Archive for April, 2011
La Boom offers playful shadowboxes, pedestals, handmade paper tags, and party favors. The style is whimsical with a vintage twist. La Boom is the perfect stop to find a unique little gift for a friend or to add some whimsy to your home. My favorite is this little “Wonderland Deer” piece of shadowbox art.
BONUS! 20% OFF DISCOUNT : Receive 20% OFF when you enter PAPERNSTITCH as the coupon code at checkout.
Shop La Boom on Etsy now to get 20% off your purchase.
Good morning. Hope your weekend was a blast. Jeff and I didn’t really do anything. But I really enjoy tose lazy weekends, so it was great.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to start off the week with a studio tour. So, I have illustrator Carrie Hartman in today to share her spacious workspace. Carrie’s husband actually built the studio with his own hands over the span of about a year and a half. And it’s really a great space (scroll down after the interview for the photos). Here’s my interview with Carrie…
-How would you describe the work that you create for your shop, UUPP?
I create my work to be playful and fresh with a modern sensibility. I am very influenced by the idea of the ‘old’, vintage imagery and patterns and like to incorporate that with textures, lots of color and a modern twist.
-And where is your studio located?
My studio is located in my home in Woodbury, Minnesota, an eastern suburb of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro.
-So, what have you found to be the best time of day (or night) to get work done? And why?
My favorite time to work is early in the morning. My studio is just drenched with natural light. There is something really inviting and inspiring about that. My studio faces my backyard that is full of trees, lots of birds singing and furry animals running, my lovely gardens and a big blue sky. I feel most at the top of my creativity during peaceful mornings with my beloved coffee.
-How long have you been pursuing work as an artist?
My Etsy shop is pretty new. I have been thinking about it a long time and finally opened it at the end of November 2010. I have been an artist my whole life. At the age of 4, my mom had to wrap up my hands each morning because I would draw and paint so much my fingers would bleed. I did go on to art school and received my illustration degree. I manage my shop in between illustrating children’s books, greeting cards and other design projects.
-I love asking this question because all of us define success in different ways. So, I am curious… What has been your most exciting / noteworthy event or happening in your work recently that you interpret as a success?
My greatest success has been that I made a goal 10 years ago that I wanted to work from home, create my art, and raise my children. I have done that and as long as I continue to be able to do that, I feel very blessed and successful. Along with that, some of my illustration work has been honored with top industry illustration awards. (Those always makes you feel good too!)
Make the work that you want to make and learn how to do it as well as you can. It can be unsatisfying if you are always just chasing the newest fad or trend or making the work you think you need to make. I think that is an exhausting and confusing path where you are not defining yourself as your own creative person with your own voice. This can make you feel like you are always chasing and running behind what is already been done. It is best to understand what you do, what you want to do, discover your own voice and then work like crazy to develop that voice. I personally find it exciting, knowing I can always improve my skills and my journey is never done.
Coupon Code for PNS Readers: 15% off your entire purchase when you use code PNS15OFF at checkout.
Visit Carrie’s print shop, UUPP on Etsy. And visit her portfolio site at www.carriehartman.com.
Thanks so much for sharing your space and answering my questions Carrie!
I’m going to cut right to the chase today and get to weekend links (this week I am sharing links just for your business and blog)…
–Need to write a press release? Here are some tips for writing a press release without stressing.
–Want more readers for your blog and/or customers for your business? Read these five tips for more views from ProBlogger.
–Does your business feel stuck? Frame your business brand the IKEA way.
–Not sure about this whole social media thing? Find out if social media is bad for your business.
–Thinking about creating a digital product? You should read this article on pricing first.
–Want to make your business irresistible? Here are 109 ways to make your business irresistible to the media.
Have a great weekend!
–
image c/o Frank Chimero
If you’re looking for airy spring dresses and accessories, check out Soham Dave. The Soham Dave brand offers clothing for the eco-conscious consumer. I love how the clothing is hand-crafted and dyed with 100% chemical free natural dyes, giving the clothing a unique painterly vibe. This dress and matching bracelet are my favorite pieces in the line, they’re so casual and perfect for a spring picnic.
Please check out Soham Dave on Etsy.
Did you design your blog to fit in perfectly with the rest in your niche? Do you sell similar products, stage your photos a similar way? Stop! You’re analyzing your competition the wrong way. There’s an easier way to come out on top; win against the competition and offer what they can’t- You!
It’s exhausting to “Be Someone Else”.
You’re priming yourself for burnout by trying too hard to fit in. Be real and create what comes naturally. In addition to presenting polished and complete work, you should present work that’s completely you in every way.
The Benefits of Being Yourself:
There are so many benefits that come with putting a little of yourself in everything your business offers:
1. The Struggle Ceases: Workflow is smooth and natural when you’re simply…yourself.
2. Your Audience will Come: Being yourself will bring you the right audience.
3. No One Else has it: You’re the unique asset in your art. No one else can offer it.
Inserting the Real You Into Your Business:
Applying yourself to your business is tricky. Of course, there’s some filtering and editing to do, but the result should still bear your signature:
1. Exclude Influences: Make some time to create without influences. Turn off the computer and TV. Work without referencing your favorite websites and magazines.
2. Offer Your Talents: Use your unique talents to make your brand pop and stand out in your niche.
For example, I love drawing comics. I could start a weekly “Adventures in Thrifting” comic on my blog. (Featuring my favorite things: robots and zombies!)
You’re Still a Professional.
Being yourself doesn’t mean getting overly comfortable and releasing inferior work. Continue to distribute quality work that you’re proud of, just make sure you work some of your divine spark in to the mix. The right audience will find your work. They’ll see a little of themselves in it and relate to it. When they do, they’ll be back for more.
Remember: Just being yourself is your ultimate tool for standing out and making your mark, both on the web and in the creative community.
*image Be Yourself
Vanessa wrote this post. She is a full time copywriter and webmarketer with a passion for art, creativity, and thrift. She writes about thrifting, creating, and saving money every weekday on her blog, Thrift Core.
After last week’s look at architectural screens, we’re making a quick about-face into spring with a look at the color of new growth, green. Green can be a great color in the home, especially when used in moderation with a solid background of neutral colors. The great thing about green is that the color range is so vast, from warmer tones of chartreuse and olive, to cooler ones of Kelly and bottle green, allowing for the use of green in a large number of color schemes.
Brighter greens are a great foil against black and white, with the green and white combo giving a lively, clean feel. Muddier greens look great with woods, browns and beiges, with chartreuse or olive and wood giving off a retro Modern look. You can pair greens with blues for a water-inspired look, or muted warm greens with tones of fuchsia and lilac for a very different but sophisticated look. Don’t forget that tones of green can be added to your home with the use of plants as well, adding that touch of life and springtime in a quick and easy way.
(above) Olive Linen
Stadium Seating + Kelly Workspace
Green with Grey + Olive with Sky Blue
Amy wrote this post. She is the designer and owner of FormFire Glassworks, where she creates modern lampwork glass beads and jewelry. You can follow her twitter @formfireglass.
Travel through time and around the world with Rebecca Plotnick and her fine art travel photography. Updated daily with prints from her travels, Rebecca’s work spans locations from Paris and Israel to Chicago (where she calls home) and New York. Find unique scenes, like this Brooklyn Railroad Transit, in prints or on canvas. Wouldn’t you just love to feast on this visual every day?
Check out more locations with Rebecca Plotnick on Etsy.
Rachel Anne wrote this post. She is a 20-something wife and mother of one, who enjoys making things for her embroidery and tiny handmade goodies shop called, Goose and Trisser. You can visit Rachel Anne on her blog here.
