Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caitlin Caudle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Caitlin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

I started my online business on Etsy in 2018. At the time, I was a junior in high school and had recently made the decision that I wanted to pursue art as a career. I wasn’t sure exactly how to go about that yet, but I saw other artists on the internet with their online shops, youtube channels, and self-made careers. I took them as my inspiration and decided to start by opening up an Etsy shop. At the time, I was really into watercolours and I made laminated bookmarks with abstract watercolour designs and quotes. These bookmarks were the first products available in my shop.
I eventually also added some other small things like pins that I made myself and stickers. My early stickers were made at home using my mom’s Cricut machine and sticker paper. I was just starting out with the sticker making and the first batches weren’t particularly great as my printer didn’t print vibrantly and I used the wrong sticker paper. At the time though, I was so proud of my little shop! I was essentially replicating what I saw other small businesses doing and I bought cute tissue paper and string to wrap the orders in, I handmade little backing cards for the pins, and I wrote thank you notes for each order I received.
I have to really thank my mom for being so supportive with my shop. She encouraged me the entire way and gave me access to many resources to get started. She had invested in tools like the button/pin maker, the laminator, and the cricut, and was excited to see me use them for my business. I remember she even spent hours in front of the computer helping me format my first business cards. She also helped me immensely with the nightmare of figuring out shipping costs. Her support was essential in my shop journey and I will always be thankful for her guidance.
As I was in high school and working a part-time job, my shop was always in the background and something I did mostly for fun. I was also really getting into digital art which was evolving not only my art and style, but my shop as well. I was posting my artwork on social media and my following was slowly growing- leading to my shop growing in tandem.
After being dissatisfied with the quality of my stickers for some time, I made the switch to ordering stickers from a manufacturer. I did loads of research, asking artists I followed where they got their stickers made. It took me a few orders to find a manufacturer I loved, but soon I made my first bulk order of multiple sticker designs. In 2023, I placed my first major print order from a manufacturer and it was at this point that I really saw my shop for what it was, a business.
Since then, both my online following and business have grown immensely. I still sell prints and stickers, but I have also branched out into other products such as keychains, washi tape, ceramics, and more. I am constantly thinking of new ideas, products, and ways to expand my business. I am still inspired by my friends and fellow artists and I am incredibly lucky to have a platform where my work is supported by so many amazing people. I also still have my mom cheering me on and giving out my business cards to people whenever she gets the opportunity. As I continue my life with big changes such as moving to a different country and going to university for an illustration degree, I still work on my art and shop and I am excited to see where it goes next!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello!

My name is Cait or Caitlin and I am an illustrator, ceramicist, and just generally an artist. I enjoy partaking in all kinds of media when it comes to art. Usually I prefer to draw digitally, but some of my other favourites are watercolours, mixed media, lino cut, crochet, and ceramics. I like to keep busy and alternate between different crafts and hobbies, and I am always trying new things. I find that when I get a bit of art block in one media, I switch to another to refresh and use my brain in a different way. My work is identifiable by its warm, saturated colours (usually lots of yellow), cozy feel, decorated borders, and overall charm.

I am from Western North Carolina in the United States and am currently attending university in Berlin for a degree in Illustration. A big change, but I love discovering new places and getting new inspiration for my work! Speaking of inspiration, I share my work primarily online so I am constantly getting inspiration from my fellow internet artists and creatives. I also get inspired by consuming various media such as books, tv series, films, or video games. I think the best way to make good art is to consume good art and learn from it.

As for my business, I currently sell my digital art as prints as well as stickers and keychains. I also enjoy selling my ceramics, particularly little ceramic houses and earrings. I am always branching out and making new things, so you won’t often see me tied down to one idea and I’ll usually make whatever brings me joy! I also do art commissions as well as the occasional design work if needed. I suppose I am a bit of an entrepreneur, though that title feels a bit big at times- I just enjoy making things!

I like to think I have a lot of different creative skills so I am prepared for a number of different projects. I only wish I had the time to create all of the different ideas I have on a daily basis!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Whenever I think of what is most rewarding to me as an artist- I think of when I sold my work in person for the first time. Selling my art online is a bit different, you don’t meet the people face-to-face, it’s all numbers-based, and there is some disconnect between you and your customers. I am incredibly thankful for anyone who has bought my art, but selling in person is entirely different. There is something quite special about watching someone pick up something you spent hours creating and seeing them consider spending their hard-earned money on it. It is all the more rewarding when they do decide to purchase it. Every time, I am always baffled someone chose to adopt something I created- a piece of me. I think of this feeling especially when I was making ceramics. I specialize in making little ceramic houses which are incredibly time-consuming to make, but they fill me with such joy that I continue to make them still. I love seeing someone pick up one of my houses and be filled with the same joy the little house gives me. It is the most rewarding aspect to me about creating- getting to spread the joy to others. I also find this joy whenever I scroll through my favourite artists’ work online or visit a local art market. I love seeing what other people like me have created with their hearts and hands. It fills me up with inspiration as well, and I end up feeling creatively refreshed and wanting to make something!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Recently, I moved to Berlin, Germany, to study Illustration full time. Studying in another country had been a goal of mine since high school and after a global pandemic and other events in my life, I was finally able to move. My ambition has always been to become a freelance illustrator, and while I don’t necessarily need a degree to do so, I enjoy learning and having a BA can only help. However, choosing to make this big change required a lot of personal sacrifice. I was fortunate to have a job I loved with supportive coworkers, my little shop as a side business, and access to many resources at home for my art. Moving away would mean leaving all of that behind. I realized that I would not be able to transition my shop to Berlin right away until getting settled and into the flow with university. So I had to leave it behind with one of my closest friends managing it. While it was nice at first to not have the responsibility of my shop to take care of, I quickly began to miss it. I realized how closely tied to my identity my business was and I resolved to transition it to my new home as soon as possible. I look forward to the possibilities that living in a big city will bring, from vending at markets to meeting other local artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://caitlinincolour.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitlin.in.colour
• Other: Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CaitlininColour