Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliana Miller

Hi Juliana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska, and as such, I spent a lot of time indoors drawing during the colder months. I grew up drawing as a joy and an escape. When I was in middle school Biology class, we were instructed to draw the cell structure and label the parts of the cell, and out of boredom and silliness, I drew the blob-ish shape and added big eyes and a smile. It was pretty adorable, so I called it Bob the Blob and continued to doodle it through my other classes. My classmates also enjoyed this character, so I drew them as blobs as well. It was a doodle that stuck with me through college, as something that I did for grins. I continued to expand my artistic endeavors through painting, sketching, graphic design, and illustrations. I studied Advertising at the University of Idaho and earned my BA in 2011. I moved back to Alaska following graduation, and worked as a layout artist for the local newspaper. I got married and began a new job at an advertising company as a graphic designer, before starting a family.

I started parenthood with twins, which absorbed much of my life for the following five years. As they’ve grown up, I find myself surrounded by two intensely creative and inspiring muses. They have opened my eyes once again to the wonder-filled awe of childhood. I started illustrating and self-publishing books for other aspiring authors, and in the meantime began illustrating my own books (which, of course, were about blobs). Covid happened, and I created a lot of books and art, which led to me doing my first pop-up event at a local market. I was blown away by the supportive arts community and continued to sign up for events. I began with the goal of being taken seriously as an artist, and I offered portraits, book contracts and custom art. People loved the blobs, instead, and I did too, so I pursued the silly route and re-imagined my business as Blobbify.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

From the outside, this has been a smooth road. I made products, signed up for events, and sold them. People have been supportive and generous with their praise. I have had bumps along the road, where some things didn’t sell and I wasted my money (I learned I’m not in the greeting card industry). I’ve pursued projects that didn’t pan out, and I have failed at a great many artistic endeavors. But through those failures, I chose to learn and adjust my approach. My struggles have mostly been in my own head, fighting the self-doubt and insecurities that I’ve had all my life. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of what I do without the support of family and friends, and the other professionals I have met along the way that showed grace, gave guidance and administered advice.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I am known as ‘The Blob Lady’ to my dedicated blob collectors, a name that I am surprisingly okay with considering the usual implications of being called a “blob”. I have created a world of Blobs, filled with adventures in stories, stickers, and adoptable buddies. Through the summer months, I run Blobbify as a sole proprietor out of the historical cabin #7 at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, Alaska. I attend the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks, and the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, and take part in the local Tanana Valley Farmers Market as many Saturdays as my husband will endure looking after the cabin. Through the winter I do a few holiday events, and focus on creating more books.

When people see my store, the most frequent assumption is that I am an employee of a large corporation. I have had to tell each of my customers that this is a character I created, and that the 20+ books I carry are all illustrated, formatted, and self published, many of which I wrote. I create the art for the stickers and artwork I sell, and I have created thousands of small resin blob figures that I adopt out. I originally created the figures from polymer clay, before making my own silicone molds and casting them in resin.

Each step of my business has been grown and fostered through the encouragement of others, and a desire to create something that brings joy to others. Something I am proud of is the registration of my trademark, Blobbify. It was a long process, but I felt that when I stepped out with this character and the idea, it would be wise to begin the process of legally protecting the name. My goal for Blobbify is to continue to continue to expand the blob world.

How do you think about happiness?

Bringing smiles to others makes me happy. I was diagnosed with OCD as a child and ADHD as an adult, and have struggled with anxiety and depression all of my life. Life is hard enough, and I want to do as much as I am able to bring joy into the lives of others.

Pricing:

• 15.00 for small resin blob
• 25.00 for large resin blob
• 15.00 for children’s books
• 10.00 for coloring books

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blobbify.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/blobbify
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/blobbify