When you spend your time getting creative in your own private sanctuary, it can be a scary thing to finally share your output with the world. Whether it’s hand-thrown ceramics, a pretty painting, from-the-heart poetry or sprinkle-topped baked goods, you’re putting your crafty baby on the line to be yayed or nayed, and it’s not always easy to muster the confidence you once held in your work.

The Etsy Creative Courage Challenge can help you on your merry making way: two artistic business types – top Aussie Etsy seller Cath Young and frankie favourite Pip Lincolne – will mentor you through a five-week online program, and the best part is it’s all for free.

You’ll learn everything from how to set up your Etsy store to tips on marketing, branding and balancing a creative business with littl’uns at home – it starts on September 7th with new lessons popping up week by week.

For a little taste test of the kind of wisdom you’ll be soaking in, have a read of our chitchat with Pip below.



Hello! Tell us about yourself and what you do. My name is Pip Lincolne. I am a crafter and an author of five books about making things and creativity. I also write a blog called Meet Me At Mikes. And I sometimes write the craft pages in frankie magazine, too.

I live in Melbourne and I write and/or make things every single day. It’s the backbone of my life and makes me feel SO MUCH better about my life/the world.

What is the Etsy Creative Courage Challenge and how did you come to be involved? After nine years of profiling favourite Etsy shops and items on my blog, it was a bit of a dream to be asked to be a Creative Courage Challenge mentor. My own work revolves around everyday creativity and creative business, so it really did seem like the perfect match and I jumped at the chance.

I have always admired the way Etsy profiles crafters and provides a platform for makers (big and small) to show and sell their wares. It’s my go-to for cute handmade or hard-to-find vintage items – my very favourite Golden Ponies tote is from Etsy and my favourite earrings too (from Each To Own!). I also scour for Catherinholm kitchenware, mugs with other people’s names on them, and pretty-yet-comfy vintage dresses!

Was confidence in your creativity something you had to overcome when starting your own business? How did you do it? Creative confidence has most definitely been something that I’ve had to work on over the last 10 years. We’re often taught to be humble and self-deprecating, and creative confidence can seem to fly in the face of those kinds of traits. I’m here to tell you that you can be a nice, non-annoying, creative person AND fly your own flag without apology or foot-shuffling.

I really like helping people to put a bit more faith in their own cleverness and to be proud of their work and the things they’ve achieved. That not only helps with confidence, it encourages further bright ideas and personal/business growth!

What other hurdles have you had to jump along the way? I think the hurdles tend to be pretty universal: confidence, time management, cash flow issues, maintaining energy and passion, criticism! I’ve dealt with all of those and more. I’ve learnt a thing or two about managing the hurdles (and even about how to leap over them with the wind in my hair!).

What’s so great about launching a creative career? There is nothing better than working on something that you truly love, something that’s meaningful to you and incorporates your creative passion, history and skills. It’s totally motivating and satisfying to spend at least part of your work day doing something that reflects who you are (and bundles up a few of your hopes and dreams in the process).

Do you have any tips for someone starting an online business of their own? There’s SO MUCH I could say, but here are a few pointers:

Create a framework that’s going to support and encourage you from the start. So that means you need to look after your health, enlist the help of mentors/experts that can advise/assist you, manage your time carefully, skill up and be pragmatic. Formulate a plan that takes into account WHO your customer is and WHY they’ll choose you over others (quality, point of difference, price?) and GOSH DARN GET GOING!

Don’t try to do too much too quickly, but rather do a great job on one product or idea and grow from there. Be sure to take time every single day to think about what is working and what isn’t. Adjust accordingly. And please, please, please ask for help when you need it. Mentors and professionals are the best thing that can happen to your business. Don’t do it alone!



For more information on signing up to the Creative Courage Challenge, head to the official website. Top image by Pip from her blog, Meet Me At Mikes.