When I started Carmel Lorraine Designs, I knew I wanted to create artwork and share it with others.

What I didn’t realise at the beginning was how much there would be to learn along the way.

Creating artwork is only one part of running a creative business. There is also preparing collections, learning new software, managing a website, understanding online shops, writing descriptions, preparing products, and learning how all the different parts work together.

It has been a journey of learning, experimenting, and gradually understanding what feels right for my business.

Creating a Business Around My Artwork

From the beginning, I have wanted Carmel Lorraine Designs to reflect the things that matter to me.

I am not interested in creating artwork simply because something is popular for a short time. I am more drawn to subjects and colours that continue to inspire me — Australian plants, gardens, landscapes, changing seasons, and the small details that are often overlooked.

I want to create artwork that people can enjoy living with over time.

That does not mean I don’t want my business to grow. I do. But I want that growth to happen in a way that allows me to continue creating thoughtfully and carefully.

Learning Every Part of the Process

One of the unexpected parts of building this business has been learning about all the areas beyond creating artwork.

I have learned about websites, online stores, printing, shipping, product preparation, SEO, and connecting with customers. Some parts have come naturally, while others have taken time and patience to understand.

Learning each part has helped me see the bigger picture of how a creative business works.

At this stage, I appreciate understanding the process from beginning to end. It helps me make decisions with more confidence and gives me a strong foundation as the business continues to grow.

Creating Without Chasing Trends

There is always advice about what to do next — what to create, what to share, and what might work well online.

Sometimes it can be easy to feel pressure to follow every new idea.

But I keep returning to the reason I started creating in the first place.

I want my artwork to come from careful observation and genuine interest. The subjects I choose are the ones I naturally return to — the colours of the landscape, plants in the garden, flowers, and the everyday details that catch my attention.

I want my collections to develop naturally rather than being shaped only by what is currently popular.

Taking the Time to Build

Building a creative business takes time.

There are many small steps that happen behind the scenes — learning, creating, refining, and making decisions along the way.

I am learning to appreciate these stages rather than rushing through them.

Carmel Lorraine Designs is still growing, and I am still learning. But I enjoy building something that reflects my artwork, my values, and the way I want to work.

Slow and steady does not mean standing still.

It means taking the time to build something carefully.

Stella x