Meet the Better Day Books
Design Squad
We are nothing without these amazing authors!
Talented, creative, and willing to share their art techniques in the hopes that their work might inspire you to do something creative.
These authors included established designers, emerging artists, working gals with side hustles, and crafty mamas, and they are all all-around amazing.
Check them out on Instagram.
Sara Berrenson
Sara is a Southern California watercolor artist who has a rapidly growing licensing program including gift, home décor, stationery, greeting cards, fabrics, and more. She has designed for globally-recognized brands including Trader Joe’s and Mattel. Her items can be found at West Elm, Pottery Barn Kids, Target, HomeGoods, Nordstrom Rack, Bed Bath & Beyond, HSN, and specialty gift stores.
@saraberrenson • www.saraberrenson.com
Books: Watercolor the Easy Way, Watercolor the Easy Way Flowers
Lindsay Hopkins
Lindsay is a best-selling author and founder of Pen & Paint design studio. She has over 45,000 engaged social media followers and is the author of many beloved coloring and activity books. Her whimsical illustration and on-trend typography have garnered her over 15 licenses in the gift and stationery market with products at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, HomeGoods, JOANN, Kirkland’s, Michael’s, Ross, T.J. Maxx, Target and independent retailers across the United States.
@pen_and_paint • www.pen-and-paint.com
Books: Colors of Nature, Shine Bright, Happy Coloring Inspire Me, Happy Coloring Kindness Matters, Happy Coloring Mom Life, Happy Coloring Happy Life
Jessi Raulet
Artist, designer, and social media influencer, Jessi Raulet, has become well-known for her hand-painted, bright and bold designs that are packed with good vibes. The American born, Paris-based artist has an engaged and rapidly growing social media following of over 115,000 fans. She has garnered the attention of Good Morning America, Dancing with the Stars, The Huffington Post, and PopSugar and has collaborated with such companies as Hallmark, Pottery Barn, Minted, Mead Cambridge, Casetify, Mixbook, LANG, Tervis, and others.
Books: The Bright Book, Happy Abstracts
Olivia Gibbs
Olivia Gibbs is an illustrator and surface pattern designer whose colorful work has been licensed across multiple channels, including gift, home décor, and stationery. Her list of clients includes American Greetings, CR Gibson, and International Greetings. Her work can be found at Belk, Hallmark, Hobby Lobby, JOANN, Trader Joe’s, and other national retail chains. Originally from Spain, Olivia currently resides in Kansas, where she is inspired by nature and the world around her.
Book: The Better Day Book , ColorMaps Flowers, ColorMaps Relaxation, ColorMaps Be Happy, ColorMaps Garden, How To Be Happy, ColorMaps Christmas
Celeste Johnston
Celeste Johnston is a maker, mother and modern embroidery designer living in Austin, Texas. She is the creative force behind the popular Lemon Made Shop shop where she sells bespoke embroidery art on Etsy. Her hand-stitched houseplants, flowers, animals, and uplifting words have caught the attention of over 65,000 engaged Instagram followers. Her work has been featured in Love Embroidery and Be Creative magazines.
Kati Erney
Kati Erney is a hand lettering artist and lover of all things creative and crafty. She is the author of Hand Lettering and her work has appeared in many best-selling books including New Guide to Coloring, Vera Bradley Coloring Collection, Notebook Doodles coloring series, and DO Magazine. She resides in Lancaster, PA with two pesky (and adorable) fur-ball cats who grasp at any chance to lay-across, swat-at, or spill liquid on any art project they can!
Books: Hand Lettering
Car Pintos
Car Pintos is a world-renowned artist and illustrator who is endlessly inspired by nature. She resides in Mar Chiquita (Buenos Aires), one of the World’s Biosphere Reserves. She has lectured and given workshops at Buenos Aires University and has collaborated with such companies as Coca-Cola, Brother and more. Join her on Instagram where she has over 82,000 devoted followers.
@carpintos • www.carpintos.com.ar
Books: Happy Place Coloring Book, Beautiful World Coloring Book
Jessie Arnold
Jessie Arnold has taught thousands of children to learn how to draw, and she can teach you too! Mrs. Arnold is an artist and educator with more than 20 years of experience in teaching children creative arts. She is the founder of the popular @mrs.arnoldsartroom on Instagram and has led workshops for the Chicago Planners Association and Wandering Planners. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art education from Miami University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from St. Xavier’s University. She resides in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and two children.
Deanna Talwalkar
Deanna Talwalkar is a certified Enneagram coach and the creative force behind the popular Mirabelle Creations design studio. She specializes in creating beautiful hand lettered art with positive messages and Enneagram illustrations. She has partnered with Marker’s Mark and hosted lettering classes for retail outlets such as Draper James and Kendra Scott. Deanna graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and received her J.D. from Emory University. She resides in Lexington, KY.
@mirabellecreations • www.mirabellecreations.com
Books: Illustrated Enneagram
Sarah Rose Inch
Sarah Rose Inch is the creative force behind Gray Apple Design, a rapidly growing interior design firm. Additionally, she is the proprietor of Gray Apple Market, a curated boutique of beautiful home goods. Together, she and her husband own and operate Inch & Company, a design and build firm recently recognized on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America list, as well as Hueter’s Greenhouse. From new home construction to interior design to incredible landscape design, Sarah and her family do it all.
@sarahroseinch • @grayapplemarket
Books: Modern HomeMaker
Megan Logan, MSW, LCSW
Megan Logan is a licensed clinical social worker and the bestselling author of Self-Love Workbook for Women. She graduated summa cum laude from James Madison University in Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a minor in Family Issues. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Florida State University. For the last 22 years, Megan has provided mental health therapy in various settings, including domestic violence and sexual assault centers, foster care agencies, community-based mental health programs, hospice, and, currently, private practice. Her work has been recognized in the Chicago Tribune, Rolling Stone magazine, and Elle Magazine UK. Megan has recently widened her healing practice to become a Master Reiki Practitioner and is studying to become a crystal sound bowl practitioner. She enjoys learning new techniques to provide the most effective and holistic healing for others. Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, Megan currently resides in St. Augustine, Florida.
@meganloganlcsw • www.meganloganlcsw.com
Books: Be Kind to Yourself
Stephanie Rose
Stephanie Rose is an award-winning author, gardening expert, certified permaculture designer, herbalist, and wellness advocate. After Stephanie faced her own debilitating illness, she found solace and healing through gardening and herbs. Now, she draws on experiences from her personal journey and expert garden knowledge in her books and popular website, Garden Therapy®. Stephanie has written 11 published books on creative gardening, permaculture, herbalism, and natural beauty. As a Vancouver Master Gardener, she volunteers to develop children’s gardens to help our littlest gardeners fall in love with the earth. Stephanie continues to lovingly dedicate her life and her work to her community around the world, encouraging healing, wellness, and the joy of gardening.
Books: Big Book of Botanical Crafts
Cori George
Cori George is the owner and Creative Director of Hey, Let’s Make Stuff! She passionate about creating content that is accessible and fun for every level of crafter. Cori is an author, maker, and creative entrepreneur who has partnered with Martha Stewart, Parade, Today, Good Housekeeping, Cricut, Apartment Therapy, Country Living, Joann, and Buzzfeed. She lives in beautiful Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and twin boys. She loves spending time outside, traveling and making the most of her one wild and precious life.
Mandy Ford
Mandy Ford is a licensed illustrator, lettering artist, graphic designer, and teacher who is passionate about using her creative gifts to make others feel seen, cared for, and loved. She is the founder of the Soul Care Creatives Club and the self-published author of Intentional Life Coloring Book and Let That Sh*t Go Coloring Book. In addition, Mandy has partnered with Spirituality & Health magazine, Mohawk Rugs, Paper House Productions, Inked Brands, Legacy Publishing, and Big Picture Classes. She resides in the Indianapolis, Indiana, region, where she runs on hope and coffee (sometimes in reverse order).
@mandyfordart • www.mandyford.co
Books: Field Guide to the Soul
Viddhi Saschit
Viddhi Saschit is a deeply passionate artist and creative coach who is internationally known for her positive energy and use of bright color. She has collaborated with The Walt Disney Company, Faber-Castell, and Princeton Artist Brush Co. Viddhi is the founder of a surface pattern design company, Color & Joy, and has inspired more than 19,000 students through her creative workshops, Skillshare art classes, and coaching program, Flourish with Viddhi. She holds a degree in architecture and currently resides in Chennai, India.
Books: Gorgeous Gouache
Amy Gaines
Amy Gaines is a well-known amigurumi designer, selling both knit and crochet patterns online to crafters around the world. Amy started her first shop on Etsy in 2006 and now can also be found on Ravelry, Craftsy, Amazon, LoveKnitting, and Creative Fabrica. Amy's patterns have been published in many magazines, including Vogue Knitting, Knit 1, Elle Italia, and Crochet! Amy’s work can also be found in several Leisure Arts pattern books, including Cute Little Animals and Little Knitted Creatures. Amy was featured on the PBS program Knit and Crochet Now and in several Bluprint Instructional Videos. Amy also designs patterns for Lion Brand Yarn. The Massachusetts resident credits her husband Chris and her two daughters, Audrey and Alice, for their help and inspiration.
Books: Modern Crochet Garden
Elyse Burns
Elyse Burns is a surface pattern designer and the founder of the fast-growing Elyse Breanne Design studio. She is well known for her beautiful floral art, which has been licensed across many categories, including stationery, home textiles, personal accessories, and more. Elyse has more than 100,000 dedicated followers on Instagram and more than 400,000 followers on TikTok, where her art and small-business videos have a consistent track record of going viral! Elyse's art can be found in more than 3,000 independent shops throughout North America and at HomeGoods, Marshalls, At Home, and World Market. Elyse graduated from Duke School of Law in May 2022, was recently featured on the TODAY show, and will open her brick-and-mortar store, Mill & Meadow, in Durham, North Carolina, in October 2022.
@elysebreannedesign • www.elysebreannedesign.com
Books: On the Bright Side Coloring Book, On the Bright Side Sticker Journal
Paige Evans
Paige Evans is a prolific paper artist and craft designer who is well known for her intricate scrapbook layouts, beautiful handmade cards, and layered photo albums. She has fourteen signature scrapbook collections with American Crafts, regularly designs cut files for Silhouette, Inc, and is the Creative Editor for Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. A passionate and in-demand instructor, Paige has more than 24 scrapbooking and mini album workshops available online and loves teaching in-person workshops whenever she can. Paige resides in Littleton, CO, with her husband, two children, and two curious kittens who love to hang out in her craft studio!
@paigetaylorevans • www.paigetaylorevans.com
Books: Make Your Memory
Mary Kate Murray
Mary Kate Murray is a lifelong creative, educator, and passionate believer in the healing power of art. She is a Founder of the Owlchemy cooperative learning community and the Journeyworks Art Therapy workshop. After 30 years as a teacher, trainer, and corporate process facilitator, Mary Kate has become a Marriage and Family therapist, currently working with families experiencing addiction. She resides with her family in Columbia, MD, where, in addition to her psychotherapy work, she homeschools and participates in community programs.
Books: Draw to Relax
Lucia Mallea
Lucia Mallea is a dynamic bilingual content creator who has captured the hearts of over 300,000 followers worldwide with her vibrant art projects and accessible craft tutorials. She has collaborated with some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Disney, Starbucks, Sharpie, and Dove. Originally from Argentina, Lucia now lives in Miami, FL, where she continues to inspire crafters with her playful designs, creative use of color, and a healthy dose of glitter!
@luciamallea • www.luciamallea.com
Books: The Big Book of Happy Crafts
Jessica Young
Jessica Young is an intuitive contemporary artist specializing in abstract expression using fluid mediums and epoxy resin. She combines color, texture, and movement to express the inner workings of the heart, mind, and psyche. A self-taught artist who began painting professionally in 2017, Jessica carries two degrees in clinical psychology and has spent the last decade working closely within her local mental health community, specializing in trauma and mood disorders. Jessica is a licensed psychotherapist and currently runs her own psychotherapy private practice. She is also a yoga instructor, meditation guide, and certified Reiki healer and spends her free time traveling, reading, and writing. Born and raised south of Boston, Jessica currently lives with her husband, Kyle, and two rescue dogs, Zoey and Tucker, in western Massachusetts.
@jessicayoungart • www.jessicayoungartist.com
Books: Find Your Flow
Dawn Nicole Warnaar
Dawn Nicole Warnaar is a talented and sought-after lettering artist who creates one-of-a-kind fonts, illustrations, and custom designs for clients and brands such as Tombow, Kendra Scott, Silhouette, Create Room, and Mixbook Photo Co. Also a dedicated teacher, she shares her knowledge and expertise through her workbooks, Procreate brush packages, and online courses. With a mission to educate and inspire makers to get creative daily, Dawn has helped many budding artists learn the art of hand lettering and calligraphy.
@bydawnnicole • www.bydawnnicole.com
Books: The Art of Playful Lettering, Modern Folk Art Coloring Book
Katelyn Cole
Katelyn Cole is a content creator, former teacher, and passionate book lover based in Texas. She started her online community, The Bookcase Beauty, as a way to find and connect with other book lovers. Since the beginning, she has now grown her audience on Instagram to over 96,000 followers and expanded her content to include home and lifestyle content that support the bookish life! Katelyn is driven by the mission to use her platform to inspire community and connection with others.
Joseph Staunton
As an award-winning teacher and passionate coach, Joseph Staunton has been educating and inspiring elementary and high school students for over 20 years. Joseph has earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees while studying economics, education, and creative writing. Outside the classroom, you’re likely to find him dreaming up new stories, playing tennis, pacing the sidelines of a lacrosse field, or spending family time at the beach. Joseph resides in Ridgewood, NJ, with his wife Kathleen, son Owen, and their faithful black Labrador Sullivan.
Colleen Lynch
Colleen Lynch is a content creator, blogger, social media manager, and crochet pattern designer who launched her popular business, Crochet by Colleen, on Instagram and is now a five-star seller on Etsy.
@crochetbbycolleen • https://crochetbycolleen.com/
Books: Crochet Girls
Bethany Joy Adams
Bethany Joy Adams is the founder of the Bethany Joy Art design studio and a mixed-media abstract painter whose art has been licensed by Hobby Lobby, Trader Joe’s, and other national brands. She holds a BA in fine art from Brevard College and is represented by MHS Licensing.
Lori Wenger
Lori Wenger is an author, illustrator, pattern designer, photo stylist, and lifelong creative from Arkansas. She is the author of many craft publications, including Boho Jewelry, Aromatherapy Jewelry, Cool String Art, Simple Home Décor, Resin Jewelry, and Clay Jewelry. Lori is also the founder of the Michal Loren design studio, where she creates color-filled illustrations that celebrate everyday joys of life.
@michal_loren_art • www.michallorenart.com
Books: Fabric Stamping
Emelie Lidehäll Öberg
Emelie Lidehäll Öberg is a highly sought-after professional artist, illustrator, and author from Sweden. She has previously published two Swedish adult coloring books, Sagolikt (Fairy Tales) and Sagor och Sägner (Fairy Tales and Folklore). With a bachelor’s degree in communication and public relations, she works as head of communications for a cultural arts center, and she dedicates her spare time to her art as well as to her family. Emelie, who lives in the north of Sweden with her husband and two daughters, often takes inspiration from old folktales and her own life in her illustrations.
Megan Wells
Megan Wells is an artist, instructor, author, and the creative force behind Makewells design studio. She has authored 5 books, created 11 online classes, and worked with companies such as Pottery Barn Kids, Minted, Target, and more. A former high school art teacher, Megan loves colors, getting her hands messy, and teaching others the joy of expressing their creativity. She lives and works in Delray Beach, Florida.
@makewells • www.makewells.com
Books: Funky Florals
Pooja Kenjale-Umrani
Pooja Kenjale-Umrani is a professional watercolor artist, licensed surface designer, brand ambassador, and art instructor who has conducted workshops across Canada, India, and the US and has taught more than 20,000 students worldwide via Skillshare. A popular content creator, Pooja is committed to spreading joy through art and enjoys delivering daily painting inspiration on Instagram to her growing fan base of over 105,000 dedicated followers. Learn more at www.bythelakesideartstudio.com and on Instagram @by_the_lakeside.
@by-the-lakeside • www.bythelakesideartstudio.com
Books: Modern Watercolor Workshop