How to Turn Your Art Into Products (My First Artist Journal)

I love helping artists learn how to turn art into products that feel personal and meaningful. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your art into products to sell on Etsy, I hope this behind-the-scenes story inspires you.

It Started with a Little Spark

If you’ve been around here for a bit, you know I love turning my art into products that feel personal and useful. I’d been dreaming about creating my own journal for ages—something that felt like an invitation to sit down, slow down, and make a little mess on paper.

But dreaming is easy. Bringing an idea to life? That’s the fun and the hard part.

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From Sketchbook Scribbles to Real Product

I started this project the same way I start most things: with a messy page of doodles, color ideas, and big questions like What do I actually want this journal to feel like?

I asked myself:

• Who is this for? (Answer: Artists like me who want a low-pressure space to play.)
• What details matter? (Answer: Paper quality, size, binding.)
• How can I make it feel special, but still practical enough to use every day?

Little by little, the pieces came together—my patterns, some hand-drawn motifs, and a cover that makes you want to pick it up and dive in.

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The Reality of Making Something New

Turning an idea into a product isn’t always smooth. There were misprints, paper tests, and moments when I wondered, Will anyone even want this?

But I kept going because I believe we need beautiful, functional tools to stay connected to our creativity. And sometimes, your own dream product doesn’t exist yet—so you have to make it.

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From My Desk to Etsy

Seeing that first box of journals arrive was surreal. All those tiny decisions, late nights, and second-guessing turned into something real—something I can now share in my Etsy shop.

The best part? When I see another artist using it to scribble out their ideas, it reminds me exactly why I started in the first place.

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Watch the Full Video + Subscribe

In this video, I show you the full journey from my idea to launch—and why this journal means so much to me.

Click here to watch on YouTube and subscribe to my channel for more behind-the-scenes peeks at my creative business, plus honest encouragement for fellow artists turning their ideas into products.

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• Connect with Customers Through Storytelling
• Overcoming Fear of Failure in Art