Motivation Monday

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of 

cowering before them, we should make up our minds 

to walk boldly through them.

Orison Swett Marden

Inspiration For the New Season

Inspiration boards are a great way to gain insight to what trends, styles, or designs are important to you right now.

Creating a board is easy and requires only a few supplies. Their is no right or wrong way, it's all about what inspires you at the time.

You can make your inspiration board any size using a variety of different mediums. Working on a cork board is the most versatile option; you can change it as often as you want, create one for certain projects, different seasons, or the mood you are in at the time.

There are no rules to creating your board. It’s just a matter of finding photos, objects, fabric, examples of texture and colors that you can pin to your board.

Three tips to remember when making your board:

1. Nothing is off limits - keep your eye out for anything that inspires you. Photos, magazine pictures, fabric, personal memories.

2. Follow your instincts -let your subconscious guide you. You don't have to understand why it inspires you at the moment; you just have to find it interesting.

3. Embrace fantasy - ignore realities of everyday life. Again just choose what really inspires, even if it not something you would ever choose.

A small list of sources for inspiration:

European fashion magazines - they push the style envelope, so you will see more innovative and cutting-edge photos.

Home and garden magazines - great source for textures, fabric, patterns, and shapes.

History, old movies, and pop culture - use the web for inspiration.

Celebrity photos - always a rich source of inspiration.

Your favorite web sites and blog - are full of ideas.

Once your board is complete you will want to take a little time to analyze what you have on your board. You may see a pattern or direction you can try right away, or you may find your board is random with no clear pattern. Walking away for awhile will give you a chance to regroup, and when you comeback your theme will be clearer to you.

Creating your board should be fun, and having the option to change it as often as you like will make your board a great source of inspiration.

Have you created a inspiration board?

Motivation Monday

Whether a long-lost friend,

or a new acquaintance.

Break through the barriers.

Touch the inner person.

Renew old connections.

Make new ones.

Find common ground.

Explore new interests.

It's Never Too Late... by Patrick Lindsay

Tell Your Story

As artists we all have a story about why we create. Well it's time to use your story as a powerful marketing tool.

We have all heard it before, people want to know how you came up with the idea, what's your inspiration, and how you got started, it's their way of making a connection with the artist behind their purchase.

This is even more important when selling art online. They don't have the opportunity to meet you in person, but they still want that connection.

Each of our stories is interesting, even if we don't think so. So here are a few question to ask yourself to help you get started.

• What initially sparked your interest in creating your craft?
• How did you learn your particular medium?
• How long have you been creating?
• Do you only work in one medium or have your tried others?
• What made you decide to start your business?

Your customers will ask you versions of these question over and over. Over time, you will be able to answer them easily, and this will become your story.

Now that you can easily express your story you have to tell it at every opportunity. You will be surprised how you can suck in your customers in with a great story. Remember you are your own best sales person.

Tell your story online as well, do an about me page on your blog, or any where else you have the opportunity. This will help your online customers connect with you. Also, photo's of you working are really add to the story.

If you do brochures, fliers, or any other type of promotional material, include your story where it will work best. Again the more places you can tell your story the easier it is for your customers to get to know you.

Take a moment and share a little of your story in the comments.

Motivation Monday

Fun Ways to Enjoy Summer

It's the time of year to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.  Take a day off and get away from your work, remember a relaxed mind is a creative mind.

Today I am sharing a list of fun things you can do as a family, a couple, and or even by yourself.

Family Fun

Spend an afternoon playing with your kids - blow bubbles, play with sidewalk chalk, have a water balloon fight.

Go on a picnic - pack up a few snacks and head for a park near you, and enjoy an afternoon under a shade tree.

Be a tourist in your hometown - visit local shops, stop at places you drive by everyday, find new sites to check out.

Have a family craft day - perfect for a rainy day. Break out some art supplies and spend some time creating. Maybe make a family collage, having each person create their own piece and bring them all together on one canvas.

Start a summer family journal - encourage everyone to write or draw something about what they did each day.

Couples Fun

Get away for a long weekend - you don't have to go far, just enjoy spending time away from home.

Bike around town - stop at places you have never been before.

Attend a free summer concert - in a town near you.

On a rainy day spend the day snuggled together watching movies on TV

Spend a day exploring flea markets, antique shops, and garage sales.

Alone Time

Do a fun art project - work with materials you don't usually use, explore new ideas.

Create your own art day - visit a museum or gallery, window shop, take your sketchbook to a park.

Spend a rainy day reading you favorite art book or flipping through magazines.

Pamper yourself - polish your nails, wash your hair and let it air dry outside.

Do nothing - don't make plans, just spend the day sitting outside.

These are just a few ideas for having fun this summer.

What are some fun things you like to do when the weather is warm?

Motivation Monday

Life rushes between the mundane and madness

Contentment is often found in moderation.

Balance is elusive.

Be simply seeking it allows you to avoid excesses.

Don't make it a contest:

allow things to happen naturally.

You'll be surprised how often they center themselves,

and open up vast possibilities.

Now Is the Time by Patrick Linkdsay

Celebrate

To all my friends in the USA 

Have a wonderful day of celebration!

Happy 4th of July

Motivation Monday

Photo by Ulrich Burkhalter

Starting from scratch is not the 

same as throwing in the towel.

Never quit, but be prepared to 

take a radically different approach 

if you find your current 

approach isn't working.

From 1001 Ways to Success