Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Gaebler.
Hi Allie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve spent much of my life loving drawing, painting, and experimenting. This love of art led me to attend and later earn a BFA in Illustration from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. I even had the chance to study abroad in southern France. Allie Illustrated started as a creative outlet to share my artwork with others. I had to slowly find my artistic style, color palette, and voice. I began painting portraits and started developing sticker sheets. Now I have more than 35 sticker sheets, 10 art prints, and 75 sticker designs available to my customers. That all took time and dedication, and I’m excited to say that it’s blossomed into what Allie Illustrated is today.
I continue to develop new collections and products, which are available through my Etsy shop and at retail locations throughout Michigan. Over the past year, I have expanded into the wholesale market, and it has been incredibly rewarding to see my artwork reach new customers. Today, my products can be found in five stores across Michigan, including an exclusive collection available at Poppins on Mackinac Island.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been finding my artistic voice and learning to adapt as my business has grown. The road to Allie Illustrated has taken a few fun turns. I started by painting pet portraits in oils and later transitioned to watercolor, which I loved for its vibrant colors and expressive qualities. As I explored different mediums, I eventually challenged myself to develop a digital illustration style that felt authentically my own.
Making the switch to digital art wasn’t always easy. It required learning new tools, developing new techniques, and finding ways to capture the warmth and personality I loved in traditional media. Through a lot of experimentation and practice, I found a style that felt right and allowed me to create products that could reach a wider audience.
Another ongoing challenge has been balancing creativity with the realities of running a small business. As a business owner, I’m responsible for everything from designing products and managing inventory to marketing and wholesale outreach. While wearing so many hats can be demanding, it’s also helped me grow both as an artist and an entrepreneur.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Allie Illustrated is based out of my home studio in Ferndale, Michigan. My business specializes in original, hand-drawn designs that are designed and made into paper goods and gifts, including stickers, stationery, greeting cards, art prints, and more.
What sets my work apart is the intention behind each illustration. I focus on capturing small, meaningful moments, be it a quiet morning with coffee, a stack of favorite books, or seasonal details that make everyday life feel special. My goal is to turn those familiar experiences into artwork that feels warm, personal, and relatable.
Each product begins as an illustration that I design myself, and I’m very intentional about maintaining a cohesive, hand-drawn style across everything I create. I want my products to feel like a small collection of joy that customers can use in their journals, on their desks, or in their everyday routines.
Over this past year, I’ve been especially proud to grow into the wholesale market, with my products now carried in several shops throughout Michigan. Seeing my work in physical stores has been a meaningful milestone and a proud moment for my brand.
What’s next?
My future plans are to keep growing, keep learning, and continue connecting with my customers in meaningful ways. I’m especially excited about expanding my wholesale presence and getting Allie Illustrated products into more shops, both in Michigan and beyond.
I also plan to continue developing new collections that reflect the cozy, nostalgic themes my brand is known for, while exploring new product formats that allow my artwork to reach people in different ways. I really enjoy seeing how customers use my products in their everyday lives, so creating items that feel both beautiful and functional is a big focus for me moving forward.
Long term, I want to keep building a brand that feels thoughtful, recognizable, and rooted in storytelling through illustration, while continuing to grow at a pace that allows me to stay hands-on with the creative process.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allieillustrated.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allieillustrate
