Art + Audience Podcast

Ep. 36: Madison Phipps on Side Hustling, Print Clubs & Speaking Dreams Out Loud

Host: Stacie Bloomfield
Guest: Madison Phipps (Madison Phipps Studio)
Date: December 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stacie Bloomfield sits down with Madison Phipps, artist and founder of the “Tiny Print Club.” They explore Madison’s journey growing her art business while balancing a full-time job and motherhood. The conversation covers practical strategies for side hustling, the organic growth of a subscription print club, the power of speaking dreams out loud, and the realities of creative life in the margins. Madison openly shares lessons learned, her mindset shifts, favorite materials, and actionable wisdom for artists at every stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Speaking Dreams Out Loud

• Taking initiative: Madison reached out to be on the podcast, inspired by her own advice about “speaking dreams out loud.” She emphasizes acting on intuition, even if the outcome is uncertain.
  • “I just thought, I would really like to be on this podcast. I think I’d be perfect. And fired off that email.” (02:33, Madison)
• Host reflection: Stacie affirms this approach as fundamental to her own creative journey, highlighting the underestimated value in “just trying.”
  • “What’s the best that could happen?” (02:54, Stacie)

2. Side Hustling: Art in the Margins of Life

• Life balance: Madison is a mom to a two-year-old, holds down a full-time job, and fits art into lunch breaks, late nights, and weekends.
  • “I’m squeezing the artwork in the margins... my time is so limited, it forces me to focus.” (03:24, Madison)
• Focused decision-making: Limited time has made Madison “actually able to get quite a bit done.”

3. Trying Everything: Testing Revenue Streams

• Madison’s approach: She’s “in the messy middle”—selling originals on consignment, running her own website/Etsy, and now, a monthly print subscription with ~100 members.
  • “It’s kind of like one big Rubik’s cube puzzle that I’m figuring out.” (07:18, Madison)
• Social media as a shortcut: She prioritizes “creating more than consuming” and focuses on content over comparison.
  • “If I create more than I consume, then it’s worth it.” (05:51, Madison)

4. Tiny Print Clubs: Building Recurring Income

• Origin and organic growth: Madison’s “Tiny Print Club” is coastal-themed, inspired by her love of the water and memories from her upbringing.
  • “A little homage to family vacations and where I’d aspire to take my family.” (09:08, Madison)
• Audience niche & authenticity: She’s found the club’s success comes from being personally meaningful and consistently themed.
• TikTok as a vehicle: Most print club members come from TikTok, supported by word-of-mouth and community engagement.
  • “It’s a subscription, but it’s completely personal artist brand based.” (08:31, Stacie)

5. Artist Identity, Documentation & Creative Freedom

• Embracing the side hustle: Madison reframes her art as both creative expression and supplemental income, not subject to full-time pressure.
  • “Sometimes you squeeze the creative magic out of it... I feel you’ve let the magic flow, so to speak.” (11:06, Stacie)
• Social documentation: She shares her process in real-time, which resonates for its authenticity—especially on TikTok vs. the “curated” style of Instagram.
  • “TikTok... has allowed a little bit more freedom there because on Instagram... it’s maybe a little bit more curated.” (12:07, Madison)

6. Networking and Saying Yes

• Madison’s pivotal experience at the Round Top Antique Show came from vocalizing her goals and networking, resulting in a last-minute booth opportunity.
  • “I kind of picked her brain and I just said, okay, I don’t know when, but I’m gonna come back here one day.” (13:21, Madison)
• Host’s wisdom: “You never know who’s going to hear it and what it could lead to next.” (14:29, Stacie)

7. Mindset, Faith, and Intentional Speech

• Power in intention: Madison balances her drive with faith, speaking her desires but remaining thoughtful about outcomes.
  • “When I really want something, speak it out loud, but be a bit thoughtful about the things that I say.” (15:23, Madison)
  • “What you say about yourself ... can be a gate that swings wide open or ... closes shut.” (16:36, Stacie)
• Visioning the best: Focusing on possibility helps Madison create step-by-step roadmaps instead of freezing on limitations.
  • “Allowing myself to envision the best then gives me a roadmap to get there instead of getting hung up on the areas that you might lack.” (19:18, Madison)

8. Materials & Practicalities: Favorite Tools

• Madison’s favorites:
  • Acrylics: Golden
  • Gouache: Winsor & Newton
  • Paper: Cold press watercolor
  • Pro tip: “I go really cheap on my paintbrushes because I don’t take the best care of them.” (21:04, Madison)
• On limited studio space: She paints at her breakfast table and stores supplies all over, relishing the season rather than resenting its mess.

9. First Sale & Encouragement for New Artists

• Madison’s first buyer was a friend of her mother’s, who commissioned a large painting.
  • “It was such a gift of her to invest in my work... sometimes I still get nervous to price my original work.” (23:00, Madison)
• Stacie’s advocacy: Invest in new artists early—it gives crucial confidence.

10. How the Tiny Print Club Runs—The Details

• Pricing: $14/month (vs. $29–35 for a standard print)
• Production: Prints, stamps ($0.79 each), bulk envelopes, personal newsletter, basic packaging.
• Logistics: Uses Squarespace subscriptions (would recommend Shopify for flexibility but Squarespace is beginner-friendly).
• Scale: “I actually don’t want mine to grow exponentially big... it is pretty labor intensive is my fair warning.” (27:25, Madison)
• Connection > Growth: The goal is community, not automation. Involving her husband, making it a tangible experience for members.
  • “I write a little newsletter every month that just explains the inspiration behind the scenes, what’s going on in my life, what my hopes for them in the new month.” (26:22, Madison)

11. Creative Business Model Insights

• Stacie notes the rise of anti-perfection, highly personal artist brands fueled by social media and story.
  • “It’s more about the story of the artist, the creation of the work and just the willingness to invite people in.” (29:28, Stacie)
• Madison sees immense value in pursuing art at a time when “the barrier to entry is so low.”

12. Profitability: Consignment Lessons

• Madison found higher profits in consignment sales through boutique interior shops, despite higher commissions, because they offer access to new audiences and handle logistics.
  • “The first collection sold out. They requested a second one, the second one sold out, and I’m just working on my third right now.” (33:52, Madison)
• Key Pitch: She boldly reached out, positioning her work as aligned with the boutique’s aesthetic and leveraging her local presence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Madison, on “speaking it out:”
  “When I really want something, speak it out loud, but be a bit thoughtful about the things that I say because sometimes you don’t know what you’re putting out there.” (15:23)

• Stacie, on mindset:
  “What you say about yourself and about what’s possible for yourself can be a gate that swings wide open or it can be something that closes shut.” (16:36)

• Madison, on creative freedom:
  “There’s something beautiful about, about working the full time job because it allows the creative freedom because you’re not financially dependent on the income that the artwork is there for.” (12:07)

• Stacie, on authenticity:
  “People are craving connection and realness... I would take that authenticity any day.” (17:32)

• Madison, on documentation:
  “It is a sweet season to be pushing apart my art supplies to make breakfast for my daughter. And it’s just such a snapshot of where I am right now.” (22:16)

• Madison, on consignment and confidence:
  “I just said—hey, I think the aesthetic of my work would align perfectly with your customer base. Would you give me the opportunity to show you my work? ...and they got back to me the next day.” (34:08)

Timestamps of Noteworthy Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:40 | Madison’s story: pitching the podcast, “speaking dreams out loud” | | 03:24 | Balancing art with motherhood and a full-time job | | 05:00 | Navigating limited time; “the messy middle” | | 07:18 | Niching and growth of Tiny Print Club | | 09:08 | Personal meaning behind the coastal theme | | 12:07 | TikTok vs. Instagram, documenting the journey | | 13:21 | The serendipity of the Round Top Antique Show opportunity | | 15:23 | Faith, intentionality, and being careful what you “put out” | | 19:18 | The value of envisioning the best and “roadmapping” success | | 21:04 | Madison’s favorite art materials | | 23:00 | Selling her first commission; pricing nerves | | 25:05 | Step-by-step breakdown: how the Tiny Print Club runs | | 27:25 | Print club is intentionally small; balancing with family life | | 29:28 | The rise of personal artist brands, anti-perfection marketing | | 31:29 | Social media lowers barriers for artists | | 33:52 | Consignment model for original work; higher profitability | | 36:29 | Closing thoughts: gratitude and next steps |

Conclusion

This episode is a refreshing, real-world look at building an art career alongside life's other responsibilities. Madison’s journey, from quietly hoping for opportunities to boldly speaking them out and following through, models action and authenticity. Practical, sincere, and filled with encouragement, the conversation is a roadmap for any artist considering a side hustle, a print club, or just wanting to grow in the margins—one intentional action at a time.