Okay y’all… we need to talk. 😂
Because apparently, the last time I wrote a blog post was April 2025.
APRIL.
As in… over a year ago.
And considering how much has changed around here since then, I figured it was probably time we sat down and had a little catch-up.
If you've been following ShopWithWilkins for a while, you may have noticed that things don't look quite the same as they used to. And if you're new around here, well… welcome! You picked an interesting time to show up. 😂
So grab your coffee, settle in, and let me tell you what the heck has been going on.
First… Yes, I'm Still Making Tumblers
Don't panic. 😂 The tumblers aren't going anywhere.
ShopWithWilkins started with custom epoxy artwork and tumblers, and that creative side of the business is still a huge part of who we are. But I've learned a LOT since those early days.
I've experimented with different techniques, materials, styles, designs, and products. Some ideas were amazing. Some were… let's just say learning experiences.
That's part of being a maker. You try things. You occasionally make a spectacular mess. You learn. You try something else. And eventually, you figure out what you actually enjoy making—and what you actually want to sell.
We've Expanded Beyond Epoxy
One of the biggest changes has been expanding beyond epoxy artwork.
Sublimation tumblers have become a much bigger part of the shop, along with other ready-to-ship products, apparel, gifts, digital products, and crafty things that I probably didn't need another excuse to make.
Because apparently I enjoy giving myself new hobbies that can somehow be turned into inventory. 😂
The goal isn't to make ShopWithWilkins into a giant everything-store. It's actually the opposite! I'm working toward creating a shop that feels intentional—a place where you can find something fun, useful, pretty, funny, or just completely you.
Ready-to-Ship Is Becoming a Bigger Deal
Here's something else that's changed:
I'm putting more focus on ready-to-ship items.
Custom work is wonderful, but custom work also takes time. There's designing, communication, approvals, ordering supplies, creating the actual piece, curing, finishing, photographing, packaging… You get the idea.
Sometimes you just want to see something you love and say: “Yep. That one. I'll take it.”
So I'm working on having more finished pieces available that are ready to head to their new homes without a lengthy custom-order process. Because sometimes patience is a virtue. And sometimes you just want your cute tumbler. 😂
We've Made Room for More Than Just Tumblers
If you've looked around the shop recently, you may have noticed that ShopWithWilkins has grown into more than a tumbler shop.
We've got apparel.
We've got gifts.
We've got digital downloads.
We've got crafty things.
We've got bookish goodies.
We've got collaborations.
We've got mystery boxes.
And there are probably at least seventeen more ideas currently living rent-free in my brain. The funny thing about owning a creative business is that the ideas don't really stop.
You finish one project and immediately think: “Ohhh… I could make THAT.”
And then suddenly it's midnight and you're researching something you've never heard of before.
It's a problem... A fun problem... But still a problem. 😂
Speaking of Bookish Things…
One of the things I'm especially excited about is growing the bookish side of ShopWithWilkins.
I've always loved the idea of combining creativity with the things people already love—especially books, reading, authors, and all the little things that make being a reader feel like part of your personality.
That's led to author collaborations and book-inspired products that are just plain fun.
And honestly? Making things for readers is pretty awesome.
Because readers are particular. We know what we like. We have favorite tropes. We have fictional characters we would absolutely defend in court. And we have very strong opinions about our coffee mugs, tumblers, bookmarks, shirts, and reading accessories.
I respect that. 😂
So… What Is ShopWithWilkins Now?
That's probably the biggest question.
And the answer is: I don't think we're supposed to fit neatly into one little box anymore.
ShopWithWilkins is still handmade. It's still creative. It's still a little weird. It's still colorful. It's still full of things I genuinely enjoy making.
But it's also evolving. And I think that's a good thing. Because businesses evolve. People evolve. Interests change. New ideas come along. And sometimes the thing you started making years ago leads you somewhere you never expected to go.
That's where I am right now.
And I'm Bringing the Blog Back. 😬
I'm officially bringing the ShopWithWilkins blog back—and this time, I'm aiming for at least one new post every other week.
No promises that every post will be perfectly polished and corporate-sounding. Actually, let's make one thing very clear: There will probably be very little corporate-sounding around here. 😂
Instead, I want this space to be a place where I can share what's happening behind the scenes, talk about new products, explain how things are made, share tips, highlight collaborations, talk about small-business life, and occasionally just tell you about whatever ridiculous thing has happened in the shop lately.
Basically…
More ShopWithWilkins.
More behind the scenes.
More creativity.
More stories.
More things I probably shouldn't admit publicly.
You know... The good stuff.
So, Welcome Back.
Whether you've been here since the early epoxy days, found me somewhere along the way, or you're brand new to ShopWithWilkins… thank you.
Every order, share, comment, like, recommendation, review, and “OMG I NEED THAT” means more to a small business than you probably realize.
This little business has changed a lot. And apparently, it's not done changing yet.
So here's to whatever comes next.
Let's see what we can make of it. ❤️
And hey… I'll see you back here in two weeks.
I mean it this time. 😂