We were lucky to catch up with Bee Blanton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Bee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

I named my business Tiny Pencil Studio after a collection of stubby pencils I accumulated during college. I saw them as this symbol of my dedication to drawing and creating. I still keep a little jar of these tiny pencils on my work table. It’s a great reminder of where I started and to keep doing what I love.

Many folks in my industry name their businesses with their names but that path wasn’t for me. My full name is long & I knew early on that I wanted my business to grow into something bigger than me. It’s still a tiny business today, but I have goals of growing Tiny Pencil Studio beyond just myself.

Bee, 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 Bee: the hands, head, and heart behind Tiny Pencil Studio. I’m an illustrator/designer based in the beautiful foothills of Western North Carolina. I’m a SCAD Grad with a BFA in Illustration, a minor in Fashion Design and some good stories about art school. Since my college days, I’ve been creating illustrated goodies like greeting cards, stickers, decals, and prints, while also illustrating and designing for small businesses and publications.

I love drawing and lettering by hand with pencil, gouache, watercolor, and most frequently, my trusty iPad and Apple Pencil. My work tends to be a mix of themes from my life: female empowerment, queerness, and being from the South. A lot of the themes I use in my stickers, for example, are these little statements that I needed for myself but quickly became what other folks needed too. Humor and happiness are important in my work as well. I draw a lot of inspiration from my favorite things (cats, french fries, rainbows…) and the silly things my mom and I say to each other.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My primary mission with Tiny Pencil Studio is to connect folks. My creative journey really comes from a yearning for connection and understanding. I’ve long found it difficult to feel comfortable in my skin & accept myself, and there’s so many of us that feel this way. If one of my stickers, prints, or cards helps someone feel seen, understood, or connected to another human then I’ve achieved my ultimate goal. Looking at the future of my journey, I hope to expand my vision beyond products & into a physical space where we “colorful weirdos” can connect over a shared passion for creativity.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Having someone purchase my products or hire me for a job will always be the most rewarding experience, but selling in-person at pop-up markets really tops the list. I have done happy dances and shared hugs with people because we were both so excited that I made something that resonated with them. It’s the best feeling! Being an artist and creative requires so much vulnerability and long periods of hoping things will come to fruition. It’s the smallest moments that really have the most impact and energize me to keep on creating.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tinypencilstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinypencilstudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinypencilstudio
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tinypencilstudio/