Where the hell have I been?
Tiktok and YouTube, that’s where I am.
Current Socials:
Etsy:
@wanderingpalette Live each day as if it’s your last. #thursdayvibes #TikTokHumanitiesCampaign #DidYouKnow #LiveEachDay ♬ original sound - Netflix
https://www.etsy.com/shop/aWanderingPalette
Patreon:
https://patreon.com/awanderingpalette
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@awanderingpalette
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@wanderingpalette
In May 2024, my life took a pivotal turn. I decided to pour all my energy into growing two social platforms that could help me thrive as a business. My goal was to create a space to share my progress as an artist, showcase my work, and build the community and life I had been working so hard to achieve.
Shifting my focus to my art world hasn’t been easy. I stepped away from Instagram and Facebook, except to stay in touch with family and friends. The reason? Neither platform provides the encouragement or opportunities I need to grow or earn a sustainable income as an artist.
Back when I graduated college, the traditional route for artists was to participate in art fairs or enter juried competitions to get noticed. You had to insert yourself into the "inner art circle." But here’s the irony: most artists don’t even feel like they belong in that world. It’s often designed for those with the money to buy expensive art.
My art isn’t for the exclusive few. I love creating affordable pieces and home décor that anyone can enjoy—so people don’t have to settle for generic, mass-produced art from places like Target or IKEA.
Like many people, my life was flipped upside down in 2019. I was traveling in my RV through Alabama when the world shut down. I eventually returned to Ohio, working part-time for my mom’s business until she retired and sold it. I also worked as a part-time graphic designer for a Houston-based company and later picked up a third job designing brochures and pamphlets to make ends meet.
Then, life hit hard. My dad got sick and passed away on Thanksgiving 2022. Nearly two years later, the pain is still raw. Losing a parent is one of the hardest things anyone can go through, and it made me realize who my true friends are and who I could lean on for support. During that time, I fell into a deep depression and struggled with my mental and physical health.
In April 2023, just four months after losing my dad, I lost both of my jobs for two very different reasons. That marked the beginning of a new chapter. I decided to put everything into building my own business, A Wandering Palette.
Now, I sell handmade items on Etsy and attend local artisan markets with my best friend, who runs KD Creations. These markets have become my favorite part of this journey. I get to chat with people, share stories, and meet incredible individuals. But the reality is, most artisan markets come with high table fees—often around $100 per event—which means I’m sometimes just breaking even. Some markets are fantastic, while others are disappointingly slow.
People love the idea of handmade goods but often don’t understand the time, effort, and cost that go into creating them. It can be disheartening when people question the value of your work. It makes you wonder: will this path lead to success as an artist, or will I end up questioning everything I’ve worked for?
One thing I’ve learned is that the first three months of a year are brutal for handmade markets. After the holidays, most people are tapped out financially, and sales are slow. Still, I’m holding onto hope. Building this creative life has been a rollercoaster, but I’m here for the ride.
What Changed?
TikTok was created by ByteDance in 2016 and officially launched in September of that year. By October 2018, it became the most downloaded app in the United States. As of 2022, TikTok has over 3 billion downloads and more than 1 billion active users each month. It’s a revolutionary social media app that changed everything, especially during a time when people were stuck at home, trying to navigate a new and uncertain world.
For some, TikTok was a lifeline—a source of joy in a challenging time. For others, it was seen as something sinister. Personally, I saw an opportunity. While I was still planning to travel and document my journey, I started Seeking the Joy on TikTok (I have since changed the name). I am now @WanderingPalette or my Art page is @AWanderingPalette. In May of this year, I hopped onto a bizarre trend, and since then, my account has grown beyond anything I could’ve imagined.
I’m now officially a “micro-influencer.” I’m not a huge fan of that label—or even “content creator”—because society often downplays or dismisses the value of this work. But here’s the reality: I now earn commissions and am part of TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program. What does that mean for me right now? Honestly, not much yet. TikTok’s algorithm changes often, and I’m still figuring out how to make the most of it. But the goal is simple: to create content that not only supports my art but also eventually helps me pay my bills.
Over the past year, I’ve been lucky to have the unwavering support of my mom. She’s been my rock through every setback, every heartbreak, and every challenge. Thanks to her, I’ve been able to survive and explore this creative journey. My dream now is to support her the way she’s supported me.
Am I making money as an artist? Yes—but it’s not yet enough to cover all my bills. My debt has grown because I relied on Amazon to fund my materials. If you’ve started a small business, you know the struggle: it’s rare to make enough in the first year to cover expenses, and it’s always a grind.
This isn’t a blog to complain—it’s just my story. It’s where I’ve been these past few months, navigating this wild, creative, and unpredictable journey.
Why is a social media presence important for your business?
On May 21, 2024, I stumbled across a TikTok video of a girl asking people to watch her content. She had just joined the Creator Rewards Program and needed help paying off her debt. Inspired, I decided to give TikTok a shot—not knowing what would come of it.
Since then, my account has grown tremendously. On June 6, I shared my first art reveal, and it completely changed my life. My confidence has skyrocketed, my creativity is flourishing, and yes, I now have blue hair!
I’m incredibly proud of my work, and every day I connect with an amazing community that inspires me. TikTok has blown my mind—it’s unlike any other platform. Through it, I’ve made friends, built connections, and discovered new opportunities I never imagined.
Now, let’s talk numbers. Have I made a lot of money on TikTok? Not yet—I’ve earned $25 so far. But here’s the real magic: TikTok has doubled my Etsy sales. By showing my art on TikTok, I’m reaching people who’ve never seen my work before, and it’s been a game-changer for my business.
If you’re on the fence about starting TikTok for your business, here’s my advice: don’t overthink it. Just download the app, sign up, and start posting every single day.
Not sure what to share? Post your process, tell your story, and explain your “why.” Let people see what you make, what you sell, and who you are as a business. TikTok can help you grow in ways you never expected—but you have to take the first step.
What social accounts am I actively using?
YouTube and TikTok.
Yes, I have an Instagram account and I will continue to keep it, but Instagram refuses to acknowledge Photographers. They developed an app specifically for us and then decided that we were no longer important, despite the fact that photographers are what grew that app so IG/Facebook can kiss my ass.
Here are my links. I really hope you follow. I hope you get onto this world that we now live in because it may be scary and the tech may throw you off but I'm gonna tell you right now just do it.
TikTok (art/showcase/creatorprogram): https://www.tiktok.com/@seekingthejoy
TikTok (My Shop - sell my art): https://www.tiktok.com/@wanderlustandwit
YouTube: (Art & Life): https://www.youtube.com/@seekingthejoy
Step out of your comfort zone, I know most of my readers are probably Gen Xers, but keep in mind your kids the children that are currently on their phones or their tablets no more about the tech than you give them credit for and can teach you a lot.
Will I still blog?
Yes, but it's not my priority because while I enjoy writing and telling my stories and everything that I'm going through, unfortunately at this point, it's not earning an income so I have to focus my energy on what's going to help support me for what's currently happening in my life.
Earlier this year, my mother was tested and we found out she has the ALZ marker. Does not mean she has Alzheimer's yet, but we are trying to take proactive steps to make sure that she can retain as much of her memory as she can. I am here and not leaving. While I’m sure my mom will like taking some breaks from me (aka we go on separate vacations), I am here to help her navigate the Alheimzer’s world in any way I can.
If you would like to hear more of that story, I have a pinned video on TikTok that I would love for you to watch all the way through pretty please with sugar on top because your girl needs to make some money. also share it, follow me, say hi and if you have any interest in having an architectural home drawn by me and water colored by me, I am now going to offer this as a custom order on Etsy.
I hope everybody has had a fantastic 2024. It's sad that it's almost over and we are going to quickly be moving into 2025 until next time. Have a fabulous fall.
My Latest Work
