Rise Up Designs

Yesterday was my first fall market, and honestly? It was a really good one. Sales were good. I was paying attention to what people were picking up, what I need to make more of, what was catching their attention—all those little things you learn when you’re actually standing in front of your customers. But I also learned something else. Take care of the person behind the booth. I live in Texas. I know it’s hot. And I thought I was prepared. One of my market rituals is packing a little cooler full of bottled water. Yesterday I brought about eight bottles, and I was drinking water throughout the day. The market organizers were wonderful about making sure vendors had water available, too. Hydration? Check. Or so I thought. Around 2:00, as I started packing up, I suddenly got really dizzy. Not “whoa, I stood up too fast” dizzy. Sit-down-right-now dizzy. Eventually I had to call in reinforcements—aka Dad and my cousin—to finish packing my booth and drive me home. And that was my ...

​ The last three weeks have been a whirlwind. If you’ve been following along, you know I was in Nebraska, then came home and had a market, then the Monday after that market I had the APCO conference, and the Saturday after that…another market. So when this weekend finally came around and I didn’t have anything scheduled, I was grateful. Really grateful. And at first, it almost felt strange. No market to pack for. No booth to set up. No event to rush to. Just a little space. And I realized how much I needed it. Not because I wanted to do nothing, but because I needed time to catch up on the things that are easy to ignore when you’re constantly moving. I checked inventory. I ordered new UVDTF wraps. I started updating some of my signage. I finished special orders that needed my attention. I looked at what I had, what I needed, and what could be improved before the next market. And honestly, it reminded me that slowing down is part of running a business too. When you’re c...

This week’s Sippin’ Sunday reflection comes with a little cinnamon, a lot of laughter, and a recipe for connection. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my niece Gracie making homemade conchas and horchata—neither of which we’d ever made before. And while the kitchen got a little messy and we had to Google more than a few things along the way, what we created went far beyond sweet bread and cinnamon milk. We created memories. There’s something incredibly powerful about sharing space, creativity, and intention with someone you love. We didn’t need to be experts. We just needed time, curiosity, and a little courage to try something new. And that’s really what creativity does—it brings people together. It invites us to slow down, be present, and find joy in the process, not just the outcome. That’s the same spirit I try to carry into my craft business and the events I host. Whether I’m designing a tumbler or teaching someone how to use vinyl wraps, it’s always about the experience and th...

Let’s talk about momentum — that magical mix of consistency, hustle, and a little caffeine. 😅 I’m 4 months into running my Etsy shop, and recently someone asked me, “How are you keeping things going?” Honestly, it’s not one big secret… it’s a bunch of little habits that keep the wheels turning. Here’s what’s been working for me: Social Media Consistency I show up. Not perfectly. Not every day. But enough to stay top of mind with my audience. Whether it’s showcasing new wraps, behind-the-scenes packing days, or DIY inspiration — I keep it real and keep it moving. SEO Tags Matter (a lot) Y’all, don’t sleep on your product tags. I regularly check and tweak mine to make sure I’m being found. Etsy is a search engine — help it help you. Using AI (hey, bud 👋🏽) I lean on tools like AI (hi again) to help with writing, brainstorm ideas, and streamline my content. It’s like having a little business partner that never sleeps. Better Photos Every Week I’m always updating my pics — new ba...