Motivation Monday

Rely on Your Common Sense

It's our greatest asset in charting a course through life,

provided we listen to it.

It's the distillation of our experiences.

It's our front-line defense,

our sounding board.

If something doesn't make sense,

there's usually a very good reason.

Now is the Time by Patrick Lindsay

What is Your Creative Process?

Inspiration is an important part of my creative process. I spend a lot of time looking through my design books, checking out inspiring boards on Pinterest, and planning out my ideas for the new pieces I create.

Sketching out my ideas as I process them is the most important part of planning a new collection. I draw out new ideas, and then I take a few minutes and draw out variations of my main idea.

This really helps me when it's time to create. I can page through my sketch book and start making the pieces that make sense. Usually only a few of my sketched ideas are turned in to pieces for my collection, and many times once I start creating the pieces turns out different from what I originally planned.

Viewing other inspiring jewelry pieces and sketching out my ideas is how I create most of the pieces in my jewelry collection, but I also like the spontaneity of going through my collection of hardware and putting pieces together randomly.

If I am creating from a sketched design or the spontaneity of digging through hardware, I love the act of creating and taking something simple and turning it into something great.

What is your creative process?

Production Work is a Necessary Part of a Creative Business

I like creating jewelry this time of year. There is no rush to get items created for shows and holiday orders, and I can just be creative and make a variety of new pieces.

I have been doing a lot of that lately, as I am starting to put together pieces for my new Limited Edition collection. Here is a sneak peek at some of my new pieces.

Pearl and Hardware Pendant

Pearl and Hardware Earrings

Crystal and Pearl Choker

Here are a couple of pieces that are not listed in my Etsy shop yet.

As much as I enjoy creating new pieces I still have to work on building up my inventory for when things pick up later this year.

Production work is not my favorite things to do, but a necessary part of my business. I have several, as I'm sure you do, pieces that are good sellers that I need to keep a good stock of throughout the year.

I have started mixing it up this year, I create a new piece and then I do a couple of my production pieces. This way I still get to have fun creating, while building up my inventory. If I stick to this schedule I should have a nice inventory for show season.

How do you handle your production work?

Motivation Monday

Attitude Makes a Difference

Your attitude effects every part of your business, relationships, health, self-image, and life.

Would you be surprised to know that there are more then two kinds of attitudes, besides positive and negative. There are actually many different type of attitude, such as confident or insecure, cheerful or depressed, peaceful or destructive, appreciative or ungrateful are just a few examples.

All of these attitudes are reflected through the tone of your voice, expression on your face, body language, and how you relate to and treat others.

You attitude affects how people see you and in most cases deciding whether they are going to like you or even want to do business with you. 

I have done many art shows that were slow and everyone complained. When you have all that negativity around you it makes it challenging to have a good show. I try not to get sucked in to the negativity at shows, and most of the time I have pretty good shows.

Customers can feel the negativity at shows and then they don't want to look or even buy. Negative comments are felt by your customers as well. That's why I stopped hanging out in the forums. A lot of the time it was very negative, making it challenging to to be excited about having an online shop.

One thing that I vowed to myself this year is to respond to the question "how are you?" with good or great and smile. I figured even on the days I don't have a good attitude it will help me get in a better mood. So far it has worked. I have not had that many days where I feel negative, and most of the time I actually feel good.

Having a positive attitude is a choice, and completely within your control. Making good positive choices will make a big difference in how you feel about your work, health, relationships, and life.

Dose your attitude effect your work?

Ask Yourself...

I shared a couple of weeks ago that I am going to spend this year dedicated to building my jewelry business. I am working on getting more sales in my Etsy shop, and building my wholesale and show business.

I made a commitment to myself that I am going to spend my time and my energy to do something everyday that will generate income. So that means I may list new items in my Etsy shop, post in social media, email stores, contact blogs for features, or research show opportunities. My goal is to do something that will increase my visibility and sales opportunities.

Have you decided on an area of your business that you are going to work on this year? if so ask yourself this question:

How do I choose to spend my time and my energy to achieve my goal?

Knowing the answer to that question will make planning your day a whole lot easier. When I do my to-do list I always keep in mind what can I do to generate income that day.

I have found on the day's that I actually make an effort I get sales. On the day's I don't nothing is generated.

Make a plan. Decide how you want to spend your time and energy on you business.

Are you doing something every day for your creative business to achieve your goal?

Monday Motivation

Find the Beauty

It's there in everything we see.

Sometimes it's shining out at us.

Sometimes it's hidden deep within.

Look for the core beauty:

in nature's balances;

in the human spirit;

beautiful friendships;

the beautiful mind;

the beautiful heart.

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

Movie Time

Need a little alone time?

Take a couple of hours and go to a movie you really want to see, the one you know your significant other won't want to check out.

When I have the time I love to spend an afternoon with myself, visiting a book store, having lunch, and checking out a new movie.

If you don't want to leave the house no problem, make yourself some lunch, pop in your favorite DVD, and sit back and relax for a couple of hours.

I'm showing my age, but here are a few of my favorites :)

Think of how nice it will be to just get lost in the visuals and the dialogue of a really good movie during the afternoon.

How do you like to spend time with yourself?