Must-Have Tools and Equipment for Artists Running a Small Business

[@BraveAbandon]

Idk if anyones mentioned this already but if you value your files and want them for the rest of your life, or at least the next 10-20 years, you need MINIMUM 2 external hardrives. They can be extremely fragile and can corrupt your files with one small 6 inch drop. Do not put all your eggs in one place. This includes do not keep all your hardrives at your home. A single fire can wipe out an artists entire history of creation. And with fires comes fireman flooding putting it out. 1 external hard drive is decent. 2 external hard drives is solidly good. 3 external hard drives, with the 3rd one being kept at a loved ones house, like a parents or maybe even a rented storage space, is fantastic!

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you for letting us know! It's super important to create back up of the back up and I will definitely take care of that :)

[@phoenix7415]

get a solid state drive instead of a hard drive, they are less prone to failure because they have no moving parts :)

[@createdtobelovedart]

That was very helpful thank you! It confirmed a lot of the research I’ve been doing. Praying that I can make enough money to afford all of that one day🙏🏽 God bless you!

[@fructusillustrations]

Best of luck! 🐻❤

[@nikki3788]

Can you do a video on how to take product photos. Also, how do you decide pricing, how do you deal with returns, charge backs or negative reviews, how do you advertise? Your videos are super informative, thanks for sharing your process!

[@dilanluquez]

I would like to know more about this too!

[@mmveelee]

I love how organized and straight-to-the-point this video is! thank you for sharing!

[@IchigoSpaz]

I love this. I already have some of these things and am exploring the idea of making and selling my own art to help with living expenses. It is good to know that I'm fairly well set up to start...now, to get the creative juices flowing!

[@amandastrickland3181]

Hey. For the Sony A600, you can get a "dummy" battery that connects to a plug. I got one for mine. It's what streamers use to stream with their cameras. It's just like plugging your phone in, if you prefer the camera quality.

[@JoiskiMe]

These things all together are devastatingly expensive!! 💀💀💀💀

[@fructusillustrations]

Yes, all together for sure but you don't need everything to get started :)

[@rltreasure]

By comparison, she has come up with several brilliant and affordable working solutions.. It’s all about experience and perspective. Her equipment is spot on!

[@jordanwoodstock902]

I love tech videos, I loved all the suggestions! I recommend people to get SSD instead of hard disk drive though as SSD do not have moving parts are less likely to break over time if you have important data. also Jealous of your m1 mac im still rocking my intel. Your desk also looks like it has a whiteboard type texture double check with manufacturers but some desks you can even take notes on your desk and then wipe them off with a dry marker. Appreciate how are your biggest purchases leaned into your career MacBook monitor iPad printer. Great content! Thanks for posting

[@eelissuh_]

I was wrestling with getting rid of my iMac to change for a macbook pro just because of the ability to move with it, so I was looking at people’s setups, and I love the monitor idea! Definitely confirmed that I am doing the right thing! Thank you for showing us this, your setup is gorgeous too! 💚

[@tana22988]

I have always wanted to start my own business in selling stickers, pens, etc. hopefully i can follow these and it be useful!

[@XxDino_e]

this might be one of the few vids for small business i can understand and know what to get if i can afford it etc

[@mimig613]

Binging on your videos right now, your voice is so easy to listen to. 💻

[@chris_kazuki]

First of all great video. If u wanna give the Sony a6000 another try, i would recommend to just pickup a phantom battery, its basically a batteryshell connected to a cable so u can just run the the camera of the wall. That way it can run as long as you want to without any issues.

[@Judy0404]

For all the video I looking for a way to make sticker , so far I find your video is most helpful and calming and easy to understand thank you so much❤

[@patrickpaul8432]

My largest struggle has been getting my squarespace up & running, this is a great video! thanks to this video I'm thinking of investing in a cricut for my stickers

[@fructusillustrations]

Totally understand! I too struggled in the beginning with getting squarespace up and running. What helped me was looking at other websites and seeing what they used and thought was important to include on mine. Wishing the best! 😊❤

[@lover3781]

Thank you for loving your audience so much that you explain everything to them.💜

[@fructusillustrations]

Omg, of course! I love sharing for you all and I am very happy to be helpful!🐻♥

[@jmydn2]

thank you for being creative 🦾

[@fohx]

Thank you for this video - It's very generous of you to go through your workflow in such detail xx

[@fructusillustrations]

You are so welcome!🐻♥

[@Guitarwoerke]

What an absolute goldmine of a video, thank you for putting it together! 🤩

[@fructusillustrations]

No problem! Glad you liked it! Thanks 🐻♥

[@partysparkelz]

That external hard drive tip is sp useful thankyou

[@HandmadebyEri]

Hey girl! Thank you for all the tips you shared. I would like to ask you, which paper you use for your stickers? I have the same printer but i can’t get the same shape colours as you. So, I think it’s because of the pepper. It will amazing if you can share that, please 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@milomakesstuff2019]

A very useful video! Currently I am starting out wanting to take my art to a professional level and this is very helpful.

[@Lavenderchai62]

your video is very informative. where did you buy that phone stand?

[@wengi_tuu]

I love how articulate you are and how you make your videos.🤗🤗 I just installed Notion and heard about it for the first time through your notion tour. It feels overwhelming but I am getting better 😄

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you! You're so kind! Notion is great and there's plenty to learn but I think its totally worth it! 🐻❤

[@Robert.media123]

I just saw this in my feed. The video is great and gave me ideas to start my own business

[@heleneratanak7345]

I love how this video is well organized ❤😊 thank you

[@jenniferrathkamp2537]

This was AWESOME!!!!! Great, informative, pleasure to listen to 💕💕

[@fructusillustrations]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zhan1464]

MOST HELPFUL VIDEO EVER!!!! I even found similar printer to yours, EPSON L3266! Could you please tell what qualities of printer you look at? Coz these models state they print matte and glossy paper as well as photo one. But I always looked for word “for sticker” or “sticky double paper” or even “for film”

[@4ngi382]

THANKS so much for this, its been intimidating to start and I feel wayyy better about it after watching your videos

[@bluesprucedew]

Girl this is such high value content!! You’re awesome!

[@paulwoodford1984]

if you say so. It’s amateur hour. she’s a terrible artist

[@lolapink8546]

your videos ARE AMAZZZINNNGGG! congratulations! you are very organized 😀😀

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you so much!! 🐻♥

[@GavinKohAquascaping]

Very inspiring on what you've accomplished! Your setup is also very clearly explained from start to finish! Keep it up!

[@fructusillustrations]

Thanks a ton!🐻❤

[@histrus42]

Great video! I was leaning towards Epson printer already, you didn’t mention the paper and laminate you are using. Can you recommend please? 🙏

[@zevan6147]

Keep dropping the hints

[@reality7068]

This was very insightful and concise, thank you

[@jazzyjaz8949]

I loved everything about this video. Thank you so much for sharing it with us🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@gerardnivek4458]

Not only informative but thought provoking. By the way, you have nice hair! 👍

[@tarotducheneblanc]

We have a very similar list!! ❤😊 Great recommendations!

[@typoholic]

Another fantastic topic, so glad you ended up doing this video… cause I was just about to ask! People always need to know what works.

[@Majormore]

You need to ditch those external drives. I’ve had them fail so many times, even the WD ones. Use cloud storage or get a NAS asap.

[@YH_1917]

I really loved this video omg

[@rabeeamasood21]

Thank you for this video. Its sooo helpful ❤

[@daiwenjun-art]

Thank you so much for sharing this information with us, this is really helpful. 😊

[@robertadinata]

So details and greaaaaattt…thank you so inspiring me ❤

[@Nuancesofnancy]

This was super helpful and soothing at the same time. 😅 when I saw on apple store procreate only cost $13, I thought it was a joke. Love the breakdown and the transparency.

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you! 🐻❤

[@asensiodias1593]

Great video. I have one question do you use for your sticker paper what is dish washer resistant?

[@barakabadr3582]

Thaaank you very much ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Christina24life]

Oh that’s smart to use a monitor with your laptop. I didn’t even know that could be done

[@fructusillustrations]

It's so nice too because I can take my laptop everywhere or plug it in to the larger screen when I'm home! 😊😊

[@izaiahharvey4102]

You can also use most tablets with a suitable attachment

[@AM-bq4cx]

Super informative videos..great video. Much Gratitude

[@fructusillustrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pirroppi]

Thank you for sharing all these wonderful tips!

[@fructusillustrations]

You are so welcome!🐻❤

[@lillianjdesigns]

Good video..Only thing is Personally I'm not a huge fan of the Mac Laptops like the old ones.The PCs I think are also good.The I pad is best investment along with Epson Printer,

[@fructusillustrations]

Yeah whatever works for you is best! 😊♥

[@nadinek6693]

What kind of paper do you use for your prints or greeting cards? Not sure what weight/thickness the ET 2850 will take. Thanks!

[@erickgolondrina6776]

you can plug the Sony camera and it will charge while you are using it

[@fructusillustrations]

Oh I might have to try again because I tried it in the past and it wouldn't do anything lol 😊

[@KamisKisses]

I needed this video. Thank you so much✨💖🙌🏾

[@MrGylsen]

The stand what you have your iBook on, what’s it called, and great 👍 video, question, why an iPad and a iBook? Why both? Thanks

[@fructusillustrations]

I have my MacBook on a wooden stand that I got from Target a while ago but I have an iPad for all of my drawing and illustrations primarily but I do most of my work on the MacBook. The iPad can do a lot but I find it easier to run my business with an actual laptop :)

[@xoblitz9038]

Thanks for the tips! Ill check out Notion :)

[@hodaomran]

Thank you for this video ❤ so helpful and informative I wish you all the best

[@fructusillustrations]

Glad it was helpful! 😊😊😊

[@oliviermela]

Hi, do you use an external microphone for your videos? Thanks for sharing your experiences! 😊

[@fructusillustrations]

Currently I just use the voice memos app and my phone to record the audio for my videos! 🐻❤

[@fayyazb]

Super! Great insight! Thank you for sharing.

[@caroljystudios]

Your have such a good vibe ♥ I got so many insights from your videos, thank you so much!

[@ElenaMielke]

Could you please show how you set up your Epson printer? Especially the colour quality? I got myself one a well but the colours just don’t turn out right:(

[@basanthasanin7781]

Thank you❤

[@Katinkia]

Really interesting video. Thanks. xx

[@RobertoSilvestroneDockCargoAme]

Hey how are you !!! Thanks so much that was very helpful. I’m from Argentina always traveling, can you let me know the brand of the best quality print paper and the transparent cover vinyl you use or someone you can recommend. Again thank you so much.

[@crushoncovers1839]

Thank you

[@ellapark3437]

This video is great! Thanks Can this printer EPSON ET 2850 print on heavy a4 like 300gsm A4? Many thanks

[@Weird_Quests]

Your quality is so good considering you are just using your phone! Inspiring! I currently cannot afford a new printer, how else would you recommend to print my designs?

[@fructusillustrations]

Thank you! If you can't afford a printer at this time, my recommendation would be to find a local manufacturer or local printer to print your designs! 😊😊

[@guitrgirl]

How do you laminate your stickers? Thanks again for this video!

[@fructusillustrations]

I use avery self-adhesive laminating sheets! I have a sticker tutorial ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5jQiXSYosiiiac ) and I show exactly how I laminate them 😊♥

[@JemiDari]

this is super helpful! thank you

[@royallyrain]

Your voice is so pretty and it was a pleasure to watch this video! I do have a non-art related question though XD what brand are your headphones? I love listening to stuff while I draw and I wanted some wireless headphones or something of the sort.

[@fructusillustrations]

Aww thanks! I used to cringe at the sound of my voice lol but I'm use it know that I've started making these videos! I'm glad you enjoy it! And to your headphone question, I have the Sony WH1000XM5! They're noise-cancelling and I've been using them since February and I love them! I have them on all the time! 😊❤

[@jinxaay]

this is so informative! thank you for sharing all this, i love the organization and neatness of it all!

[@fructusillustrations]

Glad it was helpful! 😊♥

[@SusanBradshaw-ke2zf]

This is by far the best video I have watched in a very, very long time! I appreciate how kindly you shared all of this information. Do you find it more fulfilling to sell your art from your own website versus places like Etsy or Shopify? I have been tossing this question around for so long, but never come up with a clear answer. I don't have a clue how to create my own website, but I sure would like to try. Thank you for this amazing video!!

[@fructusillustrations]

So I started out with my website and then a few months in I also tried to give Etsy a go. I left Etsy open for several months and for me it didn't really do as well as my website. I technically still have my Etsy but I'm just letting the listings expire before officially closing it. I much prefer having my own website because I can personalize and customize it to my likings. I use Squarespace and have been for a year and a half now and it can be daunting in the beginning to set up but Squarespace is really amazing at making the process really easy. Plus you can always keep changing it overtime. But I think having a website is really great even from the beginning because its yours. It will be the hub for all things about your art/business. No one can tell you what to post or how. Also, you're followers and customers will go wherever you tell them to go. So when it comes to deciding where to sell, think about what you want out of it and think about what you want long term! Kind of a long answer but hope it makes sense 🐻♥

[@suriyarattana8056]

Inspiration...

[@Justin_W]

Thanks! A lot of great info here!

[@MintyMido]

you have the most helpful videos on youtube I swear!! thanks again for putting together such valuable info :)

[@fructusillustrations]

aww thanks! A lot of effort goes into making these so I'm so happy that you enjoy them and find them helpful!🐻❤

[@kqxx]

I have the same printer. How do you print your arts super vibrant?

[@Vor567tez]

Can you please make a list of what are the legal requirements and tax that you need before opening a shop.

[@fructusillustrations]

well there are several things to consider and I'm not a professional or expert in that area so I don't feel comfortable at the moment to make a list of requirements. Especially since there are various factors to determine what you need. But my advice is to look up your state and county and communicate with them. That's what I did and it was very helpful :)

[@Vor567tez]

@@fructusillustrations I see thanks

[@Goefrei0516]

Hi, can you recommend another printer that is currently available. Or maybe a printer spec sheet I can use as reference for comparison. Thank you so much.

[@Ghall60649]

Hey I noticed you are printing on a MacBook Pro to Epson ET. Can you do a video on how you set up your printer and MacBook, I own both and my prints are coming out dull and faded. I spoke to Apple, tried uninstall and reinstalling softwares and drivers. Any help would be great thx

[@Bekah_Lauren]

great information!

[@lizaregan9625]

hi! i wondering what settings for you use for your printer! i have the same one and trying to print from procreate to my sticker paper, i notice theyre more dull

[@elotehere]

I’m having the exact same problem! It’s actually why I clicked on the video (I saw the printer in the thumbnail). The quality isn’t great even when printing on the “high quality” setting.

[@fructusillustrations]

I've actually made a video on how I make my prints at home (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJzdlJl8lMaopJo) and in it I show the settings I use and that work for me :)

[@atwodollarnote]

so organised :D

[@brittanywright6686]

What company did you use to make the packing paper?

[@VictorFoote01]

This was such a great video! What fountain pen are you using when writing in your notebook?

[@fructusillustrations]

I'm using the Pilot Penmanship fountain pen 😊♥

[@VictorFoote01]

Thank you so much Jen! @@fructusillustrations

[@mouadelomari6315]

inspiring me

[@EmoKitty354]

@ 9:40 im in love with the idea of printing the "do not bend" sign on the envelope! Have you ever had an issue with usps denying mailing the letter bc of this? I wanted to do it as well but i was unsure since theres a barcode that goes on the bottom of the letter

[@fructusillustrations]

Before I decided to print on my envelopes, I was thinking the same thing and so from what I read online as long as you keep it to the left, i think it should be fine. I've had no problems with any of the printing on my envelopes and no mail has been denied because of it 😊

[@livingonjetplanes]

do you use pigment ink for you stickers?

[@MissGwendo10]

Your video was so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to do such an awesome and detailed job ✨ Would love to know what tripod you are using and if it's the same you are using to film overhead like at 1min39 ! Been looking for one but haven't decided on any yet ! ☺️

[@fructusillustrations]

The main tripod I use is the Smvchen 70" Axis Horizontal Tripod! I have it linked on my Amazon storefront if you want to see the exact one and details! It is t🐻♥he one that i've been using for all shots including overhead ones

[@electricrainbowskull]

A question for the printer, how often are you printing out of it and have you experienced and clogs from it, I'm considering getting one myself but I don't know if I print enough to justify it, and worry the ink would dry inside the printer

[@fructusillustrations]

I don't print everyday and my printing consistency varies throughout the year. I think that I've gone at most a month or so without printing and did not personally experience any issues with my printer having any clogs or drying out.

[@debmunn8790]

what is better for stickers the shiny or the matte ?

[@HippieHooray]

love this video :) very helpful

[@daisyfrog.crochet]

Hello, First of all I really enjoy your videos. Great work! I really like the fonts you use for the headlines. If it's not a problem can i ask for their names or did you make them yourself. :) 😇🥰❤🧡💛

[@fructusillustrations]

The main fonts I use are Gagalin and Hagrid Heavy 😊

[@daisyfrog.crochet]

@@fructusillustrations thank you 😊

[@SawCSim]

🐻❤️🧡✨ Tuning in with you today Jen with a pineapple themed beverage 🍍💛💚🙈✨✨✨😂✨ hope you’re doing great Jen💜💜😍✨

[@fructusillustrations]

sounds delicious! hope youre doing amazing too! 🐻❤

[@owlsgurl]

Great video 👍🏾

[@musing_quest]

Do you use pigment ink for your printer? If not, have you had any issues with stickers being waterproof?

[@jackoquiz]

same question @FructusIllustrations

[@margotverbruggen8725]

With the printer, can you use heavy paper? For greeting cards?

[@fructusillustrations]

The heaviest paper I've personally used was 100lb paper and it went through with no problems. Not sure about anything heavier though 😊

[@antasari_ahmad5325]

Thx 🙏🙏 #awesomeasalways

[@Katiedoan88]

Thank you for sharing! 🙏😊 do you think the printer will be good for photographic prints too?

[@fructusillustrations]

I haven't used it for photographic prints but I have used glossy sticker paper and those turned out well so perhaps the printer could be good too 😊 Its hard for me to say for sure though without experience!

[@Katiedoan88]

@@fructusillustrations no worries, thank you!! 🙏😊

[@viennabooks741]

Such a great video, thank you! Not sure if I will ever open my own shop because I'm so unorganised and can't really see myself doing all of the planning and tracking the numbers stuff but this video makes it seem a little bit less daunting! Love how you customised your notion and your whole work setup :)

[@caramel6596]

How did you get your art name as your P.O. Box? Did you need a dba or something around there? 👀

[@fructusillustrations]

Yes, I did get a DBA and put that as my name when I got my PO Box 😊