I’d forgotten until earlier this week that it was only about five years ago that I started down the path of pattern design. And that wasn’t even what I set out to do, because I didn’t even know it was possible. It started with a book cover I paid a few hundred dollars for - my first novel that had been knocking around a desk drawer for the previous decade. The cover was fine, the problem was that the stock image was so unaltered it ended up on Amazon right next to a book using the same photo on the cover. Leaving me with a rather squishy, sinking feeling.
My first self-made book cover
I resolved to learn to do my own covers until I was famous enough to pay a real artist (still not there yet!) because at least then they’d be original if not great. I already had a copy of Adobe Illustrator, only because it came in the bundle with the things I wanted at the time. I sat down to learn it. It took awhile, I still don’t know it all but most of what I do I don’t have to think about anymore. Somewhere in there I found my style, a new career path and a joyous outlet for creativity.
My first design on Spoonflower
This week I sat down to learn more book cover skills (they’re more than a title and picture when done right…) and realized just how far five years had taken me. Never would have guessed it if you’d asked me back in 2014!