In this episode, I dive into the seven most common mistakes I see new surface pattern designers make—and offer practical advice on how to avoid them. These lessons come from my experience mentoring thousands of designers, but they’re universal enough to apply to creatives of all kinds. If you’ve ever felt rushed, stuck, or unsure about your creative path, this episode is here to guide and encourage you.

We start by addressing the rush to monetize and how it can stifle your growth, followed by the dangers of comparing your beginning to someone else’s middle. I unpack the importance of finding your unique audience and not trying to please everyone. We’ll also explore why skipping practice for perfection is a trap and how ignoring the business side of your art can hold you back.

The power of community is a recurring theme—why you need it and how to find the right group to support your journey. Finally, I discuss the heartbreaking reality of giving up too soon and why persistence is the key to long-term success.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for clarity in your creative career, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped to move forward with confidence.

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/186

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

In this episode, I’m sharing a fresh perspective to kickstart your creative journey and tackle those big dreams you've been holding close. Together, we’ll explore how to make your goals feel actionable and achievable by asking five pivotal questions.

Big dreams often feel overwhelming, but the key to pursuing them lies in breaking them down into meaningful, manageable steps. I share my personal story of taking small, consistent actions toward my dream of becoming a fabric designer, turning a once-daunting idea into a thriving career. Along the way, I highlight the importance of connecting with supportive individuals, making consistent progress, and creating an environment that fosters creativity and focus.

Here are the five key questions I pose to help you fine-tune your vision and ignite action:

• Who can I look to for support? Big dreams thrive with encouragement, accountability, and mentorship. Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you.

• What can I commit to? Consistency matters more than intensity. Even 15 minutes a day can snowball into significant progress.

• Where will I cultivate this dream? Set up a space and routines that make showing up for your dream easy and inspiring.

• What is my why? Anchor yourself with purpose, and let your bigger vision carry you through challenging moments.

• Am I ready to let go of perfection? Embrace mistakes as part of the journey and let experimentation fuel your growth.

I also share a special invitation to my free event, Pattern Week, where I’ll teach you how to create a repeating pattern in just five days. Whether it’s designing your first fabric or completing a long-held creative project, this event is all about turning dreams into tangible results.

As we embark on this new year, let’s embrace the power of small steps, intentionality, and a belief in the value of our dreams.

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/185

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

Happy New Year, my friends! In this special episode, I’m inviting you to join me for an exciting free event—Pattern Week—happening January 9th through 15th. Whether you’re an experienced designer or just beginning your creative journey, this event is designed to make pattern design approachable and fun. Across five live lessons and Q&A sessions, I’ll guide you step-by-step through creating a repeating pattern in Adobe Illustrator, incorporating your sketches, found objects, or even children’s artwork.

By the end of the week, you’ll have your very own design on a tangible product, such as fabric, wallpaper, or stationery. Pattern Week is all about simplifying the process, building confidence, and connecting with a vibrant community of creatives from around the globe.

This event is especially close to my heart because I remember how overwhelming it was to start my journey in pattern design without a guide. It took me two years to figure out what I’ll be teaching you in just five days. And the best part? There are no strings attached—this event is 100% free.

We’re also giving away over $4,000 in prizes, bonus cheat sheets, and resources to help you every step of the way. If you’re ready to experience the magic of pattern design and bring your creative dreams to life, join us at bonniechristine.com/patternweek.

Your creativity is worth pursuing, and I can’t wait to see what you create. Let’s make this year your most inspired yet!

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/184

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

As we close out 2024, I’m sharing a deep reflection on the lessons learned this year and how those insights are shaping our strategy for 2025. This process of reviewing "what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next" has become an essential ritual for me — and it’s one I encourage you to try as well. In this episode, I walk you through the highlights of my own year-end review, with ideas you can apply to your creative business.

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/183

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how I prepare for Stu McLaren’s annual “Ideas for 2025” event, but even more than that, I’m walking you through the process I use to review my entire year. This reflection practice has become one of the most impactful parts of my year, helping me close out the current season with clarity and step into the next one with intention.

If you’re ready to learn how to thoughtfully reflect on your wins, challenges, and key lessons from 2024 — and use that insight to shape your 2025 — this episode will guide you step-by-step. Whether you’re running a creative business, managing a team, or growing as an entrepreneur, this process will help you extract meaningful lessons, amplify your wins, and create a clear path forward.

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/182

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

In this episode, I share the complete breakdown of my 30-day workflow for designing a fabric collection—from the spark of inspiration to the final product. This topic is particularly special to me as I recently released a new fabric collection, A Year in Petals, a heartfelt project inspired by the flowers I grew in my own garden.

Whether you're a seasoned designer or dreaming of starting your fabric design journey, this episode is packed with actionable insights, tips, and inspiration to guide your creative process.

• Tips for clearing mental and physical space to foster creativity
• The five-step process for establishing the foundation of a collection, including telling its story, brainstorming 50 descriptive words, and creating thumbnail sketches
• Breaking down patterns into hero, coordinate, and blender categories
• Digitizing and refining artwork to create motifs using tools like Adobe Illustrator
• Final steps: scaling, formatting, and preparing the collection for submission or production

I also highlight how these skills translate beyond fabric design to other creative ventures, such as gift wrap, wallpaper, and more.

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/181

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

I am so excited to welcome Laura Ball to The Professional Creative, everyone! Laura is an expert in media advertising who has helped clients achieve impressive results through strategic ad campaigns, and she joins me for this conversation to discuss digital advertising, specifically Meta (Facebook) ads, and how they can be leveraged as a powerful tool for creative entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

Join us as Laura shares her background in marketing and communications and how she discovered Facebook advertising through a course by Amy Porterfield (whom, as some of you might recall, I have had on the show before). She explains her passion for results-driven marketing and the ability to target specific audiences, which led her to specialize in helping creative, impact-driven entrepreneurs amplify their reach.

Our conversation covers various aspects of running successful ad campaigns, including the evolution of targeting on Meta platforms, the benefits of ongoing ads versus launch-focused campaigns, and the key data points to track for effective decision-making. Laura stresses the need to have a clear strategy in place before launching ads and also provides practical advice for those new to running ads, such as securing your business account, setting up proper tracking, and determining a realistic budget to start with!

Laura also shares information about her coaching and ad management services for those interested in working with her directly. Tune in for some incredibly valuable insights and guidance for creative entrepreneurs looking to leverage the power of digital advertising to grow their businesses!

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/180

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

If there is one thing that you know about me, it’s that I absolutely love my favorite things! Every year, I host a Favorite Things Party where my friends and I exchange our beloved finds from the year. It’s a fun way to discover new must-haves and share what we’ve been loving, and it has really become one of my favorite holiday traditions! This year, I thought, “Why not share my personal list of favorite things with you?”

I hope that you will join me as I dive into all the goodies that have made my life a little brighter and cozier - from lifestyle must-haves to a couple of game-changing business tools to some perfect gift ideas for the holidays! Whether you are looking for gift inspiration, self-care upgrades, or just want to hear about what’s made my year special, I have you covered, so join me for this fun, festive chat, and don’t forget to tell me YOUR favorite things this year!

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/179

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

It’s Bonnie Christine here, friends, and in this episode, I am bringing you an episode that just might spark a whole new creative journey for you! Imagine holding something that YOU designed - fabric, gift wrap, or wallpaper - and feeling that thrill of seeing your creativity come to life!

I share all about my Start Simple mini-class series, a free, no-experience-required introduction to surface pattern design. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just curious about creative expression, these mini-classes are designed to be a fun, stress-free gateway into this vibrant world!

I walk you through the essentials of creating your own patterns, from sketching and scanning found objects to tracing in Adobe Illustrator, and finally, ordering a tangible piece of your artwork. You can choose from fabric, gift wrap, or wallpaper design, and each mini-class is under an hour, making it perfect for busy schedules.

Plus, I share tips for creating custom color palettes, building seamless patterns, and avoiding common mistakes when exporting files. You don’t need any fancy skills or even a background in art, just a curiosity to try something new.

Also, here’s a little nudge from me: invite a friend, a family member, or your kids to join! Sharing this journey could make it even more fun. These classes are not only a chance to create something beautiful but also an invitation to play and reconnect with your creativity, so if you’re ready to dive into the world of pattern design, head over to bonniechristine.com/startsimple! I can’t wait to see what you create, and, as always, remember, there's room for you!

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/178

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

Welcome back, friends! I am so excited to talk about one of the most transformative programs I offer: the Mark Makers Mastermind! This mastermind is a deeply personal and intentional space that I pour my heart into every year, designed exclusively for creative entrepreneurs ready to make their mark on the world!

What even is mastermind, you might ask? In essence, it’s a small, intimate group committed to supporting each other in achieving big dreams. Together, we form a powerful network - 30 creative minds coming together to share insights, hold each other accountable, and inspire personal and professional growth.

Please tune in as I walk you through the Mark Makers journey, from our monthly “share calls” to intensive workshops where we connect, strategize, and make breakthroughs. Next year, we will even be traveling to Maine and Texas for two of our workshops - unique settings for unique transformations!

This isn’t just about business strategy; it’s a safe, nurturing space where you can bring your whole self, share openly, and connect with people who truly “get it.” You’ll meet incredible entrepreneurs like Cynthia, who achieved her best year in over a decade, and Jenna, who has doubled her revenue every year since joining. Being a Mark Maker means leading with creativity, generosity, and impact, and if that resonates with you, I would so love for you to apply. If you're ready to make 2025 a year of transformation, join us! Applications are open now through November 21st!

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/177

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide

I hope that you will join me this week as I am discussing the complex art of decision-making, especially when it comes to the tough choices we all face in business and life. Listen in as I share some personal insights into how I approach decisions, from small day-to-day choices to major moves that can change the course of my business. Hear about the challenges that I have faced when deciding to let go of clients, adjust product offerings, or even make tough calls within my team.

One of the biggest takeaways from today's episode is how critical it is to make decisions quickly and confidently, and I talk about how indecision can lead to missed opportunities, decreased productivity, and increased stress, especially when you're leading a team, but what happens when the decision is especially hard? I share my own experience with one of the most difficult decisions that I have had to make in recent weeks, and how I have learned to navigate these moments with more clarity.

I also walk you through several strategies that I use to make decisions more effectively, from trusting my team’s input to knowing when to delegate and how to keep my focus sharp. These strategies have helped me streamline the process and avoid the pitfalls of decision fatigue, so if you have ever struggled with making big decisions or have found yourself paralyzed by too many options, this episode will help you get unstuck! Tune in to learn how you can make decisions that will propel your business - and your life – forward, and, as always, remember that there's room for you.

📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒

https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/176

📝 Read the Transcript 📝

Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide