Hello April! 🌷
Spring is technically here, but you wouldn’t know it by looking outside. There’s still snow on the ground where I am, and winter doesn’t seem to be in any rush to pack up.
This month’s Studio Sessions is a bit of a mixed bag, in the best way. I’m sharing a peek at my submission for the Golden Coil Cover Contest, chatting about a new greeting card line that’s slowly taking shape, and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what I’ve been quietly working on, including some website updates.
I’ve also included a quick Pinterest PSA that you should know about, plus a deeper dive into Society6’s recent changes and what it might mean for folks like us. And of course, I couldn’t resist adding a little spring-themed art to brighten your scroll.
So grab something warm (or iced, depending on your vibe), get cozy, and read on. 💛
Creative biz updates & what’s in the works
Behind the Scenes
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📓 Golden Coil Cover Contest
I entered the Golden Coil Cover Contest again this year! ✨ It’s my second time submitting, and I’m honestly a little nervous to share this one. I made the design just for the contest, which always feels extra vulnerable, you know?
It’s a pink and yellow moth floating over this dreamy burst of florals. 🦋🌸I poured a lot of love into it and really pushed myself to go all-in on the little details. It felt so good to just zone out and get lost in the petals and linework.
The top 10 designs were announced yesterday, and I found out I didn’t make the shortlist this time. And while that stings a little (okay, a lot), I’m still really proud of what I created. It reminded me how much I love making art just for the joy of it.
Did you enter this year?
💌 New Greeting Card Line in the Works
I’ve been playing around with an idea for a new card line that’s been living in my brain for a while now. I’m still figuring out the exact style I want to go with, but progress is happening. Slowly, steadily, and with a lot of sketchbook detours. Stay tuned, once the pieces start clicking into place, I’ll definitely be sharing more. 👀💫
🖥️ Website Revamp (In Progress!)
Will it ever really be finished? Probably not. Websites are kind of like sketchbooks—always evolving, never truly done, and constantly getting little tweaks along the way. And honestly? I kind of love that about it.
Right now, I’m slowly reworking the words and layout on mine. It’s one of those projects I chip away at between everything else, so I’m not in a rush. But it’s coming together, and I’m excited to share it once it starts feeling a bit more like me.
📌 PSA for Pinterest Users
Thanks to Lucia from Deinki Studio’s newsletter, I just found out that Pinterest has a new setting that allows your content to be used to train their AI model. Not cool. 😑
If you're on Pinterest and want to opt out, go to:
Settings > Privacy and data > GenAI > Use your data to train Pinterest Canvas (and toggle that off).
my latest finished artwork
brushes down
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LET'S WORK TOGETHER!
Are you looking to collaborate on a project or maybe you're interested in licensing my artwork? I'd love to hear from you!
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this month's creative deep dive
beyond the canvas
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S6 Update or Artist Breakup?
Let’s Chat.
If you're an artist on Society6, or even just thinking about trying it, you might have heard about the changes that rolled out in March. And if you missed it, buckle up because they're kind of a big deal.
These updates went into effect mid-March, and they’ve shifted how the platform works for artists in a way that feels pretty hard to ignore. It’s giving "thanks for everything, but we're going in a different direction" energy, which is never the vibe you want from a platform that’s supposed to support creatives.
So I thought I’d take a moment to unpack what changed, what it might mean for artists like us, and share my honest thoughts.
What Changed
As of March 18, 2025, Society6 made some big structural changes to how artist accounts work. Here's the lowdown:
🔒 There’s now an invite-only artist model
Society6 has shifted to an invite-only structure for artists. Only those selected by the platform will have their work included in the public marketplace.
🚫 No More Open Sign-Ups
Artists can no longer freely join the platform. Going forward, new accounts will be created by invitation only. No more hopping on and opening a shop just to test things out.
🧼 Inactive shops will be removed
If your shop hasn’t made a sale in the last 12 months, Society6 may deactivate your account. So unless you’re consistently making sales, there’s a risk of being booted.
It’s a big shift that affects visibility, accessibility, and income potential, especially for smaller or emerging artists who are still building their audience.
My Take
I’ve actually had a Society6 account since 2014. The kind of art I posted there evolved a lot over the years, but more recently, I’d been sharing my favourite illustrations, ones I felt would look amazing on their products like mugs, prints, or phone cases.
I received the breakup email back in February letting me know I hadn’t been selected to continue on the platform. And honestly? I wasn’t surprised. Since they moved to a paid artist subscription model, I hadn’t been adding new work. With no fresh uploads, I hadn’t made a sale in over a year. So yeah, it makes sense.
From a business perspective, I totally understand why they’re doing this. Streamlining the platform, reducing the cost of managing inactive shops, and curating the art they showcase could help boost sales and improve the experience for artists who are still actively selling. I get it.
But.
I’d be lying if I said the email didn’t sting a little. It still feels personal when a platform you’ve been part of for years says “thanks but no thanks.” It’s hard not to take that as a reflection on your work, even if you logically know it’s not.
That said, print-on-demand has never been a major income stream for me. I’ve always felt a bit off-trend for those platforms, and honestly, I think that’s okay. My heart is in licensing, collaborations, and building relationships with companies where my art feels like the right fit. That’s where I want to keep focusing my energy.
At first, I figured these changes would mostly impact newer artists, but I’ve heard from industry veterans (some making hundreds per month off the website) who also got the boot. So it’s not just about being new or unknown. It’s really about whether your work fits what Society6 is looking for right now.
The POD landscape is definitely shifting. And while that might make it harder for emerging artists to test the waters, it also reminds us to build something of our own, something more sustainable, intentional, and aligned with how we want to grow.
What This Means for Artists
Whether you were active on Society6 or just curious about trying it someday, these changes are a good reminder that relying on platforms we don’t control can come with some pretty frustrating surprises.
For newer artists, Society6 used to be an easy way to test the waters, upload a few designs, and see what resonated. Now that door is harder to open. And even for seasoned artists, if your shop hasn’t been consistently active or doesn’t align with their current direction, you might be out too.
This shift highlights something I’ve been thinking about more and more lately: the importance of building direct connections with your audience and finding platforms that support your goals and your style.
It also feels like another nudge to be intentional, whether that’s through licensing, commissions, or collaborations that let you create what you love instead of chasing trends.
So while it’s disappointing to see some doors close, maybe it’s also a chance to choose better ones to walk through. Ones where we feel more in control, more valued, and more creatively fulfilled.
Final Thoughts
So that’s where I’m at with Society6. Slightly bummed, not entirely surprised, and honestly, a little more motivated than before to keep steering my work in a direction that feels aligned and sustainable.
The platform may have changed, but the creative drive? That’s still going strong. If anything, moments like this remind me why I care so much about building a business that’s personal, thoughtful, and a true reflection of me.
Thanks for sticking around for this deep dive. I hope it gave you something to think about, whether you’re still on Society6, left it long ago, or never touched it in the first place.
Sources:
https://help.society6.com/hc/en-us/articles/33956272703629-Updates-to-Society6-Artists-Account-Effective-March-18-2025
https://help.society6.com/hc/en-us/articles/33955575668493-Updates-to-Pricing-and-Artist-Earnings-Effective-March-18-2025
must-read articles & inspiration
The highlight reel
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I love sharing interesting things I’ve found online that are related to art or surface design! Maybe you’re already in the loop but if not I hope to introduce you to some new courses, challenges, blog posts, and anything else I find fun and interesting that I think you might also enjoy!
So let’s begin!
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🎨
how to turn analog artwork into a digital file
Read more →
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Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with any of the above resources. I'm sharing them because I found them interesting and thought you might as well!
And that's a wrap! Thanks so much for hanging out with me this month. I always love being able to share these little behind-the-scenes updates with you, and I hope they leave you feeling a little more connected, curious, or creatively inspired.
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Have you ever had a platform or opportunity change on you unexpectedly? How did you handle it?
Hit reply, I'd love to hear from you!
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Until next month,
LET'S BE FRIENDS
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JIGGY x Tawn Moore
Don't forget to use my code "TAWNART" for 15% off any JIGGY puzzle, whether it's in my collection or not.
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💡Help Shape My Content!
I’m always brainstorming new ways to connect with YOU and share content that truly inspires. Whether you want to level up your art skills, peek behind the curtain at my creative process, or get the lowdown on how I run my creative business, I want to know: ✨ What would you love to see more of? Adobe or Procreate tutorials? Tips for running a creative biz? A deep dive into my art-making process?
I’ve put together a quick survey (it’ll only take a few minutes!) to help shape my future content. Your feedback means everything, and I’d love to tailor what I share to what excites you most.
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Oh hey! You made it this far! Check out my post-credit scene below to get a glimpse of what I'm currently watching!
What I'm watching right now
post-credit scene
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🎞️
Casino
My Rating (on 5)
⭐⭐⭐
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📺
Severance
s2
My Rating (on 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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📺
The looming tower
My Rating (on 5)
⭐⭐⭐
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