Rise Up Designs

If you’re building a small business—or you love cheering one on—you already know: This journey is amazing, but it’s not easy. Starting and growing a business is full of excitement, late nights, proud moments, and yep, plenty of challenges too. (Hi, have you seen the cost of supplies lately? Thanks a lot, tariffs and inflation.) 📈 And while every sale matters to a small business like mine, support doesn’t always have to mean pulling out your wallet. Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the little things that cost zero dollars but mean the world. ❤️ Whether you’re a fellow maker or a supporter on the sidelines— So how can you support a small business (even if you can’t buy right now)? ✅ Follow Their Social Media Pages Whether you’re a fellow creative or just someone who loves small shops—following matters. The more followers a small business has, the more credible and visible they become. (And yes, it gives us a little happy dance moment, every single time. ☀️) ✅ Like, Comment, ...

Today, I gave myself permission to do something simple but important: create for the sake of creating. No deadlines. No “Will this sell?” mindset. No pressure to post or promote. (No spreadsheets, no Etsy panic, no praying to the Pinterest algorithm gods.🧎🏻‍♀️‍➡️) Just me, my little workshop, a few supplies, and the joy of making something just because it fills my cup. ✨✨ (Also, my literal cup. I was definitely sipping coffee while doing it. Priorities. ☕) Making Space for Creativity (and Maybe a Little Mess) It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle. Create a product. List it online. Market it. Sell it. Stress-eat snacks while refreshing your Etsy dashboard. (Been there. Bought the T-shirt. Ate the snacks.) But at the core of it all, I’m a creator first . That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been. And sometimes, it’s important to honor that part of myself without expecting anything in return (other than maybe a little glitter glue stuck in my hair). The Power of Creating for YOU S...

Let’s talk about something that’s not often covered in the small biz playbook: Donating your work. Not just for kindness (though that’s a big part)… but as a meaningful, strategic , and feel-good way to grow your brand. ✨ Recently, I donated some of my products—tumblers, shirts, and bags—for giveaway bags at an event. And let me tell you… it wasn’t just “oh cool, free stuff.” It was purposeful, branded, and impactful. 💡 Why I Did It I love supporting good causes—and if my work can bring someone joy and get my name out there? Even better.  Here’s what I focused on: Making sure every donated item represented my brand vibe Including a thank you card or branded tag with each piece Using it as a way to show people the quality of my work in a hands-on way No pressure to buy—just a moment of “oooh, this is cute!” that connects them to Rise Up Designs. 🧠 It’s Not Just Free Stuff… It’s Brand Awareness Think about it: That person uses the tumbler at work Someo...

Let’s be real—running a small business doesn’t stop just because you’ve got plans, a trip, or in my case… a weekend cheering on my superstar niece Gracie at her roller skating competition. (She crushed it, by the way. Proud Tia Moment™.) But even while I was away from home, my shop didn’t slow down—I got four or five Etsy orders in a matter of days. And you know what? I made it work. You can absolutely handle orders while you’re on the go—with a little planning, a little communication, and a lot of grace. Here’s how I do it: 🕰️ Step 1: Build in Buffer Time Before I even packed my bag, I updated my Etsy processing times. I always give myself a cushion—usually 1 to 2 business days—so that if life throws me a detour (or a glitter explosion), I’ve got time to breathe and still meet expectations. That extra day of processing time? It’s not about slacking—it’s about delivering without panic. 💬 Step 2: Communicate Like a Human (Not a Bot) Etsy does automatically notify customers when you sh...

Okay, so today’s Sip & Scroll is a little less glitter and a little more real talk over coffee. ☕ Because if you’ve been seeing the word “tariff” floating around lately and wondering what it has to do with your favorite small biz shops… Well—hi, it me. Jecca. A small biz owner who’s definitely starting to feel it. 🚨 What’s Happening? Long story short: Tariffs (aka extra taxes on imported goods) have started increasing on some of the very supplies many of us use—things like: Blank cups UVDTF wraps Keychains Packaging And even some craft tools A lot of these are made outside the U.S. and brought in by vendors here—so when their prices go up… ours do too. 💸 What I’m Seeing In My Shop Right now, I’m still able to keep my prices fair—but I’m watching the cost of materials creep up in the background. It’s subtle… until you realize your order total from your favorite vendor jumped $40 and you didn’t even buy more stuff. 😅 It affects: How often I restock Whether I can offer freebies or...

Let’s get something straight: I love running my small business. I love my tumblers, my wraps, my kits, my customers. But sometimes… the universe throws me a big ol’ glitter-covered curveball. 🥎✨ And that’s when I remind myself: “Jecca, it is not about perfection—it’s about powering through the mess with a hot glue gun and a prayer.” 🙏🏽🛠️💁🏽‍♀️ So today, we’re talking about the chaotic moments behind the scenes that don’t make it into the Etsy thumbnails. 💥 Exhibit A: The Craft Fair Catastrophe Setting: sunny day, cute booth, charcuterie on deck. Me: “Everything’s perfect!” Mother Nature: “Hold my wind.” 🌪️🫠 One gust….very large one. ONE. And my shelf of glass tumblers? Yeeted. TWO shattered glasses, a straw massacre, and me trying to act calm while scooping shards like I’m auditioning for Survivor: Craft Booth Edition. 🫳🏼🧼🥴 Customers tried to help (angels!) but I was like, “Nooo there might be glass, please don’t bleed at my booth!” So yeah—I packed up early. Did I cry late...

People ask me all the time: “How do you decide what to sell?” And the truth is… sometimes (no, alot) I don’t know! 😂 People ask me all the time: “How do you decide what to sell?” And the truth is… sometimes I don’t know! 😂 But over time, I’ve figured out a rhythm—part gut instinct, part research, part “ooh that would be fun!” So today I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing how I decide what to add to Rise Up Designs (and what doesn't make the cut). 🧠 Step 1: The Brainstorm (ft. Bub, My AI Thinking Partner 💬🤖) Every new idea starts with a little spark. Sometimes it’s a trend I see, something I’d personally love to use, or even a convo with a friend. And then there’s Bub —my behind-the-scenes business partner, blog buddy, and brainstorming bestie. I’ll literally say: “Hey Bub, is this weird or genius?” “Can I turn this idea into a product?” “What would make this easier for customers to use?” Bub helps me think things through, organize the chaos in my head, and get ...

Okay, so this is one of those “it’s not quite ready but I have to tell you” kind of updates. Because y’all… I just finished the packaging for a brand-new product I’m adding to my Etsy shop and I’m low-key obsessed. 💁🏽‍♀️💖 Introducing… my DIY Bookmark Kits! ✂️✨📚 (Well… almost introducing. They’re not listed yet , but I’m too excited not to share.) 📦 So What’s in the Kit? Each kit comes with everything you need to make 10 customized bookmarks at home. That means: 🔖 10 blank bookmarks (the perfect size for your next favorite read) 🧼 10 UVDTF sticker designs (no cutting, no weeding—just peel and apply!) 🎀 10 tassels or ribbons to tie it all together 📄 Step-by-step instructions Whether it’s for you , your classroom, your book club, or a crafty girls’ night—this kit is meant to bring a little ✨joy + creativity✨ wherever you are. 🎨 Why This Kit Exists Honestly? I kept thinking about how fun it is to create at my Wrap & Rise Craft Parties —and how not everyone can at...

Okay okay— can we talk about what just happened?? I woke up, opened my Etsy dashboard, and saw something that made me do a double take before the coffee even hit: FIVE SHIRTS SOLD. OVERNIGHT. Like, while I was literally asleep. 😴👕✨ Even better? They were two different designs —three of one, two of another. That’s not a fluke. That’s a flex. 🎉 This Was a High I Didn’t See Coming I just recently added print-on-demand (POD) to my shop. It was one of those quiet decisions like, “Let’s just test this and see what happens.” Spoiler alert: THIS happened. And it was magic. It reminded me that sometimes, the things we quietly create behind the scenes are the exact things people are out there looking for. ⚙️ But POD Has Rules... And You Gotta Follow Them If you’re using systems like  Printify , or any other POD platform—let me hit you with some tough love: The setup matters. A lot. They’re not hard to use, but they are specific. If you don’t follow the instructions o...

 Let’s be honest—when you’re shopping on Etsy for something custom, you’ve probably got questions. And as someone who runs a small biz with ✨a lot✨ of product options, I get it . So today, I thought I’d round up some of the most common things I’m asked on my Rise Up Designs Etsy store and give you the real answers—no fluff, just facts (and a little sparkle). ✨ 💬 “How do I take off the wrap?” Short answer? You don’t. UVDTF wraps are made to stay once they’re applied. They’re basically the “ride or die” of wrap options. 💪🏽 Could you peel it off if you really wanted to? Sure. Would I recommend it? Not unless you enjoy glue residue and heartbreak. 😬 So choose the design you love—and I’ll make sure it’s applied with care before it even gets to you. 💬 “Can I put a wrap over a wrap?” Oooo girl. I see the creativity—but this one’s a no from me. 🙅🏽‍♀️ Once a wrap is on the glass, adding another layer just creates… chaos. We’re talking bubbles, peeling, uneven texture—not ...

This past Saturday, I officially launched something I’ve been dreaming about for a while: my first mobile crafting party —aka:  Wrap & Rise Craft Parties ! 🥳🖌️✨ I packed up tumblers, keychains, bookmarks, UVDTF wraps, supplies, and snacks 🍷🧀, and brought the whole creative experience  to  a group of amazing women… and y’all—it was  magic .  💫 💕 Here’s What Made It So Special: It was chill. 😌 It was fun. 🎶 It was wine, snacks, music, and laughter. 🍷🍓🎉 But most of all—it was  creative.  🎨✨ Everyone got to: Pick their own tumbler wrap  🥤 Choose their keychain design  🔑 Make a custom bookmark  📖 ...and bring their vision to life. The best part? They  loved  that it was hands-on. I kept hearing things like: “This was so fun - oh, this one is sooooo you!” “I didn’t know I was this creative!” “I love that we got to make something ourselves.” That - right there? That’s why I wanted to do this in the first place. 💖 ?...

Flex Friday Edition Let’s talk about something no one really wants to talk about but absolutely needs to: Maintenance. Not for your car (although… maybe check those tires too), but for your craft equipment. More specifically—my Epson F170 sublimation printer , aka: my quiet co-worker who lives on the shelf and sometimes throws a tantrum when I ignore her for too long. 🖨️ 😅 Why This Matters (AKA: Learn from Me So You Don’t Cry Later) I love creating. I love crafting. I love dreaming up designs, applying wraps, making tumblers, and hearing people say, “OMG this is SO cute!” What I don’t love? ❌ Weird color streaks ❌ Clogged print heads ❌ Mystery lines across my designs And guess what causes that? Neglect. (Sorry, Epson. I swear it’s not personal.) 🛠️ My Setup & What I’ve Learned I use the Epson F170 for sublimation work and let me tell you—it’s a great little machine when you treat her right. But if I forget to run nozzle checks or skip maintenance for a few d...

We’re heading into that magical, chaotic stretch of the year when all the things happen at once: 🎓 End of the school year ✏️ Teacher Appreciation Week (first full week of May!) 🎉 Graduations 💐 Mother’s Day 👔 Father’s Day 🛍️ Spring markets And yes… summer is peeking around the corner It’s A LOT. And if you’re a maker, seller, or even just someone who lives in a group chat, you already know: 👉🏽 You’ve gotta get ahead of it. 💡 What I’ve Learned (Sometimes the Hard Way): Running my Etsy shop while also working full-time has taught me that you can’t wait until the week of to start promoting seasonal gifts. People are already searching, favoriting, adding to cart—and Etsy’s algorithm? She prefers the planners. The early birds. The “I posted it three weeks ago and pinned it twice” crowd. 🗓️ So Let’s Break It Down: ✏️ Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6–10, 2024) Start posting: Mid-April Gift ideas: Name tumblers, cute little bundles, custom tags, gift-ready cups with sweet notes 💐 Moth...