Mug Shot (or how I expanded my product line)

Most of my career has consisted of “service-based” work. Whether it is the graphic design work I do or the periodic voice-over gig, both of them “bring home the bacon” for a service, as opposed to providing a physical product.

So when people started to inquire about getting prints of my artwork, I had a lot to learn about what is needed in order to sell a product.

How to set up a shop

How to produce the prints

What paper to use

What sizes to offer

How to prepare product shots & descriptions

What to charge

How to package & ship

There would be moments when a single decision would have a domino-effect, resulting in 3 more issues that needed to resolved. Keep in mind this was all for just ONE type of product.

I started to question if I would ever do any other products because at least when it came to art prints I knew a thing or two about paper. I don’t know squat about what to look for when selecting shirts or bags or phone cases to print on.

This week marks the announcement of adding my first non-paper product to the shop, a.k.a coffee mugs!

So how did I go from thinking maybe physical product isn’t “my thang” to dipping my toe into mugs? (For the record, I would NEVER dip my toe into a mug, that’s just gross.)

It all goes back to an idea that has been a North Star for me in this journey: Create honest things that you enjoy.

I talked a bit about it in a previous post, but I’m aware of how it continues to guide decisions that I make in my work.

There are a number of ways this work can go, but as long as I create things that I like, and that touch on honest or truthful perspectives, I’m quite sure the work will find like-minded peeps who will enjoy it as well.

So after a year of getting comfortable with selling art prints, it seemed like the right time to explore other ways of sharing my work. Of course, aside from my loved ones, what do I spend a majority of my day with? A mug of coffee. (Of course, I’m joking… I spend WAY more time with coffee mugs than with my loved ones.)

While there were things I needed to learn about producing mugs, there was nowhere near the amount of detail that I needed to do when I first set up my shop. The foundation was already set, so by comparison it was MUCH easier.

I think that’s sort of true in life. When we take the time to lay a solid foundation, we are rewarded with an easier process when we add on to that foundation.

This time around I decided to start with 5 mugs. Of course, I already have my eye on certain artwork for future mugs, but starting with this number felt like a more manageable beginning, while still offering choices to my audience.

Another thing I’m doing differently is putting together a giveaway for a FREE Mug.

I always want to bring value to the people who are kind enough to entrust me with their email. Each week I send this blog post directly to them, plus any freebies I create. Also, whenever I do something new I want to offer the best deal to that faithful audience.

So while anyone can enter the drawing for the FREE Mug by signing up on my website, anyone that was already signed up will have their name entered TWICE. (I kinda feel like Oprah right now — YOU get a free entry, and YOU get a free entry!)

I’m still deciding when I will do the drawing, but I’ll be sure to give plenty of notice because, of course, I’m going to do it LIVE so people can tune in and see the winner selected.

If you haven’t signed up next, do it now before you miss out. Simply click here to hop on the train! And for those already signed up, more deets to come.

In the end, the best way I can describe this process is a combination of pursuing what you are passionate about, while sprinkling in decisions that stretch and challenge you. In the end you may find yourself in places that you never expected, but you’ll be surrounded by people and things that bring you joy.