We recently connected with Terri Conrad and have shared our conversation below.

Terri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Developing and launching Bloom True is what I refer to as my HEARTwork because it is a reflection and expression of my own personal and artistic journey home to the heart of my truest self, and I want to share this with others for their benefit

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started my creative business, Terri Conrad Designs, in 2007, driven by a simple yet powerful desire: to be home with my two young daughters while still contributing financially to our family. With no formal art training or college degree, I dove in headfirst, learning everything I could along the way. I was determined to make it work, and over time, it did. Through art licensing, my art found a home in gift shops, home decor, stationery, and fabric collections—many of which were sold worldwide. It was a rewarding experience that allowed me to balance my family life with my creative work for many years.

As my journey of personal healing unfolded, I felt a deeper calling to support and connect with other women. I wanted to guide them in a more personal, meaningful way, tapping into both creativity and self-discovery. And so, Bloom True was born.

The name Bloom True is especially close to my heart. It reflects my own path of healing from a very painful childhood—a journey of coming home to myself, embracing who I am at my core, and stepping into my worth, confidence, and emotional grounding. It’s about finding a place where we can all flourish, just as we are.

At Bloom True, I’ve created a nurturing online space where women can explore self-expression, personal growth, and meaningful connection through creativity. As your creative guide, I walk alongside you, teaching you how to use expressive arts and mixed media art journaling to nurture your spirit, embrace self-compassion, and inspire your inner artist. Whether you’re new to art or have been creating for years, our beautifully designed downloadable papers, art prompts, and journaling kits will help you tap into your creativity in a way that’s both healing and empowering.

In the second quarter of 2025, we’ll be offering online art based e-courses focused on themes like self-awareness, self-worth, mindfulness, and embracing your true self, along with many others. Right now, we’re offering a free Self-Love e-course, complete with a downloadable art journaling kit, when you subscribe to our newsletter on our website at www.bloom-true.com. We also have free, inspiring content available on our YouTube channel, where we share weekly “Mindful Mondays” paint-with-me videos, creative tutorials and tips designed to nurture your growth, both artistically and personally.

Bloom True is the beautiful, organic evolution of my professional work and my personal healing journey. I’m deeply grateful to be able to weave the two together. In a time when so many women are seeking to find and express their voice—to be seen, heard, and understood—my hope is that Bloom True becomes a trusted space for them. A soft landing where they can return again and again to nurture their creativity, connect with a like-minded community, and create in a way that supports their unique path of self-discovery.

At its heart, Bloom True is here to encourage, nurture, and inspire women as they embark on their creative journey. We offer thoughtfully designed, inspiring curriculum that blends the joy of art-making and art journaling, creating a safe, welcoming space for women to explore, discover, and grow. Whether you’re just beginning or deepening your practice, our approach invites you to create with ease, uncover new insights, and blossom into your most authentic self.

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

Developing Bloom True marks an important pivot in my journey.

I started Terri Conrad Designs in 2007, creating and licensing art for the scrapbook market. Within just a year, I recognized an exciting opportunity to expand my work into the stationery, home décor, fabric, and gift markets. I signed with an art agency, and from there, I was fortunate to enjoy a rewarding career licensing my designs across these categories.

However, like many industries over the past decade, art licensing has undergone significant changes. The landscape has shifted with manufacturers closing their doors, being absorbed by larger corporations, and small retailers facing similar challenges. Rising tariffs and the influx of talented artists on social media have also made the market more competitive. As a result, securing contracts has become increasingly rare, and earning a consistent living from art licensing has grown more challenging.

Despite these shifts, I’m excited about Bloom True and the new direction it’s taking me. It’s an opportunity to adapt, to explore fresh avenues for my work, and to continue sharing my art in ways that feel authentic to me. The journey is different now, but I’m embracing it with optimism and a renewed sense of purpose.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is our ability to envision possibilities before they even exist. This intuitive creativity allows us to find solutions to challenges as they arise—something I’ve experienced firsthand. It’s what has helped me pivot and adapt to the shifting landscape of my career, all while staying true to the essence of my work and using it to serve others in meaningful ways. This feels infinitely more authentic for me.

As creatives, I believe we have a unique ability to see what is and transform it into something better, more effective, and more sustainable. This skill holds the potential to drive real, positive change in society, making a profound impact in ways that only those with a creative mindset can achieve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bloom-true.com and https://www.terriconraddesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Bloom_True and https://www.instagram.com/terriconraddesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerriConradDesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terriconrad/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BloomTrue

Image Credits

all images by Terri Conrad