Hi Reader,

We're told that creative success comes down to talent. Or going viral. Or landing that one big break that changes everything.

After 13 years in this industry, I think that's mostly a lie.

What I've seen in my own career, and in the careers of the designers and illustrators I teach, is that it comes down to habits. Small, consistent, often unglamorous habits that most people overlook because they don't make for a good Instagram caption.

I just published a new video where I share the 9 habits that have genuinely shaped my creative practice:

9 Habits to Actually Get Ahead as a Creative in 2026.

A few you might not expect, like why I track my wins in a Notion database every month, why I stopped caring what "real artists" think, and why the best thing I ever did was stop asking why my work hadn't gone viral yet.

I hope it gives you something useful to take into your week.

The Art Licensing Start Guide

Also, before you go, over the years, the question I get asked more than almost any other is some version of this:

"How do I actually get my patterns in front of companies? And what happens when they say yes?"

It's the question that sits right at the intersection of the creative work and the business side of things, and it's the one that stops so many talented designers from ever taking the leap.

I've answered it in YouTube comments, inside my membership community, in emails, and in live Q&As. And every single time, I find myself wishing I could just hand someone a resource that covered all of it properly.

So I made one. 😃

I'm putting the finishing touches on something I'm really proud of, a practical guide to art licensing that walks you through the whole picture. From how to approach companies, to what's actually in those contracts, to how to price your work.

More details coming very soon, so keep an eye on your inbox.

Mel x

My last month's highlight

Cloud9 Fabrics I'm super excited to see my collection "Whimsical Forest Floor" now up on the Cloud9 Fabrics website. How amazing do the quilts look? Read article

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