How BloomingSageDesign got started
Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?
Hi, my name is Bridget and the face behind Blooming Sage Design! I started drawing in 2021 after the birth of my daughter. At that time, art became a place of calm for me, a way to carve out space for myself while navigating new motherhood. For years I just kept drawing quietly, always thinking my work wasn’t ‘good enough’ to share, let alone to teach others.
In 2024, after the birth of my son, I found myself reflecting on what I wanted my art to mean in the long run. That’s when I finally built up the courage to open my Etsy shop, and I’m so glad I did.
My shop is all about helping people find that same sense of creativity and calm that I’ve found through drawing. I focus on step-by-step drawing guides, themed coloring packets, and bigger projects like my upcoming 2026 calendar. Everything is hand-drawn digitally using Procreate, and I design my packets and guides in Canva. I try to make resources that are approachable, inspiring, and easy to use, especially for beginners who may feel the same doubts I once did.
Now, my shop has become more than just a place to share my art, it’s a way to connect with others, encourage creativity, and show that you don’t have to be ‘perfect’ to start making beautiful things.
Favorite items
What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?
I create products for beginner artists and creatives who want to make art feel approachable and fun. My favorites are definitely my step-by-step drawing guides and themed coloring book packets.
One I especially love is my Butterfly Drawing Guide, where I walk you through how to draw two different butterfly styles. Butterflies show up in a lot of my artwork, so teaching others how to draw them feels really special. It’s one of those guides that makes drawing feel simple but rewarding, which is exactly what I hope for my products.
Another favorite is my Autumn Vibes Coloring Packet. Sometimes I don’t feel like starting a big creative project but still want to relax and color and this pack is perfect for that. It’s full of cozy, seasonal designs and it was one of the first times I felt like I really found my style. My customers seem to connect with it too, it’s one of my bestsellers.
And finally, the product I’m most excited about is launching in mid-October: my 2026 Calendar: A Year of Collages. Each month has its own hand-drawn collage of items tied to that season, with a whimsical, slightly vintage feel. I’ve been pouring so much time and love into this project, and I can’t wait to share it.
Getting sales on Etsy
How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?
My first sale came about six weeks in (thanks to my mom 🤭), but my first real customer sale took closer to two months. It felt like forever at the time, but it taught me the value of patience and consistency.
Now, I focus on driving traffic to my shop by promoting my listings on Instagram, Pinterest, and through my newsletter Bloom News. Those platforms help me share my process, connect with my audience, and keep my shop top of mind. It’s definitely been a slow build, but showing up regularly has made all the difference.
Managing BloomingSageDesign
How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?
It’s just me running everything behind the scenes. I hand-create all my products using Procreate and Canva, which lets me design everything exactly how I imagine it. Since opening my shop, I’ve also started using Alura—it’s been a huge help for SEO, researching what products are performing well, and sparking new ideas. One of my favorite features is how Alura connects directly to Pinterest; it’s saved me so much time and made it easier to share my work with a wider audience. Because my products are digital, I don’t have to manage shipping and fulfillment, which keeps things simple and lets me focus more on creating.
The future of BloomingSageDesign
What goals do you have for your shop in the future?
One of my big goals is to create a steady, reliable income through my shop. I plan to keep adding more products, especially step-by-step drawing guides and themed coloring book packets, because I love making resources that help people feel more creative. Over time, I’d like to build a shop that not only grows in sales but also grows into a trusted place where people come back again and again for inspiration and creative tools.
Advice for new sellers
What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?
My biggest piece of advice is: don’t be afraid to start. For years, I held myself back because I didn’t think my work was ‘good enough’ to sell. Looking back, I wish I had started sooner! The truth is, your shop doesn’t have to be perfect on day one, you’ll learn and grow as you go. What matters most is taking that first step and putting your work out into the world. Remember that everyone starts somewhere. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle, be consistent, keep learning, and celebrate every small win along the way.
