Crafting a Brand That’s So You (and Sells, Too)

Let’s get this out of the way: your brand isn’t just your logo or a cute color palette. It’s the vibe people get when they land on your page, hold your product, or scroll your feed. It’s the story you tell, the values you lead with, and the way people feel when they interact with your work.

In other words? Your brand is your business’s personality and just like you, it’s got depth.

Whether you’re selling quilts, patterns, stickers, or scrappy zines, building a strong brand is what turns “that’s cute” into “shut up and take my money.”

So… What Is a Brand, Really?

In business-speak, your brand is your business’s identity: what you stand for, how you show up, and what sets you apart from everyone else slinging handmade goods online. Think of it like your creative fingerprint.

A solid brand answers these questions:

• Who are you talking to?

• Why do you do what you do?

• What do you want people to feel when they interact with your work?

Why Branding Matters for Makers

In a world full of mass-produced everything and copycat content, your brand is what makes you stand out. It builds trust, recognition, and (most importantly) connection, which leads to loyal customers who don’t just buy once, but come back again and again.

If you’re undercharging or feeling invisible online, chances are your branding could use a little love.

Step 1: Define Your Vibe (aka Your Brand Voice & Aesthetic)

This is where your personality gets to shine. Are you bold and cheeky? Soft and sentimental? Nerdy and detailed? Own it.

Start by jotting down:

• 3–5 words that describe your ideal brand vibe

  (e.g. rebellious, cozy, playful, intentional)

• Colors, fonts, and textures that feel like your work

• Examples of brands (in any industry) that you vibe with

Pro tip: Your brand doesn’t have to be “professional” in a traditional sense. It just has to be clear and consistent.

Step 2: Know Your People

In business terms, this is your target audience: the people who are most likely to love (and pay for) what you make.

Ask yourself:

• Who is this really for?

  (Not just “people who like quilts.” Try “millennial parents who love bold color and nostalgic fabrics.”)

• What do they care about?

• How can you speak their language?

  
  

When you know who you're talking to, you can craft messaging, product descriptions, and content that actually connects.

Step 3: Tell a Story

People don’t just buy products. They buy stories. They buy meaning. They buy you.

Whether it's:

• The story behind your first quilt

• Why you love repurposed fabrics

• Or what your workspace looks like after a 12-hour sewing binge

  
  

Let people in. Share your process. Talk about what drives you. That authenticity is your marketing superpower.

Step 4: Be Consistent (but Not Boring)

You don’t need a massive content calendar or a million graphics. But your voice, visuals, and vibe should stay recognizable across platforms - from your website to your Instagram captions to your shipping notes.

Consistency builds trust. Trust builds sales.

Things to stay consistent with:

• Tone of voice

• Color palette + fonts

• Logo/brand mark

• Your “about” blurb

• Packaging/presentation

  
  

Even if your brand evolves (and it should!), keeping your presence cohesive will help people remember and recommend you.

Step 5: Let Your Brand Work for You

A strong brand does more than look good - it streamlines your decisions. When you know what your business stands for, you waste less time second-guessing things like:

• Should I launch this product?

• Is this trend worth jumping on?

• Would my people care about this?

  
  

Your brand becomes your filter and your foundation.

The Verdict

The best brands don’t try to appeal to everyone, they double down on what makes them them. And that includes your messy studio, your half-finished ideas, your too-honest captions, and your fierce dedication to the craft.

So don’t be afraid to show up as yo

urself. That’s what makes people fall in love with your work and want to buy it.

Time to make some cool shit! ✂️💗

-Manon