Hi Reader!
Happy December! 🎄 This month’s email is packed with festive vibes, a mini gift guide, some exciting updates from my studio, and even a little rant about the less-than-festive topic of art theft (ugh). Let’s dive in!
MINI GIFT GUIDE
Looking for gift ideas that are thoughtful and feature my art? I’ve got you covered! Here are some fab picks for everyone on your list:
Thortsgiving Special
Thortful’s “Thortsgiving” is the perfect chance to stock up on cards! While they aren’t offering discounts this weekend, they are giving creators like me 50% more royalties on every card sold. 🥰 So, when you shop, you’re directly supporting your favourite artists—what a beautiful gift!
🗓️ Thortsgiving ends December 2nd, 2024.
🌎 They ship internationally, but if you're in Canada, keep in mind the current Canada Post strike may cause delays.
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Jiggy Puzzles
Got a puzzler on your gift list? 🎁 I have four 500-piece puzzles in my JIGGY Studio shop, and let me tell you—they’re faaaaabulous! Premium quality, gorgeous colours, and perfect for framing.
Want something even more special? Check out my 800-piece premium puzzle in a chic glass jar—perfect for gifting or to adorn a shelf.
🎉 Use my exclusive code TAWNART for 15% off your purchase—no expiration date!
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Art Prints with Fy!
If you aren’t a card sender and no one on your gift-giving list is a puzzler, maybe they would love a new art print to decorate their homes. My collection has something for everyone, and right now, Fy! is offering 35% off all prints for Black Friday!
If you miss out on the sale, no worries—use my code TAWNART for 20% off anytime (on my art or anyone else’s!).
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STUDIO NEWS
CARD SAMPLES
I’m so excited to share that I received samples for two of my cards with Sellers Publishing, and I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out! Each card has a special treatment to enhance some of the elements in my design (one has glitter, and the other has a holographic finish), which is super fun! I did a little unboxing when I got them, you can watch it here. It’s always a wonderful surprise getting samples of products you’ve licensed art for, it’s like it makes it official and more real somehow.
FUN WITH XP PEN
Big tech upgrade! After years of dreaming (10+) and saving, I finally took the leap and upgraded my workspace with a display tablet—the XP Pen Artist Pro 19 (Gen 2). 😍 Let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer so far!
The decision wasn’t easy—I spent weeks debating between the XP Pen and the Huion Kamvas Pro. Both came highly recommended but after hours and hours of research (and plenty of advice from fellow artists—thank you all!), I went with the XP Pen. It checked all my boxes: vibrant 4k display, responsive pen, and a price point that didn’t make me faint.
Since unboxing it, I’ve been blown away by how intuitive and seamless it feels to use. From sketching to adding final details, the tablet brings a whole new level of flexibility to my workflow.
If you’re considering upgrading to a display tablet, here’s a tip: be patient with yourself during the learning curve. Transitioning from my iPad to a touchless larger setup connected to my computer is a bit of an adjustment, but I can’t imagine working without it for more complex illustrations.
Do you use a display tablet in your creative process? Or are you thinking about getting one? Hit reply—I’d love to hear your experiences or answer any questions about the XP Pen! 😊
TEMU ART THEFT
On a less cheerful note, my art was stolen for the first time. 😡 My “May the Course Be With You” card was found being sold on Temu without my permission. While Thortful has been incredibly supportive in guiding creators through copyright claims, I hit a wall when I learned I’d have to create an account with Temu and share personal info to proceed.
For now, I’ve decided not to move forward—but I’ll keep monitoring for further thefts. If you’ve ever dealt with art theft, what steps did you take? I’d love your advice.
And if you shop on Temu, I’d urge you to consider supporting artists directly instead. We notice, we appreciate it, and your support means the world!
Holiday ARTWORK
No new art this month, but I thought it’d be fun to take a walk down memory lane and share some of my past holiday designs. 🎄
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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ARTIST RESOURCES
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!
Surface Design Industry Survey
Sketch Design Repeat’s Annual Surface Design Industry Survey is live! If you’ve earned any income from selling your art this year—even $1—take a few minutes to fill it out. It’s a fantastic way to contribute to industry insights.
“This project started in 2020 because I felt there needed to be more conversations about the business side of our art, most especially around pricing and income. Over the past 4 years we’ve learned a LOT — download last year’s results here.” - Shannon McNab
🗓️ Survey closes January 3, 2025.
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📈
The Ethical Use of AI for Artists & Creatives
Read more →
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🎨
Thortsgiving 2024: Our Offer for Creators
Read more →
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📘
Uppercase Mag: 6th Surface Pattern Design Call for Entries
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!
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What’s your go-to creative tool or tech that you can’t live without?
Hit reply, I'd love to hear from you!
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As always, thank you so much for being a part of my email fam!
LET'S BE FRIENDS
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JIGGY x Tawnart
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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Newsletter Survey
I’m always looking for ways to make my letters to you better. Your thoughts and opinions mean the world to me! I’d love to hear what you think. What do you love? What could be improved? And most importantly, what kind of stuff would you like to see more of?
To help me out, I put together a quick survey. But if surveys aren't your thing, feel free to hit reply and share your thoughts and ideas with me instead!
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