So, a bit of history…
In 2016, when I started my art focused Instagram (which was called Sionnach Lettering at the time – sionnach meaning ‘fox’ in Gaelic), I was very focused on wanting to do more hand lettering but didn’t know what to hand letter.
You ever have that problem? Hard same.
There were plenty of writing and photography prompts in the world at that time and naturally I wondered if there were hand lettering prompt communities because surely there had to be!
Spoiler: there were several. Not as many as you will find these days but there were still plenty to choose from (even a Hamilton one!).
The goal was simple. I wanted to do something creative every day. It didn’t have to take long (in fact, it was better if it didn’t) at most five to ten minutes tops, so long as I did something. Usually these were done in sketchbooks with pencil. They weren’t fancy and didn’t have any color but damn I was proud of myself if I did it for a week straight then two weeks straight. Eventually I knew if I kept it up, not only would I get better (I hoped) but it would become a habit.
The inspirational Pinterest boards will tell you that it takes 21 days for something to become a habit and while my quick Google search tells me that it can be longer or shorter depending on what it is, I kept that thought in the back of my mind.
During this time, as I mentioned previously, I kept my hand lettering and art from my family and friends. It’s hard when you lack the confidence to put your work out there in the world and you’re mentally playing the comparison game on a daily basis. You don’t realize that maybe there are people in your social circle to would find what you’re doing interesting and cool.
Also, I didn’t want to be disappointed.
So, why am I telling you all of this?
I did warn you that I can get a bit long winded.
I eventually came to a point where I wanted to put myself out there and show my work but in order to do that, I needed to change my name. I wanted something that people could pronounce easier and that merged two of my favorite things:
Purple – my favorite color
Escape – an ode to my love of traveling
Thus, Purplescape was born with a tacked-on Hand Lettering & Design at the end. Because that’s what you do.
Fun fact: I had a hand in the name from a fellow traveler and web guru that I met randomly one day while waiting on a flight.
I took time after that to design my logo and start this website and… though I took on projects I never would have thought of taking (a menu sign at a local bagel business and a thank you card for a local nonprofit), I mentally paused.
I didn’t stop creating, no. I stopped… putting my name out there for a while. I didn’t have a blueprint of what I wanted to see and what I wanted to bring to the table that wasn’t already being done better. It was harder to brand myself this way because I didn’t have a clear concept in mind. It was with sheer stubbornness, I eventually designed and purchased business cards, stickers and packaging materials that sort of worked with everything cohesively.
Then late last year, I applied and interviewed for a job in Florida. I flew down over a weekend to check the area out and in those moments that I was left to my thoughts on the flights and delays, I was able to finally punch through some mental road blocks.
This always happens when I’m traveling.
I resisted opening up my Etsy shop because nothing felt ‘right’. That first night while sitting in my hotel, I finally created my Etsy and set up my payment information. I finally found a website to order some daisy notepads that I had designed and because I’m impatient that way, put a couple up to sell.
I stopped with the excuses and realized there was no time other than now to do it. Why wait? If I waited too long, I wouldn’t do it.
People actually bought my notepads! Most were friends (which is always super cool) but the moment someone that I didn’t know bought one, it lit a fire within me.
And here we are in 2020.
This year, I stopped focusing on creating things that weren’t inspiring me or making me happy. I’m starting to focus on my passion projects instead of focusing on the things that are trendy for the season.
Acknowledging that and being aware of my shifting passions and priorities, I’m finally making the breakthrough of what I wanted this name change and branding to reflect; these messages that will be depicted in every piece I put out.
My goal is simple – create something that brings a dash of magic into your daily life.
What do I mean by magic? To me, magic can be anything and everything – a smile, a laugh, a tear, any emotional response and even, perhaps, literal magic.
I chose bolder colors that inspire me to break out of my comfort zone: plum, tangerine, coral and a lighter cream color.
Patterns that are layered in the same way I love layering ink on top of watercolor.
I’m a very tactile person so the paper in future products must feel right, and where appropriate, I will use handmade paper in my prints.
It’s been a long journey to get where I am now, and it’s no where near over yet. While my confidence has grown tremendously, and I’ve been able to see my progress unfold with every step of the way, there are still hurdles that must be crossed when the time comes.
In all, I’m very pleased with my new brand and my new concept.
For now.
Undoubtedly, I’ll think of something even better later on but for where I am now, this speaks to me.
Tell me, what was your biggest challenge when you started whatever creative or non-creative endeavor you’ve chosen? Was it the confidence to get it started and sharing it like myself? Pricing? The comparison game? Let me know in the comments!
♡ Amy