We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ally Morici. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ally below.

Hi Ally, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

My creativity began with hand lettering: putting pen to paper and creating lettered phrases, poems, and more, sometimes adding florals and other details. It was another couple of years before I purchased a (used) iPad and started making digital designs, but that is when my world opened up. I took classes on Skillshare, which was extremely helpful for learning how to letter digitally, try out different brushes in Procreate, and make stamps and color palettes. I credit so much of what I know to artists like Charly Clements and CatCoq, who created virtual classes on the platform and helped me hone my craft. I now use my skills from Procreate to design e-reader skins, bookmarks, stickers, and more. It is fun to consider how my artwork has evolved over the past seven years since I started my business.

Growing with my art has required an open mind and self-motivation. Life is busy, and honestly, it has only gotten busier. I became a mom three years ago, and I still work a full-time job. I am grateful I got started when I did. In fact, I took some time away after getting pregnant and having my son, and I now feel renewed inspiration.

Knowing what I know now, I would recommend that artists who are interested in digital design learn Procreate and Adobe Illustrator. I would also recommend platforms like Skillshare or Youtube to find tutorials to learn and grow. Take the time when you have it. I am a teacher and summers and breaks are a great time to really invest in my art and my business.

Ally, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Ally, an elementary math teacher and mom of a toddler. I started my small business with hand lettering pieces for friends and family and by word of mouth. I was making chalkboard signs, painted acrylic wedding welcome signs, and hand lettered poems or names to be framed and gifted. I later learned digital design, specifically using the app Procreate, used with my iPad and Apple Pencil. With digital design, I was able to have my artwork printed on clothing, mugs, stickers, ornaments, and more.

Then, in early 2024, after a couple of years of focusing on my son, I found I had more time to be creative. My art evolved into more book-related designs and goods, especially after I got my first Kindle e-reader. I found a renewed love of reading and loved finding others to connect with around books. I loved the idea of romanticizing reading, creating designs to add beauty and fun to the reading experience. I now design stickers, Kindle skin decals, e-reader charms, and bookmarks. They are meant for other readers who love to accessorize.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had to pivot many times since I started my small business. Pivoting has typically been a result of evolving and changing interests. When I learned digital art, I pivoted away from handmade projects. When I got pregnant and had my son, I pivoted away from my business because I didn’t have the same motivation or inspiration for it. When I got back into creating, I was also immersed in reading, so my art began to reflect that. Being open to making those pivots has always been good for me and my business.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Honestly, social media is a whole separate beast. I do my best with the time and money I have. So far, this means not running ads. I think some people have a lot of luck with ads, but I’m not there right now. I also think authentic relationships are important: building a community around your art and genre. I am still working on that. It can be difficult because I work full time and am the mom of a three-year-old, so I don’t always have the time to give. I do my best. I think for some people, luck is involved. Just be consistent, do the best you can with what you have, and the right people will find you and love you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shopmorally.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/morally_co/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/morallyco/
• Other: TikTok: morally_co

Image Credits

The first image: Jenna Essa Photography