Why I Started Arttay Designs (+ What Keeps Me Inspired)
If you're new here, hi! I'm Tanaya, the illustrator and designer behind Arttay Designs, a small creative studio that makes cute, handmade products like stickers, notepads, mugs, keychains, and more. Arttay Designs officially launched on March 5th, 2022, but the journey started long before that.
Whether you’re a fellow small biz owner, creative soul, or someone who just loves fun and aesthetic stationery, I wanted to share the real story behind how Arttay Designs started and what continues to inspire me every day.
From University Student to Small Business Owner (Without Realising It)
Back in 2022, I was studying full-time at university, completing my Visual Communication Design degree, while also working part-time as an in-house graphic designer. Life was pretty full on, but one day I made a spontaneous decision that changed everything. I invested in a Cricut Maker 3.
At the time, I had no idea what I was going to do with it. I just knew I wanted to create something fun. I started by playing around with decals and stickers, doing some basic research into the world of sticker-making, and learning as I went. On March 5, 2022, I opened an Etsy store with just a few handmade stickers. No business plan, no expectations, just vibes.
My first sale came about three weeks later (pretty sure it was from a family member!), but I still remember how exciting that felt. Over time, Etsy’s SEO started working in my favour and some of my listings began to get more visibility. I started experimenting with new products, trying different sticker papers, laminates, and improving the quality with every batch.
Growing from Stickers to So Much More
Soon, I expanded beyond stickers. I started making bookmarks, notepads, decals, keychains, and more. I also began sharing behind-the-scenes videos and product features on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, mostly short-form videos showing how I make my designs, pack orders, and run my small business. People really connected with it and that helped grow my audience too.
In 2024, I hit one of my biggest milestones yet: I published my first children’s book, Tom the Capybara, a heartwarming story about friendship and kindness. It was originally created for a uni assignment, but after receiving so much love and encouragement, I decided to improve and self-publish it. Now it's a real book available through my shop, and I couldn’t be more proud.
We also started doing market stalls. One was with my university class and another solo stall, which was such a cool way to see what products people loved the most in person.
What Keeps Me Inspired (Spoiler: It’s You + the Creative Community)
One of the biggest reasons I keep going with Arttay Designs is you, my amazing customers and supporters. Every order, every kind message, every Instagram comment or TikTok like reminds me why I started in the first place.
I also find so much inspiration from other independent artists and small businesses. Watching fellow creatives share their process on TikTok and Instagram motivates me every day. The small business community is so kind, supportive, and helpful. We’re all learning, growing, and cheering each other on.
Expanding the Shop (And What’s Coming Next)
While stickers were our first product and still one of the most popular, they don’t always bring in much profit since they’re lower-priced items. So, I started to branch out. We now sell: Coffee mugs, Pencil cases, Notepads, Bookmarks, Keychains, diabetes stickers and more!
The diabetes device stickers made for Dexcom, Omnipod, and Freestyle Libre, have done better than I ever expected. These cute, medical-friendly stickers are designed to help people feel confident and express themselves while wearing their devices. It’s been so special seeing the positive feedback from customers in the diabetes community.
Looking Ahead
Our sales have grown so much over the past year, and I’m so grateful to everyone who’s supported me. Whether you placed an order, followed on socials, or just left a sweet comment, it means the world. Arttay Designs has truly grown into a real business. Something I never expected when I first clicked “open shop” on Etsy.
I can’t wait to keep expanding, creating, and bringing more joy into your lives through cute, colourful, and meaningful designs.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. 💖
Check out our socials for more!