~ NOW BOOKING PROJECTS FOR DECEMBER 2026 & BEYOND ~ If you’d like your brand to be expressed in a creative, real way to get the attention of your customers, let’s chat.
BUSINESS JOURNAL: A PLACE TO CELEBRATE WINS & REFLECT - 82ND EDITION
October’s highlights included extra work with Adobe, celebrating my birthday, visiting my brother in Denver, seeing my stickers featured on the National Geographic Museum of Exploration’s social media, adding new transit washi tape, putting new Chicago souvenirs into production, officially launching a new theatre sticker collection, and supplying stickers for IMEX in Las Vegas.
New headshot from Sarah Waldo of Violet + Ivy Photography
Homecoming at Bradley University with fellow 2016 graduates
New mural at Bradley University
Adobe Kernference Watch Party in Chicago
Panel at Adobe Creative Launch
The Big Wins
Celebrated my birthday in Peoria and attended my 10th year reunion during Bradley’s Homecoming. I also got to see my latest mural on campus and shared some Lydia Moss Bradley stickers with friends.
Did multiple projects with Adobe! I co-hosted the Kernference Watch Party in Chicago, did my very first Adobe Live stream on “How to Plan & Ideate New Wholesale Offerings”, spoke on the panel at Creative Launch, and presented to a local college class. I also prepped for Adobe MAX and got new mini Chicago skyline stickers made to hand out and trade.
My stickers were featured on the National Geographic Museum of Exploration’s Instagram account. You can find the posts here and here (specifically the sixth image).
40th Anniversary Celebration of the WBDC
Chicago Transit Washi Tape
Dinner with my brother in Denver
New Chicago Dibs Embroidered Luggage Tags coming soon
New Chicago Skyline Iron-On Embroidered Patches
New Chicago Theatre Sticker Collection - created in collaboration with the League of Chicago Theatres
Custom House of Blues sticker design for Live Nation Special Events
Custom Aragon Ballroom sticker design for Live Nation Special Events
Added new Chicago transit themed washi tape and continued to grow my Chicago souvenir collection by putting four new enamel pins, one new luggage tag design, and new reusable sticker books into production.
Visited my brother in Denver. Highlights of our long weekend visit included dinner at a friends’ house, painting pottery, relaxing in the park, and watching a volleyball match.
Intentionally limited design work as I was ready for some extra rest after such a full year so far.
Kept up with wholesale and consignment orders including ones for Pixie & The Boy, Souvenir City Chicago, Hoypoloi Gallery at O’Hare, the fig tree, Neighborly, and Paper & Pencil.
Enjoyed the start of fall in Chicago. I particularly enjoyed attending the Women Business Development Center’s 40th Anniversary celebration at the Adler Planetarium, the quarterly art reception at Lula Cafe, Open House Chicago, a taping of a comedy special at Second City, and Cosmic Country.
Navigated unexpected health questions which required two appointments and a few ultrasounds. I also got some extra bloodwork done while I was at my primary care’s office.
Published a Chicago-souvenir-centric blog post to highlight all of the unique products that I’ve developed over the past seven-plus years living in Chicago. You can check it out here.
Began the process of refining some of my messaging. I’m moving away from “brand designer and lettering artist” and towards “art-forward souvenir and gift designer” as a new title and way of introducing myself.
My stickers were featured at Choose Chicago’s IMEX Booth in Las Vegas. I designed custom Aragon and House of Blues stickers for Live Nation Special Events as well as some custom winter Chicago options for Choose Chicago.
Officially launched my new Chicago Theatre inspired collection that I worked on with the League of Chicago Theatres. They invited me to their annual Spotlight Gala, which was so fun to attend. I handed out some of the new stickers and the reception was so great.
Despite a lighter work load, October was still a full month between a bit of travel, navigating health appointments, and maintaining ongoing work responsibilities. I’m extra grateful to have had so many opportunities with Adobe this month, which have helped me get excited for Adobe MAX, which is just around the corner.
In November, I’m looking forward to attending my third Adobe MAX and making progress on some simplification to my business. My schedule is fairly full for the remainder of the year, so if you want to work together in 2026, please reach out. I am continuing to prioritize large wholesale orders, custom merchandise design, and branding.
Thank you for being here, for supporting me, and for following along with my entrepreneurial journey.
PS - Have a project you’d like to chat about? Send me the details now to ensure your project gets on my calendar in 2026 (or 2027 if you’re thinking ahead). Bring on all the logos, branded merchandise, + brand identity projects… let’s make some beautiful + impactful things together.
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