October has been one of those months where lots of little things have quietly added up to something much bigger.
The Studio Mail Club officially launched, the first parcels headed out into the world and Polka Dot Teapot Studio somehow reached six months old.
I’ve also been creating November’s collection, updating the shop and preparing to plant what now feels like a slightly unreasonable number of tulip bulbs.
So, here’s a little look at what’s been happening in and around the studio this month.
After months of drawing, printing, cutting, testing and changing my mind about tiny details, the first Woodland Wanderer parcels finally made their way out into the world.
Seeing everything packed together, and knowing that actual people had chosen to receive something I’d created, felt a little surreal. Woodland Wanderer began as a fairly small idea for some illustrated post and naturally became an entire collection of prints, stickers, companion cards, paper pieces and digital extras.
Apparently, I still cannot have one sensible little idea.
With Woodland Wanderer safely on its way, I’ve spent October creating November’s Mail Club edition, By the Moonlight. Inspired by moonlit skies and cosy evenings, it includes an owl print, stickers, collectable cards and digital extras, all illustrated, printed and packed here in the studio.
Join monthly or choose By the Moonlight as a one-off parcel.
October also marked six months since I started Polka Dot Teapot Studio.
Six months ago, I had a domain name, a plain-looking WordPress account and an idea, but not a huge amount of belief that I could turn any of it into something real. Since then, I’ve built a website and shop, taught myself new programmes, completed client projects, created and launched products, opened a mailing list with actual real-life subscribers and started this monthly newsletter.
There have been plenty of technical side quests, redesigned pages and moments of wondering what on earth I was doing. But somewhere along the way, the studio became much more than the little portfolio I originally planned.
I didn’t just build a business. I rebuilt my confidence and my belief in myself.
Digital products aren’t always easy to show properly. A cover can look lovely, but it doesn’t tell you what’s hiding inside a planner with more than 100 pages, or show how the different elements of a brand kit work together.
So, this month I started creating video previews to give a much better look at the pages, illustrations and practical details inside my products.
I only meant to make one. Naturally, one became seven and I somehow updated half the shop.
The previews are now available across my website and Payhip, making it much easier to see exactly what’s included before choosing a product.
It was one of those behind-the-scenes jobs that took a while, but the shop looks and works much better for it.
While looking back over the past six months, I found myself returning to one of my earlier blog posts: You Are Not a Bad Plant.
Sometimes, we mistake struggling in difficult conditions for a lack of ability. This post is about what building my own website taught me about learning, confidence and finding the right environment in which to grow.
It also contains several technical side quests, a few unfortunate plants and the realisation that I’m apparently more dahlia than poppy.
November means it’s finally tulip time! I have 276 bulbs waiting to be planted, a number that felt much more reasonable when they arrived in smaller parcels.
The seedlings are also overwintering nicely in the potting shed, despite the cold and damp!
Aries is very pleased to be back on puppy post duty and has fully embraced cosy evenings beneath his blanket.
Puppy post: approved. Blanket evenings: strongly approved. Fireworks: absolutely not.
Thank you for reading my October studio round-up!
November is already looking cosy, with By the Moonlight parcels heading out and a few new ideas waiting for a spare minute.
Until next month, stay warm, I’ll be planting tulips while Aries hides from the fireworks.
Laura & Aries
