The Blog

Notes from the garden, the studio, and a creative life in the Smoky Mountains.

The Pattern Post · Every Tuesday

Your weekly coffee date with the creative industry.

The week’s news from the creative industry, with Bonnie’s spin on it. Read it here, or get it in your inbox every Tuesday.

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Florals & foliage

In the garden now

Everything from the garden ↗
Print + pattern

From the studio

Everything in print + pattern ↗
Family & slow living

Slow mornings

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Pattern Magazine

Volume 6, Marking the Moment, is on the shelves at Barnes & Noble.

A love letter to creative living, printed four times a year.

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The creative life

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every Tuesday at eleven

The Pattern Post

The week’s news from the creative industry, with my spin on it, in your inbox every Tuesday. Free, and yours to pause whenever you like.

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The whole archive

Everything

Every story since 2022, newest first.

Teach What You Know: A Personal Reflection professional creative Aug 29, 2024

Discover how teaching your creative skills can deepen mastery, build your network, and diversify income. Embrace education to transform lives and grow your business.

Yup, you read that right! As a creative entrepreneur, you should teach what you know. I believe the world needs your unique knowledge. 

Embracing the role of an educator has been an essential part of my journey as a surface pattern designer and creativ...

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The Essential Art of Setting Boundaries in Business professional creative Sep 25, 2023

Set boundaries to avoid burnout and boost your creative business. Learn to disconnect, say 'no' strategically, and handle feedback for sustainable growth.

Every creative entrepreneur knows the exhilarating feeling of creating something from scratch, pouring heart and soul into it, and watching it grow. But that deep attachment can sometimes blur the lines between professional and personal, leading to burnout and a l...

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How to Stand in Your Power as an Artist professional creative Sep 11, 2023

Embrace your identity as an artist. Discover why creativity is a real job, how art contributes to society, and how pursuing passion can lead to fulfillment and success.

Opening my mailbox one day in 2012, I found a letter from my mother: "Bonnie, when your dreams come true, mine will too. All my love, mama."

These words, full of hope and anticipation, came just a few months before I signed my first contract as a f...

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Investing in Growth: A Guide for Artists and Creative Entrepreneurs professional creative Aug 23, 2023

Unlock your potential by investing in yourself. From skills and creativity to mind, body, and spirit, learn how strategic self-investment fuels growth and success.

In the bustling tapestry of the creative realm, one thread consistently stands out: the value of investing in yourself. This is not just about spending money but your time, effort, and intention. A genuine investment in yourself can be transformative—lead...

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How I Structure Our Weekly Team Momentum Meeting professional creative Aug 16, 2023

Revitalize your team meetings with the "Monday Momentum" format. Boost communication, collaboration, and productivity through structure, engagement, and creativity.

In the ever-changing landscape of creative businesses, it's easy for team meetings to become mundane or unproductive. However, about a year ago, I decided to shake things up. I set out to create a unique format for a weekly meeting that would not only be...

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Harnessing Courage: 5 Times Ten Seconds Made All the Difference in My Career professional creative Aug 09, 2023

Discover how moments of courage can create significant momentum in your creative journey

Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you—and following a creative dream takes a lot of it! When we go after our dreams, it's SCARY. As professional creatives and entrepreneurs, we have so many unanswered questions, but what we really need is the courage in order to get started. Read on for 5 ways taking ten seco...

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How to Build a Business That Stands the Test of Time professional creative Jul 31, 2023

Discover 5 timeless pillars for success as a creative entrepreneur, from embracing vulnerability to heartfelt marketing, building community, and fostering growth.

In the constantly evolving realm of creative entrepreneurship, I've found that certain strategies and insights stand the test of time. These enduring wisdoms have guided me on my journey and I hope they will enlighten fellow creative entrepreneurs as well....

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How to Tame Your To-Do List professional creative Jul 26, 2023

Master Priorities with Lisa Jacobs’ Fast Track Toolkit and the OCN Method

Navigating the tumultuous sea of entrepreneurship can feel like a constant battle against an unending tide of tasks and challenges. Today, I want to introduce you to the OCN Method—a game-changing approach that transforms this chaos into a navigable roadmap, empowering you to sort, filter, and master your priorities. I learned this method from...

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How to Get Out of the Daily Scramble professional creative Jul 24, 2023

Tips from Team Bonnie Christine Integrator, Lisa Jacobs

Running your own creative business can sometimes feel like you're caught up in a 'daily scramble.' It's a term Lisa Jacobs, my friend and the Integrator here on the team, uses to describe the hectic, ever-changing nature of entrepreneurship. Lisa works closely with me in the day-to-day operations of my business, using her expertise from both the corporate world...

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Behind the Scenes of Starting the Professional Creative Podcast professional creative Jul 19, 2023

Why Start a Podcast as a Seasoned Entrepreneur?

For a seasoned entrepreneur, starting a podcast might not seem like an obvious next step. Even though I usually prefer talking about aspects of entrepreneurship that I've mastered, I felt it might be interesting to let you in on the reality of developing a new skill and stepping into an entirely new sphere.

Surface Pattern Designer and Creative Entrepreneur Bonnie Christine reflects on her podcasting journey with the quote,

The Motivation Behind Starting a Podcast

The decision to s...

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Hacking Willpower: 8 Strategies to Boost Your Creativity professional creative Jul 17, 2023

Boost creativity by mastering your willpower! Learn 8 strategies to harness your energy, manage distractions, and unlock your creative potential every day.

As creatives, we often grapple with the relationship between our willpower and creativity. Our willpower isn't a constant, unwavering force—it fluctuates throughout the day, affected by various factors from our mood to our energy levels. Understanding this can ha...

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