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  • 8 Super Fun Projects That I Actually Got Paid to Make

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Did you ever think you could get paid to write on clothespins? Me, neither … and yet, I’ve probably written on 1,000+ clothespins for money. In this blog post, you’ll find a list of the fun art projects I made a profit making! If you’re interested in this sort of topic, don’t miss the related…

    8 Super Fun Projects That I Actually Got Paid to Make | The Postman's Knock
    I have created a few commissions for Flow Magazine (French, International, and Dutch versions)! Those commissions are always so enjoyable, and I can tell you firsthand that Flow contributors are fairly compensated for their work.

    When I started TPK in 2012, I got my fair share of funny looks and negative feedback. I think that it’s difficult for people to conceive of a career that’s based on making things with a pen — especially if you’re working from home! I’m not saying that there weren’t discouraging moments: there certainly were. But with every project I completed, my conviction that I was building up a beautiful thing strengthened! Today, I want to share my favorite past projects with you. All of these fun projects acted as building blocks to get TPK to where it is now!

    1. Calligraphy Clothespins

    Calligraphy Clothes Pins | The Postman's Knock
    I used a Pilot G2 0.38 pen, Kaitlin Style calligraphy, and a permanent finishing spray to make calligraphy clothes pins.

    Even *I* wondered what calligraphy clothespins could be used for when I put them up for sale on Etsy in 2012! These were actually my most popular product for several months, and people mostly used them at baby showers. I believe some buyers gave them as gifts to new parents, and others utilized them to display clothing gifts at showers? I’m still not entirely sure!

    2. Escort Tags

    Handwritten Name Tags | The Postman's Knock
    These tags are porous and wouldn’t do well with black ink — but they were fine with white ink, which doesn’t bleed! The calligraphy style shown here is Flourish Formal.

    I offered natural-looking escort tags for whimsical/nature-themed weddings, and they always sold well! I appreciated how little time they took to make because the diagonal calligraphy orientation meant I didn’t need to mess with centering.

    3. Artistic Logos

    The Memory Keeper's Studio Logo | The Postman's Knock

    I loved getting to make drawings and collaborate with clients to make logos! This Memory Keeper’s Studio logo, created in 2014, is one of my favorites because of the intricate peacock. This project gave me quality practice with Adobe Illustrator!

    4. Sketchbook Art Prints

    Excuse the graininess of this photo! My photography equipment wasn’t so great in 2012.

    In 2013, I was inspired by Sabrina Ward Harrison’s published sketchbook Spilling Open to offer art prints from my own sketchbook. I never did end up making much money from selling art prints — but that very well could have been due to poor marketing/photos! I can say that I did have a lot of fun making art prints, however.

    5. Custom Artwork

    Sweet Meadow Custom Illustration | The Postman's Knock

    My favorite illustrations that I’ve ever done were for Sweet Meadow Farm! Owner Melanie asked me to create a series of illustrations for her website in 2013, and six years later, she still uses them to punctuate the site with artistry and playfulness.

    6. Rubber Stamps

    Do Not Bend Stamp | The Postman's Knock
    You can learn how to make your own custom rubber stamps in this blog post.

    I never was confident enough in my rubber stamps to order them wholesale, so they were too expensive ($30 for a 2″ x 2″ stamp). Now that we’re set to launch a supplies shop next month, though, maybe TPK rubber stamps will make a return — and cheaper — appearance!

    7. Printable Planners

    Life Organization College Planner | The Postman's Knock
    I stopped selling this planner because it no longer fits the TPK aesthetic. I did, however, decide to bring it back for this blog post as a “secret” product! The planner is only available through this link; and there’s a standard version (for non-college students) as well.

    Like most college grads, I was pretty lost after my graduation in 2011! I missed the structure, the security, and the challenges that you can only find in a university setting. Developing a printable planner was my way of getting back in touch with my inner student. It was also the first project that I used Adobe InDesign to make — which set me on a path for making the worksheets that you see on TPK today!

    8. Wedding Invitations and Save the Dates

    Classic Amy Style Calligraphy: A Limited Edition Worksheet
    This save the date invitation features CLASSIC Amy Style calligraphy. If you want to learn this calligraphy style, grab the worksheet before I retire it on July 5th!

    I loved working with brides and grooms to design off-the-beaten-path wedding materials! From watercolor wedding maps to invitation packets, I dabbled in making pretty much everything. I don’t have time to do custom work anymore (especially with a 9-month-old on the scene), but making wedding materials is what I miss the most from my custom order days!

    I hope that you enjoyed this post! It’s always fun for me to look through old photos and remember where TPK was in its infancy. It’s come a loooong way, and these fun projects served building blocks for where I’m at now, both professionally and in regard to my personal skill level.

    Thanks very, very much for visiting this blog! It’s always a pleasure to have you here, and I’m so grateful for the time you take to read my ramblings.

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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