Want to know what art supplies and tools I use? Check out my full guide below! These are all items that I personally use when I create artwork and run my business. I hope you find this helpful!

This page contains some affiliate links, which means if you purchase an item, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. 😊

Watercolors: Professional

Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolors. (Professional grade.) This set is more expensive than their student-grade, but it has better pigmentation and yields better results. When it dries, the paint is still incredibly transparent and smooth, not chalky like with some cheaper brands. I paint with these for professional projects. If I’m just playing around, I’ll use the cheaper student-grade.

Watercolors: Student grade

Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolors. (Student grade.) I’ve been using this set since I was 16. (It’s been replenished many times over the years.) If you want to use W&N paint pans, which are the best in the market, but you don’t want to shell out $$$ for the Professional set, I recommend buying this one instead.

Watercolor Sheets

I use Vivia Colorsheets when I want exceptionally vibrant watercolors. If you haven’t used watercolor sheets before, it’s an absolute treat. The colors are the most highly-pigmented I’ve ever used. Bonus– they are extremely portable. It lets you paint anywhere, in a cafe, in a train, on the hills, wherever your inspiration strikes.

Watercolors: Tubes

I like to mix and match my tube paints with my pans. For tubes, I prefer Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolors. My favorite colors to buy in tube form: Opera Rose, Olive Green, Cadmium Red, Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Cobalt Turquoise Light.

Metallic Watercolors

These handmade metallic watercolors come packaged in a perfect travel-size tin. There are six highly-pigmented metallics that come in half-pan sizes. Each color creates a sparkling luster effect for my paintings.

Collapsable Water Dish

When I’m painting on the move, I toss this collapsable water dish in my backpack. It makes clean-up super simple. Plus, the curved edges make it easy to rest my brushes on the rim as I’m painting.

Round Brushes

I wear out my brushes quickly, so I buy cheap round brushes like these. I use them for both watercolor and acrylic artwork.

Detail Brushes

My detail brushes don’t fare much longer. I buy cheap sets like this, which usually last a few months, depending on how well I take care of them. I use these brushes for both watercolor and acrylic paintings.

Expensive Round Brushes

Occasionally, I’ll treat myself to a luxury paint brush. Escoda brushes are my brand of choice when it comes to premium quality. This set comes with a canvas pouch, so it’s easy to pack up the set and take them with me on-the-go.

Angled Brushes

When I paint with acrylic, I like to use angled brushes like these. This 9-pack gives you a good variety of sizes to choose from.

Flat Brushes

I use flat wide brushes for both watercolor and acrylic. These are great for ombré gradient blends, and filling in large areas of backgrounds.

Round Stencil Brushes

When I create abstract background blends in acrylic, I like to use round stencil brushes like this. This 6-pack gives you a good variety of sizes to choose from.

Roll-Up Bag for Brushes

I store all my paint brushes in a roll-up canvas pouch. Not only does this keep all my brushes in one place, but it also protects the bristles from getting bent.

Brush Cleaner

This brush cleaner keeps my paint brushes like new. Plus, the lemony scent is an added perk. Bonus: it’s non-toxic and water-soluble and it works safely on oils, acrylics, or watercolors.

Paint Palettes

I use cheap plastic palettes like this for color mixing.

Watercolor Paper

My go-to for durability and quality is Strathmore watercolor paper. This is the 300 series, which is medium-range in terms of durability. (Their products range from 200–500.) The 300 is marketed towards beginner artists, but I’m going to be completely honest here: I’m a professional artist and I love the 300 series. For me, no need to splurge on the higher-end paper when this one is doing just fine.

Mixed Media Paper

When I’m painting with acrylics, I like using Strathmore Mixed Media paper. This pack is a 400 series, which means the paper is very thick. This is perfect for loading lots of acrylic onto the page without too much paper buckling.

Smooth Paper

I use bristol paper when I’m painting with India ink, drawing with markers, or using any medium where I want a smooth-as-butter surface. Watercolor paper is textured and bumpy, bristol paper is smooth and stiff.

Canvas

If I want to give my acrylic paintings a little more oomph, I’ll paint on canvas. I like this 18-pack of canvas boards for two main reasons: 1) There are a variety of sizes, so you have more flexibility with how large/small you want to paint. 2) For 18 canvases, this is pretty dang cheap.

Black Cardstock

For darker backgrounds, I use heavyweight black cardstock paper when I’m painting with acrylics and gouache, which are both opaque paints, so the painting can pop off the charcoal background.

Kraft Cardstock

I also use heavyweight kraft cardstock paper for acrylics and gouache when I want a more natural, earthy tone to my painting.

Notebook / Journal

I’m a sucker for Moleskine notebooks. I jot down notes, illustration ideas, and thoughts I have throughout the day. This one is small, so it fits easily in my purse. Plus, the hardback cover means it’s super durable, which means no bent pages as the months go on.

Micron Pens

I use Micron Pens for incredibly detailed drawing. This pack has a range of tip sizes, so you can mix up the line weights as you’re drawing.

Gold Paint Pens

Sakura Paint Pens are among the best in the market: the archival-quality ink is chemically stable, waterproof, fade-resistant, and low-odor. The gold is brilliantly metallic and permanent, so in addition to drawing on paper (including black paper), you can also write on ceramics, plastic, and fabric.

Sketching Pencils

I use sketching pencils like this. The main think I look for is a range in lead weights. I use hard lead (my fave is 4H) when I’m sketching out the composition before I watercolor. Hard leads like this don’t leave a dark line on paper, which is great because I want to minimize the sketch lines beneath my watercolor.

Kneaded Eraser

I prefer kneaded erasers when I need to lighten my sketch before painting with watercolors. Once my sketch is finalized on my watercolor paper, I press the kneaded eraser into the sketch to lift the graphite off the paper, which lightens the sketch before painting.

Click Erasers

I’m a huge fan of click erasers. Because I sketch before watercoloring, I erase as much of the sketch as possibly can before I begin painting. (Otherwise, the pencil sketch shows through the dried paint.) I like these erasers because I can erase in fine detail. Basically, they give me more control over what I’m erasing and what I’m leaving on the page.

Stylus + Nibs

I run my nibs into the ground. They get clogged with ink and sometimes rusty, so I prefer super cheap ones that I can use & toss without feeling guilty. The Speedball No. 20 General Purpose Pen Set is perfect for me: it’s inexpensive, has a good assortment of nib sizes, and did I mention it’s cheap? I use these with the aforementioned India Ink.

India Ink

The big reason that watercolor artists love India Ink? It’s completely waterproof once dry, which means you can outline before painting. Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay India Inks are my favorites to use. If you don’t want to splurge on the full rainbow, I recommend starting with a basic black ink. In addition to outlining my watercolors, I also use these India inks for both calligraphy and for intricate drawings using a pen holder + replaceable nib. These inks are incredibly rich in pigment and dry with a glossy sheen. Plus, I adore the vintage packaging and like how they look on my desk.

India Ink, but it’s gold

Who can resist a metallic gold? Again, I’m all about that Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay India Ink and the iridescent gold is superb quality. It’s thick and dries opaque on the paper, not watery and transparent. This means it looks phenomenal on black paper and pops off the page. I have the full collection of Bombay iridescents, but if you’re looking for something less pricy, best to start with just one or two. I recommend gold and silver to begin.

Marker Brush Pens

Ecoline Brush Pens. These are my secret to hand-lettering and bouncy calligraphy. Because these are markers, the ink is consistent as you draw– no blobby areas. The tip is fine and flexible, which means I can get those delicious thicks/thins depending on my pressure as I draw. If you don’t want to splurge on the full set, you can buy single brush pens for around $5/each. The Deep Green is my personal favorite. (P.S. I have a Skillshare class that features this brush and shows you my hand-lettering secrets.)

Squeeze Tube Brush Pen

I use this Pentel Fude Brush Pen as an alternative to the Ecoline pens. This Pentel Brush Pen has bristles instead of a marker tip, so you can play with a more painterly method as go. I use this for calligraphy and hand-lettering as well. Huge bonus: the ink is waterproof, so you can paint on top of your lines once they’re dry. I also feature this one and show you how to use it in my Skillshare class, “Modern Brush-Lettering and Calligraphy”.

Palette Knives

I use a palette knife to create intriguing background textures in my acrylic paintings. This 5-pack is great because of the variety of shapes you can use to create different textural effects.

Gouache Paint

I use this 24-pack of Turner acrylic gouache. The biggest difference between watercolor and gouache is that watercolor is transparent and gouache is opaque. Watercolor also utilizes the texture of the paper, whereas with gouache, you'll see texture in the paint itself from the brushstrokes. I'll use either depending on what sort of look I'm going for.

I did plenty of research before finally deciding to splurge on a 36-pack of Turner Acryl Gouache. The opacity and mixing is exactly what I was looking for.

Acrylic Paint – Professional

This variety pack of Winsor & Newton Acrylics will give you professional-quality results. This brand is my go-to if I want vibrant pigments and smooth, creamy paint that dries with a nice, opaque finish. W&N brand is the more premium and expensive option for acrylics.

Acrylic Paint – Student Grade

When it comes to economically-priced acrylics, this variety pack of Liquitex acrylic paints is a killer deal. Liquitex is my go-to brand for inexpensive acrylics. Starting out with a variety pack of tubes like this gives you plenty of options, so if there are a handful of colors you absolutely love, you can always purchase single (larger) tubes of them later.

Tablet

I use a 12.9” iPad Pro, which is perfect for illustrating in Procreate because I’m not as limited on the canvas size as you can sometimes be with other models.

Stylus

I use an Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) to illustrate on my iPad. Note: make sure you’re buying an Apple Pencil that is compatible with your iPad model. This one won’t work on older iPads.

Scanner

I scan all of my hand-painted paintings with this Epson Perfection Scanner. Bonus: it’s lightweight, so I travel with it as well. Side note: I spilled coffee all over this scanner LITERALLY the day it arrived, and it somehow survived. So now it’s my lucky charm, too.

Laptop Stand

I prop my laptop up with a Roost Stand. This means I stare straight ahead while working on my laptop, not downwards. My neck is much happier. When my computer is propped up on the Roost, I use a Magic Mouse 2 and a Magic Keyboard.

Laptop

I recently upgraded to a 2021 Macbook Pro and it’s insanely powerful. Here are the exact specs I went for: 64 GB memory, processor and graphics M1 Max with 10C CPU, 32C GPU.

External Hard Drive

I store all of my files on this SSD (4 terabytes). After my external hard drive crashed, I’ve sworn off HDDs and now only use solid state disks. Don’t forget to also buy the hard case for it to snap into and a portable carrying case for added protection.

Laptop Cord Organizer

I use this cord organizer to keep my space nice and tidy when I’m working from a coffee shop. No one wants to trip over cords.

Home Printer

I recommend the Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3720 Printer. This is the newer version of the (discontinued) one I use to print my art prints when I fulfill them myself. I use Epson Premium Presentation Paper and I order my cellophane bags & backing boards from Clearbags.

Phone

My secondary camera is my iPhone. I use this to snap lifestyle pics of my artwork and record videos when I’m not using my Canon Powershot camera.

Laptop Sleeve

I’ve been using this exact laptop sleeve for over two years. I tuck my laptop in here when I’m heading to a coffee shop or traveling in general. The one week I decided to skip using this protective case (sup, laziness), I wound up bumping my backpack against a doorway and it ruined my laptop’s left speaker. So now, I am always pampering my electronics.

Phone Case

This is my current phone case. It’s available as both an iPhone case and an Android case through Society6. It’s got a little bumper on the front to protect my phone screen, which is vital for me. Also, I was inspired to paint this Kilim Protection Pattern after visiting a textiles market in Azerbaijan for my birthday, so my phone case reminds me of that lovely adventure.

Phone Screen Protector

I bought this 3-pack of screen protectors and I’m down to my last one. I drop my phone all the time. Since I started using these, the only thing that shatters now is this screen protector, not the phone glass itself.

Headphones

I use Airpods Pro earbuds when I’m on Zoom meetings, going for a run, and making phone calls. Favorite part? The squishy tips! I can leave these in my ears all day without getting the same ear aches I got with my old (hard-tipped) ones.

Wireless Mouse

I’ve been using a Magic Mouse since 2010 and have only had to replace it once. For me, these last for years and are worth it to give my fingers a break from the track pad of my laptop.

iPad Screen Protector

Can you see the theme here? I am all about protecting my expensive electronics! I use this tempered glass film screen protector for my 12.9” iPad Pro. It’s saved my screen several times– I’m already on my third screen protector. (I have a tendency to drop my iPad at the worst moments. Luckily, the protector shatters, not my screen.)

DSLR Camera

I photograph my artwork and film video with a Canon EOR R camera. I use a Canon EF 24-105mm lens, which works exceptionally well for shooting video. The quality is crystal clear and as professional as it gets.

I bought this based on the advice from the Skillshare production team and it’s been a dream to use for filming.

Heavy-Duty Tripod

I needed a reliable tripod to go with my DSLR camera, so also went with the advice from the Skillshare production team and bought this Neewer Carbon Fiber Tripod.

It can load up to 26.5 pounds, which is more than enough for my Canon DSLR. The ball head swivels a full 360, which means I have ultimate flexibility when it comes to positioning my camera.

Dummy Battery for DSLR

When I’m filming a class, I usually film 30-minute segments at a time. If I used a normal camera battery, I’d be switching it out constantly to charge between takes.

Solution? I bought a “dummy battery” that allows me to plug a cord into my camera’s battery tray, so it’s connected to a power outlet to charge. That way, my camera is continuously working on full battery throughout the shoot.

Again, I went with the Skillshare production team’s recommendation and bought one that’s suited for my exact DSLR: The Gonine Dummy Battery AC Power Adapter

Ring Light

I use this Ring Light to illuminate my face when I’m filming classes and to brighten the scene when I’m photographing my artwork. It’s 10-inches in diameter, so it’s easy to pack up and travel with, too.

Table Microphone

I use this Samsung condenser mic when I’m being interviewed on podcasts or when I’m recording any audio while sitting at a desk.

Lavalier Microphone

Lavalier mics like this will give you more flexibility than a standing mic. So if I’m not near a desk and can’t get that close to my standing mic, I use this one instead. Don’t forget to also get the extension cable so you don’t run short.

Long Arm Tripod

I use this long-arm tripod when I’m recording an overhead video with my phone as I paint or draw. (Here’s an example.)

Bendy Tripod

I use this GorillaPod tripod to hold my phone and camera when I want to secure them in a very specific spot. The clamp is insanely secure and the legs wrap around anything, so I get a ton of flexibility here.

Heavy-Duty Overhead Tripod

My alternate overhead tripod is a Glide Gear tripod. How it works is this: you attach a counter-weight to the other side of the pole to balance your camera. Then, you can position a perfect overhead shot for photo or video.

iPad Mount

I use the iShot G10 to mount my iPad to a tripod so I can use my iPad as a teleprompter for filming. The 360° swivel ball head works wonders when it comes to positioning my iPad in just the right position. I usually mount it to a tripod and put it just behind my camera.

Teleprompter App

I use the PromptSmart Pro app to turn my iPad into a teleprompter for filming. The words move as I speak and stop when I pause, which means I can speak at my own pace.

Removing White Noise

I use Audacity to clean up my audio and remove that pesky white noise from my videos. Bonus: Audacity is open-source and free to use.

Adobe Photoshop

I use Adobe Photoshop to fine-tune all of my artwork. You can try it out with a free trial. If you want to learn how I scan in and digitally edit my watercolor paintings, check out this class.

Drawing App

When I draw on my iPad, I use the app Procreate. If you want to learn the basics, I recommend watching my beginner-level Procreate class.

Photo-Editing App

I use the app VSCO to edit my photos for social media. My favorite filters are the S-series and C-series.

Adobe InDesign

I use Adobe InDesign to design multi-page layouts, like for books, magazines, and pitch decks. Get a free trial here.

Adobe Illustrator

I use Adobe Illustrator to design logos, draw vector illustrations, and create images for my website. Get a free trial here.

Adobe Premiere

I edit all of my video footage in Adobe Premiere. Get a free trial here.

Website Hosting

This website is hosted by Squarespace. There are a lot of platforms out there, but I chose Squarespace because of how designer-friendly it is. I’m picky about fonts and layout, and Squarespace has the best templates.

Online Shop Website Hosting

I have a separate online shop, which I host through Shopify. I chose Shopify because they are the industry leader in e-commerce. Plus, there are a ton of plugins to customize my shop based on my needs.

Print Fulfillment Service

Printful is a print-on-demand service and has a ton of product options. Pretty much every single item on my Shopify site is sourced through Printful. It’s even easier because Printful has a plugin for Shopify. This link gets you $5 off your first order.

Online Education

Yeah, I’m a Skillshare teacher, but I also watch classes all the time. After all, we’re always learning. Get 2 free weeks of unlimited classes here.

Print on Demand Shop

Society6 is a print-on-demand site that turns your designs into products that they sell to their customers. I’ve been licensing my designs through them since 2014. If you want to test out their printing quality, here’s a link that gets you $15 off your first order.

Print on Demand Shop

Redbubble is another print-on-demand site that I use. It’s the same business model as Society6. It’s a great perk to license your artwork on these POD sites because the income you earn is recurring.

Email Platform

After years on Mailchimp, I finally made the switch to Flodesk and it was the best decision ever. I was spending $300+ a month on Mailchimp, but wasn’t utilizing my email campaigns to their full potential. So I made the switch to Flodesk, now pay $19 a month, and am on cloud nine. Plus, their built-in templates are a designer’s dream come true.

Instagram Planner

I use Planoly to plan my Instagram posts. There are a bunch of functions with Planoly (including scheduling), but the only reason I use it is to plan out my future posts and get a good idea of what my grid will look like before I post a photo.

Stock Photography

I use Unsplash when I need good stock photos. All the photos on Unsplash are royalty-free and commercial use, which means I can use them however I’d like. I primarily use Unsplash images in my Skillshare videos when I need to show an example of something. Attribution isn’t required, but it’s always nice to do. : )

When I Need to Hire

I use Upwork to hire contractors for my business. Upwork is a marketplace for hiring and I’ve personally hired attorneys to review contracts, social media experts to set up paid ads, virtual assistants to help me with day-to-day tasks, and more.

Video Diary

One Second Everyday is an app that allows you to record a video diary of your days. I’m pretty obsessed. Here’s what one of my compilations looks like.

Language Learning App

Duolingo is an app that helps you learn languages. I might not become fluent in Italian after a week, but I’ll probably have a better grasp of the menu.

Packing Cubes

I swear by packing cubes. These are the only thing keeping my suitcase organized and not just one big chaotic mess.

Roller Suitcase

I’ve been using this Delsey suitcase for 2+ years now and I absolutely love it. I bought it based on a friend’s recommendation about durability and she was 100% right.

Portable USB Charger

I use this portable Anker to charge my iPhone and iPad while on the move. It holds about three full iPhone charges and is light enough that I toss it in my purse most days.

Sleep Mask

This light-blocking eye mask is a 2-for-1: it’s soft and covers most of my face on flights, plus I can plug in my iPhone and play music through the built-in speakers when I want to completely zone out. Bonus: when I’m traveling and sharing the same bedroom with a snorer, this saves my sanity.

Adapters

I bought this 6-pack of adapters because they work in most of Asia and Europe. They’re tiny and I always have a handful in my bag. Favorite part: they’re not nearly as bulky as many other adapters. Plus, they’re super cheap, which means it’s not a big deal when I forget one in a hotel room.

Portable Scale

I can’t imagine traveling without a travel scale. Before I had one, I’d have to shell out overweight bag fees at the airport. Now, I pack to the exact pound that’s allowed, and not an ounce over.

Moisturizer Spray

My face gets disgusting dry on flights, so I’ve gotten into the habit of spritzing on this Clinique moisturizer when I’m flying. Bonus: it’s refreshing & smells clean, which is lovely during long-haul travel days.

Portable Gel Seat Cushion

I almost didn’t include this because who wants to hear about my gel butt cushion, but GUYS, this is a game-changer for me. At first, my friends laughed at me when I showed up to a co-working space with my own personal butt cushion. But I made them sit on it to feel it for themselves and now half my friends own one. I sit on this during flights, in coffee shops, and at home when I’m working at my desk. Turns out, when my ass is pampered, I’m 10x more productive.

Backpack

This is my everyday backpack. I originally bought it because I wanted a nondescript backpack for travel. I can pack like 50 pounds of crap in here and use it as my carry-on for flights and no one bats an eye because it looks unassuming, no bells & whistles. I also use this backpack daily to tote my laptop to coffee shops, go on hikes, and to get groceries. It can fit a LOT of stuff inside and the straps are padded to make it comfier to carry.

Nail Polish

Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat. What can I say? I like having long & strong nails. This is my secret. I was almost too ashamed to put this here because who spends $30 on a clear coat? But self-care is worth it.

Spearmint Tea

Spearmint tea is my absolute favorite. I have a hard time finding it while traveling, so I carry a bunch with me at all times. Sorry, peppermint, but you just don’t cut it for me.

Aeropress

I pack this Aeropress in my suitcase, too. The one time I forgot it, I spent a full month drinking “cowboy coffee” in Indonesia: AKA coffee grounds stirred into a mug of hot water. I spent every morning picking coffee grounds out of my teeth.

Sunscreen

Supergoop sunscreen. I’m a recent sunscreen convert. I didn’t start wearing daily sunscreen until I hit 30. The reason wasn’t laziness, I just really didn’t like the greasy texture on my skin. After extensive online research, I found out other people had the same weird peeve as me. They recommended Supergoop, so I decided to give it a shot. Slick & oily face? Nope! I put this on literally every morning and it dries with a matte finish. Not today, skin cancer.

Miracle Berries

About once a year, I host a “flavor tripping” party with friends. The guest of honor? Miracle Berries. Once the tablet (totally legal, by the way) dissolves on your tongue, everything you taste for the next half hour will be incredibly sweet. I offer up a charcuterie board of foods to taste while “under the influence”. Lemon wedges? Sweet as sugar. Salt & vinegar chips? Surprisingly delicious! Already-sweet strawberries? I die.

Sandals

Are Tevas still nerdy? Whatever, I don’t care. These are on my feet pretty much 365 days of the year. I don’t own a car, so I spend a lot of time walking around, whether it’s to the grocery store or exploring a new city on foot for the first time. Comfort is a huge priority for me, so I am a massive Tevas enthusiast– my feet are so insanely happy in these all day. Warning: you will get weird tan lines. Rock ‘em with confidence.

Motorcycle Jacket

In terms of “can’t live without”, this one literally fits the bill. I bought this Spidi Summer Net Women's Jacket after I got into a motorbike accident in Bali back in 2019. (The next day, I flew home for treatment, wrapped up like a mummy in a wheelchair. Not my best moment.) In Southeast Asia, it’s customary to wear shorts, a tank top, and flip flops when you’re on your bike. (I get it, it’s hot.) But ultimately, this lightweight and reinforced summer jacket is a million times better than dealing with emergency room bills, severe road rash, fractures, and potential death. Not pictured, but equally important: thick jeans, durable boots, eye protection, gloves, and a full-face helmet. Gear up, guys. Seriously.

Disposable Face Masks

I originally bought this 50-pack of disposable face masks because I thought black surgical masks just looked super cool. But let’s get to the functionality: They’ve got a 3-ply filter, adjustable nose clip, and are incredibly comfortable. Plus, at about 27¢ per mask, I don’t feel guilty tossing it in trash after a long day of masking up.

Rosebud Salve

I’ve been using Smith’s Rosebud Salve since I was in middle school. Now, it’s a staple in my purse. The only update I’ve made is switching from the tin to the tube because, you know, pandemic germs.

Galaxy Projector

I bought this laser galaxy projector on a whim and it’s been an awesome addition to my apartment. I use it as a night light and can control the colors with an app on my phone.

Rosé Eye Gels

This is one of my go-to “treat yo self” self-indulgences: I keep a pack of Rosé Eye Gels in the freezer so I can stick frozen gels under my eyes when I need a little pick me up.

Hot Pink Hair Dye

I’m a big fan of vibrant hair colors and I’ve tried out a lot of hair dye in my life. The Chroma Silk Vivids has been by far the best dye I’ve found in terms of long-lasting and saturated tones.

Bath Bombs

A few years ago, a close friend was going through a tough time. I wanted to perk up her day, so I mailed her a surprise package of Lush Bath Bombs and a note encouraging her to treat herself to a self-care spa evening because “You are the kindest person I know, I’m sad you’re sad, and you deserve a little relaxation, damnit!” (Update: She is now back to her vibrant, upbeat, and hopeful self. I credit the bath bombs. She credits her therapist. Either way, things worked out.)

Cookies

Ever since I watched the “Chef’s Table” episode on Milk Bar a few years ago, I added “eat a Milk Bar cookie” to my life bucket list. Imagine my face when earlier this year, a happy client surprised me with a tin of MilkBar cookies in the mail. As I was devouring my third cookie, I thought of my two best friends, who were both pregnant and craving sweets. With cookie crumbs dribbling out of my mouth, I opened up my laptop and ordered a box to each of their houses so they could experience the same joy. Hint: pregnant girls will absolutely lose their minds if you do this. (In a good way.)

Your Art on Products

This link will get you $15 off your first Society6 order. For birthdays, holidays, and just-because days, I send my friends and fam my Society6 products. It’s pretty easy to pick what designs to send to a particular friend, because when I post my designs on Instagram, my friends will leave subtle hints in the comments like, “Cat, please mail this to me immediately. I need it hanging in my living room.” If you’re an artist like me, I encourage you do the same! You might feel awkward gifting your own artwork to people, but trust me, personal gifts like this mean a lot. Functional items like travel mugs, studio pouches, and acrylic trays are always winners.

$25 Loans to People in Need

Kiva is a nonprofit that allows you to lend money to low-income entrepreneurs.

Every month for the past ten years, I choose a woman from a developing nation and contribute a small amount to help her grow her business.

Each micro loan is as small as $25 each, but with enough lenders pooling money together, these women can reach their larger business goals.

Kiva harnessed the power of micolending and made it accessible to everyone. Help someone help themselves, too. Lend here.

Sponsor a Child in Need

Unbound allows you to sponsor a child anywhere in the world. At $40/month per child, you can help a family lift themselves out of poverty.

Your contribution directly benefits the specific individual you choose to sponsor and helps meet their basic needs.

Plus, you get to engage with your child through letters, photos, and birthday cards.

I’ve been able to watch my “kids” grow up over the years and pursue their dreams of higher education from Peru to the Philippines.

Reduce Animal Suffering

Animal Welfare Institute seeks better treatment of animals everywhere— in the laboratory, on the farm, in commerce, at home, and in the wild. Here’s some of what your donation helps AWI accomplish:

• Abolish factory farms, support high-welfare family farms, and achieve humane slaughter for animals raised for food

• Improve the housing and handling of animals in research, and encourage alternatives to experimentation on live animals

• Preserve species threatened with extinction, and protect wildlife from harmful exploitation and destruction of critical habitat

Driving Gender Equality Around the World

The Global Fund for Women is a non-profit foundation funding women's human rights initiatives. Since 1988, the foundation has awarded over $100 million in grants to over 4,000 organizations supporting progressive women's rights in over 170 countries.

Around the world, women face incredible challenges to their safety, success, and human rights. With your support, gender justice activists are transforming communities and changing lives.

Global Fund for Women supports funding and resources to feminist activists to drive gender equality around the world.

End Hunger & Poverty Around the World

Heifer International seeks to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities.

It begins with a seed investment of livestock or agriculture, followed by mentorship to help project participants build a business, and ultimately to gain access to supply chains and markets.

These families are able to earn a living income and continuously lift up their communities as they train the next generation of leaders.

They work in 21 countries around the world to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that guarantee a living income to local farmers. This creates lasting change from the ground up.

Save Wildlife & Wild Places

Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. WCS works with local people and governments in over 40 of the best wild places on the planet.

WCS's goal is to conserve the world's largest wild places in 14 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the world's biodiversity.

Their goal is a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth.

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