Rise Up Designs

One of the things you get used to when you run a small business is feedback. It comes from everywhere — customers, friends, family, people at craft fairs, people who see something online. And honestly, most of the time it comes from a good place. People want to help. But if you’ve ever tested a product idea with different people, you know what usually happens. One person will say, “I love it!” Another person will say, “It’s nice, but I’d change this.” Someone else will say, “I like it… but I’d remove that.” And suddenly you’re sitting there thinking, Okay… so what exactly am I supposed to do with all of this? Feedback can be incredibly helpful, but it can also be a little exhausting if you let every opinion pull you in a different direction. What I’ve learned is this: feedback is information, not instruction. Just because someone suggests something doesn’t mean you have to implement it. But it does give you insight. It shows you how people see your work, what catches their at...

  One of the things I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is the experience behind a gift. For a while, my shop focused mainly on individual items — cups, wraps, and other pieces people could purchase on their own. And those are still a big part of what I do. But lately, I’ve been experimenting with something new. Instead of just selling a single item, I’ve been asking myself: How can I turn this into a whole experience for someone? Because the truth is, most of the time when people are buying something from a small shop, they’re buying it for someone else. It’s a birthday gift, a thoughtful surprise, a little something for a friend, or a “just because” moment. So this year I’ve been stretching a little creatively. One thing I’ve been testing is notebooks with custom designs, pairing them with matching glass cups to create a ready-to-gift bundle. Something that someone could pick up and immediately think, This is perfect. I’ve also been experimenting with a few other ideas:...

On February 12, I quietly celebrated one full year on Etsy. One year of listings. One year of late-night packing sessions. One year of figuring it out as I go. One year of truly stepping into my business. And I’ve learned a lot. Not the flashy, viral-growth kind of lessons. The steady, grounded kind. The kind you only learn by doing. 1. Stay in Your Lane If you start a business, especially a creative one, everyone will have advice. “Try this.” “You should sell that.” “Have you thought about adding…?” “You’d make more money if…” And listen — most of it comes from a good place. People mean well. But here’s what I’ve learned: You don’t have to make everything. Just because something sells doesn’t mean it’s yours to sell. Just because someone else is successful doing it doesn’t mean it belongs in your shop. There were ideas I chose not to pursue — not because they weren’t good, but because they weren’t me. And that clarity matters. Your lane is powerful when you stay in i...

​ There’s something about a Sunday that just hits different. Maybe it’s the quiet, maybe it’s the coffee, or maybe it’s the chance to slow down and check in — not just with to-do lists, but with yourself. This Sippin’ Sunday, I’ve been thinking about how much we juggle, especially this time of year. Between the full-time job, the side biz hustle, family commitments, wrapping gifts, and wrapping orders (literally), it’s easy to keep pouring into everything except ourselves. But today, I sat in that reminder. ✨ Check on yourself. ✨ Give yourself some credit. ✨ And if you’re feeling drained, maybe that’s your cue to refill. And speaking of refreshing things — I’m so excited to share a sneak peek of my new 2026 UVDTF glass wrap designs! This photo is a little behind-the-scenes moment with me and some of the new wraps I’ll be dropping soon. They’re playful, vibrant, and full of the energy I want to carry into the new year: bold, joyful, and just a little extra (because why not?). Tha...

  Flex Friday: Gearing Up for the Holiday Hustle 🎁✨ This week has been all about getting ready for what I like to call the most creative time of the year! 🎄 With holiday pop-ups around the corner, I’ve been busy putting together new bundles , creating more holiday-themed glasses , and securing a few craft parties between now and the end of November. (Spoiler: they’re going to be so much fun! 🙌) I’ve also been double-checking my Etsy listings to make sure my counts are correct and adding new seasonal items — because holiday shoppers are officially on the move! 🛍️ And behind the scenes, I’ve been reviewing my marketing platform , making sure it reflects the shift into the holiday season. It’s easy to let things stay on autopilot, but this time of year, every little detail — from photos to descriptions to tags — matters. This Week’s Takeaway 💡 The holiday season isn’t just about selling more — it’s about showing up intentionally. It’s about creating moments that feel tho...

This week, I did something both exciting and terrifying: I placed my largest wrap order ever with my printer. 😳💥 As I’ve shared in past posts, my Texas college sports wraps have been doing so well—better than I even expected. Sales picked up fast, inventory went down even faster, and I found myself in a bit of a pinch: I haven’t even started my fall markets yet, and I’m already selling out. I knew I needed to restock—and not just a few sheets here and there. I needed to go big. I sat with it. I prayed over it. And deep down, I knew: this wasn’t just spending. This was investing. Investing in momentum. Investing in quality. Investing in the Create-a-Cup Bar I’m planning for my pop-ups. Investing in myself. So I reached out to my vendor, made the call, and placed the order. Was it scary? Absolutely. Was it the right move? 100%. Because sometimes, growth looks like risk. And sometimes, faith sounds like clicking “confirm” on your biggest order yet. Here’s to trusting your gut. Here’s to...

 While everyone’s out here planning pool days and vacations, small biz owners? We’re over here thinking about seasonal trends , inventory shifts , and how to make summer sales sparkle . This week’s Flex Friday isn’t about slowing down — it’s about leveling up with intention . Because if you’re an Etsy shop owner (or building any creative biz), summer is the perfect time to: ✅ Refresh. Rethink. Realign. Here’s what I’m doing right now (and maybe you should too): ✔️ Auditing my listings – Are my photos clear? Are the tags and titles still working? What needs a glow-up? ✨📸 ✔️ Looking at seasonal trends – Am I aligned with what people are shopping for right now? Think: weddings, travel gifts, end-of-school, sun + fun! ☀️ ✔️ Checking analytics – What’s selling? What’s not? What needs to be featured more? (Yes, data can be cute.) 📊 ✔️ Planning content – From social posts to product drops, summer is a great time to get ahead — or at least feel a little more in control . 📅 ...

Let’s talk about the past couple of weeks… because WOW. I hit two milestones that made me pause, sip my coffee, and maybe get a little misty-eyed (in a good way). ✨ 100 sales on Etsy ✨ 250 new Instagram followers Like… WHAT?! I’m not saying I ugly cried, but I definitely did a happy dance in my craft room. 100 Etsy Sales = 100 Reasons to Keep Going Every single order represents something way bigger than the product: ✔️ Someone trusted me ✔️ Someone chose my work ✔️ Someone is out there sipping from my tumblers, using my bookmarks, or gifting something I made That never stops being surreal. 250 New IG Followers = A Growing Community I’ve been sharing more of myself lately — not just the products, but the process, the chaos, the craft fair prep, and all the glittery highs (and shattered glass lows). And it’s working. More people are showing up, engaging, and feeling the Rise Up vibe. So if you’re new here — hi! Welcome! I'm so glad you're here. If you’ve bee...

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...

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...

When I started blogging every day, I honestly didn’t know how long I’d keep it going. I just knew I had a LOT to say—and a lot happening as I launched my Etsy shop, juggled a full-time job, and figured out what the heck UVDTF even stood for. Now that I’ve officially passed my one-month Etsy-versary (Feb 12, thank you very much!) , I’m stepping back to reflect—and to make a slight but mighty shift in my blogging routine. Why the Change? Let’s be real: posting every single day takes work. And while I LOVE sharing the journey—wins, flops, glitter explosions, weird messages, and all—I also know that: Quality > quantity Real life is busy And creativity needs a little breathing room What’s Next? Moving forward, I’m planning to blog three times a week —a schedule that gives me space to keep creating, keep learning, and still share the behind-the-scenes of growing my small biz with all of you. Expect the same real talk, same laughs, same sparkle… just on a rhythm that fi...

 Let’s talk about one of the sneakiest stressors of running a small business: People you know asking for free stuff. Or deep discounts. Or that classic: “Can you just make me one real quick?” Yeah. That. 😐 🎁 “You Should Just Make Me One!” This sentence right here? It’s the uninvited guest at every crafter’s cookout. Don’t get me wrong—I love when people support my business. I really love when people buy from my business. But I’ve learned that support doesn’t mean expecting a hookup.  Making a tumbler isn’t like waving a wand and poof! a glittery glass appears. It takes: 🕒 time 💸 materials 🧼 prep 🙃 and patience I sometimes don’t even have for myself So when someone slides into my DMs with “Can you just make me one?” What they’re really saying (without meaning to) is: “Your time, talent, and tools should cost me nothing.” 💬 What I Say Now (Versus What I Used to Say) Past me: “Oh sure! Just cover the cost of materials.” 😬 (Cue me quietly eating the...