Episode 170
This week, we're sitting down with Carly Martin, an illustrator and mom of two boys in Denver who spent over a decade building a custom wedding stationery business before pivoting to align with her passion. Carly shares what it's like to wake up at 5am for a workout before her early-rising kids are up, and why she's now pouring her energy into writing and illustrating her own picture books.
In this week’s conversation, Carly opens up about growing resentful of the always-on Instagram hustle after her first son was born, walking away from a decade of wedding invitations to chase a long-forgotten dream of picture books, and the calmer way she approached work after her second son arrived.
What We Cover:
Why she describes her days as structured, fragmented, and colorful, and the 5am Sculpt Society workouts she credits with making her less reactive to her kids all day.
The path from studying painting in college to a curatorial job in New York to teaching herself watercolor in a tiny Union Square apartment, and how a friend's save-the-date request accidentally launched her stationery business, Clementine Studio, in 2014.
Why she walked away from a decade of word-of-mouth wedding stationery work after becoming a mom.
How she approached becoming a mom the second time completely different than her first, from the postpartum anxiety to the business pressure.
The realities of being an author-illustrator right now: building a full "dummy book" just to query agents, and learning new skills as an experienced illustrator.
Her tightly looped weekday food routine and why removing decisions there frees up brainpower for the rest of a fragmented day.
Running a household where both parents work from home: a shared Google Calendar, tag-teaming pickups, and letting date nights stay mostly aspirational for now.
Why in-person friendships were the first thing deprioritized this year, and how she's kept them alive through constant texting and quick, no-pressure hangouts nearby.
The five-minute sketchbook rule that keeps her creatively playful, and why overthinking a project is the fastest way to kill it.
References:
The Parisian Heist by Joe Piazza — the book Carly just finished and loved
These Summer Storms — the book she's currently reading, optioned for a TV/film adaptation
Ted Lasso and Crew Girl — what she's currently watching
Sculpt Society — her go-to at-home workout app, with class lengths from 5 to 45 minutes
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) — the organization she joined for critique groups and conferences as she pivots into picture books
Caro Chambers' cookbook (Make it Fast) and Substack — her go-to when she needs a new way to make chicken
Ursa Major skincare — her go-to clean skincare brand, especially the Alpine Cream and Mountain Glow Serum
Connect with Carly:
Substack: Carly Martin Studio
Instagram: @carlymartin.studio
Website: carlymartin.studio
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