I feel like I say this all the time, but if you’re following us on Instagram, you know what I’ve been up to every day. It’s not just about bonnets, it’s something way bigger. For years, brands have been reaching out to collaborate with my exclusive designs for their products. I’ve teamed up with a few (you can check them out here), but I’ve been hesitant to take on custom projects or sell my patterns online because, honestly, I wasn’t ready to part with my work.
With everything going on in my life, especially with the bonnet business, I can’t dive into something unless I’m fully into it. We all saw what happened when my inspiration took a hit – that was basically my whole experience in 2024 (have you read my Year in Review series? I’ll link it if you haven’t). To feel good about my surface pattern designs, I had to find my creative space, which usually happens in the shower (funny, right? It’s my escape since there’s no one asking, "Mom? Mom? Where are you?").
Now, I’ve figured out a way to make my artwork available for brands who want to work with me. I can focus on the patterns I want to create while still juggling the bonnet work from my little home studio. If you want to know how this is all going down, keep reading! I’ll break it down simply so everyone will know what to expect when orders open on Feb 1st.
First things first, I can't do custom work right now. I mean, I could, but with everything happening at home, my brain can’t handle the extra load. Maybe in the future, I’ll take on clients to create specific patterns, but for now, this is what works for me when it comes to commercial licensing.
What I’m offering are the patterns that come to my mind. Each month, I’ll drop whatever I’ve created that month – some months there’ll be a lot, others not so much, and sometimes there might be none at all. Life is pretty unpredictable with Lily's therapies, homeschooling Leia, and managing a preteen. Plus, Marc is working a ton, so I grab “stolen moments” to fit in my painting. That’s why I can’t do custom work for bonnets or patterns; I wouldn’t be able to give it my full attention.
On February 1st at 6 PM EST, all of these patterns will be available for brands interested in using them. There will be one license available per pattern, and the purchasing window will last for 48 hours. The initial licensing for the patterns lasts for a year, and there are three pricing levels based on how complex the pattern is and how long it took to create. There are also options for longer licensing terms depending on what level you choose. For anyone wanting lifetime exclusivity on a pattern, there’s a tier for that too. You can find all the info linked here, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
I also have a thorough licensing agreement that my awesome brother helped me write. We did a ton of research to make sure I can do this in a way that keeps me and the brands I work with protected while moving forward in this digital world. Sure, I can whip up a pattern faster now that I’ve learned so much, but the time I spent honing my craft is priceless.
I think that covers it for now! You can check out what’s dropping this month, read about pricing, and see the licensing agreement linked here. Leave any comments on this post so I can see them and answer your questions, or just contact me, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
This journey has taken a while, and I can’t believe I’ve actually streamlined it to justify all the hours and hard work I’ve put in. I was chatting with a follower on IG, and I said even if no brand ends up buying a pattern, just the fact that I’ve made it this far feels like a win.
In my next post, I plan to talk about what happens to the patterns after the exclusivity period is over. It’ll be exciting to see how they come to life, whether with another brand or with us. I just love what I do and appreciate all the support as we grow!
