IN THIS ISSUE: Studio News, Reader Questions, New Launches and a gift for you
studio news
Letting My Passion Take Flight
I've shared in recent newsletters that my health has taken a major hit this year. In just these first four months of the year, my epilepsy reactivated, I had a breast cancer scare, and then we lost my beloved fur baby, Blue. So, add some deep grief to my health issues, and yeah, it's been rough.
Little Boy Blue
All this turmoil boils down to one fact: prioritizing my health limits my creative time. As a result, I've been thinking about where my passions intersect with my skills in this business so that I can use my time effectively. For me, that came down to food and beverage illustration. I am very passionate about food, coffee, and cocktail culture. Realizing this led me to open my practice up to include this new food and beverage niche. My latest piece is called Citrus Celebration, highlighting the classic Mimosa.
Citrus Celebration
If nothing else, I'm feeling energized, passionate, and hopeful around my art practice again despite my current challenges. ❤️🍸
L.E.A.R.N. course design
Dear Toni...
My dear readers, we have reached the end of the primary content behind my L.E.A.R.N. methodology. You can find the archive of my articles on my creator profile. I'm migrating over the content from before I used Kit, so that will be coming soon. I am also in the process of converting this information into a standalone guide that can be purchased. So, now, I'm moving into answering reader questions. Here's one I get a lot:
Dear Toni, I am a surface pattern designer and I'm getting ready to launch my first Skillshare class. I read your article about the fact that 8-10 minutes is the recommended length for my videos. But, I'm finding it hard to get my videos down to that length. I'm averaging 20 minutes. What can I do? Will viewers really not remember what I'm teaching? - V.Clark
Dear V,
First, congratulations on your first Skillshare class! That’s huge. 🎉 Now, let’s talk about those video lengths.
Yes, 8–10 minutes is the sweet spot for online learning. Research from the University of Rochester and MIT shows that learner engagement drops off fast after the 6–10 minute mark. It won't matter if your content is outstanding; it’s just how our brains work.
So, keeping it real, they aren't going to remember all twenty minutes. That said, don’t panic—your 20-minute videos aren’t a lost cause. Take a moment and analyze those twenty minutes and think about them as ideas or topics. I guarantee you'll find areas where you're transitioning into a new idea within the overall topic. Those are your breaks. At a minimum, tell the student to pause the video and go do whatever you just taught to reinforce the concept.
Remember, viewers remember what you’re teaching best whenyou teach it in digestible, well-timed chunks. Shorter doesn’t mean less—it just means you’re giving the brain room to breathe.
If you haven't yet tuned in to Two Cranky Creatives, I hope you connect with us and listen wherever you get your podcasts! This month on the podcast, we discuss rejection with Mable Tan, spill the tea on how tariffs are impacting our industry, and talk creative confidence with Janine Vangool.
New episodes drop every other Wednesday and this month you're getting a bonus episode!
ARTY STUFF
My Etsy Shop Has Launched, So You Get A gift!
Big news: I just opened my Etsy shop—and it's serving up downloadable food and beverage art, fresh and ready for your walls 🍸🍓 Whether you’re craving cozy coffee prints, sophisticated mixology art, or a little something sweet for your kitchen or dining room, it’s all ready to download, print, and enjoy. To celebrate, everything is 20% off for a limited time with code SUBSCRIBER20!
The launch sale wraps up June 15, 2025, so if you’ve been looking to add a little flavor to your space, now’s the time. You can browse the full menu here → [Shop Now] — and if you pick something up, tag me @owlmedicinedesign so I can see your stylish snack wall! ✨
Over on Patreon, my creative partner, Carrie Cantwell, has just launched Etsy School, where she's teaching everything she knows about becoming a star seller on Etsy.
All the lessons are free when you join Graphics Gang, and you have direct access to us both for questions, monthly chats, etc.
LOVE THIS NEWSLETTER?
If so, choose one of these ways to let me know:
Option 1: Send this to a fellow creative. Setting your students up for success is simple with the right information. If you know someone seeking to add course creation to their portfolio, send this their way!
Option 2. Send me a sentence or two about what you enjoyed! I honestly want to hear from you. I don't want to type into the ether. Connect with me. That's more fun!
Thank you so much for reading! I spend a lot of time trying to make this newsletter worth its place in your inbox. I hope that comes through!
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