Rejection is a natural part of any creative journey, but it doesn’t have to derail your confidence. In this episode of Creative Diaries, I talk with creative entrepreneur Jillian Anderson about transforming rejection into growth. Learn how resilience, persistence, and a mindset shift can turn setbacks into opportunities.

Social media exposes creatives to endless inspiration but can also lead to unhealthy comparison. In this episode of Creative Diaries, I talk with artist Lauren Faye Peachey about navigating self-doubt, using social media intentionally, and focusing on personal growth rather than external benchmarks. We discuss practical strategies to foster confidence and maintain a healthy creative mindset.

In this episode of Creative Diaries, we explore the mindset shifts that help creatives overcome self-doubt and embrace their unique creative journey. We discuss the challenges of starting something new, the importance of progress over perfection, and how to navigate limiting beliefs. Tune in for insights on trusting your process, staying inspired, and building creative confidence.

In her own words, Christiana Vardakou—natural dyer, textile designer, and founder of her namesake studio—shares how a chance discovery during art school sparked a lifelong devotion to plant-based colour. From Athens to Southeast Asia and back again, Christiana has built a deeply intentional practice rooted in tradition, sustainability, and storytelling—crafting textiles that carry both beauty and meaning, one petal at a time.

In her own words, Melissa Johnson—a self-taught watercolor artist, surface designer, and creative educator—shares how her journey from Midwest mom to creative entrepreneur unfolded. With a deep love for the outdoors and a passion for helping others embrace their creativity, Melissa reveals how teaching herself to paint during a transformative season led her to surface pattern design, coaching, and a thriving business rooted in authenticity, heart, and intentional growth.

In her own words, Lucia Sanguinetti-Jonescheit—surface pattern designer and founder of DEINKI Studio—shares her journey from Argentina to Germany and from fashion to freelancing. With a deep love for nature, planning, and creativity, Lucia reveals how motherhood and a serendipitous Skillshare discovery led her to surface design, where she now blends heart, strategy, and storytelling to create meaningful patterns and empower fellow creatives.

In her own words, Sandra—surface pattern designer and founder of Little Forest Atelier—shares how a lifelong love of crafts, a bold move back to her Finnish roots, and a leap of faith transformed her creative dream into reality. Blending thoughtful design with everyday wonder, she now creates heartfelt, nature-inspired patterns while balancing motherhood, freelancing, and a slow, steady approach to creative growth.

In her own words, Miriam—creator of The Mirwo Forest—invites us into her imaginative world, where art and nature intertwine. After beginning her journey as a music teacher, a series of life shifts and creative experiments led her to discover the magic of surface pattern design. Rooted in curiosity and resilience, her work now brings color, warmth, and wonder to everyday spaces.

Vicky Wittich, a self-taught surface pattern designer, transitioned from a career in computational linguistics to creative entrepreneurship. Working from the Northern Black Forest, she blends traditional and digital techniques to create unique designs and mockups for textiles, home decor, and more, driven by a passion for beauty and creativity.

Jillian Nichole's work features intricate and detailed patterns that showcase her artistic skill and creativity. Her designs highlight a deep attention to detail, making her work stand out in the art world.

Elina Parhomenko, a Latvian artist, transitioned from IT to surface design, founding @dumkart and @penguinartclub. Her journey showcases overcoming doubts to fully embrace her passion for creativity.

Artist Cassandra O’Leary shares advice for aspiring creatives, emphasizing continuous learning, playful experimentation, and embracing curiosity. She encourages trusting the creative process and finding inspiration in everyday experiences.

Alana Lemke shares her journey from graphic design to discovering her passion for surface pattern design. She details her creative process, pivotal moments, and the challenges she’s faced along the way.

Sumana Ghosh-Witherspoon discusses her evolution from graphic design to fine art and surface design, highlighting her Indian heritage, creative process, and the balance between art and life.

Artist Kourtni Gunn shares her creative journey from hobbyist to entrepreneur, balancing art with motherhood, and offering tips on selling her designs on platforms like Etsy and Faire.

Artist Lauren Faye Peachey shares her creative journey, overcoming challenges, and insights into her artistic process and social media strategy.

Kasia Borkowska shares her artistic journey, overcoming challenges, and finding balance between passion and practicality in the creative world.

A spontaneous art store visit sparked Abigail Morales' creative journey in Lyon. Discover how watercolor painting became her full-time passion.

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