Rise Up Designs

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...

This weekend, I hit pause on the hustle and gave myself a full-on San Antonio-style staycation — right in the middle of Fiesta. And let me tell you — it was exactly what my creative soul needed. What Even Is Fiesta ? 🪅🎉 If you’re not from here, picture this: An 11-day explosion of color, music, food, culture, parades, and puro San Antonio pride. Originally started in 1891 to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, Fiesta San Antonio has grown into the city’s biggest celebration — with proceeds going to scholarships, non-profits, and community programs. It’s joyful. It’s loud. It’s gloriously extra. It’s puro SA !! And we LOVE it. Staycation Highlights To soak in the full experience, I stayed at the Emily Morgan Hotel — a historic, slightly spooky icon right next to the Alamo. (Yes, I absolutely peeked down the hallway for ghosts and heard things at night but no regrets.) 🏨👻 We had dinner at Lone Star Café overlooking the Riverwalk — the gorgeous day the big a...

Sometimes the biggest wins don’t come from big crowds or big booths… They come from a two-hour craft fair at an elementary school , under paper flowers, surrounded by community, family, and the unexpected magic of handmade joy. This week’s flex? A Fiesta-themed event hosted by my niece Gracie’s school , and y’all — it ended up being everything. Gracie, the Accidental CEO 👧🏻✨ Knowing she might get a little bored, I brought Gracie some silicone beads to play with while she sat at my booth. You know, just something to keep her busy. Cut to: Gracie crafting up the cutest little keychains you’ve ever seen , and casually laying them out on the table like she’s been doing markets for years. No sign. No price. Just sitting there being adorable. Then it happened… A woman walked by, picked one up and said, “Oh my gosh… these keychains are BEAUTIFUL!” 😍 I blinked. Gracie blinked. I said, “Yep! They’re for sale!” ( Internally: Are they? They are now. ) The lady BOUGHT it. Gra...

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...