It's been several weeks since my last blog post, and if you've been following my blog, you'll probably know why!
Life lately has revolved around Lucy, our extremely energetic Labrador puppy! Between training sessions, puppy classes, socialisation outings, garden excavation projects (her specialty!), and attempting to maintain some semblance of a creative routine, the weeks have flown by.
The puppy chaos has definitely kept me busy, but more about that in my next post!
Today, I wanted to share something happening on the creative side of my business.
Spoonflower will be introducing a new shopfront format in December, and I've recently been updating my shop in preparation for the change. One of the most exciting additions is the new banner feature, which gives designers an opportunity to create a much stronger visual introduction to their shop.
After experimenting with a few ideas, I decided to feature my Woodland Whimsy Storybook Collection in my first banner design. It's a collection that represents my illustration style well, and seemed like a fitting choice to welcome visitors into my shop.
What I particularly love about the new format, though, goes beyond the banner itself.
The updated shopfront provides dedicated spaces where designers can share more about themselves, including their creative inspiration and journey. I think this is a wonderful addition for both designer and shopper.
When I'm browsing a creative marketplace, I often find myself drawn to the story behind the artwork as much as the artwork itself. Learning about an artist's inspiration, process, and creative journey helps create a much more personal connection, and I think the new Spoonflower format encourages exactly that.
For designers, it's an opportunity to give visitors a better sense of who we are and what inspires the collections we create. For customers, it makes shopping feel a little more personal and engaging.
Another feature I'm looking forward to is the ability to refresh my banner regularly. While I've started with Woodland Whimsy Storybook Collection, I plan to update the banner throughout the year to showcase new collections as they're released. It will be a lovely way to keep my shop feeling fresh while highlighting whatever I'm currently working on in the studio.
Overall, I think this is a thoughtful update from Spoonflower. The new format feels more welcoming, more visual, and more reflective of the artists behind the designs. I'm looking forward to seeing how fellow designers use the space and how our individual creative personalities shine through.
And next time, I'll share a little more about Lucy's recent adventures, including her very first café visit and trip to the beach!
