• home
  • about
    • echoes of old
    • backwards beauty
    • freebies
    • my videos
    • photos
    • portraits
    • designs
    • logos
  • shop
  • blog
Menu

welcome to my online studio

  • home
  • about
  • collections
    • echoes of old
    • backwards beauty
  • my creations
    • freebies
    • my videos
    • photos
    • portraits
    • designs
    • logos
  • shop
  • blog

Jan's Blog

Picture of CEO, Jan Elizabeth Lakey

I am a creator of kindness. I find joy in creating what I love and sharing it with others. My hope is that you will find something here that inspires you. 

Email Me

Latest:

blog
My First Year on YouTube as an Artist — Was It Worth It?
about 4 hours ago
Magical Homestead Gardens Holiday Shop + Haul
about 3 weeks ago
The Cold Case Project Files: Reviving an Old Artwork on a Snow Day ❄️
about a month ago
Meet My New Painting Collection | Echoes of Old — Dutch-Inspired Country Landscapes
about a month ago
How I Style & Shoot My Paintings | Behind the Scenes of a New Collection
about a month ago

Hello Friend

Let stay in touch. I only send love notes with awesome news.

We respect your privacy.

Hello Beautiful One ✨

Thank you for joining my little corner of the internet. You’re officially on my list — I can’t wait to share new videos, upcoming art sales, and special behind-the-scenes moments with you. 💛

Much love,

Jan


My First Year on YouTube as an Artist — Was It Worth It?

January 13, 2026 in felting, video, tips and tricks, Needle & Brush Collection

Is YouTube worth it for artists?
After one full year of showing up, creating, and sharing my work, I wanted to sit down and reflect honestly on what this journey has been like.

In this video, I’m sharing my thoughts after my first year on YouTube as an artist — the highs, the disappointments, and the quiet lessons that don’t always show up in numbers. I talk about what it’s like to create art without guaranteed sales, to launch collections that don’t sell, to post weekly videos without monetization, and to keep going anyway.

This reflection is woven together with footage from a winter getaway and moments of felting — working slowly, intuitively, and with intention. As I work, I share what I’ve learned about creativity, comparison, consistency, and why the act of making still matters deeply, even when the outcome isn’t what we hoped for.

If you’re an artist, creative, or anyone wondering whether YouTube is worth the effort — especially in the early years — I hope this video makes you feel a little less alone.

Tags: YouTubers, artist tools, artist studio, artist, artist marketing, artist thoughts
Magical Homestead Gardens Holiday Shop + Haul →
Back to Top