Happy Creative Halloween

In honor of Halloween, creative costumes.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Explore Mood Boards

You know when you find a design theme that is going to be the focus of your new products, how easy it is to get excited and not really have any focus? Give this project a try to help you channel your creative excitement towards a targeted design outcome.

Create a Mood Board

These fun and easy to create boards will give you a place to combine all your inspirational material for your desired theme, and you just need a few supplies to get started.

Take some time gathering items that represent the theme you want to use. Use magazines, paint chips, old cards, photo's, fabric, yarn, words, or anything else that inspires you.

You can create your mood board on any size cardboard you want, but if you want to keep it neat and have easy access to it I would work with an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet so you can put holes in it and keep it in a notebook.

Now start putting it together, it is similar to a collage and just as easy. You want to lay things out making sure they reflect the mood of your theme, the colors you want to work with, and textures. Cut simple shapes and make everything fit together, you want to see your inspiration source, not have it covered by something else. Don't forget to add a few words that will inspire you to stay on track.

Use a glue stick or spray glue for a clean application. When you are done you will have a board you can display while you are working on your collections and then put in a notebook for future inspiration.

These are just simple guidelines, you can create your boards as large or small as you want, with any material, or style. Why not make them more tactile, add objects that you can touch. Check out my post on creating a tactile board for more ideas.

This is a fun project and helpful in the creative process, once you start creating them you will want to do it all the time.

Do you have a board you have created? Send me an email to additionsstyleblog@gmail.com with a jpeg and a brief description of your inspiration and I will share them on my blog along with your shop and blog information.

Explore Trends

I am one of those people who follow trends. Now I don't always go by the current trends when I design my jewelry, but I think it is important to know what is going on in our world today, and if you can use a trend, include it for an extra selling feature.

I am really into magazine's, books, and searching online, for trends in a variety of different mediums. I am open to anything, fine art, fashion, music, films, metal, food, nature, home furnishings, and what ever is hot at the time. I have found in all my searching that there are very few new ideas, just designers creating by reinventing the world around us.

All this information can be helpful, by providing you a direction to follow, but it is easy to absorb to much information at once. I know, when I sit down with a stack of magazines, get absorbed into looking at the pictures, I end up with more info then I want or need in my head. Lately I have gotten into the habit of having a note pad with me so I can write down all the important trends and happenings I want to remember.

It is very important to be selective with your sources. When you find what works for you then use them to develop a focused range of designs.

Remember if your mind is open anything can trigger a creative spark. The trick is to be able to select the best route to follow.

Do you follow trends? Does it help with your creative process?

Thursday Thoughts

“So show a little inspiration/ show a little spark/ show the world a little act when you show it your heart/ we've got two lives--one we're given,/ and the other one we make/ and the world won't stop/ and actions speak louder/ listen to your heart.”
Performed by Mary-Chapin Carpenter

Photo's to Inspire - Butterflies

A couple of weeks ago WonderfulWire commented on how tiny nature (bugs, sea creatures, beetles...) touches a deep part of her and is her source of inspiration, and she expresses that in the amazing wire pieces she sells her Etsy Shop.

I personally am not a big fan of bugs, but I went on Flickr to check it out. I did not see many bugs that inspired me, but the butterflies are amazing. Check out the colors and designs on these very cool tiny creatures they are like miniature pieces of art.

untitled by timboyslim

Mariposa nocdturna by ManuelIGs

DSXo3133 by Navaneeth101's photostream

Peacock on Blackthorne by nichollwilliams

Clouded Yellow by Tevairoin

Striped Blue Crow by Kenneth Er

Butterfly Khao sok by tajonq's photostream

A Red Admiral Butterfly by Fletty Flicks Photostream

Thanks WonderWire for the inspiration this week.

Leave me a comment on what inspires you, and I will share with everyone that you were the source of inspiration for the photo's in the post.

Creative Business - Market Locally

In our quest for more sales we spend a lot of time marketing to brand ourselves online. Well how much marketing do you do in your own neighborhood?

Their are several ways you build your online business in your own town.

Do you have a Facebook Business Page? Market to your friends and family and their friends, you will build up a local network quickly. Share with them info about local events and offer them special deals if they shop your online store. Start a group with your local fans and offer them free shipping or even delivery for that extra special touch. Need info on setting up a Facebook Fan Page check out Eleen.com Promote you Etsy shop on Facebook.

How about joining a local Etsy Team? I am a member of Chicago Style Crafters and it has been great to have other local Etsyans to talk with and do special marketing projects to build our businesses. I know there are not local groups for every city, but if you have one it is worth the time to participate.

Try these offline options, participate in art and craft shows. This is a great way to get you name out there. I did several show when I started out making jewelry and I still do a few. They helped me build my business and after a while I was know as the jewelry lady in town. I still go out and run into someone who calls me the jewelry lady.

Consider joining a networking or parenting group. It is a great way to meet new people and to spread the word about your business. I did a couple of post about networking Join a Local Group and Network and Networking. Teaching a class will make you as an expert in your medium and it can be fun to teach. Need some ideas about getting started teaching check out this post Teach a Class.

Marketing locally will help your business grow as friends and family start to spread the word.

Have any other tips to share, leave a comment with your ideas.

Nest and Nurture

Beauty Walk - Schumaker Pond by Hope Shores on Flickr

Fall is my favorite time of the year, and the time of year we have the urge to nest and nurture.

In Chinese medicine, fall represents a return to the roots, a time of restoring and building out qi (the natural energy of the universe) for the following spring.

As the weather turns cool we will be spending more time in our homes and now is the time to make your home warm and welcoming.

Add a few accents to spruce up your space, some bright colored throw pillows, a warm cozy rug, and pretty curtains, the bright colors will warm up your space making it a wonderful place when you are indoors.

Marimekko Pillow Cover by ModDiva on Etsy

Bring nature indoors, add some fresh flowers every now then, or branches and berries to add a lovely natural elements to your room.

The best way to make your house feel homey and create a cozy atmosphere, start cooking. Break out your cookbooks and experiment with unfamiliar recipes, their is nothing better then the smell of a home cooked meal.

Pork Tamales by athyme2bcomforted on Etsy

What a great time of year to reconnect with friends and family. Get out your calendar and make some coffee dates, playdates, or even a potluck to bring everyone together.

Enjoy a warm and cozy fall season!

Shop News

Things have been pretty slow in my Etsy and 1000 Markets shop the past couple of weeks.

This slow time has given me time to built up my inventory again, and I will be adding even more items this week.

As the holiday's approach I am working on adding custom stamping to the washers for a more personal touch, and adding more men's items. The men's items are really popular during the holidays. Is their anything you would like to see in the additionsstyle shop this holiday season?

Item of the Week

Picture Hanger and Link Earrings

On Sale for only $5 (reg $8)

Purchase between 10/25 - 31 for this special deal

Blog News

Last week I did a post on Preparing for the Holidays. Click the link if you missed the great tip from the Indie CEO blog. Also, the Artist to Know was Etsy Artist alamodestuff, click the link to read about her creative journey.

This week more tips for you business, and inspiration for you creative side. Check in for something new everyday.

Have a great week!

Awaken you Creativity - Start a Photo Journal

A few weeks ago we talked about the different type of journals in the post Journal Styles. Each one serves a different function and can help with your creative process in different way. Why not start a photo journal, it can be a visual record of your various types of inspiration.

You don't need a special camera for this a disposable will work just fine. The main point is to take pictures of intersting textures, unusual details or general scenic shots to help you retain the flavor of your inspiration source.

To get the most out of your photographic experience, try these ideas for your interesting pictures.

♦Concertrate on things the naked eye usually takes for granted. Such as shadow, pattern, or the true shape of an object.

♦Create interesting views by focusing on the background and blurring the foreground.

♦Use your view finder to isolate interesting subjects and experiment with close up and far away shots.

♦If you want accurate detail shoot at midday or with the sun to your back. Want something more abstract shoot into the sun.

♦Want to study light and dark take your picutes in black-and-white.

Once you start your collection download them on your computer and print hard copies. Keep your hard copies in a book, something you can refer to often for inspiration, and have your computer download for backup.

Take your camera with you everywhere, you never know when inspiration will strike, be prepared so you can have that source of inspiration forever.

Journal Prompt - Look through some of your favoite photo's and create a list of one thing from each photo and how it makes you feel. Do you see a theme? Design something based on that theme.

Explore - New Ideas for New Ideas

Working on new designs for the holidays?

Having trouble coming up with ideas?

Try a couple of these easy exercise to get into a creative mood.

Create something in your medium of choice based on your favorite children's story. My favorite is story is Green Eggs and Ham. Last time I was in a rut I created several pieces in green, a color I seldom use, they all turned out great.

Design something to your favorite song. Respond to what you hear, and how the music makes you feel. I don't listen to music but books on CD when I work, and many times I get engrossed into the story and make things that the characters I am listening to would wear.

How about designing something to advertise your shop, a t-shirt, pen, tote bag, or a hat. Make them fun. They will make great gifts and advertise for you too. I have not done this idea, but I am looking forward to creating t-shirts for me and everyone in my family.

Try one or try them all, and enjoy the process along the way. Each ideas will give you a new way to look at what you are creating and help you come up with new ideas.

Share an experience of how you get your creative juices flowing.

Creative Thinking

Cre•a•tive adj. 1. Having the ability or

power to create. 2. Creating: productive.

3. Characterized by originality

and expressiveness; imaginative.

(According to The American Heritage Dictionary)

Did you know that the study of creativity is a relatively recent one?

In 1913 a French mathematician called Poincare, while working on a new mathematical theory described creative thinking like this:

-Identifying the problem

-the research into it

-the period of uncertainty and maturation

-the flash of insight

-the rationalization

This idea was refined by a physiologist called Wallas in 1926 and he described the stages like this:

-preparation

-incubation

-illumination

-verification

Today Michael Ray a professor at Stanford believes the five qualities of creating are:

-intuition

-will

-joy

-strength

-compassion

However you want to describe it, we are all creative, we just need to tap into it and let it be a way of life.

How would you describe creativity?

Thursday Thoughts

What is the creative life?

Our way of looking at the world.

You don't have to change your wardrobe, politics,

religion or social circle you only have to change one thing:

Instead of looking at the world as it is

look at everything as being full of possibilities.

Instead of seeing what it is,

look at what it could be.

You need confidence that creativity is out there,

ready to be accessed, instead of being an

elusive trait buried deep inside.

Photo's to Inspire - Metal

I love metal and this week while searching Flickr I found inspiring objects created with metal.

Metal Boxes by nualabugeye

Metal Poles by tanakawho

DSC09546-bw-metal sculpture by loupiote (old skool)

rusty_metal_001 by Whiteblot

Surfing The Metal Wave by Anamae

A rusty-blue-metal-something by Warner Schnell (1.stream)

4 Blades of Grass and some pieces of metal by Werner Schnell (1.stream)

Stamped Metal Drama Tile by Cobalt123's photostream

Sheet Metal by Senex Prime's Photostream

Leave me a comment on what inspires you, and I will share with everyone that you were the source of inspiration for the photo's in the post.

Creative Business- Preparing for the Holidays

The holidays are fast approaching, and it's time to get prepared. I was reading the blog Indie CEO where Linda has posted a great holiday checklist.



Here are a few ideas from her list to get you started:



Product
-Add a "stocking stuffer" to your inventory
-Order supplies
-Build you inventory

Shipping
-Order materials - boxes, mailers, etc.
-Get a stack of custom forms and delivery confirmation forms

Online Shop
-Prepare your holiday shop announcement
-Change your policy page -update shipping dates, returns, and exchange policy
-Work on your photo's so they are your best

Marketing
-Order your postcards, thank you cards, and holiday cards
-Decide on any sales you will be offering and put them in your marketing calendar
-Write you holiday blurbs for Twitter, Facebook, etc. so your not always trying to think of something new when you are short on time
-Determine you advertising budget and renewing budget to help you stay on track


This is just a few of the highlights, view the whole list in her post Online Seller, Start your Engines: Are you Ready?


What is one thing you doing to prepare for the holidays?

Artist to Know - alamodestuff

I am so thrilled that Linda from à la modetm agreed to be my first Etsy - Artist to Know!

I am a big fan of her work and own one of her cute purse's. Her work is innovative, unique, and inspiring and today she shares with us the creative side of à la modetm.

First, I’d like to thank Valerie for asking me to be a part of her blog. I’ve been a long time admirer of her work and it is an honor for me to be featured.

When did you first realize you wanted to create? Who or what influenced or inspired you?

I can't recall a time when I realized I wanted to create. I only recall always creating. When I was very small, if I wanted something I'd make it. I remember making a TV for my Barbie doll out of a cardboard jewelry gift box with a pin for the antennae. My mother was very creative and innovative. She taught me to sew, paint, and not be afraid to try new things.

What do you enjoy most about the creative process?

My favorite part of the process is the initial design idea that pops into my head (sometimes at the most inopportune time). I get a mental picture in my head and obsess over it until I figure out how to execute it. Then, I love when the end product comes together.

What do you do when you need a creativity boost?

I hunt...the internet, magazines, nature, stores. I look around and when I least expect it...I'm inspired. I often tell my children, when they become frustrated, to step away from their projects. If I need a boost or I'm having difficulty with something, I walk away. When I come back to it (sometimes in a day, sometimes in a week), the project will come together. I've really learned to trust that instinct over the years.

How did you get started with your online business, and how would you like your business to grow?

My business started serendipitously. I had been decoupaging light switch plates for my own home for many years. In 2005, a friend decided she wanted to host a holiday party and asked her crafty friends if they'd make and sell things for the party. I thought I'd sell light switch plates. About 3 days before the party, she called me and asked if I could make some handbags. I agreed. With my marketing background, I felt I needed to create a logo and business cards. I quickly came up with the name à la modetm and designed marketing materials. My friends couldn't believe how "established" my business was. Little did they know I literally created it overnight. I made lots of sales and took many orders. My business was born and I've not stopped since.

I always knew I wanted my own business but never knew what that business would be. Never in a million years did I think I'd be making bags and decorative switch plates. Now, my business has expanded to the internet and 25+ boutiques across the nation. I continue to go with the momentum and am not sure how I want my business to grow. I've had opportunities for à la modetm to become much bigger than it is. Surprisingly, and difficultly, I've turned those opportunities down. For now, I like that I'm a one woman operation and hope I continue to create what I love and love what I create.

Find à la modetm online here:
Website: http://www.alamodestuff.com/
Blog: http://www.alamodestuffblog.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/alamodestuff
Flicker: http://www.flickr.com/alamodestuff
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/a-la-mode/31042360875

Thanks Linda for sharing your creative side.

Shop News

I still can't believe I am going to have a piece of my jewelry published in a book. It's currently printed in English and Japanese with more countries to follow. You can check out the book on the publishers website it's called 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse. It's scheduled to be released on November 1.

On my trip to Minneapolis last week I went to my favorite recycled hardware shop and loaded up on all kinds of goodies. I will be posting new items in my Etsy shop all week, so check it out and see what's new.

I have increased the number of items on sale for 15% off in my shop, check it out maybe your favorite pieces is now on sale. Also, don't forget Flat Fee Shipping all the time - order as many pieces as you want and they all ship for $3 within the US and $4 international.

Item of the Week

One Week Only 10/18 -24

Five Washer Necklace for $10

(regular price $15)

Blog News

Last week the Artist to Know was Thomas Mann. He stopped by and left a comment and a link to his Facebook page, check it out and become a fan.

For this Monday's Artist to Know I will have an interview of one of my favorite Etsy artists. It's a don't miss feature, so stop back tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a great week!!

Awaken Your Creativity - Take a Hike

This is the best time of year. The trees change color and shed their leaves, and the air is cool and crisp.

A great way to awaken your creativity is to take a hike. It can be a in a city park, the country, or the woods, whatever works for you.

You will need a camera (don't have one try a disposable) on this journey or if you prefer a sketchbook with supplies, and a notebook or journal.

When you start your walk take your time, click pictures of plants, trees, stones, sticks, from a distance and very close up. Don't forget the birds and bugs, the colors on them can be amazing. Collect items for your visual journal or idea box, so you can refer to them in the future. And most important enjoy being outside and absorbing nature.

What nature can do to help with your creative process:

Plants can help you develop color schemes

Trees give you ideas for working texture

Stones can inspire new shapes as well as color

Birds and bugs are great for color, texture, and shape

It's nice to have time to let your mind wander and taking a hike will let you do just that. You will be surprised how the ideas start flowing while you are on your hike. Don't forget to write them down as they pop into your head, when you are on a hike there are no bad ideas.

Journal prompt - While on your hike take a few moments and describe what you see around you. How does it make you feel? What do you smell? What do you hear? Keep this info in your journal.

Where is your favorite place to awaken your creativity?

Creative Book Review

I love books! I can never have enough, I ask for them as gifts, and I buy them every chance I get, and when I can't afford them I spend time in my library checking them out.

The book I am reviewing today, I purchased a month or so ago and I read the whole book in one night. (It's an easy read)

How To Be An Explorer Of The World: Portable Art Life Museum
by Keri Smith

This book is filled with project, experiments, explorations, and quotes. It gives you new ways to look at things, and experience the world around you. I have tried several of the experiments in this book and they are fun, easy, and really get you thinking about the little stuff in a whole new way.

I love this book! If you are looking for ways to jump start your creativity, are feeling in a rut, or just like to try new things, then you should read this book.

Here how they describe this book on Amazon.com:

Product Description
From the author of Wreck This Journal, an interactive guide for exploring and documenting the art and science of everyday life.

Artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surprisingly similar ways, by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing. In this captivating guided journal, readers are encouraged to explore their world as both artists and scientists.

The mission Smith proposes? “To document and observe the world around you. As if you’ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.”

With a series of interactive prompts and a beautifully hand-illustrated two-color package, readers will enjoy exploring and discovering the world through this gorgeous book.

Click the link and check out this book today.



Want to read more books to inspire your creativity?
Check out the sidebar - newly update links with more creativity book. You can also check out the review I did on The Creative Entrepreneur and the post Books to Inspire Creativity.

So many good books so little time. What book inspires you to create?