Update #13 - Where I launch both my print shop and my new podcast, and take a well-earned break

This is where I share what I’ve been up to behind the scenes to move my art career forward - the good, the bad, and the as-yet-to-be-determined. 

As you read this I am enjoying a well-earned break, which I’m hoping will be full of naps, books, art, and other deliciously analogue activities. What an incredible, insane, overwhelming, and glorious month June has been! Wow - so many projects came to fruition this month, and the response has been wonderful! Phase one of business building is complete and I really feel like I’m picking up some serious momentum. I’m so excited to come back after my holiday and get cracking on phase two!

Let’s see how everything shook down in June…

June’s Rose, Bud, & Thorn

The Rose is something that went well, the Thorn is something that didn’t go so well or is challenging, and the Bud is something that is still percolating…

ROSE

The most exciting and rosiest Rose in June was the launch of my new print shop! This has been in the works for months, but due to a number of complications from the Danish tax system, a hefty dollop of procrastination, and the sheer amount of work required, it has taken much longer than anticipated. But, it has arrived, it’s gorgeous and I’m utterly delighted with the quality of the prints.

I decided to partner with a drop-shipping company to fulfil the orders, mostly because the idea of being a shopkeeper doesn’t appeal to me. I’d much rather focus my time and energy on making the art and doing the marketing, and have experts take care of the printing, framing, packaging, and shipping. What’s more, the whole process is done under my own branding, so your print will feel like it comes directly from my studio.

The added bonus of taking care of all the paperwork for the print shop, is that all my legal ‘i’s are dotted and ‘t’s are crossed for selling originals outside of Denmark too! Squeee! So as soon as I get back from my hols I’ll be planning a few originals drops for the rest of the year, and yes, I can confirm that the Little Wobbles will be returning later in the year!!

The second huge and rosy Rose has been the launch of my new podcast, Zuzu’s Haus of Cats Presents… (perhaps some of you found me from that?).

The first episode went live on June 6th, and featured an interview with the amazing Helen Wells. If you haven’t tuned in yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen - Helen is a wonderfully generous guest and gave so many valuable tips and insights into the art making process.

I never really expected much from doing the podcast. I really wanted to just have an excuse to chat to some of my favourite artists, sort of networking in public. But the response has been so positive, and it has already brought so many new people into my life - I can’t wait to see what happens next!

The next episode comes out on July 11th, and it’s with artist and founder of Artist Strong Carrie Brummer. It’s such an exciting conversation - I know you’re gonna love it.

BUD

I have been fizzing with inspiration this month, despite not having any time for actual art-making, and I cannot wait to get back into the studio and start bringing some of these ideas to fruition. I have a collection I need to finish, and then I have two more which are jostling for attention in my art brain - and, of course, I’ll be bringing you all along for the ride on my YouTube channel.

The second Bud is marketing, marketing, marketing! Now I actually have the bones of the business in place, my attention can shift to how to get as many eyeballs on it as possible. I have a bunch of ideas I’m eager to put into practice, but because marketing is an ongoing project, I’m happy to take things slowly over the summer and just potter along with it gently. I’m keen to have a super-chill art-focused summer as my energy levels tend to be much lower when it’s warm (hot) outside, so until the temperature drops again I’ll just be chugging along slowly and trying not to over-extend myself.

THORN

I’ve been so busy with business building this month that I have barely managed to make any art at all!

It’s inevitable that sometimes the art/business pendulum will swing too far over to the business side, but I’m looking forward to pulling it back and settling into a more art-focused routine again after my break.