Halfpenny Postage card by Cassandra Ott, selected from SPDG5

Hello Reader,

Creativity—using your mind and hands to make something—is risky.

The fear of failure, so-called "imposter syndrome," and oversensitivity to rejection can prevent us from achieving our full potential.

What if what we create doesn't match our original vision? There's always the possibility that it might not work.

What if our time and energy don't pay off? There's always the possibility that someone else won't like what we make.

But the opposite is also true.

What if it does work out? What if just one person loves it because it speaks directly to them? What if it yields results, perhaps different or better than you hoped?

As the deadline for the 6th edition of the Surface Pattern Design Guide approaches, I hope you will put aside fear and doubt.

What if your work is noticed by Windham Fabrics and you get a fabric licensing deal? What if Halfpenny Postage selects you for designing greeting cards? What if Lilla Rogers, Bonnie Christine or Sarah Watts see your potential and award you free tuition for their courses? What if your work is published in UPPERCASE magazine, highlighting your work to thousands of appreciative readers? What if?

Take a leap—enter the Surface Pattern Design Guide!

Halfpenny Postage cards by Leila Simon Hayes, selected from SPDG4

The artwork shared here is all by artists who submitted to past Surface Pattern Design Guides and were noticed by the team at Halfpenny Postage.

This Halfpenny Postage card is by Salli Swindell, who selected
from the previous Surface Pattern Design Guide (SPDG5)

Halfpenny Postage card by Asta Barrington, selected from SPDG5

Halfpenny Postage card by Alys Paterson, selected from SPDG4

→ The entry fee is USD $40* and will be used to cover the hosting and administration costs of this submission system. It will also be pooled as payments to artists selected for UPPERCASE projects, such as the SPDG cover and patterned paper bonus for subscribers.

*If the fee is a barrier, use one of the discount codes below. I trust that they will be used intentionally and respectfully by readers of this newsletter. I always want everyone to feel welcome—and be able to—submit their work to UPPERCASE.

Regular Entry Fee: $40 USD
Use "save10" for $10 off.
Use "savehalf20" for $20 off.
Use "free40" for a free entry.

Halfpenny Postage notebook set by Crissie Rodda, selected from SPDG4

Upon submitting your entry, you will receive another coupon for my shop—save 20% off subscriptions, renewals, books and back issues (the offer expires March 1, 2025). This is the biggest discount you'll find on subscriptions.

Here's what the portfolios look like in previous SPDG issues.

Halfpenny Postage card by Crissie Rodda, selected from SPDG4

All the details are explained on the Entry Page and Entry Form.

Good luck!

Don't wait until the last day!!!!

Enter SPDG6

From its printed pages to this online community, UPPERCASE brings together creatives seeking beauty, inspiration and motivation so that we can cultivate meaningful connections and nurture our creativity.

The UPPERCASE Circle is a special perk for print subscribers—it is already included with a print subscription!

There's lots happening in the Circle—we're organizing a group mail art project entitled "Dear Creativity."

If you could write a letter, send a postcard, or make art mail addressed to Creativity, what would you say? What would it look like? What would it be?

Is it simply an update on how you are doing in your creative life? Or do you have questions or demands of Creativity? Is this an offering? What is your relationship to Creativity?

We're pairing up and sending such messages to each other. Imagine your recipient is Creativity embodied. Start a conversation with Creativity and see where it goes! Signups for Dear Creativity are open through January 16 for members of the UPPERCASE Circle.

Membership is part of a paid print subscription. An UPPERCASE Circle access link is provided in the email sent after a new subscription or renewal has been purchased, so check your messages for one entitled "Thank you for subscribing! ❤ SAVE THIS EMAIL". If you have an active subscription and can't locate that message, request access here. Reviewing these requests is a manual process; I'll let you in as soon as I can.

I post daily Creative Prompts in the UPPERCASE Circle. Here's yesterday's:

Here's a reason to SUBSCRIBE or RENEW before Jan 20.

With approximately 65% of my subscribers in the USA, I am concerned about Trump's 25% tariff threat "on ALL products coming into the United States." The impact on both sides of the border would be considerable.

Would a 25% tariff apply to US shoppers purchasing online from a Canadian shop? Does it apply to magazines and books printed in Canada and sent to customers in the USA? Would I have to tax my customers 25% extra on everything shipped—subscriptions included—and then remit that amount to the US government? From Export Development Canada: "Buyers are usually responsible for paying tariffs. Tariffs are a tax on imported goods, paid by the person or company that imported them." The impact of having to charge 25% more for my books, magazines and subscriptions is horrifying to contemplate. No one can afford this.

I don't have any answers, but we will all soon find out.

The Jan-Feb-March 2025 issue is available. Use the code newyear10 for CAD$10 off subscriptions and renewals.

Feed Sacks (originally released in 2016) is being crowdfunded for a reprint. It is at 122 supporters and is 14% funded. The first 200 preorder customers will receive an authentic feed sack swatch with their book.

Glue is Volume G in the UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration. Auditions are open to collage and assemblage artists. Preorders support the production of the book. thank you!