This reminded me why I started the Thriver Circle in the first place…
Hey Thriver, At the moment, a group of us inside the Thriver Circle are working through The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Yesterday was our second zoom catch-up, and as we were talking, one of our group started talking about how thankful she was to be there,...
The Thriver Circle is closing…
Hey Thriver, The doors to the Thriver Circle are closing soon. Not for good! But for a good long while. Back in 2015, when I first opened the Circle, I used to open the doors for new members four times a year. This was wonderful - because every quarter, we had a new,...
Are you doing the WRONG marketing?
There are 2 business models you might be using for your handmade business. 1. You make products that people want to come back for over and over again. 2. You make products that people will most likely only buy once (or maybe once or twice). Which one are you - and are...
I wrote Morning Pages for 100 Days.
In early January, I decided to start writing Morning Pages. This is a practice taught and made famous by Julia Cameron in her classic self-help book The Artist’s Way. Written in 1992, The Artist’s Way (TAW) is actually the written version of a creativity course that...
![Global trade is dying. [A small business perspective.]](https://i0.wp.com/www.createandthrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/youtube.comjessvanden-19.png?resize=1080%2C1920&ssl=1)
Global trade is dying. [A small business perspective.]
When I started selling my handmade jewellery online in 2008, it was so easy. You could ship pretty much anywhere, for just a few dollars, and the world was my oyster! Globalisation was the theme of the time, and the internet was still in its flush of 2.0 growth - the...
Multiply your Etsy traffic with this simple hack!
So I can't remember how many times I have mentioned this Etsy hack to my students over the years - but this week I realised I had never shared it on the YouTube channel or podcast! Today I'm explaining a very simple trick you can use to multiply your Etsy search...
Running a Physical + Digital Product Combo Business – with Emily Sheehan of Woolly Bear Knits
Have you ever considered selling both digital and physical products? Today's guest - Emily Sheehan of Woolly Bear Knits - is doing exactly that. She is a knitter and knitting pattern designer who started her business in 2019. At Woolly Bear Knits, you'll find cozy,...
Colours on Grey: Thriver Circle Member Spotlight
Marianne la Cour of Colours on Grey emigrated from Denmark to Australia in her 30's to pursue a lifelong dream of living a creative life in relaxing and tranquil (or as the Danes would say ‘hyggelige’) surroundings. She creates colourful abstract paintings inspired by...
How Etsy fees SAVE me money…
Etsy fees SAVE me money. No, I'm not kidding! I see so many people on social media complaining about Etsy fees, and perpetuating this myth that 'Etsy fees are SO expensive'. Well, I disagree. And today, I'm explaining how Etsy fees actually SAVE me - both money and...
My secret to getting more 5-star Etsy reviews
I see this question pop up regularly - 'how do I get more of my customers to leave reviews'? And of course, when we say we want more reviews, what we REALLY want is more 5-star reviews, right? This week I've shared my own personal secret weapon (plus a few other...