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Description

Artist and paintmaker Connie Vartiainen shares how a simple curiosity about making her own paints transformed into Shimmer Drops Paint, a thriving business creating handmade watercolors with mesmerizing shimmer and colour-shift effects. From thirteen years as an art teacher to full-time entrepreneur and mum, Connie opens up about the experimental process, balancing motherhood with business, and staying authentic online.

We explore:

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  • How discovering watercolour after her first child sparked a creative revolution
  • The technical magic of working with automotive pigments in watercolour
  • Transitioning from teaching to full-time paint making during COVID
  • Her quarterly subscription boxes with exclusive, limited-edition colours
  • Why AI shouldn't take away what makes us human
  • Building community online without showing your face
  • Key Quotes: />
    "I was testing one evening and saying to my husband, 'Oh my God, this is so good. This paint is so good. It's so buttery and smooth.' I was not expecting it to be that good because I thought if it doesn't turn out well, I might just give it to the kids. But I was like, 'Oh no, I'm keeping this as mine.'" />
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    "Just make it exist first and then make it good later. You've got to go through that ugly stage."

    Connect with Connie: />
    Website: href="https://shimmerdropspaint.com/">shimmerdropspaint.com />
    Instagram: href="https://www.instagram.com/shimmerdropspaint">@shimmerdropspaint

    More from Sanchia: href="https://artbysanchia.com/">artbysanchia.com | href="https://artbysanchia.com/newsletter">Newsletter | href="https://www.instagram.com/artbysanchia/">@artbysanchia