Surface Pattern Designer | Online Educator at Bonnie Christine
Artist | Entrepreneur | Speaker
In the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, surrounded by the beauty of nature, lives Bonnie Christine, a surface pattern designer, creative educator, and a force of inspiration for dreamers everywhere. Bonnie’s story isn’t just about fabric and patterns; it’s a tale of creativity, perseverance, and the courage to believe in something bigger. Growing up, Bonnie was immersed in creativity thanks to her mother, Maxie, whose quilt shop was a treasure trove of inspiration. From an early age, Bonnie learned the art of making things with her hands, whether it was pottery, baking, or decorating their home. Creativity wasn’t just something she enjoyed—it was a way of life, something passed down from her mom, and it became Bonnie’s guiding light. But Bonnie’s path to becoming a fabric designer was anything but straightforward. After going to business school and marrying her high school sweetheart, David, Bonnie found herself back at her mom’s shop, managing inventory and meeting with art reps. This was the moment everything clicked—fabric design combined everything she loved, from art to business. There was just one catch: she didn’t know how to design! Determined to follow her dream, Bonnie launched into a self-taught journey. She opened an Etsy shop, started a blog, and threw herself into the handmade community. She committed to doing one thing every day to get closer to her dream, even if it was just 15 minutes of research. Day after day, she learned the ins and outs of Adobe Illustrator, researched, and practiced. Eleven months later, Bonnie created her first repeating pattern—and she didn’t stop there.
Bonnie poured herself into creating pattern collections, sketching, and finding inspiration in the world around her. Every day was a step forward. But the hardest part came next: putting her work out into the world. Cold-calling art directors, showing her portfolio, and facing rejection wasn’t easy, but Bonnie had a secret weapon: “10 seconds of courage.” All it took was 10 seconds to dial a number, introduce herself, or show her designs. The rest? It would flow naturally.
In 2012, Bonnie attended the International Quilt Market, portfolio in hand and heart full of hope. She met with several companies, but one stood out: Art Gallery Fabrics. In what felt like a dream come true, she walked away from that meeting with a contract, ready to begin her career as a fabric designer.
But the journey didn’t stop at success. Along the way, Bonnie and her husband David made sacrifices. They lived in a small one-bedroom house, drove one car, and lived simply, all to support Bonnie’s dream. David believed in her wholeheartedly, and that belief carried her through the toughest moments.
Today, Bonnie is living that dream to the fullest, running a multi-seven-figure business, teaching others how to build creative, fulfilling, and profitable careers, all while being a loving mom and wife.
Bonnie’s journey from a small-town girl to a global designer is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. Through her online courses, she shares her knowledge with the world, showing aspiring creatives how to build a life doing what they love. From the challenges of imposter syndrome to the thrill of creating a successful business, Bonnie is living proof that with determination and a bit of courage, anything is possible.
Her story is a powerful reminder to anyone with a dream: start where you are, take it one day at a time, and let your passion light the way.
