starting my art shop & working full time ✿ ep. 4 | print mishaps, eco-friendly packaging, summer fun

[@tofugoob]

HIIII thanks for watching!! If u have any thoughts on Etsy vs. Shopify plzzzz let a girl know! Hope u have a great day :)

[@LunitaArtCraft]

I think it depends on a few things. Etsy is good for someone who doesn't have an audience. However, I feel like Etsy is a bit oversaturated and they do have a lot of rules + fees. Shopify on the other hand is your own store. You can do whatever you want to. But you have to learn how to build a website there. And the up front cause might be a little more to make it. I started with Etsy since I have no audience. I felt like that was a bad idea overall. Since I never had any audience to begin with lol so I will try to make a KZbin channel soon. Definitely no audience on Etsy or Shopify will make things difficult either way. But you have a following I'm sure whichever decision you go with here you will do great! ❤

[@VimblesArt]

i went with etsy as i am so smol i thought the searchability would help a lot, and maybe it does, but everytime i check my stats on there it says "you brought most of the traffic" (as in at least 65% of the traffic on my shop is from me posting on social media) For now I'll still take even the smallest possibility that someone will randomly find me in a search on etsy, but at some point I'm definitly moving over. (Haven't done a proper fee calculation in a while but I'm pretty sure etsy is more expensive) what sucks for me and basically pushed me to etsy (which won't suck for you because you're not in germany/europe) is the mandate to put your address on your website. So on etsy i don't have to publish that sort of information, but if you have a website with your own shop etc you have to make an imprint :)))) Which translates do doxxing myself to anyone who wants to have a little visit at my private address (P.O. boxes are not a valid substitute, we love it here)

[@aleetimes3]

❤😢😢

[@potato5602]

​@@VimblesArtin Belgium, a new law was implemented maybe a year or 2 ago. On IG, infuencers have to post their adresse + tax number in their bio. I think it only applies to those who have sponsored content. But this sucks for small creators.

[@overly.chromatic]

"it's summer i can start my art business--oh wait its over" - also me, every year, as a teacher 😂

[@amandac8836]

Man I need your work ethic… outside of my art, I work two jobs (one of them is in the medical-field and night shift and super tiring) and I just. Whenever I have spare time I zone out like you wouldn’t believe and watching you balance life and accepting that you need rest is really refreshing. Keep doing you ❤

[@syhartstudio]

wow relating so hard to having you balancing your art shop vs technical day job! As a full-time engineer, part time artist myself it's inspiring to see your journey

[@tofugoob]

duuude its tough out here with balancing it all! hope my vids can help you on your journey!!

[@kristadraws]

Hi, Gabi! Your "starting my art shop" videos are so inspirational, that I actually took the leap and opened my own store after dreaming about it for years. 💫 That's why I cannot wait for your shop to open up, so I can say thanks & support you as well 💛

[@KhloeGeorge]

So funny how much we have in common when starting our shops. I enjoyed all of it.

[@lowercaseaj]

you stay being my inspiration for how many things you juggle but also make sure you take care of yourself!! love that you prioritize your mental health with different wellness practices

[@vince7613]

Girl your editing and overall video aesthetic stepped tf UP in this one!!! Love the color grading and the vintage camera overlay in the beginning! Wish u the best❤❤

[@biancasteauapaun]

I absolutely love the lights in your apartment!!! Such a vibe❤

[@ChantelleArts]

the blue hair suits you so well, I had a similar colour but I feel like it just washed me out ❤

[@jenayzhyrov]

Love watching you journey through this art biz building! It’s extra refreshing to watch you authentically and naturally figure shit out. We’re rooting for you!

[@konekoshu]

Honestly loving your channel right now, have watched most of your videos the last 2 days as you really inspire me. I love your style and how you are starting up everything~!. Can't wait to see more from you and how you will explore this journey. On the question: - Etsy is better for beginners who don't have an audience or need promotion done for them. However there are many fees and the traffic is quite oversaturated, causing lots of people to still not decide to buy from you. - Shopify is very customize able, creating your own store in the style you would like. However it can be quite pricy when you are just starting out plus you need to learn more about building your own website and how to make it look nice.

[@dawntsepo4087]

I love making art and I'm an engineering undergrad...you don't know how inspired I get when I watch your videos ❤

[@Studio.Faithie]

This series is really inspiring me to pursue my goals!! Thank you for bringing us along on your journey!!!

[@Meg_Davis]

Hi! Plant nerd here. You can totally snip off the baby orchid and pot it up. Orchids in their natural habitat grow up cliff faces which is why they send their roots out in one direction and their flower stems in the other. I had a baby orchid show up on one of my plants and it just kept growing it’s roots straight out looking for a cliff to root into, lol. Hope this helps! P.S. Totally relate to your process in the art shop journey. Excited for you!

[@adrianaveth7235]

One of my highlights of the week is seeing a Tofu Goob video being uploaded. I feel like I found a hidden gem on KZbin :3

[@KellyLira]

just binged your starting an art business playlist and lovinggg the journey so far! found you from The Artist’s Way vid and now I’m subbbed! Sending love from Seattle 💙💚

[@xoxoxlittlej]

I've been loving your vlogs! And I also appreciate you sharing where you are sourcing your prints, tote bags, and supplies. It always helps to get other peoples reviews of the quality of supplies. I currently have an Etsy shop and am debating on if i should switch to Shopify. But i just don't think i have a big enough customer base just yet. Excited to watch your progress here

[@thebrokenartsclub]

Omg! i cant help but notice that you are a chicago gal, me too! stay warm this winter.. it is coming 😵

[@Toribell1928]

I’m so happy to see someone else whose doing this part time on KZbin. I’m planning to start my own art business soon but it’s hard to see how others balance their time and business since a lot of the art business youtubers are full time. Thanks for this!

[@lynellingram]

Oh my god the Ren Faire. I haven't gone in years. Some places that specialize in art prints can send you a sample pack showing how printing on diff paper looks, I've found that to be pretty helpful. Extra time to do that, but might be worth it. I love how thoughtful you are about all of the different elements of setting up your shop. Looks like you're prints and things are going to be seriously fabulous! Also, you inspire me to actually work out again. 🙃

[@modoodles]

Your hair is so cute! i love your vlogs girl

[@tofugoob]

Aw thank you!! Im glad u like the vids hehe

[@SophieInSeattle]

I hope you make the ramen duckies a sticker! Would so buy that

[@CourtneyCha0s]

I'm going through a shop launch as well and gotta say I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one going through this struggle but also the joy of it. Best of luck with yours!

[@Allie83829]

I really like this vlog style of this video 🥰 always find your content so inspiring 🫶🏻

[@ordinarycheesewizard]

These videos are really helpful to see as someone who wants to start an art business! All your products are so cute - I can't wait to purchase some of them!

[@rachcreative]

Ahhhh! I am commenting on this video but have recently been binging your videos lol! I just wanted to say a sincere thank you for sharing your journey. You’re situation is very relatable, as is the tendency to productivity. I am also an artist with the same self talk you mentioned in your one video, about “I will do my art eventually”, and having all your friends ask you why you don’t sell it. Please keep making content I am inspired, and hoping once dance is in swing you still help us out by sharing your perspective/journey :) ❤ much love fellow artist!

[@mairimrybarova740]

hi! You´re inspiring me sooo much. I see you work hard for your dream and you are so talented.

[@jenwebbcreates]

you are getting it done! 👏this is so inspiring! I never thought of buying tote bags and taking them to a local screenprinter, I need to look into that 🤔 I can relate to so many things in this video lol I just bought that book drawing on the right side of the brain last week too and also I've been doing a lil 30 day drawing challenge that I came up with to help keep me drawing every day, it definitely helps keep you accountable especially if you're doing it with some friends or sharing on social media 😊 love watching your videos ! 💕

[@SM-vd2iz]

Love watching your videos as I am considering creating stickers from my own art - love the channel and that you are taking us along on the journey!!!

[@VimblesArt]

love the shot you got of yourself jumping into the water and then walking into the shot again on the other side at 4:14 lol

[@tamsparrow3961]

I really love your art style! Not sure if you already know this but in procreate you can continue adding the same color by just tapping the blue "continue filling" button next to "color drop" after you dragged the color onto the canvas! Then just tap the areas you'd like to color and it will fill in :)

[@tofugoob]

:O WHAT I had no idea you’ve changed my life. Thank u!!!!

[@lizziehutchins]

I love seeing all the art come together! You rock!!

[@Dalenacreates]

Love love love these art vlogs of yours!! 🥰🥰 They're so inspirational. Keep up the fun edits

[@dragonskaterofawes]

Always excited when you upload!

[@tofugoob]

aw thank you!! I appreciate you watching :)))

[@sarabratzbradford]

I'm so excited to see how your art shop is gonna turn out I also have an art shop but I use Printify for almost everything! Btw, love ur vlogs 💓

[@StephySketches]

I’m currently working on my own shop and have been testing paper for prints. I knew the moment you said you later regretted the satin finish it was because of the glossy finish! Wait until you try to photograph them for your shop. 😅

[@HippieHooray]

I love the duck notepads :) so cute!

[@blondeycupcakes4363]

I just discovered your channel today and I cannot express in words how cool I think you are lol I currently use Esty, and I'd say it's very beginner friendly it has tons of fee handbooks to get you started, but the fees are pretty high so if you aren't making very many sales you could definitely end up spending more than you're earning in the beginning.

[@tofugoob]

Okay yes I have been hearing the fees are pretty steep. Thats such a bummer! I kinda thought Shopify's monthly fees would be more pricey but it probably really depends on how much you sell!

[@PaulaCunniffe-l2q]

I know you like to keep it local, gurl... but you're worrying about inventory too much, when you could be creating. Going print-on-demand has changed my life and saved me a lot of money, time and upfront costs. It doesn't matter if one line flops, because another might take off, and there's been no money outlaid. I tried lots of platforms but Printful was the best, because with your prints, you can set your own profit margin, which you can't with the others. Printful works really well with Shopify, too. I know I'm raving a bit... lol... but I hate to see you struggling with the same things I did. I love your channel... keep it coming x

[@PaulaCunniffe-l2q]

I tried really hard to get my local print shop to do my print on demand stuff... even though they said they already offer it, the price they were going to charge was RIDICULOUS... and didn't offer eco-friendly options for printing or packaging. They made it so hard for me. So my loyalty to shopping local waned. I think unless I had my own really awesome scanner and glicee (sp?) printer that I had quality control over, I would do it all myself. Maybe one day I will? hmmmmm....

[@jaedyn225]

omg your video is so pretty

[@xavi9132]

heyy did you have to save up for a while to get all your products made or...? i wanna start a small business and am wondering how long i'll have to save up for. anyways love your content and art 🦆

[@oh.journals]

I so can't wait for your shop!! Would you ship to Europe?

[@mouse2275]

Omg was that the bristol ren faire?? I was just there a few weeks ago!! I didn't realize you were a midwest girlie

[@julesraine]

We go to the same Ren Faire!!! Hello fellow NYer! :))

[@mynameismar]

Yas yas yas. Slay QUEEN.

[@serenajtart]

been waiting for this! 😊

[@tofugoob]

Omg slay first comment!!! Thank u for watching hehe :)

[@serenajtart]

@@tofugoob good luck with the prints and everything! it's so cool to see everything coming together :3

[@Mushy_peas78]

I love your vids, they are so relaxing and chill but also colorful and fun to watch and they really inspire my art! I have just been thinking though, I want to pursue a career in science- mainly Biology or Geography. But, I am also a dancer and an artist and I wanted to ask how you balance things like that. I feel like my art is stagnant and my dance isn't getting far as I have no opportunities coming my way. I'm 14 going on 15 and know I have plenty of time, I just want to be ahead of the game. If anyone has any ideas please let me know :)

[@raheelazam6385]

Hi beautiful awesome work💜💗💗💜💝💛❤💞👏💞👏💜💖💞❤❤💓💖💓💖😍💖💓💖💓❤💓👏💓👍💓👍💓👍💓👍👍💓💓

[@masturpeace99]

what drawing tablet do you use?

[@daughterdiaries]

Who said one couldn't do it all. We CAN!!!!! What was the inspiration for your KZbin channel?

[@juliaaguilar7210]

Claiming the ticket to be ur art pal‼️‼️✊

[@sammijane1640]

💚

[@lass-yolanda]

😊

[@juliaaguilar7210]

Where the heck are you from to be going to the beach one day, a fair the next, AND A BEYONCÉ CONCERT??

[@zebrasbean2385]

What’s your full time job?

[@universeoflala]

I’ve enjoyed watching your art journey so much. You mentioned doing a drawing challenge, will you be hosting the drawing challenge on your Instagram ? Cause I would definitely join.

[@lizziehutchins]

Same! I'd love to join :)