Project: I want to share a little story about the magic that happens behind the scenes when you shop small and shop local:
Once upon a time, there was a children’s storybook illustrator who also taught elementary art. Despite some exciting illustration projects ahead, she kept wondering, “How can I branch out so people see I can design book covers… or create bookish merch illustrations too?” With her busy schedule, the thought stayed tucked away for months.
Then one day, on her lunch break, she opened her email to find a message from one of her favorite local bookstores — Tombolo Books! They’d seen her work and wanted to commission her to create a new merch design. A very high-pitched squeal happened. “FINALLY,” she thought. “A door is opening!”
The timing was tight, but she carved out little pockets of time to make some magic. To her surprise, Tombolo chose two of her designs instead of one. About a month later, she walked into the store, giddy, dragging her best friend Nikki around the store to delight in these designs having come to life.
When you shop small and local — not just during the holidays, but always — I hope you remember that your purchase doesn’t just support the shop; It supports the artist behind the item, too. Sometimes it opens the very doors they’ve been dreaming of (and maybe hasn’t let them wipe the smile off their face since!).
And if you find yourself at Tombolo Books in St. Pete, I hope you’ll pick up one of these designs as a shirt, bag, stickers, or mug, and maybe tag me in a photo. If you know me personally, maybe surprise me by showing up with it someday. You can order from their website here!
This was a real dream come true, and I hope to keep going down this path. (*ahem* hello other bookstores! hello authors!)
Once upon a time, there was a children’s storybook illustrator who also taught elementary art. Despite some exciting illustration projects ahead, she kept wondering, “How can I branch out so people see I can design book covers… or create bookish merch illustrations too?” With her busy schedule, the thought stayed tucked away for months.
Then one day, on her lunch break, she opened her email to find a message from one of her favorite local bookstores — Tombolo Books! They’d seen her work and wanted to commission her to create a new merch design. A very high-pitched squeal happened. “FINALLY,” she thought. “A door is opening!”
The timing was tight, but she carved out little pockets of time to make some magic. To her surprise, Tombolo chose two of her designs instead of one. About a month later, she walked into the store, giddy, dragging her best friend Nikki around the store to delight in these designs having come to life.
When you shop small and local — not just during the holidays, but always — I hope you remember that your purchase doesn’t just support the shop; It supports the artist behind the item, too. Sometimes it opens the very doors they’ve been dreaming of (and maybe hasn’t let them wipe the smile off their face since!).
And if you find yourself at Tombolo Books in St. Pete, I hope you’ll pick up one of these designs as a shirt, bag, stickers, or mug, and maybe tag me in a photo. If you know me personally, maybe surprise me by showing up with it someday. You can order from their website here!
This was a real dream come true, and I hope to keep going down this path. (*ahem* hello other bookstores! hello authors!)
Tools: Procreate, Illustrator.
