Art + Audience

• Ep. 27: Carrie Cantwell on Building Confidence, Facing Rejection, and Finding Your Voice

  In this inspiring episode, Stacie chats with Carrie Cantwell, a graphic designer turned licensed artist, Skillshare top teacher, podcast host, and creative coach. Carrie opens up about her transformative journey from the high-pressure world of film graphics to finding her artistic voice through art licensing. Her story is one of courage, reinvention, and learning to lean into the things that come naturally. Together, Stacie and Carrie dive deep into the realities of self-doubt, the power of creative bravery, and the freedom that comes with not needing external validation. Today on Art + Audience: From Film to Freelance: Carrie opens up about leaving a prestigious film career to pursue art that reflects her true creative vision. Discovering Her Artist Identity: Through trial and error, and a little spaghetti-throwing, Carrie found her style and embraced life as an artpreneur. Bravery Grows With Age: Carrie explains how courage isn’t innate, but something that builds with life experience, perspective, and choosing to show up anyway. Rejection and Resilience: A ghosted agency deal became a pivotal lesson in honoring boundaries, feeling disappointment, and choosing self-compassion. Confidence Is a Learned Skill: Stacie and Carrie discuss how confidence grows through repeated action, not through waiting to feel “ready.” Comparison and Social Media: A powerful story about Stacie’s daughter reveals how early artists can navigate self-worth in a digital world. What’s Next for Carrie: She’s setting her sights on editorial illustration, art that reacts, uplifts, and brings meaning to current events.   Resources: Book: Don't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen   Connect with Carrie Cantwell: Website: carriecantwell.com Instagram: @carriecantwellart Podcast: Two Cranky Creatives Carrie’s Editorial Portfolio   Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart  Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Leverage Your Art: Stacie’s signature course, opening again this August 2025 Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561

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• Ep. 26: How I Built Two Creative Businesses That Generate $5 Million a Year

  In this episode, Stacie reveals the system behind her two creative companies generating a combined $5 million in annual revenue: the STAR Productivity Method. Drawing from humble beginnings at her dining room table to leading a powerhouse team, Stacie shares the weekly rhythm that has guided her journey. Whether you're a side hustler or full-time creative, this episode provides an actionable framework to gain clarity, stay focused, and make meaningful progress even with limited time. Today on Art + Audience: The Origins of the STAR Cycle: How Stacie developed the method during her early side hustle days with only five focused hours per week. A Peek into Her Themed Work Week: Discover how Monday through Friday is structured to maximize creativity and minimize chaos. The STAR Framework Explained: S – Strategize: Set goals and dream big. T – Think & Create: Dive into the creative process. A – Adapt: Refine, polish, and prepare. R – Reach Out: Share, launch, and gather feedback. Real-Life Examples: How Stacie used the STAR cycle to plan product launches and build a new mini course. How to Apply STAR to Your Own Projects: Implement the cycle on a personal project, complete with a free printable worksheet.   Resource: Download the printable STAR Cycle worksheet at staciebloomfield.com/blog Pre-Order Bonus: Get two copies of The Artist’s Side Hustle and receive Art That Works, Stacie’s flagship art critique course. Just email your receipts to [email protected]   Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart  Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Leverage Your Art: Stacie’s signature course, opening again this August 2025 Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561  

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• Ep. 25: Q&A | Licensing, Niches, and Newsletters – Your Roadmap to a Sustainable Art Business

  In this episode, Stacie answers real listener questions and dives into how artists can move from feeling overwhelmed by possibilities to finding strategic clarity. She offers empowering advice on balancing multiple passions, making smart licensing choices, and evolving your artistic style without confusing your audience. Whether you're at the start of a creative pivot or deep into the licensing world, Stacie's thoughtful insights will help you take confident, intentional steps forward.   Today on Art + Audience: Overcoming Creative Overwhelm: Sarah, a graphic designer, dreams of transitioning to a business that includes pattern design and needle felting. Stacie shares how to focus: Keep the steady income source, choose one creative passion to grow first, and use a newsletter to build community. The power of speaking to your future self and building one revenue stream at a time with intention. Licensing Wisdom – Finding the Right Markets: Mackenzie asks about the most profitable markets for art licensing. Stacie outlines top licensing markets: home decor, fabric, gifts, stationery, apparel, and big box retail. Key deal terms to watch: royalty rates, exclusivity, territory, and brand fit. Why licensing is just one slice of your business pie—and not the whole pie. Creative Expansion – Managing Multiple Styles: Hachiko, an illustrator, wonders how to present and market two different art styles. Stacie encourages embracing creative range: distinguish collections, tell your audience your story, and focus on the through line that ties your work together. Reassurance that your audience can follow your growth, and your art can hold more than one style. Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart  Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Leverage Your Art: Stacie’s signature course, opening again this August 2025 Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561  

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• Ep. 24: How Many Emails Should You Send? The Answer That Scaled Our Business to $2M — with Angie Classen

  Today on the show, Stacie is joined once again by her long-time business partner and sister, Angie Classen. Together, they pull back the curtain on how consistent email marketing helped grow their handmade brand, Gingiber, from a $100k Etsy shop to a multimillion-dollar enterprise. This episode is a deep dive into ditching the fear of self-promotion, showing up authentically, and embracing email as your most powerful marketing tool. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your product-based business, Stacie and Angie break down actionable strategies and candidly share the mindset shifts that made all the difference. Today on Art + Audience: The Myth of "Annoying Emails": Why creatives need to let go of the fear of bothering people—and start showing up consistently. The 5-4-3-2-1 Strategy: A simple and wildly effective email campaign that boosted Gingiber's sales around Mother's Day. Email is for Everyone: How indie makers, not just big brands like Anthropologie, can win with email marketing. Work Once, Use Often: How Angie turned one blog post into five effective sales emails. Product vs. Education: The critical difference in strategy when selling physical products vs. online courses. Facing Unsubscribes: Why it’s okay when people opt out—and how it helps you refine your ideal audience. Slow Growth = Strong Business: A refreshingly honest look at building a profitable business without debt, flash, or burnout.   Resources: Ideal Customer Avatar Generator: A brand-new tool available exclusively inside Leverage Your Art. It walks you step by step through identifying who your art is for based on your unique style and generates a detailed customer profile to guide your marketing, product development, and more. Available when the course reopens in August 2025.   Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart  Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Leverage Your Art: Stacie’s signature course, opening again this August 2025 Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561  

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• Ep. 23: From $1 Paintings to Full-Time Artist: Emily Jeffords on Pricing, Burnout & Creative Freedom

  In this episode, Stacie is joined by fine artist and educator Emily Jeffords for a deep, transparent conversation about building an art career that honors both creativity and sustainability. Emily shares her journey from selling her first paintings for just a dollar to creating a thriving business centered on fine art and artist mentorship. Together, they explore the emotional and practical realities of showing up authentically online, navigating burnout, and learning how to align personal values with business decisions. Today on Art + Audience: Emily’s early pricing model missteps: Hear how her unorthodox approach shaped her understanding of value and pricing. Starting small: Emily explains why having a tiny audience at the beginning is actually a gift, offering creative freedom and space to find your true voice. Voice over volume: Discover why developing a clear, authentic message matters more than chasing followers and how the algorithm often rewards that clarity. Surviving burnout: Emily opens up about the personal cost of success, including a health crisis and divorce, and the steps she took to rebuild from the inside out. Content strategy for creatives: Learn Emily’s method for defining core content pillars, making it easier to share consistently and with purpose online. Reclaiming creativity through pleasure: Why embracing joy, play, and new experiences is essential for long-term creative and emotional sustainability. Reinvention and resilience: Stacie and Emily share how they’ve redefined their brands after major life and business changes and what they’ve learned in the process.   Connect with Emily Jeffords: Instagram: @emily_jeffords Website: emilyjeffords.com | emilyjeffordslearn.com The Creative Stability Workbook: how to sell your art in any market and season The EJS (free) Resource Library: all of our top recommended resources for creatives  Connect with Stacie Bloomfield: Subscribe, Rate and Review: Art + Audience Podcast Website: staciebloomfield.com | leverageyourart.com Instagram: @gingiber | @leverageyourart  Facebook: @ShopGingiber Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingiber Leverage Your Art: Stacie’s signature course, opening again this August 2025. Got questions? Call the Art + Audience Podcast hotline: (479) 966-9561  

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