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Why Building Your Community Matters as an Artist — and How I’m Rebuilding Mine From Scratch
Building a community as an artist or small-business owner is one of the most important—and honestly, one of the most emotional—parts of the entire creative journey. It’s not just about followers, likes, or sales. It’s about connection. Support. Belonging. Feeling like your art and your voice matter.
And if I’m being real with you… this is something I’m rebuilding for myself right now.
I lost my old community. Completely.
And I’m still learning how to start again.
This blog post is part gentle advice, part storytelling, and part reminder that if you’re struggling to find “your people,” you are absolutely not alone.
Let’s dive in.
🌿 Why Community Matters More Than Ever for Artists & Small Businesses
- Community Is Deeper Than Followers
A community isn’t just a number on your profile—it’s the people who show up for you because they feel connected to who you are, not just what you sell. As artists, we pour pieces of ourselves into our work. When someone connects with that? It’s magic.
Your community becomes:
Friends you haven’t met yet
Cheerleaders
Encouragers
People who believe in your art even when you don’t
For small businesses, especially cozy, heart-led ones like mine, community creates trust and longevity that no algorithm can offer.
- Community Makes Your Creative Journey Less Lonely
Let’s be honest: being an artist or a small-business owner can feel incredibly isolating.
You create alone.
You design alone.
You doubt alone.
But when you have a community, suddenly:
Your ideas feel heard
Someone relates to your struggles
Your milestones feel worth celebrating
You remember why you started
A community is like a soft place to land when inspiration feels far away.
- Community Helps Your Business Grow Naturally
People support creators they feel connected to.
Not brands—people.
A true community:
Buys from you because they believe in you
Shares your work without asking
Gives feedback
Shows up consistently
Helps others discover you
This is how artists grow without relying on trends or luck.
🌸 My Story: Losing My Community… and Slowly Rebuilding It
I’ve had to rebuild my online presence more times than I ever imagined.
Years ago, under my old brand Purelifephotoss, I built a community that felt like home. People knew me, supported me, and grew with me. But when my account got reported and platforms like Redbubble and TeePublic banned me, everything changed. Suddenly, I felt like I was shadowbanned everywhere, like my past was haunting my new beginnings.
My new accounts struggled.
My engagement disappeared.
People weren’t seeing my posts anymore.
I felt invisible in a space where I used to shine.
It was heartbreaking. And honestly?
It scared me into posting less, sharing less, being less.
I didn’t trust the platform anymore, and I didn’t trust myself either.
Then came the rebrands:
AbbyCreates
Abby’s Creative Escape
Cheerful Comforts
CozyPawsAndTails
Each one teaching me who I was not, so I could finally discover who I am.
Now, I’m in my softest, most honest era—rebuilding community slowly, gently, intentionally. Not trying to force growth… but trying to find the people who genuinely connect with my story, my pets, my cozy lifestyle, my mental health journey, and my art.
I’m not the same creator I used to be.
I’m more vulnerable now.
More real.
More aware of what matters.
More willing to build something meaningful, even if it’s slow.
And you know what?
That’s exactly the kind of energy that attracts a real, lasting community.
🌱 How YOU Can Build (or Rebuild) Your Own Community
- Share your real, unfiltered story
People want to know:
Why you create
What inspires you
What you’ve survived
Who your pets are
What your cozy world looks like
Authenticity is the foundation of every great community.
- Ask simple, fun questions
Even small engagement builds big connection:
“Which color should I list?”
“Dog or cat version?”
“Artists: what are you working on today?”
People LOVE sharing their opinions.
- Create a tiny “home” for your people
This can be:
A Facebook group
A Reddit community
A monthly newsletter
A “Start Here” page on your site
All you need is a place that feels safe and cozy.
- Show your behind-the-scenes
Let people into your world:
Your sketches
Your messy desk
Your pets “helping”
Your creative rituals
These moments create connection faster than anything else.
- Give value first, sell later
Your brand is already perfect for this.
Try sharing posts like:
“Life lessons from pets”
“Tips for anxious artists”
“Cozy affirmations for creators”
“Prompts to rediscover your creativity”
“Max and Tank’s wisdom”
You become someone worth following—before you become someone worth buying from.
🌼 Final Thoughts: Your People Will Find You
If you’re rebuilding your community like I am, please remember:
You are not starting from zero.
You’re starting from experience.
You’re starting with better boundaries.
You’re starting with a softer heart.
You’re starting with wisdom.
You’re starting with clarity.
Rebuilding isn’t a setback—
it’s an evolution.
Your people will find you.
Your community will grow.
Your story will reach the ones who need it.
And together, we’ll create cozy corners on the internet that feel like home.
