July

Hi! July is here, and while summer is in full swing, I'm already thinking ahead to the festive season. It's one of the quirks of being an illustrator—you're constantly juggling multiple timelines, preparing designs months in advance so everything is ready when the moment arrives.

Right now, I'm focused on two things: refreshing my website to make it more intuitive for visitors, and planning my Christmas collection. It's a delicate balance between staying present and planning ahead, but it keeps things exciting.

One thing I've learned over the years is that running both a physical store and an online shop requires different approaches. In my bricks and mortar space, I stock a curated selection of brands alongside my own work. Online, though, I've found it's much more manageable to focus on my own products. It gives me better control over inventory, quality, and the overall customer experience—and honestly, it's more rewarding to showcase work I've created myself.

As I continue updating the website, I'm thinking about what makes shopping online feel effortless. Clear navigation, beautiful product photography, and a smooth checkout process—these are the things that matter. I want every visitor to feel like they're browsing my studio, not just a generic online store.

If you've noticed any changes or have suggestions as I roll out updates, I'd love to hear from you. Your feedback helps me build something that works for everyone.

Julie Dougal