About Shiny Designs (and Me)
I make art outside the velvet rope—raw, handmade, and full of human touch. No institutions, no pretenses—just a wild joy in creating and sharing directly. If you’re curious and a little unruly, you’re in the right place.
The Art in Hands Project – My Why
The Art in Hands Project: Real Art for Real People in the Real World
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- Why I Don’t Sell on Etsy and Art Outside the Velvet Rope
I’ve had an Etsy shop since the early days—shop #1013. But I don’t sell there anymore. Here’s why platform choice matters as much as the work itself, and what it means to build direct relationships instead of marketplace presence. - Ephemeral Journaling for Artists Who Don’t Journal
Before I check my phone each morning, I write on a half-sheet of recycled paper. Then I throw it away. I also journal directly onto my paintings – then paint over every word. If you’ve never been able to keep a journal, you’re not broken. You just need a different approach. - How to Carve Foam Block Stamps: From Design to First Print
Every year I make handmade Christmas postcards, and this year I’m experimenting with foam block printing. It’s faster and more forgiving than linoleum carving, with results that embrace beautiful imperfection. I’m walking you through my complete process – from sketching a Christmas tree design directly onto foam, to carving it with simple tools, to that exciting moment of pulling the first test print. If you’re curious about printmaking but intimidated by traditional methods, foam blocks might be your entry point into making marks with your hands. - For Fall: Checked Pumpkin Pattern Collection
I’ve been playing with checked pumpkins and crescent moons this fall—hand-drawn elements turned into surface patterns in colors that feel like October itself. Here’s the thing though: I’m making them to actually use, not just admire. Because art that lives on your table and gets softer with washing? That’s art doing its job - Creative Sovereignty: Why Your Art Doesn’t Need to Heal Anyone
What if I told you that your creativity doesn’t need to fix you, heal you, or serve anyone else’s agenda? What if the most revolutionary act you could take today is simply making something because The Creation moves through you – not because a wellness guru told you it would reduce your anxiety?