In My Studio: Listening to Podcasts

My varied podcast subscriptions

While I work in my studio I love listening to all manner of podcasts. I listen to business and entrepreneurship podcasts to get useful tips for running a small craft business. I listen to crafty podcasts to get inspiration and motivation for my products and I listen to drama podcasts for pure pleasure while I get busy in the studio.

In the blog today I want to share with you some of the popular ones that fellow Hudson Valley Etsy team members listen too:

First, Marilyn from Pulp Sushi recommended a podcast to her Instagram followers a while ago called Being Boss. I started listening to this one on her recommendation and love it! On it, two creative boss ladies - Emily Thompson and Kathleen Shannon, talk about their experiences starting and running their own businesses. As they themselves say:

 "Being Boss is hard. Blending work and life is messy. Making a dream job of your own isn't easy. But getting paid for it, becoming known for it and finding purpose in it, is so doable- if you do the work."

I highly recommend this one for some great advice, motivation and real life inspirational tips to grow your business.

Download: Available from iTunes (search Being Boss) or from www.lovebeingboss.com

Another podcast of a similar genre is called Elise Gets Crafty.

This is one that I have been following for a while and I also love it for its down to earth, no nonsense advice from blogging, to running an Etsy shop, to juggling motherhood and working. Elise Blaha Cripe is a creative entrepreneur with a successful blog www.elisejoy.com  she sells online courses as well as owning her own shop selling handmade items. Her podcasts mainly take the format of discussions with guests who are invited on the show to talk about specific topics.

Download: Available from iTunes (search Elise Gets Crafty) and from www.elisejoy.com

Elena Rosenberg loves listening to A Way with Words podcasts while she works. Although not directly related to crafts and making, it is all about words and language and their creative usage. Hundreds of thousands of language lovers from around the world tune in each week to hear author Martha Barnette and dictionary editor Grant Barrett take calls about slang, grammar, English usage, old sayings, word origins, regional dialects and family expressions.

Download: Available from ITunes (search A Way with Words) or from www.waywordradio.org

Beyond the Picket Fence enjoys listening to Fresh Rag. This creative and business minded podcast also gives lots of great tips and advice about running a small craft business. Dave Conrey, the shows creator says:

"If you’re an artist, designer, crafter or other independent, creative entrepreneur looking to build your business and make more sales, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re tired of busting your butt, with an ever-increasing work load, for a business that was supposed to be your dream, and you’re looking for a way to ease the pain, you’re also in the right place."

Download: Available from ITunes (search Fresh Rag) or from  www.freshrag.com


Good Luck and Good Listening!

Sarah
SO Handmade

In My Studio: Creative Block

Storyboard

Creative block is that awful feeling when you just can't get into your groove, your studio gets you down and  your ideas dry up. I periodically suffer from this malady and have found some great ways to help me out of the funk.

1. Make a story board. Rip out pictures you like from magazines and brochures. Stick them down on a large piece of paper.

2. Take a creative field trip. Go visit a museum, gallery, ikea! Or take a class. Seeing what is happening in the outside world might help spark an idea

3. Look at the forecasting reports and see what colors and imagery will be on trend for the following season.

4. Clean up and organize your studio, a long forgotten scrap of fabric or sketch you put away might spark a great new idea. And a clean and organized studio will give you the space you need to create when the ideas start coming.

   

   A page from an old sketch book might spark an idea

5. Talk to store owners where you sell your products. What has been selling well and is there anything customers have been asking for. Look at comments you have received at craft fairs or conversations on Etsy. Customers sometimes give us great ideas for new products.

6. Listen: I have recently found some great podcasts that have really inspired me and given me a lot of good tips for running a small craft business. The best of these is called 'Elise gets Crafty'

7. Silence: Great ideas come sometimes from giving yourself a little distance and space from your studio. Take a walk, a yoga class, go skiing whatever you enjoy and just let your mind relax and see where it wanders.

"Inspiration is hard to come by. You have to take it where you find it." Bob Dylan

Good Luck and Good Making!
Sarah
So Handmade

Inspiration Wednesday

I love this color palette. 

I kept dreaming of being on a beautiful island somewhere warm surrounded by clear blue water.

I was inspired to make this mixed media necklace:

The pendant is porcelain from MarshaNealStudio

Going up the necklace is handmade lampwork glass, enameled, nut, brass and ceramic beads.

Then up the back of the necklace are tiny white etched glass teardrop beads.

Here is the color palette for the next challenge:

Wow, this is such a beautiful photo I cannot stop staring at it.

Okay, so the reveal date will be December 12th.

Here are some items from the Hudson Valley Etsy team for inspiration:

TickledPinkKnits

EntropicGrace

Be sure to link up below if you made anything inspired by this week's palette.

~Shannon

For My Sweet Daughter

Signposts and Guides for the Creative Life

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.  Each of us has cause to think with gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."  Albert Schweitzer

In this season that calls us to gratitude, may we give thanks for all those who support us, have supported us on our journeys.  Often we don't even know the people who might offer that spark.  Recently, I was moved to write to someone whose posts I frequently find to be inspirational.  Something she said triggered a memory for me of someone else whom I'd forgotten.  As I look back over my many years and see the path that has zigzagged and swerved, I can see John for the influence he was.  He held a signal lamp that guided me through a rocky time and also planted a shard  of light that I can see has grown.

When we look closely, we start to see so many of these people - stars, fireflies, constellations, galaxies.  So much to be grateful for!

When did you lose your light?  Who helped to reignite it?  Is it different?

Signposts and Guides for the Creative Life

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working."  Pablo Picasso

I really like this quote.  There exists a sterotypical model of the frustrated writer, painter, composer;  the artist is in a funk, pulling her hair out, drowning himself in drink, making her own and everyone else's lives miserable as she"waits" for inspiration.  There is a shutting down, closing off.  The atmosphere is no longer welcoming.  It's something of a paradox.  You can't force inspiration or the creative muse.  But you can keep going while you wait for it to come.  You can organize your materials, take yourself on artist's dates, practice your skills.  You can maintain a work schedule and create  something, even if it's not quite what you think might be "the" thing that is just beyond your vision.  Volunteer some time teaching, take a class in an area that might be a little different for you, but may create a spark that sets you on fire again.

And keep the faith.  Inspiration will come if you've kept the windows open, you've laid the wood.  Now it's just a matter of spark and breath.

Inspiration Wednesday - Autumn Swirl

Design-Seeds Autumn Swirl

I can't get the sound of the wind out of my head. I am hoping that you are safe, warm and dry in the wake of such a horrible and devastating storm. I couldn't have known 2 weeks ago when I chose this photo what we were going to be presented with these last few days.

I got the time to make this necklace. I really like how it turned out. It is fun, flirty. I love the movement, it is really comfy and lightweight. The blues and creams make it easy to put on with almost any outfit where jeans are involved.

Lots of wire wrapping and chain

The ceramic beads are from Gaea. The dangles at the side aren't just pretty they are also an extender for the necklace so the wearer can choose their most comfortable length.

the button is from Artisan Clay, the etched copper I made.

Here is the theme for TWO weeks:

Design-Seeds - Mineral Hues

Here are some items from the Hudson Valley etsy Team for inspiration and wow does our team love purple!

TickledPinkKnits

MyStitchInTime

 If you made something inspired by the color palette Autumn Swirl please link up using the Linky Tool below.

Have a wonderful week and I will see you next Wednesday with a few more items from the team.

~Shannon

ForMySweetDaughter

Inspiration Wednesday - Chameleon Tones

Design Seeds- Chameleon Tones

I am so proud of myself for picking a challenging color palette for this week and actually making something with it!

Here is the necklace I created:

I started with the beautiful handmade porcelain pendant. It has flecks of green, yellow and blue in it so I thought it was the perfect starting point for this palette. Then I found in my bead stash the lime green enameled round bead, perfect when paired with the lime green porcelain button. To finish up that side of the necklace I wire wrapped a yellow porcelain donut, a porcelain heart and a porcelain bead. 

For the other side of the necklace I had these vintage lucite beads that look like wood which I thought was a perfect touch with the flower in the pendant. In between each "wood" bead I wire wrapped more porcelain round beads. I finished up the necklace with chain so it would be long but not too heavy.

I think I am going to start giving you guys 2 weeks to work on something  inspired by the color palette's I select. Don't worry though because I will be back next week to post some more inspirational pieces from the members of the Hudson Valley Etsy team to get you motivated to play along.

Here is the color palette for inspiration - the reveal will be October 31st:



Design-Seeds Autumn Swirl


Here are some items from the Hudson Valley Etsy Team for inspiration:

GetGlassy

Make an item or choose materials inspired by the palette and write a blog post about it, post the item for sale, or post the item on your website. Add the link to your blog post, shop or website in the comments in two weeks, to be featured as part of next weeks post please e-mail me at formysweetdaughter(at)me(dot)com before 6pm the night before.

The only rule is that if you use the Design-Seeds palette you must link directly to Design-Seeds.com.

Have fun and I can't wait to see what you make!

~Shannon

For My Sweet Daughter

Signs and Guideposts for the Creative Life

Howard Thurman suggests, "Don't ask what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive and do that.  Because what the world needs is more people who've come alive."

And Fred Buechner states this in a slightly different way: your vocation is "the place where your deep gladness meets the world's great need."

We are programmed from an early age to consider certain things more noble than others.  And if we are "good", we try to meet others' and our own expectations, trying to fit into those ideas.  It then often takes some failures, perhaps depressions, to kick us in the butt, make us examine our lives and what we want out of them.

Are you still struggling to fit into a mold that is not meant for you?  How might you engage your creativity to let your true self emerge?  How will that change your life?  How might it affect the world around you?

Inspiration Wednesday - Whisked Tones

Design-Seeds - Whisked Tones

I was inspired to make a necklace this week. It features a Vintaj Natural Brass branch which I wire wrapped a porcelain bird pendant (from Marsha Neal Studios) to. I made the wire wrap messy so it was sort of like branches.

I just love this cute little bird.

then I wire wrapped agates, wood and a glass flower

and bronzite beads finish off the back of the necklace. I just love bronzite.

Tweet, Tweet

Here is a lovely hat from HuzzahHandmade inspired by this color palette:

Here is the color palette for next week:

Design-Seeds - Teal Tones

Here are some items from the Hudson Valley Etsy team for inspiration:

ComfortandJoySoapCo

MilestoneDecalArt

Make an item or choose materials inspired by the palette and write a blog post about it, post the item for sale, or post the item on your website. Add the link to your blog post, shop or website in the comments next week, to be featured as part of next weeks post please e-mail me at formysweetdaughter(at)me(dot)com before 6pm next Tuesday night.

The only rule is that if you use the Design-Seeds palette you must link directly to Design-Seeds.com.

Have fun and I can't wait to see what you make!

~Shannon

For My Sweet Daughter

Creating Success from the Inside Out - Believe It Is Possible

Lisa from Merry Alchemy is back with part three of her series about creating success from the inside out - today we learn to believe it is possible.

Sunrise Tree With Fairy Pendant from Get Glassy

I’m a firm believer in the law of attraction – Ask, Believe, Receive – because of a profound experience I had two years ago.  After several wrong relationships and one failed engagement over the course of my adult life, I was growing disheartened about ever finding a life partner.  I had recently broken up with a long-time boyfriend.  I had one big disappointment on Match.com.  I was ready to throw in the towel and go become a monk in Tibet.  Then I watched my DVD of The Secret.  I recognized that until I really believed it was possible to find a wonderful man and a great relationship, I would never draw that to me.  So I double downed my efforts and spent a lot of time prepping mentally to accept the right partner into my life.  It may sound cheesy, but I visualized the way I wanted my life to be with this special person in it.  As the experts tell you in The Secret, you need to do more than visualize what you want.  You need to believe you already have it.  That means conjuring up the feelings of happiness and elation that you will experience when you do have what you want.  So I did that, too.  I convinced myself that it was possible for me to find that person.  As a result, I became happier.  Within two months, I met him.  After all the struggles of previous relationships, I finally felt the rightness of a good relationship.    The fact that he lived in New York and I lived in Boston when we met added to the amazement of our meeting.  How did we find each other?  In redoubling my efforts on Match, I accidentally typed in a wrong zip code without realizing it.  A happy accident, yes; but I also think the Universe had something to do with it!  And now Kris and I are getting married this October and are incredibly excited.

That’s why I firmly believe in the law of attraction for all things, not just love.  When it comes to our business or our craft, we can employ these same techniques to obtain the life we want.  Ask, Believe, Receive.  Ask the Universe for what you want.  Believe that it is possible to have what you want.  And then you will receive it. Believing it is possible is the hardest part of this tenet.  But when you believe something is possible, there is no limit to what you can achieve.  I really want to run my jewelry business full-time and receive an income from it that will allow me to quit my day job.  Right now, I’m struggling with believing that it’s possible.  I come from a long line of people who worked long hours to make ends meet working for someone else, so running your own business is a foreign concept.  My challenge now is to employ the same thinking exercises that I did to find love to find success in my business. 

What are the things you want to ask the Universe for that have been difficult for you to believe possible?  What successes have you had that your beliefs helped you to achieve?  How did you get there?

Check out part one & two of this series.....
Creating Success From The Inside Out
Taking 100% Responsibility For Your Life

The Second Week of "The Artists Way"

Here is my second post for "The Artist's Way" series. I am moving along with the book and really taking my time with it. In other words it is layed out in 12 week chapters but my weeks seem to take me 14 or more days to work through. I did not want this to be added stress and I must say it does seem to be sparking something.

I am still doing the morning pages most mornings.... not all and again I am not beating myself up if I miss.
However I do enjoy doing them. So I have started to open up with more collage work.

I am an 'old school' Commercial Artist, trained to not make mistakes, not to make messes, no smudges, ink blots,etc...
Allowing myself the freedom to splash, spray, blot and not really think about design but just go with my feeling, has given me a renewed creativity that I haven't felt in awhile.

So these may not sing to everyone, but they are singing to me and I can't wait to do more!

Inspiration Wednesday

Design-Seeds

Here is the color palette I was working with this week. I love Fall colors. I was working with a Life Coach a few months ago and she told me I am most myself when I am grounded and in touch with the earth. She couldn't be more right. I find that I am most confident about my work when it has these colors in it, that when I have been spending too much time indoors I am cranky and when I get out and go for a walk I come back energized and inspired. 

I made a ton of pieces this weekend inspired by this palette but I am only going to share a couple here today.

etched copper butterfly

porcelain flowers

etched copper leaf

handmade lampwork glass beads

etched copper leaf 

handmade porcelain circle

wood beads and silk

The necklace in the middle is unfinished as you can see, I ran out of wire at the cabin so I had to stop there but I have gotten more wire and will be finishing it this week.

Here is the palette for next week:

Design-Seeds

Bet you thought I was going to pick another fall palette :-) 

Here are some HVNY Team items for inspiration:

betsybdesign

JSWMetalWorks

Make and item or choose materials inspired by the palette and write a blog post about it, post the item for sale, or post the item on your website. Add the link to your blog post, shop or website in the comments next week.

The only rule is that if you use the Design-Seeds palette you must link directly to Design-Seeds.com.

Have fun and I can't wait to see what you make!

Have an Inspired Wednesday!

~Shannon
ForMySweetDaughter.com