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

Alright, Cheryl thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I have always created so art was consistently a part of life even as a kid. When I was a senior in high school I sold my first painting and realized then that I really could paint. It was a family member, but still meant so much to me

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

I’m Cheryl Tocci, a professional canvas and furniture artist based in Hollis NH. I LOVE making my creative visions come to life and beautiful pieces of art for your home. I have always loved drawing and creating art. I can remember as young as 1st grade, trying to draw the cartoon contests in our TV guide (yes I just dated myself lol).

As I grew up my passion never wained and only grew. I put painting aside for many years while I raised my children and the started again about 10 years ago. I revived my art by painting on glassware and have since transitioned in the past few years back to canvas and then furniture! My favorite medium to paint with with acrylic paints but am always branching out to try more. On many weekends you can find me in my studio painting my favorite wildlife or in my workshop revitalizing and almost lost piece of furniture into art.

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

I think everyone pivots in their life, but it is the ones the imprint on your life that are the most meaningful. For me it was when I had my mobile paint and sip company, Drinkable Arts. We had always been mobile and started growing nationally with reps teaching nationally. I had decided to open a studio to have classes at and try the market that way locally. However, after 6 months, I realized that our audience knew as a mobile and traveling to their homes and businesses is what made us different. At that point I made the decision to close the studio and refocus our growth nationally as a mobile glassware painting company. That paid off as we grew. Sometimes pivoting is a hard decision, but such a huge learning process.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is a blessing and curse LOL. Growth is important , but takes work. I personally try to study all algorithms of the platforms and pivot consistently to continue reach. When I first started out in the furniture art and canvas are industry online, I aligned myself with the companies that had the products I used. I would tag them on all of my posts as well as joined all the groups they had. I also posted daily different types of content to engage my customers and get reach, with LIVE tutorials being the most prevalent that I did.

I actually provide social media and business consulting to creatives now through my other business- Creative Connection Consulting.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jjbeandesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjbeandesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jjbeandesigns
• Other: Here is the website to my consulting website: https://www.creativeconnectionconsulting.com

Image Credits
EAS Photography – Eric Snyder