Print & Pattern Revival: Learn from the GOAT
Eight years ago, I typed "surface pattern design classes" into Google.
I'd just learned how to create repeating patterns by hand but I knew I needed to learn the digital side of things. And I was eager to understand how this whole industry actually works.
That's when Bonnie Christine's name kept popping up everywhere I looked.
I signed up for her classes on Skillshare and on Creative LIVE. She was very pregnant at the time with her second child—a little girl who's now eight years old. I remember watching those lessons thinking, "This woman is not only brilliant at what she does, but I love her whole aesthetic."
That was my introduction to someone who would become my mentor, my friend, and quite honestly, one of the most influential people in the surface design industry.
Why I Affiliate for Bonnie Every Year
Here's the thing about Bonnie Christine: she's the GOAT.
I don't say that lightly. In the eight years I've known her and followed her work, she's introduced surface pattern design to over 50,000 people online. She's internationally renowned as a licensed artist. She exhibited at the Las Vegas Licensing Expo and made a huge splash. And she doesn’t gatekeep or hold back the good stuff.
She’s achieved her status in the industry and among business professionals by being radically transparent about how this industry works and how to be successful in it.
That's rare. Especially in creative industries where people often worry there's not enough room for everyone, Bonnie operates from a completely different mindset. She genuinely believes there's space for every creative person who wants to be here. And she's proven it by opening doors for thousands of designers.
Every February, I reserve time to support her because she's always doing something free that helps people understand what surface pattern design really is. This year, it's the Print & Pattern Revival workshop—a completely free 4-day event that runs February 11-16.
And I'm inviting you to join us.
What Makes This Workshop Different
If you've grabbed my free Surface Pattern Design ebook or purchased my $10 Doodles workbook, you might be curious about what's next. You might be wondering how those doodles actually turn into patterns you can sell. Or how the licensing side of things works. Or whether this is something you could actually do.
This workshop answers all of that.
Here's what I love about Bonnie's approach: she combines pre-recorded video lessons with live daily sessions. The video lessons teach you the actual mechanics—how to create a seamless repeating pattern from start to finish. You'll learn the technical side, the Adobe Illustrator magic that turns your sketches into something that can go on fabric, wallpaper, gift wrap, apparel… The list goes on.
But the live sessions? That's where you really meet Bonnie.
Those daily sessions are where she shares the valuable content about the industry itself. How designers actually make money. What licensing looks like in real life. The income streams that exist. The path from hobby to business.
And honestly? They're just fun. There are surprises. There are giveaways. There's this energy that happens when thousands of creatives from all over the world show up together to learn something new.
You get to see who Bonnie really is—not just what she teaches, but how she teaches it.
No Prior Experience Needed
Let me be super clear about something: you don't need any prior experience to do this workshop.
No graphic design background.
No drawing skills.
No fancy equipment.
Just a pencil and a piece of paper.
I know that might sound too good to be true, especially if you've convinced yourself you "can't draw" or you're "not a designer." But Bonnie's teaching style is specifically designed to meet you where you are.
She taught herself surface pattern design at her kitchen table. She understands what it's like to start from zero.
And she's helped students from their 20s to their 70s turn creativity into something real. (You know I love that age range—because it proves what I've always said: It's Never Too Late to Create®!)
How does the FREE workshop work?
Each morning, a video tutorial drops into your email box. You follow along, create alongside the lesson, and share your progress if you want to.
Feb 11: Sketch your first motifs (yes, even if you "can't draw")
Feb 12: Turn your sketches into digital artwork
Feb 13: Build a seamless repeating pattern
Feb 16: Place that pattern on a real product
Each afternoon at 3pm ET, Bonnie goes live to teach about the business side:
Feb 11: Pattern Possibilities
Feb 12: The 3 Designer Secrets
Feb 13: Her 6-stage roadmap from curiosity to paid creative work
Feb 16: Pattern Profits - 5 ways designers actually make money
These include time for Q&A and additional “surprises”.
Why Bonnie's Teaching Resonates
When I think about what makes Bonnie such an incredible teacher, a few things stand out.
First, she's calm. In a world where everyone's shouting about hustle and grind, Bonnie creates this space where you can breathe and enjoy the learning journey. You don't feel rushed or pressured.
Second, her designs are gorgeous. You watch her work and think, "Wow! I’d love to do that too." She breaks down complex processes into steps that feel manageable.
Third, she makes you feel more confident. After one of Bonnie's lessons, you genuinely believe you can do this thing. Not in a rah-rah motivational speaker way, but in a "she just explained that beautifully" way.
Her heart-centered approach to creativity and business is something I try to emulate in my own teaching. She's taught me that you can be successful AND generous. You can build a thriving business AND help others do the same.
That's leadership in the truest sense.
Who Is This Workshop For?
This workshop is for you if:
You've been curious about surface pattern design but don’t know where to start.
You love creating patterns by hand but want to learn the digital side.
You've wondered how designers actually make money from their work.
You want to understand what licensing is and how it works.
You've thought about turning your creativity into income but don't know the first step.
You're ready to see what's possible when you combine art with business.
You want to learn from someone who's not only mastered the craft but also knows how to teach it in a way that makes sense.
This is also perfect if you've been following me for a while and you're ready to expand your skills beyond what you're currently creating.
The beauty of surface pattern design is that it uses skills you might already have—drawing, painting, doodling—and transforms them into something commercially viable.
The Bigger Picture
Here's what I want you to know: Bonnie only offers this free workshop once a year.
Last year, 50,000 people participated.
This isn't just some random online class. This is an event. A celebration of surface pattern design and what it makes possible for creative people who are eager to see their work in the world.
The workshop schedule with all the nitty gritty details will be emailed directly to you so you won’t miss a thing.
And while the workshop is free, it will give you a taste of what Bonnie teaches in her comprehensive program called Immersion. At the end of the workshop, she opens enrollment to Immersion—but only once a year. (More on that next week.)
For now, I just want you to experience this workshop. Meet Bonnie. See what surface pattern design is all about. Discover whether this lights you up the way it lit me up eight years ago.
Join Us
Click HERE to register for the FREE Print & Pattern Revival workshop (February 11-16):
After you sign up, make sure to check your spam folder or that pesky "promotions" tab in Gmail. Bonnie's emails sometimes hide there, and you don't want to miss a single video or live session.
I'll see you there.
xo,
Anne
P.S. This free workshop will also give you a glimpse into Bonnie's signature course, Immersion, which opens for enrollment only once a year at the end of the workshop. I'm a proud affiliate partner of Bonnie's, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to enroll. But first things first—join the free workshop and see what surface pattern design is all about!
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
If you enjoyed this blog please share it with your friends, family and creative colleagues. Check out my favorite resources by clicking the red button below.
The Creative Business Spark Podcast.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Create your very first repeating pattern by following my Three Golden Rules. Grab this downloadable PDF workbook and get started today.
Get started for just $10.00. Click HERE for details.
Up level your surface pattern design skills and learn at your own pace in The Pattern Design Academy® Self-Study Program!
Enjoy working at your own pace? Enroll in the Pattern Design Academy® Self-Study program. Click HERE for details.
The Creative Business Mastermind is my highest level program. Learn how to implement the 6-part framework I used to build my creative business from scratch.
By application only. Click HERE for details.
MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
