We recently connected with Marguerite Knowles and have shared our conversation below.

Marguerite, 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.

When I began selling my artwork on Etsy in 2018, the majority of my pieces were larger acrylic seascape and landscape paintings. Although I enjoyed painting them, they weren’t as successful as I would have liked them to be. I decided I needed to create a variety of artworks, including some smaller scale artworks, as some customers might not want to jump in and purchase a large painting from an artist they had never bought from before. I noticed that a lot of artists on social media were making stickers, but I wanted to be able to have a smaller piece that I could handmake, as that is what I enjoy! I decided that adding handmade greeting cards to my Etsy store was the way to go and while at home during lockdown in 2020 I created my first line of handmade watercolor greeting cards. Since these did very well on my Etsy store, I emailed some stationery stores around Dallas to see if they would carry my cards. Needle in a Haystack on Preston Rd. took a chance on my cards! I was so excited but had low expectations thinking that my cards might not sell out. Soon enough, however, the store emailed me saying they had run out and could I bring more cards! Since then I have been making cards for every holiday and occasion, as well as taking custom stationery and card commissions. Since 2020, I have switched my artwork mainly over to the handmade watercolor greeting cards and now have 3 stores in Dallas which carry my handmade cards!

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

I am 23 years old from Dallas, Texas but I am currently living in London getting my masters in Art Business. My business, Marguerite Knowles Art, produces handmade greeting cards for every holiday and occasion as well as custom stationery. I began painting in high school with acrylic paintings and eventually moved into watercolour greeting cards and custom stationery during Covid. All of my greeting cards are handmade by me and I aim to bring joy to my clients and their loved ones through my art! My artwork is colorful and delicate and very representative of my own personality, and I am always sketching and coming up with new greeting card ideas so that I have a variety for each client to choose from.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, especially with greeting cards and stationery, is knowing that each artwork not only touches the client but the loved one that the work is intended for. I love knowing that my cards will carry messages of love and kindness that make not only the clients day but also their loved one’s day.

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

I think one of the most important things of social media is letting your personality shine through. If you think about your favourite creators, you love their content because you enjoy them and are curious about them personally as well as their artwork. I also think it is really important to post consistently and make sure to communicate to followers when you are creating new products so they can get excited about upcoming collections!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://margueriteknowlesart.wixsite.com/myart
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/margueriteknowlesart
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MargueriteKnowlesArt?ref=seller-platform-mcnav