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Melissa ✿

@bujoandbrushstrokes

7.7K

followers

514

following

✿ asian canadian doodler based in vancouver 🇨🇦
✿ stationery, apparel & lifestyle ✍️
✿ my little art shop ⬇️

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What’s a fun fact about you?

Wow. I can’t believe that overnight, one of my reels has gone slightly viral and I’ve welcomed a lot of new followers to my corner of the internet! I magically hit 5K, so I thought it would be appropriate to do a new introduction post. Thank you all for sticking around and supporting each other, it truly makes my heart melt that we’ve created such a safe community over here 💖

Here are some fun facts about me, would love to hear which one surprised you the most!
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[ small artist | art journey | emerging artist | digital art | handmade | creativity | art passion | art vs artist] by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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3 years ago

This is your sign to JUST GO FOR IT ✨

I hope you enjoyed a peek into my journey as an artist. It isn’t easy and some days I battle with not feeling confident still, but I’m taking baby steps with my art and I’m happy with how far I’ve gotten with it ❤️ Let me know if you’re considering starting an art shop too!

#femaleartists #artistsupport #artistlife by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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3 years ago

it’s the little things 🥹❤️

As a part time artist, I seriously felt like this was the equivalent of hanging my art up in a gallery. While most people in the mall walked by and didn’t take notice of the window display, I did have a few people come up and point through the glass at my creations! It was such a wholesome moment, and even though they didn’t come in to make a purchase, it was their smiles that made my vending day worth it ❤️

#shopsmall #windowshopping #independentartist #femaleartist by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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3 years ago

𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸… 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗲? 🙈

It’s been a year since I’ve posted… and here’s why:

I’ll be honest - I was burnt out creatively, and I felt like everything I was creating was to meet a deadline. I slowly began falling into the mindset that my art was my business, instead of a fun and relaxing hobby to indulge in. It also took a lot of energy to prep inventory, figure out displays for craft markets and run a website.

So, I made the decision to put my art on hold and begin a new era, one that allowed me to grow my relationships, explore and travel more. I spent time with friends and family, started an addiction to matcha, and even travelled to Iceland to check off my bucket list item of seeing the aurora borealis!

Taking this time off allowed me to redefine my relationship with creativity. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to vending multiple times in a year, but I do want to keep creating!

NEXT MARKET ⬇️

I don’t have too many new products, but if you’re interested in getting some of Christmas cards, sweatshirts and discounted stickers, I’ll be popping up for the first time in a year at the Steveston Christmas Craft market @stevestoncc !Come out and say hi to me and 125+ other local vendors on Nov. 22 from 10AM to 4PM at the Net Shed 🎄

[Christmas crafts, crafty gal, handmade stickers, small artist, vancouver artist, artist alley, craft fair, local makers] by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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a year ago

Hint: it’s less than 3hrs 😂

This will be my 3rd year vending and I’ve gotten a lot faster over the years. I usually will do a trial run of my booth layout a few days beforehand, so that I know how to lay items on my table and can set up smoothly before the market opens.

Being an artist is more than just drawing and selling. This reel highlights one of those behind the scenes processes - the time it takes to load in, set up, and load back out of a craft market. Definitely more effort and time than most people will think! by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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2 years ago

And restocks are not until Spring 2025 😮‍💨

Japan has been such a hot vacation spot this year, and matcha is one of the latest viral craze. Because of this, the demand of matcha has increased dramatically, and tea farmers are unable to keep up. It wasn’t until I travelled to Uji, the city of matcha, in order to finally find a few tins of matcha powder to take home. Even then, the pickings were slim and so many other tourists around me were grabbing and taking as much as they could. It was chaos to say the least 🥲

Did you encounter the matcha craze while you were visiting? by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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2 years ago

✨an extra bit of holiday magic

Surprisingly, I’ve found the cutest holiday decor and reindeer ears in my local Daiso! Now the real question… is it too early to start listening to Christmas music? 🤣

[artist alley booth • market vendor • local artisan • female illustrator • craft fair booth design] by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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2 years ago

And it was moitié-moitié fine 🇨🇭🧀

I’ve been pretty quiet on this platform since travelling to Switzerland this spring. Before travelling, I would be concerned about getting content surrounding to my art and craft market ventures. I’ve embarked on a new art journey though this year, and that is experiencing the art of living ✨

I’m really enjoying what this break has to offer, and am considering posting more lifestyle content on here. Hope you understand, and I would love for you to stick around ☺️ by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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2 years ago

starving artists unite ✊

I like to also feed myself snacks throughout the day and making sure I am hydrated. I’ve been to an outdoor craft market before where someone had fainted from the heat… stay safe y’all! by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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2 years ago

My latest artist alley booth set up 💛

I’m always trying to iterate and improve on my booth layout each market I do. Especially for smaller spaces, it’s easier to display more when you build vertically! Every market, I truly feel like a civil engineer making sure my risers are sturdy and weighted down, so they don’t topple over 😂

What new merch would you like to see from me in the future?

[ small artist • craft market booth set up • vendor booth set up • diy craft booth setup inspiration • artist table inspo ] by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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2 years ago

All in the name of art 🎨

Hello! It’s been a hot second since I’ve posted, so you may have been wondering, where has she gone?

Well truth be told, I went on a 2 week Europe trip which resulted in me taking a social media break. Got back, did a market and then promptly resumed said social media break 😂 The break has so refreshing, I’ve been wondering why I haven’t taken more in the first place.

With the way the economy has been lately, it’s been a struggle for a lot of artists (myself included). This year, I’ve decided to wind down with the amount of markets I vend at. I’ll still be doing a market here and there, but will be more focused on enjoying what else life has to offer 🙂

Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me since the beginning of my vending journey! This isn’t goodbye but see you soon x

[crafty entrepreneur • artist alley • art market • booth inspiration • handmade art] by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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2 years ago

small artist struggles ✨

Let’s not sugar coat it - being a small artist is tough! There are days when I don’t feel motivated to create, and other days when I’m over the moon due to the success of a craft market. It’s important to not let the low moments discourage you. Give room for those feelings and emotions, and then identify how you can learn from the experience.

I recently took a training course on Continuous Process Improvement. It’s the idea that a process never has an end date, and trying to improve on each iteration of the process yields great results. I’m slowly learning to apply these teachings to the process of making art 🖼️

[artist in the making • artist alley • craft markets • female illustrations • cute stickers] by @bujoandbrushstrokes

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2 years ago