I’ve never shared this story fully — but it’s time.
Years ago, before Abby’s Creative Escape existed, I ran a creative brand called Purelifephotoss. I was self‑taught, passionate, and just trying to find my place in the online art world. I started selling on marketplaces like Redbubble and TeePublic because it felt easy. Upload your art, sell it on mugs and tees, and watch the orders roll in, right?
But that’s not what happened. My Instagram got reported. My shop traffic disappeared. I was banned. And with it, I lost all the work I’d poured my heart into.
🚫 What Burnout Between Platforms Looked Like
I first stumbled across print‑on‑demand in 2016 during a college break, uploading designs to Zazzle — my first sale was a humble $0.60 postcard, but it meant everything .
Soon after, I jumped around platforms — Redbubble, Society6, Threadless, multiple Etsy and Zazzle shops… I chased every marketplace opportunity, thinking each new platform would be the one. Instead, it led to burnout: “By 2020, everything came to a crashing halt. I hit burnout hard. I had a breakdown and stepped away from everything — platforms, shops, social media, all of it” .
That frantic period taught me something powerful: You don’t need to be everywhere to make an impact.
💭 Hitting Pause — And Facing Anxiety
When my accounts were shut down, it wasn’t just a business hit — it was deeply personal. My anxiety spiraled, and I felt convinced that I wasn’t enough. I let fear take over and I walked away from creating entirely.
But over time, I realized that art has always been my escape — my creative safe space . That realization was my lifeline.
✨ Rebuilding — With Purpose and Peace
In 2021, I quietly decided to start again, but this time with intention. I rebranded as Abby’s Creative Escape, with a focus on:
Owning my own shop — no middlemen, no surprise bans.
Creating mental-health-inspired merch and cozy pet-loving designs.
Writing from the heart, blending art, anxiety insight, and healing.
Prioritizing real connection over “going viral.”
Now, I run a smaller, more focused set of shops — including Zazzle (my first love), Threadless (a community-focused favorite), and my own website. I leave behind platforms like Redbubble and Society6 — I was removed from both but found clarity in stepping away .
Today, I’m building a brand that feels like home — not hustle .
🛍 What You’ll Find at Abby’s Creative Escape
Anxiety‑safe gifts & prints — thoughtful, not overwhelming.
Pet-lover merch — for people & pets who heal each other.
Blog posts rooted in mental health & small‑biz honesty — from burnout to balance.
Behind‑the‑scenes art & story — because transparency builds trust.
🌈 Why I’m Sharing This (Now)
I used to hide this side of my journey, thinking it might scare people away. But I’ve realized vulnerability is my strength. If you’ve ever felt banned, burned out, or lost — I want you to know:
💬 You can rebuild.
💬 You can choose intentional growth over burnout.
💬 You can build your brand your way.
📌 Final Thoughts
This isn’t about success metrics. It’s about healing, honesty, and art that matters. My journey has been messy, painful, and real — and it’s why this brand exists today.
If any of this resonates — please stick around. There’s gentle art, candid blog posts, and a community waiting for someone just like you.
— Abby 💖
@abbyscreativeescape
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