The stories so far

On creative milestones.

Aug 13, 2024

Hello there! And welcome to Dandelion Seeds, an illustrated newsletter in search of beauty and wonder in the world.

One of my favorite things about working on extended creative projects (such as this very newsletter) is how you grow to have different milestones along the way.

I started Dandelion Seeds in January of 2023, and I loved celebrating its first anniversary at the beginning of this year, but August also holds a milestone for me:

This week marks one year since I started offering paid subscriptions.

As I shared last year, that wasn’t something I set out to do when I started Dandelion Seeds. I had only hoped to begin finding my way back to creative rhythms as a new mom (now of two little girls!), and I thought a newsletter might help me do so.

Finding new rhythms (as a mom and a wanderer), in the bluebell woods of Belgium earlier this year.

But then I began to receive pledges from readers, which often came with the kindest words of support, about what Dandelion Seeds brings to your inboxes — and your days — every week. Finally, I decided to take the leap last August.

Creating directly for myself, and not for another publication or company, still feels so new for me as both a writer and an artist. But over the past year, more than 75 people have supported this newsletter with a paid subscription.

You all help me keep pouring my best work into Dandelion Seeds, and make it my creative priority, and I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you.

Naptime painting sessions have been a favorite ritual this year.

Another thing I love about milestones is how they’re a chance to reflect. And part of the reflecting I’ve been doing around Dandelion Seeds is that I’ve decided to lower the cost of a paid subscription — to $5 a month, or $50 a year.

I always hope that what I share here is a source of nourishment for you. If it is, and if you’re in a place to do so, I would love to invite you to become a paid subscriber, and here’s a look at what you’ll receive:

A 5x7 print in the mail featuring an original painting from Dandelion Seeds (pictured below).
Monthly behind-the-scenes essays (and these often include a free art download for paid subscribers).
Founding members also receive a piece of original artwork — a vignette illustration I’ve created for one of the illustrated essays.

And if you subscribed this time last year, you should also receive an email reminder from Substack that your subscription is set to renew.

I couldn’t help adding a little dandelion detail to the first prints I mailed to paid subscribers.

There’s one last thing I want to share with you today, on this particular milestone.

My friend

Mike Sowden

is one of the best newsletter writers I know (he writes

Everything Is Amazing

here on Substack) and there’s a phrase he’s used before that I love — “Our story so far,” about taking a moment to look at our newsletter, or any creative project really, with a solid dose of big-picture perspective.

I’ve been wanting to put together an index of all my illustrated essays for Dandelion Seeds from the past year and a half. I’ve shared it at the end of this post, and when I thought about what to call it, Mike’s phrase came back to me.

Here, my friends, are the stories so far — collected around the themes that are closest to my heart — and I can’t wait to keep creating with you over the months and years to come.

With gratitude and love,
Candace

If you haven’t already become a paid subscriber, I would love to invite you to become one today, and to help me keep pouring my best creative work into Dandelion Seeds. Thank you so much for your support.