about monica

A picture of Monica: A woman with short, wavy, light blonde/brown hair smiling in a room with hanging clothes and patterned fabric in the background.

Hi! I’m Monica.

I’m the artist behind Monica Jo Designs and brands
moss + bloom and Mindful Bride.

I failed my 6th grade art class. I was too creative.

Monica Jo Designs is my creative studio, rooted in intentional design, mindful making, and timeless beauty.

Through watercolor, natural materials, and thoughtful craftsmanship, I create enduring pieces for living and gifting — objects that honor nature, invite presence, and foster meaningful connection between people and the moments they share.

In high school I studied photography and started my first designs in yearbook. I bounced around colleges studying studio art, art therapy, psychology, and eventually landed on a BFA in Visual Communications — and spent the next 18 years as a graphic and web designer for non-profits and foundations.

When I discovered that surface pattern design was a career, it felt like a chance for my 6th grade self to be creative in the way I wanted to be creative — and it is SO fun.

I’ve grown a deep love for watercolor painting and have slowly shifted my pattern design from digital art to watercolor-based work. It feeds my soul.

Hubs and I have three beautiful kids and live in North Carolina with our furry friends and an occasional flock of chickens. We love hikes, the beach, silly jokes, and Snuggle-Snacky-Soccer-Saturdays. I dabble in woodworking, DIY, gardening, and just making things.

At the heart of my work are a few simple values: intentionality, mindfulness and sustainability, quality craftsmanship, timeless simplicity, and creating connection. They guide what I design, what I make, and how I choose to grow these brands.

Please contact me for questions,

collaborations, and licensing.

If you’re planning a wedding, you can visit my other brand, Mindful Bride, for artfully designed, thoughtful keepsakes created to keep the overwhelm out of shopping for brides.

You can follow my projects and exploration on instagram @mossbloomstudio and join my newsletter for behind-the-scenes updates and new work.

I’m also on Etsy and Spoonflower.