Things Are Rolling!

Okay, so I’ve been messing around A LOT with my website lately, and what I really want to list here are some of the things I have learned so far. I’ve also been dedicating time to learning how to use Squarespace effectively to manage all aspects of it of my website. Here is what I’ve found along the way that might be of interest to others:

The Good:

Squarespace is quite a robust application that allows you to do a lot of different things, including linking up to a print-on-demand site like Printful. You can easily add pages, customize categories, and organize your content as needed, but there is definitely a considerable amount of learning involved. However, once you figure out how to post and arrange your items, it becomes relatively straightforward. I’ve particularly enjoyed using MPix for printing high-quality prints that truly seem to represent the original art in its truest colors, which is something that really matters to me.

The Bad:

On the downside, I’m not really a fan of the overall quality of prints generated by on-demand services like Printful. They seem just a bit underwhelming, falling flat in comparison to what I was expecting. Sooooooo…..those options are now off of myartlet until I can figure that bit out more thoroughly. I ordered “test” prints, and unfortunately, they resembled mediocre posters at best. This indicates that I have more learning and experimenting to do in this area.

Next Up:

I’m excited to share that I’m preparing for my very first art market, which is happening on Saturday, May 17th, at 1249 Eggert Road in Amherst, NY. This event marks a new milestone for my art journey, and I’m looking forward to the experience! See our “Events” page for more details!

Here Goes Nothing…

I started bullet journaling this year as a way to live each day with more intention. Some of what I was hoping to do through this process was find more joy in the day-to-day activities of my life, be more "aware" and to practice gratitude regularly. 

When the pandemic hit in 2020, my anxiety was at an all-time high and I really wanted to find a way to feel better in my own skin. There was so much unpredictability and I'm a control freak, and those things don't mix well. So I started painting (first with watercolors, and now so many other mediums!) as a way to ground myself in the present moment and quiet my mind. And it actually made me feel better. That joy has stayed with me for the last five years as I create and let my mind quiet itself. 

As I began 2025, I set two goals for my creativity. One was to apply to an open art market, and the other was to show my work at two places. (Last year, 2024, I did show one of my pieces for the first time ever at Hallwalls in Buffalo, NY.) With each of these goals, there was so much to do: set up a website, get my instagram account going, learn about each application process, and of course - create more pieces. 

I'm proud to say that I've officially applied to an open art market, and should know if I've been accepted to participate by March 1st. I will share more information about where and when, if I'm accepted to participate. Fingers crossed! However, even if I'm not asked to participate, I've succeeded in achieving my goal of "applying". I learned so much in the process (who knew you needed a booth photo!), and I'm so grateful for all the support of my family and friends as I framed artwork, researched setups, gathered the needed supplies, and questioned my own ability to get over the finish line and hit "submit" on the ZAPPlication. 

Next up? Getting some of my pieces listed on my website. See you soon!

Cheers!

Today, the Journey Begins.

I can’t wait to share everything I have in mind for My Artlet, as I begin the next steps in my creative journey. I will be sharing more soon about shows and products.