follow your passions. Typical American girl foolishness.

[@zenpaistudios]

My problem is finding people who actually want to support me and like my Art 😭😭

[@ND-OPS]

How is your buisness now? 😅

[@जीMAN]

​@@ND-OPSidt if they really started or smth😂

[@naps_]

Same 😢

[@Highjinx1]

Only have 300 subs but I still want to sell puppets and ideas stickers things like that

[@esraalfandari5321]

I also went from being an engineer for 20 years to a ceramicist. I have absolutely loved/love both my careers :)

[@fructusillustrations]

Wow, that's awesome! So happy to hear that 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@DiaryOfADoodlebug]

As a 26 year old also going through this, I absolutely loved your video and how you broke everything down. Thank you so much, congratulations on your first year! and best of luck for the future! Your determination and productivity is an inspiration! :)

[@fructusillustrations]

Omg! I'm 26 too! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed my video!

[@HunTreesu]

I've just started to get everything together to start my own small business as a 16 year old and i haven't found a video as short, simple and well explained as this. Thank you for making this video!

[@k3lr0ko]

have you started yet? :) I'm almost 16 and I wanna start too. I would love to know how and where to find your business!

[@HunTreesu]

@@k3lr0ko ahh hello!! Yes I have actually I’ve been using etsy! It hasn’t been super successful haha but I hope it gets there one day, I gotta add some more design to it now aswell because I’ve only got three up on it, the name is 0ffTheFritz with a zero

[@invalid1012]

It's so hard to find people who likes your art given the algorithm these days 😭

[@lynnicecarter1210]

This video actually gave me hope that I can start my own business. I’ve watched so many videos and yours made sense and I didn’t feel overwhelmed. Now my issue is finding out what I want to do. I’m a crafter but too much to choose from🤦🏽‍♀️🤣

[@fructusillustrations]

I'm so happy to help and I'm sending you all the best wishes!!! Just try what you like the best and keep experimenting! You never know what will do well😊

[@Mothscrytoo]

i love artist like you, the ones who put in a lot of effort but then go a step further to help new artist. thank you :3

[@soiartstudio]

Starting an online shop has been so daunting for me, but you have explained it so eloquently that I now have the confidence to do it. THANK YOU!

[@fructusillustrations]

You can do it! Go for it and believe! Rooting for you 🐻❤

[@evaziegler4444]

i just stumbled on this video after doing research for my own business and i just wanted to say thank you! your organization is top-tier and so helpful to find the products and devices you use 🙌

[@fructusillustrations]

I'm glad you found it useful! It's always nice to connect with other creatives 🎨

[@rabbithatz]

It's also important to check on your local, county, state, and country laws plus any license and tax requirements! In NC I called the edpnc hotline and they were super helpful! I only needed an assumed named form filed with the county, a zoning permit thing for the city, and my sales tax stuff for the state for the most part.

[@goblinwisdom]

My own advice is keep it simple in your head. Design it, make it, sell it. do social media posts about your Design stage, making stage and about your upcoming releases. Also look up basic book keeping so you can understand what you need for the business records and taxes

[@poocky100]

Thank you for being upfront and honest about your prices and thanks for reminding me to not under charge

[@chauphammatser3011]

Your journey was so helpful for me to see, thank you for sharing. I’m a late bloomer creating my own art career too, and I want to thank you for being a brave and generous artist.

[@733-y1c]

Been watching videos about this topic all day and thus far yours was one of the most concise, thank you!

[@brittanyobarr]

Loved the video Fructus! Starting your own art business is such a journey and you’ve done such an amazing job!🎉

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and for such a sweet comment!🫶

[@bwanstudio]

This is super insightful and thank you so much for sharing your process and tips! I'm so inspired by how far you've come in just 1 year. I need to work harder! 😭

[@fructusillustrations]

Aww thank you Billy for watching! You're doing great too! 😊❤️

[@GothicPhantomZero]

Thank you so much for making this! I have been wanting to make stickers for years now, but never could afford to start. This is nice to see the price it's going to take to start. Maybe one day I can afford to make some.

[@kadengrossman6665]

This was super helpful, because i have no idea what i'm doing right now, starting out my store.

[@alexgwynn]

Thank you for this. It was so straightforward and to the point!! I wanna start my art business this year and I’ve been putting it off since 2021 mainly because I can’t decide what type of product to offer! I think I’ve finally have some sort of idea and this video was super motivating and inspiring!

[@ricamndza]

I have already started sticker business twice but it failed because I wasn't so good at planning so I loose interest in it. Now I want to open again and I'm still on my researching stages. I don't think I will be able to open my shop this year but I hope I can sooner. This video will be my guide, thank you so much for this. ❤

[@emma_lj]

Those stickers are SO vibrant! Would love to learn more about how you got those print settings right in the end. As a digital designer in RGB, its always disheartening when trying to design in CMYK for print

[@fructusillustrations]

On the same page when it comes to RBG vs CMYK! I made a video on my process for making stickers and in it I go over my printer settings. Maybe it can help you out! 😊

[@xinnoondaily]

I Love this! We did something similar where we live out. This video actually gave us inspiration and hope that we can still become successful, thanks so much for this video.

[@Jiminsboost]

Thank you so much for this video because I have been thinking of starting my own art business but i didn’t know where to start but this video definitely gave me some clarity.

[@irislafontaine]

You seem like one very smart cookie, kudos to all your research and note-taking, and then your generosity to _share_ what you learned on top of that! Very sweet video!

[@fructusillustrations]

Aww you're so sweet! thank you ♥

[@nonexistenty4152]

Thank you so much for this video. I plan on opening my own art business and this detailed and very well-explained video helped so much. I am very grateful! 😊😃

[@ZBR_ProXP]

Thank you so much for sharing, Jen!

[@MartaTaylor]

Hi!!! It's so nice to see how open and transparent you are about everything 🥰🥰 I've just left my job last month to be a full time artist (I'm a childrens book illustrator). I haven't thought of creating stickers but it might be something to do down the road. 😄 It's super nice to meet you, your art is super cute too!!!

[@fructusillustrations]

Heyyy!! Thank you so much for watching and its so nice to meet you too! Best of luck to you as you begin this new exciting chapter of your life! When I left my job about a 1.5 years ago, I felt free and started to feel so much happier so I hope its everything you hoped for! ❤️😊

[@BaileytheIllustrator]

This is so motivational to watch! I'm thinking of relaunching my shop, but I've been struggling to find the time lol

[@fructusillustrations]

Go for it! I'm rooting for you and can help with answering any questions as best as I can!

[@saml6064]

very helpful for people like me who want to start a small art business. thank you so much

[@colorful.life.artist.coach933]

Thanks for sharing ❤❤❤❤ I have your book and I love it

[@kalliopilyviaki]

Lovely video, thank you so much for sharing your experience ✨ beautiful art ✨

[@robbinb6659]

Thank you for simplifing the process and not making this difficult to understand :)

[@Yami_L5554]

THANK YOU!But... what kind of paper did you use in your packaging? how expensive was it? Can a bouquet of paper & envelope produce its own design?

[@JadeaYuki12]

I’m 28 now and still struggle with this, I have no stability home wise and where I live despite working so hard getting an apartment is so hard. I love art, but it’s been really hard since my mom died, I wanted to go to college for it and lost the reason and passion for it (my mom kept every single piece I’ve ever made for her and then some) I loved seeing the smile on her face and others when I gave them a random sketch. When she died a part of me did too. Now I’m here working two jobs and in classes for a job title I want for that ‘stability’ I really want a job with less stress and agony. I would love to open a shop but I feel like now isn’t a good time there’s a part of me that says if your patient and play your cards right you’ll be fine. Seeing you gives me hope one day I can finally not only be at peace but do what I want as well ☺️✨

[@mmeyer_rnm]

Hi, I'm 26 and recently I lost my mom too. She had coronavirus and died a month later. It was really agony because my year was like that: I woke up, cry, go to work, go to home, cry, sleep, repeat. Time does not heal. U just are learning living with this. And yes, the good times will be. I believe u can do everything! The best thing what u have it is you. I understood that our life is really short and your age is only a number. You are doing great. Remember to take care please

[@thienthanhong5106]

Thank you for sharing! Hope you can keep up with your good work.

[@artbypaxsona]

So helpful, thank you 💜 Do you have a video about how you figured out how to get the colors to print correctly?

[@Elahhh]

Ahhh this helped so much thank you someone recommended a $1k printer from canon and for a starter that’s far over budget

[@doc_sav]

I feel like this will be very helpful. Thanks for taking the time and effort to make it.

[@fructusillustrations]

You're very welcome!♥🐻

[@Vannidraws]

The most well made “How I Started” videos I’ve ever seen and your stickers are so cute!!!!

[@fructusillustrations]

Yay! Thank you!

[@Gothgutss]

Im a sophomore in highschool, worried what I want to do after school and a design school, but what I do know is that i have a big passion in art, I want to sell my art and create products as well, no video broke the process down better! I want to create my own online platform, art shop, with a job on the side.

[@SkyeSoleil]

I appreciate you mentioning the printer struggles. I bought an eco tank and have not been able to get it to print close to the true colors. I’ll keep trying though 👍

[@criptofacil9820]

I greatly thank you for sharing your experience I want to start my own handmade products business and your video has been so much guidance

[@soccerwannabe123]

Thanks so much for your help! You answered a lot of questions I was wondering about. I enjoyed the videos but noticed that you reused the same clips multiple times. I think it would make the video more interesting to change the shots or even do more shots of you speaking directly to the camera, to change it up. Thanks again!

[@jessicakiser3419]

Thank you so much!! Your amazing !

[@QiB3auty]

Do you have a video on how you got your printer settings to be better in color and to print better.

[@_Short.Butch_]

This is incredibly detailed (for me) since my bffs and I wanted to start a small business and don't know where to start. Thanks for sharing what your choices are, what you chose, and what you learned and can improve on.

[@simply_lois]

Hey, I was doing some research of mine own and I stubbled on your video which I want to say thank you so much for explain in small but understanding details because I do get overwhelmed. You help me in so many ways because this is something I am wanting to do and I want to say thank you so much. You are amazing!

[@fructusillustrations]

Great to hear! 🐻♥ Hope everything works out wonderfully for you! 😊

[@CuriousKarli]

Thank you for all the details! This was very helpful!

[@fructusillustrations]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@SimieIriarte]

Came here to learn how to sell stickers cuz I’m just about ready to launch, but this video is a VIBE. the editing, the shot angles, the music, the home office, the journal, the products!! 🫠 so good. I’m a little shy to bring this up but I also have a KZbin channel and I’ve been looking to reach out to someone with similar style and aspirations. Would love to link up! Congrats on your shop ✨

[@jaydon4574]

Thank you for sharing this. It is incredibly helpful for giving me an outline to go about starting a business.

[@kenny995]

This video was so helpful, thank you! My friends and family have been telling me to sell my art for awhile now, but it felt so daunting and I didn't know where to start. You laid it out so well, I'm excited to try to sell my art.

[@fructusillustrations]

It is very scary in the beginning when you have no idea what to do and you have so many questions. So i'm very happy to hear that my video and my experience is helping you feel confident to start selling your art! 😊♥

[@ohno144]

Absolutely love these videos.

[@ronnette5656]

im not an artist but i just found your channel and i like seeing your progress! all the best

[@Lashuanprettyboy3000]

Thank you for the share!!!. Your work is amazing.

[@newbietubie]

This was great! Thank you for creating and sharing!

[@joannepowers82]

Great video

[@maribelgonzalez4830]

Thank you for sharing this video, it inspired me and bring me confirmation. I am on the process to open my shop and have some many questions. But I have the correct answer watching your video. Thanks again. Bless day.😊

[@somaswooshi]

OMG congratulations on making your first video! 🥰 I'm so glad you got the courage to make it and the content in this video is so informative! I'll be watching you and cheering you on too 😁

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you so much! Definitely took a good amount of courage to make this first video! Thank you for watching and for being so supportive!!❤️❤️❤️

[@KatieRussell-rw4fp]

I've watched so many sticker shop videos, this has been the most to the point and informative. Thank you, earned a subscription.

[@tinkerandteal]

I have followed you on instagram for a while and I love your stuff! I am so inspired by you! Thank you for sharing and being an inspiration!

[@coastalcoyote]

There are so many things I want to make and sell! Stickers, prints, pins, jewelry, candles, fabrics. It's so bad. But I've finally decided to start with stickers.

[@fructusillustrations]

the possibilities are endless! Glad to hear youre getting started!

[@justgloriao617]

The stickers are soo cute

[@luisa_mitzuki2004]

this is amazing thank you so much for the information, honestly I would love a video about how taxes in a small business work because that's the part im more worried about because it looks so scary, and its one of the things that have been keeping me from opening a shop. I hope you can explain some stuff like that if you make a video about it, thank youuu❤❤

[@wheystedyouth5689]

Amazing video! This answered all the questions I had. Thank you

[@kristinet.3596]

I hope you make a video making the stickers. I bought a Cricut Explore Air 2 and I never got my stickers cut perfectly - despite numerous calibration. I followed some of the vids in KZbin and my Cricut won't cooperate still. I still get those extra grey lines...so now resorting to hand cutting the machine cut stickers.

[@fructusillustrations]

Yeah! I made a video going through my sticker making process and its live on my channel! I would suggest updating the firmware for you cricut. That usually does the trick for me when calibrating doesn't.

[@HippieHooray]

This was very nice to see! ❤

[@fructusillustrations]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@yashvibulani7495]

I totally do not have the budget to do any of this, nor is Instagram letting ky followers or ppl on ig see my id for some reason, so maybe i can't do this but it is so interesting to watch you own something so creative. All luck to u.

[@fructusillustrations]

IG has been kinda weird for me too lately! its frustrating so that's why I don't give it all my attention but I hope that whatever your goals or dreams are that one day you are able to achieve them! Thank you so much for your encouragement🐻❤!

[@TheHaHaEnigma]

Thanks for sharing your process 🙏🏽

[@liseychim9452]

Oh my gosh this was the exactly the information type of video I was looking for!! 😭✨ Thank you thank you thank you for being so specific and adding all of the details/prices and your thought process

[@fructusillustrations]

Wishing you the best of luck with your journey!! 😊❤

[@kimtaitano2409]

I loved this video. thank you for sharing your process. you art is darling!!

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you so much! 🫶🏻

[@enchanting_elizabeth]

Such a great video! Thank you for sharing

[@horsdubleu0]

Love the video! I really want to make art business too but im still beginner so im still learning 😊

[@fructusillustrations]

thank you so much for watching! we all start somewhere and I'm rooting for you! ❤️

[@Jay-ql4gp]

Thank you!

[@Yosoysono]

Very lovely packaging, thank you for sharing your tips!

[@myg.nation]

can u make a video on how to use notion or how u use it, it would help me alot

[@friesfairy]

i’m on a mission to open my own shop and you are the only human who told the prices for everything, even though i’m in poland and everything is a bit different it was really helpful🥹💕thank you

[@fructusillustrations]

Wishing you the best on reaching your dreams and goals! I am rooting for you! ❤️

[@driftwooddigitals2719]

Great video. I am also struggling to get the best out of my printer (eco tank 8550). Atm I’m transferring the images to gimp and then tinkering with the saturation. But I suspect this would not be necessary if I understood my printer better 😂. Any tips (or perhaps a video on how you print your art?) would be great if you have the time. Looking forward to future videos. Thank you

[@fructusillustrations]

Yes! How I Make Stickers video is live on my channel now! It should answer your questions!😊

[@Foxuniverso]

i love this, when i saw the website i felt satisfaction! lol idk what it is about seeing a cohesive and aesthetic brand just being made that i enjoy so much. Btw, i do think that a less saturated red suits your web page a bit better, and rounded corners on the images too.

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you so much! I plan to update my website very soon so I really appreciate the feedback and will definitely keep you comments in mind 😊

[@Trippy_Space_Bunny]

Would love a video on how you set up and use your Notion.

[@fructusillustrations]

Coming soon!

[@Trippy_Space_Bunny]

@@fructusillustrations Woot! Look forward to it.

[@Andrea-mn8vh]

Thank you so much for this

[@petrag.4092]

Thank you for sharing! ❤🙏👍

[@TheComfyBagel]

Thanks for posting this is helpful!

[@carlosmal07]

Thank you so much! Very informative and helpful! I appreciate you!

[@designsbyaich]

such an informative and good video!! thank you and all the best with growing your business

[@fructusillustrations]

Thanks so much for watching! I truly appreciate your kind words!

[@queenperri]

As someone whose been considering starting an online shop this was very insightful and I super appreciate you going into detail; especially on about how much it took for you to start your business. I was wondering how you went about growing your online audience? I’ve tried to grow my audience myself but social media (mainly Instagram) is so stressful that I can never be consistent and to be frank, do you think there is any way for an online business to thrive without the use of social media (Instagram especially) or will a lack of an online audience mean nothing in the grand scheme of things? I don’t want to use insta or TikTok, it stresses me beyond belief but it’s starting to feel like it’s the only way to get any sort of audience, I don’t know. Sorry for the rambles. For real though, awesome vid and can’t wait to see what you post next, I will be setting a little something aside from my next paycheck to buy from you shop cause your designs are just too cute! Have a good day/night!

[@fructusillustrations]

Firstly, thank you so much for watching and thank you for leaving a nice comment! And now to your question :) So, I first starting growing an online audience through IG. I posted consistently there (5 times a week) for a year. And this year, I have put more effort into posting more consistently on TikTok and here on YT. I know social media is stressful and its not for everyone. It honestly was stressful for me too in the beginning. But I do believe its a better option, at least for me and my circumstances. Let me explain. When you have an online business/shop, you need a way for people to discover it. Using social media is “free” in the sense that you don’t have to pay to use it and get people to discover you and what you do. Alternatively, if you don’t want to use social media, I would imagine you would have to run ads or sell on online marketplaces (like Etsy, Redbubble, Society6, etc.) to get people to find you. I can’t say that one way or the other will yield better success but I can speak on my experience and in my experience social media is working for me but it hasn’t always been the easiest. At the start, I was super scared about what people would say or think. I had days where the imposter syndrome really crept in but I knew what I wanted as an end goal and just keep pushing through. As time went by and I just kept showing up for me, I slowly started building up confidence in myself and my work. There is no one size fits all when it comes to having a successful online shop but I hope that you find the right ingredients for your recipe for success!

[@woodromeillustrations]

Great video, thank you for sharing.

[@_the_little_mermaid_]

I noticed we have the same Epson printer, can you PLEASE share a video of the printing settings you use so the color palette looks close as possible to your original digital art when printing? I’ve been struggling to get it right ❤❤❤ Edit: also, can I ask you what squarespace website design are you using? It looks really good!

[@fructusillustrations]

Yes! How I Make Stickers video is live on my channel now! It should answer your questions! 😊 As for squarespace, I cant figure out which template I started with since I've changed it a few times now. In the future, I may make a video on how I made my pages!

[@_the_little_mermaid_]

@@fructusillustrations ok, I’ll check it out! Thanks. And yeees, please do a video on your website templates! 🥰 btw what’s your actual template that appears in the video?

[@waly82]

Thank you for sharing your journey and giving us awesome tips. I am in Stage 1. I will take into consideration all your tips❤

[@28cArI11]

Hello!! I loved this video and it really helped me. I am also starting my small bussiness since two months ago, so I am still very lost haha. I have the same printer and I also struggle with the outcome of my stickers, the colors are stil not quite how I would like them to be. You mentioned you also struggled with that. Could you make a video or share about essential things to know about this printer or how to make printed colors look exactly how they look in screen? I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much for sharing your journey!!

[@fructusillustrations]

Totally understand the struggle! I made a video going through my sticker making process and in it I walk you through how I set my printer settings! I hope it helps!

[@rachelcqart]

congrats ❤your work is so cute

[@jonojrr1]

youre my inspiration !! great video

[@marykardys]

This was very helpful!!! Thank you for posting. Excited to follow your journey

[@fructusillustrations]

Glad it was helpful and am excited to share more!

[@kslade3320]

So good! I’d be into seeing your Notion setup = it seems like a great tool, but the steep learning curve keeps me from jumping in.

[@fructusillustrations]

Yes! I actually just posted my notion setup today! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4Cwkp97mN1mack

[@Aerith9292]

Great video, thanks! I'd like to see your Notion setup per your small business

[@fructusillustrations]

Thanks! Yes! I have plans to make a whole vid about that! 😊

[@dapnoyqpid]

Thanks for such an amazing and informative video! I have my printer and cricut in unopened boxes for weeks now. 😅 Your video just now motivated to open them up and get started! 🎉

[@fructusillustrations]

Yayy! So glad to be able to give you that little push to get started! I just posted a new video about how I make stickers and I go over some basics of using cricut! Might be useful for you too!! Thanks for watching!! 😊

[@SebConte202]

This was extremely helpful! Thanks for walking us through the process and best of luck on your business!

[@GodsLovableChild]

You are a charm! Love your videos very clear to understand and love your style. New subscriber :)

[@fructusillustrations]

Oh thank you!

[@OnlyDoniaUKnow]

Are you able to share more about how you used Notion to manage everything?

[@fructusillustrations]

I actually already have a video going through how I stay organized and manage everything with Notion (kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4Cwkp97mN1mack) 🐻♥

[@haileywasheree]

This was so easy to follow, very informative!