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

Katie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Honestly, my business has been declining since 2020. I’m not sure why, but I think it has something to do with my products not really being a necessity when gas prices and inflation are so high. Or maybe I’m just a “has been,” and my style is outdated or childish. Whatever the reason, my sales have been dismal for the past few years. This spring, I decided it was time to make a change. I cut way back on the number of products I make in my studio so I can focus more of my time on growing my retail store and creating new art for licensing.

Katie, 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 began selling my artwork on handmade wholesale products to gift shops in 2013, after successfully selling them in my own gift shop for several years. It was not something I ever even knew was a possibility for a career, but I dove in and figured it out as I went. I have evolved and adapted throughout the years and experimented with printing on all different types of gift products- from coasters to mugs to wine glasses. I love to design unique souvenirs that will spark a memory of a special time, place or feeling. I use watercolor, ink, acrylic, collage, pastels, colored pencils, and digital media to create my artwork, then I arrange and format it for all kinds of different products. I make a lot of it by hand in my studio, but I also license some of my designs to larger manufacturers, who sell to their own customers.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

When I create a piece of art, it can be hard to send it out into the world where all eyes can see it. It’s like a little piece of me floating around out there to be criticized or copied, or loved and admired. My name and my style is all over it. I know I’m not for everyone, but it can be hard to be vulnerable. Even just posting on social media can be scary in a way. You never know who will see it and what they will think of it. It’s hard for me to use my true voice sometimes without caring what other people think.

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

When I see my art out in the world, especially when I’m least expecting it, I am always humbled and fulfilled.

Contact Info:

• Website: polkadotmitten.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/polkadotmitten
• Facebook: Facebook.com/polkadotmitten