Branching Out

If this is your first visit, welcome to this newly updated space. My name is Renée, and I'm the artist behind the work seen here.

Many years ago, I got my start with e-commerce through a popular online marketplace initially targeted at artists. On that marketplace, I learned the ropes of building an online shopping experience that catered to customers who couldn't see or touch my offerings in person. If you haven't guessed, I'm talking about Etsy.

Etsy gave me an opportunity to share my work with the world at large, teaching me how to sell and send my pieces to the farthest corners of the globe. There was a LOT to learn. Thankfully, I was able to draw on my years of experience working for other companies in sales, customer service, copywriting, design, and more ("despise not small beginnings..."). And I went on to branch out to other (now defunct) online marketplaces.

Over 13 years ago, I took the leap to create what I'd planned once I was established as an online seller. A freestanding website store. That was another challenge entirely, as I was building the entire thing from scratch. But it worked out, and I was able to begin offering my work outside of the marketplace rules (and fees!).

Now all these years later, I'm finally graduating to a new and improved independent online presence. Updating this website, store, and how customers, collectors, fellow creatives, and others can interact. And I'm looking forward to new bells and whistles to make this space a great experience. More on those new features in the coming weeks.

I'd love your feedback on that below. Did you find what you came for? Were you inspired? What would you like to see here? What was not ideal?

Let me know in the comments below!