Blog

April 29, 2026

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and whether you’re shopping for your mom, a mother figure, or dropping hints for yourself, 😉 I’ve made gift-giving easy with a simple bundle formula:

🌼 Under $30 Bundle: pick any 2 stickers + 1 keychain + 1 mini notebook

A small but meaningful mix of artful, everyday essentials.

🌷 Under $50 Bundle: choose 1 large notebook + 1 bookmark + 1 necklace

A cozy, creative combo perfect for readers, writers, and dreamers.

🌸 Under $75 Bundle: select 1 suncatcher + 1 8x10 print

A beautiful pairing to brighten her space with light and color.

And if you want something extra personal, a gift card to D. Prince Designs is always a nice choice—good for any handmade product or even a custom commissioned illustration.

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April 15, 2026

April is here, which means it’s Earth Month 🌎 💚 — one of my favorite times of year. To me, this month is a celebration of the natural world that inspires everything I create.

You might not know this, but before I started running D. Prince Designs full-time, I spent years working as an arborist 🌳 in the forest conservation world. That experience shaped the way I see the world, and it continues to influence my work every day. From the delicate patterns in leaves to the transformation of fall, I notice the small details and the magic in nature.

Right now, we’re in what I like to call “baby leaf season” 🌱✨ — when fresh, fuzzy baby leaves are just starting to unfurl. It’s a season of renewal, growth, and optimism, and it fills me with endless inspiration. You’ll see these influences reflected in my work, whether it’s:

🐝 Native bird & bee stickers

🦋 Butterfly prints

🎨 Abstract landscapes

🌼 Floral garlands, or

☀️ Suncatchers with natural themes

I also strive to make choices that honor my roots every day:

♻️ All paper products are made with recycled cardstock

📦 Packaging is thoughtfully repurposed whenever possible

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April 2, 2026

In 2025, I made the move from Washington, DC to the Philadelphia area. After seven months of living at home, I found the cutest condo in Devon. From the moment I stepped inside, I had visions for what it could become. Every corner held potential, and I immediately started dreaming up ways to make the space feel like me.

After a few months of settling in, what started as a fresh chapter quickly became a shared one as my guy and boy cat #2 moved in with me! But there was one area I felt especially passionate about: transforming the master bedroom into a space that could balance both rest and creativity. I envisioned a studio that felt light, intentional, and inspiring—a place where I could sit down and create with all my tools at my fingertips.

The heart of that vision became a custom built-in L-shaped desk stretching along the wide window wall, paired with floating shelves above to hold my materials, tools, and inventory. The natural light pours in, making it the perfect place to work, sketch, and dream up new ideas while glancing out the window at the oak, dogwood, and copper beech trees (the cats and I watch squirrels and birds bop around in them all day long). The before and after still feels surreal, and I’m so excited to finally share it.

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Reflecting on the Flower Show as Spring Blooms

March 21, 2026

The first day of spring, paired with National Flower Day today, feels like the perfect moment to reflect on the magic of the Philadelphia Flower Show, which wrapped up just a couple of weeks ago.

I had the chance to meet so many wonderful new friends, begin planning collaborations with incredibly talented local makers, and fully immerse myself in something so uniquely “Philly” for the very first time.

One of the biggest highlights was introducing my new DIY bag charm bar ✨ It gave visitors a hands-on way to engage with my work and quickly became such a fun, interactive part of the booth. I'm going to keep bringing her to future markets and events, so if you didn't get a chance to personalize a keychain/bag charm for yourself, you still can!

I’m also currently working on a new abstract piece inspired by one of the Flower Show exhibits 🌿 I’ll be turning it into a print soon, but the original will be available as the 6x6 “County Collector” at the Chester County Studio Tour in May. It’s such a fun event if you love meeting makers in person, taking a peek behind the scenes, and collecting one-of-a-kind work.

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The Process of a Commission: Start to Finish

March 13, 2026

Commissioning a custom piece is a really special and collaborative process, and I love involving my clients along the way so the final artwork feels deeply personal.

Here’s how the process works from start to finish:

1. We start with a conversation.
Most commissions begin with a simple email exchange where I learn more about your idea. I’ll ask about the subject (your pet, home, wedding, heirloom recipe, etc.) and the reason for the commission — whether it’s a gift or something special for yourself.

2. Book your spot.
Once you purchase the commission listing on my website, your place on my calendar is officially reserved. Commissions typically take 3–4 weeks from start to finish.

3. Reference photos.
I work from reference photos to create your illustration. There’s a detailed guide in each Commission listing describing the types of photos that work best, but I’m always happy to help you choose the right ones.

4. The pencil sketch.
Every commission begins with a detailed pencil sketch. When the sketch is complete, I’ll send you a photo for feedback. This is the one stage where changes can be made, so it’s the perfect time to request adjustments before I add ink.

5. Ink and color.
Once you approve the sketch, I move forward within about 24–48 hours by outlining the drawing in pen. Then I finish the piece by adding alcohol ink for color and shadow.

6. The finished artwork.
You’ll receive the original hand-inked illustration — signed by me, professionally matted, and ready to place in a beautiful frame. Your piece will also include a certificate of authenticity. While you receive and own the original artwork, I retain the rights to reproduce the illustration in the future if I choose (for prints or products).

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Testing Out My Philly Flower Show Setup 🌷

February 20, 2026

With the Philadelphia Flower Show quickly approaching, I recently did a full test run of my booth setup, and I’m so glad I did. Seeing everything laid out helped me make a lot of thoughtful changes that feel much more aligned with my brand. The biggest and most exciting addition was a gorgeous floral rug that instantly grounded the space and tied everything together. It perfectly matches my color palette of peach, sunset orange, forest green and sage, and it brought so much warmth and personality to the setup.

I also reworked how my smaller items are displayed, adding new sticker and bookmark displays that make everything easier to browse. These little details make such a difference in how the booth feels and how people move through the space.

Of course, no setup refresh would be complete without new products, and I’ve been busy creating pieces I truly think will shine at the show. ✍️ I’m bringing themed suncatchers, keychains, and brand-new mini notebooks, all inspired by nature and florals and designed especially with this event in mind. Testing everything out made me even more excited for what’s ahead, and I can’t wait to share the finished setup with you in person at the Flower Show. 🌸

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Creating My Favorite Valentine's Bundle

Febuary 14, 2025

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance to me; it’s also about celebrating friends and family that make life sweeter. I designed this bundle as the kind of gift I’d love to give my friends, sisters, or mom: joyful, colorful, and full of little details that feel special.

I love leaning into the classic red and pink Valentine’s Day aesthetic, so this bundle is a carefully curated mix of my favorite shades—from soft blush to bold cherry red. I combined my go-to red and pink stickers, prints, jewelry, and notebooks to create something that feels cohesive, playful, and effortlessly giftable. Everything is meant to mix and match, making it easy to create a beautifully styled Valentine’s moment.

This year, I also leaned into a floral theme, weaving flowers throughout the collection to add a romantic, timeless touch. Florals feel like a natural expression of love and celebration, and they pair perfectly with the Valentine’s color palette. The result is a bundle designed to be shared, displayed, and enjoyed—whether you’re gifting it to your best friends, your sisters, or treating yourself. 💕

There are more blogs to explore in the archive!