Have you ever dreamed of having a mentor with years of success to guide you through your creative business journey?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tun...
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the transformative power of gratitude and how developing a simple gratitude practice can reshape your mindset, spark creativity, and guide you through life’s challenges. I share personal stories about how gratitude helped me through some of my most overwhelming times, including the early days of building my creative career. Gratitude doesn’t just happen—it’s intentional. I explain how pausing to reflect on what we’re thankful for can shift our perspective from what’s missing to what’s abundant, creating a foundation for joy and resilience. I also share my own daily practice, which involves setting aside a few moments each morning to journal about what I’m grateful for, specific moments of growth, and even the challenges that have shaped my journey. I talk about how gratitude has not only influenced my personal growth but also my work as a creative and an educator. Hearing stories from students whose lives have been transformed through surface pattern design fills me with gratitude and reminds me why I love doing this work. To help you start or deepen your own gratitude practice, I’ve created a free printable gratitude prompt. This tool can help you build a daily habit that’s simple yet impactful. As we’re in the middle of the launch for Surface Design Immersion, I’m feeling immense gratitude for this community and for every student who has joined or is considering joining. If you’ve been on the fence, I encourage you to take the leap—there’s room for you in this creative space. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/193 📝 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
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192: How to Create Beautiful Color Palettes
Today, I’m sharing how to create beautiful and cohesive color palettes—an essential skill for any surface pattern designer or creative. My favorite source of inspiration? Nature. Endless combinations await discovery all around us, from the hues in a sunrise to the intricate details of a flower. Creating color palettes can be a joyful and intuitive process. I’ll guide you through my four-step method: observing colors in your environment, capturing inspiration through photography, extracting colors digitally, and refining your palette to ensure balance and harmony. This approach brings depth and meaning to your work, transforming simple observations into palettes that feel authentic and connected to your creative voice. You’ll also learn tips for selecting tones, incorporating neutrals, and evoking emotion through color. Finally, I’m excited to invite you to my free workshop, Your Pattern Design Playbook. This workshop, running through February 19th, will help you map out your first collection and explore ways to create income from your art. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/192 📝 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
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191: The Secret to Getting the Most Out of Any Online Workshop
Attending a live workshop can be a powerful and transformative experience, but how you show up makes all the difference. In this episode, I’m sharing six practical strategies to help you get the most out of any online event, whether it's a course, workshop, or webinar. I know how easy it is to sign up with great intentions, only to let life get in the way. That’s why I’ve put together this step-by-step plan to help you stay engaged, focused, and ready to absorb all the value. Here’s what we cover: Mark your calendar. Treat the workshop like an unmissable appointment with your future self. Scheduling your time in advance ensures you prioritize learning. Create a distraction-free zone. Remove digital temptations, silence notifications, and prepare to take notes. Minimizing distractions will help you absorb more. Know the flow. Understand the schedule, lesson length, and key live sessions so you can plan accordingly. Being aware of the structure helps prevent falling behind. Find an accountability buddy. Just like having a workout partner, learning alongside someone else keeps you motivated, engaged, and accountable. Stay on track (or don’t stress if you fall behind). Life happens, and missing a lesson doesn’t mean you should stop showing up. Keep going and take advantage of replays. Connect to your why. Before starting, get clear on why you’re attending. Dig deeper—what’s your big goal? Understanding this will fuel your commitment. If you’re currently attending my free Your Pattern Design Playbook workshop, these tips will help you make the most of it! And if you haven’t joined yet, there’s still time! Head over to bonniechristine.com/workshop to grab your free spot. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/191 📝 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
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190: How to Create a Compelling Portfolio: 4 Steps to Showcasing Your Story
In this episode, we focus on the art of building a portfolio that showcases your creativity, story, and unique style as a surface pattern designer. Starting a portfolio can feel overwhelming, but it’s an essential tool for sharing your work and attracting dream clients. Together, we’ll explore four practical steps to create a polished, professional portfolio. I’ll share the mindset shifts, strategies, and creative approaches that make all the difference. Plus, I’ll recount a personal experience where presenting my portfolio led to a pivotal career opportunity. Here’s what you’ll learn: The Purpose of Your Portfolio: Why sharing your work is key to reaching your goals. Four Key Steps to Success: From defining your audience to polishing your presentation, these steps guide you through the process. Tips for Self-Editing: How to curate your best work and make thoughtful decisions about what to include. Creative Formats: The many ways to present your portfolio, whether physical or digital. Your portfolio is a reflection of your story and creative vision, and it’s a powerful tool for connecting with others and sharing your talents. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/190 📝 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
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189: Discover the Secrets to Surface Pattern Design Success
Today, I’m excited to invite you to an event that’s truly special—my free workshop, Your Pattern Design Playbook. This eight-day workshop, running from February 10th to February 19th, is designed to guide you step by step into the world of surface pattern design. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your skills, this workshop will inspire and equip you to turn your creativity into a fulfilling business. Here’s a preview of what we’ll cover: Lesson 1: Pattern Possibilities – Discover the breathtaking world of surface pattern design and the incredible creative & money-making opportunities this booming industry has to offer. Learn how to use your creativity to craft a career you love while establishing life-changing flexibility: time, location, and financial freedom. Lesson 2: Pattern Progress – Say goodbye to the overwhelm that comes with figuring it all out yourself. Skip the guesswork as I walk you through exactly how to start your journey, from the tools you’ll need to the very first steps to take. Lesson 3: The Pattern Path – Learn the six essential stages of becoming a professional surface designer. Together, we’ll map out a personalized, step-by-step plan to guide your progress— with a clear path, you’ll eliminate the unknown and start making real progress. Lesson 4: Pattern Profits – Discover 15 ways to transform your designs into income streams that support your creative business. During the workshop, I’ll also host live Q&A sessions to answer your questions and provide insights on your next steps. As part of the workshop, you’ll gain access to valuable resources like the Surface Design Starter Guide, the Breakthrough Action Tracker, and a Map to Success. Plus, I’ll be giving away over $5,000 worth of tools and resources to support your design journey, including ten $500 Success Starter Packs! The workshop is designed to fit into your schedule, requiring just five hours over eight days. With the strategies I’ll share, you’ll gain clarity and actionable steps that will save you countless hours in the long run. Whether you’re brand new to surface pattern design or ready to take the next step, this workshop will meet you right where you are and help you move forward with confidence. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/189 📝 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
Have you ever dreamed of having a mentor with years of success to guide you through your creative business journey?
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into The Professional Creative podcast with your host, Bonnie Christine. With over 13 years of experience as an artist, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Bonnie brings genuine warmth and actionable advice to your journey as a creative professional.
Tune in each week to get inspired and discover how the days of struggling to succeed as a creative are over.
Each episode is designed to help you GROW no matter what phase of the journey you’re on. From overcoming creative challenges to learning how to promote your work, you’ll learn how to take your passion to the next level and see SUCCESS. If you’re an aspiring professional creative or already on the entrepreneurial journey, you’ll hear about the latest marketing trends, best business practices, and inside tips from a longtime designer—all to help you grow your business like a boss!
Welcome to The Professional Creative podcast.
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