Archive for the ‘The Process’ Category
This morning, I sent Jack off to school with a backpack filled with Valentine’s to exchange with his classmates. It’s a yearly ritual my kids covet as much as Halloween costumes or decorating the Christmas tree. This year I asked them to help design their classroom Valentines. Jack wanted a space shuttle. Kate butterflies. They even wrote their own text. Beaming with pride over the final product, they never once complained about addressing and signing 32 Valentines (yes, that’s a Valentine’s Day miracle!).
I am considering offering Classroom Valentines for purchase on my website and in my Etsy Shop next year. I’ve created a quick survey to learn what you, my trusted readers, are looking for when you buy Valentines. Please take a moment to fill out my survey and one lucky reader will win a set of my brand new Butterfly Thank You Notes. The winner will be picked randomly on Monday. Yes, I’m bribing you to participate because I genuinely value your opinion!
Click here to take my quick survey.
If you would like to enter to win the note cards, please leave your name and email in the demographic information. If you prefer to remain anonymous just leave question eight blank.
Thank you! I look forward to reading your answers. Have a fantastic Valentine’s Day or as Kate, age 4, says, “Valentines Day: The celebration of candy!”
Click image to see more details on Flickr
As many of you know, I’m taking Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way e-class to help find direction and voice for this blog. It’s been an eye opening experience. There is so much I want to do and this class is helping me define my focus and find my voice. I won’t go into the gory details, but I do want to share this week’s homework with you.
The assignment was to create a mood board that hones in on my interests and taste. No digital manipulation was allowed. Technically, I may be cheating by including a human being, but as I’ve said before, separating family from work is impossible.
To give you a taste of who I am and what I love within the sphere of my work world, I’ll list the details in the photo. Roughly clockwise from the upper left corner here goes:
- Kid art. My children’s artwork brings me great joy.
- My “To Do List” notebook. A daily to do list keeps me on track and calms my brain.
- Pantone swatchbook. Tattered and loved. I use this all day, everyday.
- Succulents and garden flowers make me happy.
- Font book. I love a good font.
- My journal where I write ideas, take notes, sketch and use for general brain babble.
- Kate. She’s always underfoot, which I love (on most days).
- Jack. My first born and my logo.
- Patterns. My newest fascination.
- The Wedding Invitation Handbook. A beloved reference book.
- My 85 mm Nikon lens. It rocks.
- My own work. Some note cards I created today.
- Scotch ATG 714. A must have for any stationer.
So that’s me in a nutshell (as of Friday, February 5th at 2:30 p.m.). If I did it again tomorrow, who knows!
I bumbled around a bit in January. Many of my goals took a left turn, but all in all, I’ve still got forward momentum. Here is a quick review of last month’s goals:
{Goals for January 2010}
- Send out first press release on January 18 :: Ack. Temporarily sidetracked. I ended up focusing on improvements to my photography and product staging, a fall out from this goal. The release will be delayed by a month, but I believe it will be worth the wait. Photos are my storefront. I need to get it right. An excuse? Perhaps.
- Eliminate riff – raff from Etsy shop :: Yeah! I feel so much better.
- Close 1000 Markets Shop :: Done.
- Begin Blogging Class January 18 :: I started taking a blogging class taught by Holly Becker of Decor8. After the first two weeks, I’ve gained unexpected perspective about who I am as a blogger and an artist as well as great insight about the direction I want to take the blog. It’s very exciting.
- Create nine stationery lines from existing artwork :: Started working to streamline 9 stationery lines. Each line will include a thank you note set, personalized note card, invitation and photo announcement. I’m amped to have a bit more structure in my product lines.
- Meet with one boutique owner :: I chickened out. Will wo-man up and just do it.
- Begin documenting sales/expenses via spreadsheet :: Still learning, but the structure is in place.
{Goals for February 2010}
- Send out first press release
- Write a business plan :: Taking Bakery’s e-course Six Weeks to a Tastier Business which starts today. Thankfully a business plan is first on the curriculum. I’m going to need some hand holding to get it done.
- Continue Blogging Class :: Started. It’s fabulous.
- Complete nine stationery lines from existing artwork :: 50% done with this.
- Meet with one boutique owner :: Any words of wisdom or pep talks are welcome.
- Do my taxes :: Meh.
It’s going to be a big month. I’ve sharpened my pencils and I’m ready to learn. Lately I feel I’m in over my head when it comes to the business end of things. I stress over how best to manage my books, approach PR, wholesaling and a myriad of other things. It’s officially time for me to address the issues I’ve been avoiding. Wish me luck!
The Monthly Goal Meetup happens every month over at Athena Dreams. Come check it out!
Stage one: Inspiration
My latest custom design is one of the most important of my career. It’s a wedding invitation suite for my sister, Melanie, and her true love, Adam. I can’t share photos because everything is top secret until the invitations arrive in the mailboxes of their guests. Instead, I thought I’d share the inspirations behind the design.
When creating an original, custom invitation, my first priority is to reflect the personality and emotion of my client(s). Here’s a little background: My sister is a science teacher with a master’s degree in raptor biology. She’s also a fun loving bookworm and a talented illustrator. Many of her hand drawn “doodles” are featured in my stationery designs. Her fiance is an ornithologist who makes her glow. When she talks about him she boasts about his compassion, intelligence and bold laugh. He is a fantastic cook and an even better birder.
The inspirations they chose include birds, books, buttons, domestic fun and the colors green, purple and yellow. I asked her to create some artwork to convey the voice of her wedding celebration. She forwarded me several drawings that ranged from caricature to silhouette. One piece immediately popped off the screen. It was The One.
With a perfect piece of artwork and an array of inspirational details, I was able to get to work. I assembled two wedding sets using different paper and envelope choices and subtle variations in the details. They’ve been packaged and posted. Now I wait for feedback. I look forward to hearing their thoughts and suggestions. I’m happy to report we are well on our way to creating an invitation that will be a perfect reflection of their life together.
*Photo Credits: Our mom, Janet Berg
My style is like New Year confetti. Scattered. In an effort to give my blog voice, direction and structure, I’ve “crafted” a mission statement to keep me on task. I’ve added it to my About page, but wanted to share it with you here as well. Here it is:
{The Blog} A peek inside the studio. From my love of paper and design to kids coloring on the studio floor, share the triumphs, frustrations and inspirations of a family run stationery studio. I hope to inspire you to follow your own passion through art, photography and family joy.
I have always struggled with the direction of this blog because I find it impossible to separate my business from my family. I always worried it would appear unprofessional and less appealing to prospective clients. The reality is my family is a key component of my business. Their undying support is what has inspired me to pursue my dream. Everyone participates, whether it’s my mom or sister contributing their artistic talents or my son running into the Post Office to drop orders. It’s a family affair.
Over the next 52 weeks I plan to work on the building blocks of a rewarding and transparent blog about my life, my business and my passion. I can’t wait.
If you are looking to get your blog in shape, try 52 Weeks to Blogging Your Passion by Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl.
I spent the weekend making lists. Lists of goals. Lists of tasks. Lists of groceries. Lists of hopes. Lists of how to keep my lists in order. Essentially, I’m buried in ideas and don’t know where to start. So let me begin with some reflection.
Have you ever had someone in your life who provided motivation unlike anyone else? Someone who’s opinion and words of encouragement could give you just the kick in the pants you need to race towards your dreams? For me, that person is my optometrist. Crazy, I know, but our relationship goes back to my teen years when he was my optometrist, boss and cheerleader. Despite growing up and fostering new relationships, his motivational pep talks can still light a fire under me. At my last check up I told him about my stationery business and he lit up. He told me if I can visualize my goals, they will become my reality. He even wrote me a prescription to detail my wants before they happen and a mandatory reading list to accompany those dreams. Sounds corny, but when I walked out of the office that November afternoon, I was ready to take on the world. My thoughts took on a forward momentum that carried me through 2009, my most productive year to date.
Knowing we’d hit the worst economic recession of my lifetime, one that had hit my hometown particularly hard, my goal for 2009 was not record sales, but to build a infrastructure for my business. My hope was to create a solid foundation for my studio to operate on so when people found their financial footing again, I’d be ready. In the past year, I commissioned and designed a fully functional website, blog and newsletter. I dipped my toes into the world of advertising, created a solid holiday line that sold very well despite economic woes and sharpened my photography skills. I learned what works and what doesn’t, came to the harsh realization that what I like isn’t necessarily what sells and gained a great appreciation for the art of simplifying.
Now it’s time to put my foundation to work. I won’t share my 2010 list of goals with you, because I don’t want to you to laugh or fall asleep. Instead here are some highlights:
- Trim the Fat: Narrow my focus to baby and children’s items. Eliminate business design. All other design will be done as custom orders and priced accordingly.
- Take the emphasis off Holiday sales: Reclaim a family-centric Christmas season. I will continue offering a holiday line, but it won’t be my primary source of income.
- Make blogging a priority
- PR will be my number one priority in 2010: It’s time to get my name out there.
- Wholesale accounts: Get ‘em. Will start with a local stationery boutique and go from there.
- Organize Biz Finances: Consolidate Etsy, CC and Check payments through spreadsheets
- Network: Consider going to NSS in May and hiring a rep
Sounds a bit overwhelming, but I have a year to do it in. I’ll take it one month at a time beginning now!
{Goals for January 2010}
- Send out first press release on January 18
- Eliminate riff – raff from Etsy shop (I’ve already de-listed 40+ items)
- Close 1000 Markets Shop
- Begin Blogging Class January 18
- Create nine stationery lines from existing artwork
- Meet with one boutique owner
- Begin documenting sales/expenses via spreadsheet
So here’s to simultaneously growing and trimming the fat. I’m ready to get this studio in shape!
FYI: The Monthly Goal Meet-Up now has a new home thanks to Liz at Athena Dreams.
Get ready to unwrap the joys of the season! I’m heading to the attic to find our December 1 box. It’s filled with music, books and the treasured advent calendar. If I don’t do it before 3 p.m. I will have a mutiny on my hands.
Click image to view details
Want to meet the artist behind Jumping Jack Designs? Join me tomorrow, November 12, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Second Annual Brews and Bows Fundraiser benefitting the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation and Brookfield School.
Enjoy wine and beer tasting, food, live music and holiday shopping with local businesses and artisans. Stop by my booth to say hello and meet Reno’s premiere calligrapher and artist, Denise Hallerbach, of Scripts Unlimited. Denise will be making appointments for custom art orders and calligraphy. Alleviate holiday stress by having Denise address your holiday cards.
Purchase gift tags, boxed holiday greetings, kid’s fill-in thank you notes and note card sets. I will be taking orders for personalized note card sets (a perfect gift for teachers and hostesses) and 2009 holiday photo greetings.
As a former oncology RN this charity is near and dear to me. Plus Brookfield School is my nephew’s alma mater. I hope you will join me to support a great cause.
The festivities are taking place on the Brookfield School grounds located at 6800 S. McCarran Blvd. in Reno (between Kietzke and Lakeside).
See you there!
Holy decomposing Jack-o-Lantern! Where did October go?
I’ve been busy powering through the pre holiday rush. When I looked up it was November 3rd. Huh? Thankfully, my October goals kept me on track in the midst of fall chaos. All in all I’m pleased with my October accomplishments.
{October Goals}
1. Design: 2 new holiday photo cards; 2 new holiday boxed card
2. Prep: Prep for Nov 12 Beers & Bows Shopping Faire
3. Complete: Adding holiday line to Etsy (almost done!)
4. Market: Purchase one more ad spot and contact 2 bloggers about features
5. Continue: Re-taking photographs for Etsy listings (goal of 10)
November is always a whirlwind, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.
{November Goals}
1. Design: My own holiday greeting
2. Prep: Prep for Nov 12 Beers & Bows Shopping Faire
3. Complete: November News Letter
4. Market: Contact 2 bloggers about features
5. Continue: Blogging… Ha ha ha ha! Really need to work on this.
The monthly goal meetup is the brain child of Jena Coray. Be sure to visit her at Modish.
{September Goals}
1. Design: Children’s Carnival Invitation
2. Prep: Photograph, edit, post holiday designs
3. Complete: Website/Blog face lift
4. Market: Purchase ad spot on three blogs
5. Continue: Blog three times per week
Woo Hoo! September was a highly productive month. I plowed through my to do list and felt in control of the process. September is always a stressful month because it is all about holiday prep. I managed to get 90% of my holiday designs onto my new website and complete a minor website facelift. The facelift has left me refreshed and confident. I see why people can get addicted (RIP Michael Jackson).
My favorite September design was the Carnival Party Invitation that topped my to do list. It was a big hit with the birthday girl plus it made it onto IndieSpotting.com which was a fabulous treat.
I am still intimidated by the blog submission and advertising process, but I did make some strides in that area. I purchased one ad for October/November, contacted one blogger about a feature and was accepted into Paper n Stitch‘s November Exhibition. I plan to concentrate more on getting the word out throughout October.
And, to top it off, there was an increase in sales on my new website, I reached 300 sales in my Etsy Shop, added a new printer to the studio and updated my camera equipment. All in all, September was a great month. Now to keep that momentum going through the holiday season.
{October Goals}
1. Design: 2 new holiday photo card designs; 2 new holiday boxed card designs
2. Prep: Prep for Nov 12 Beers & Bows Shopping Faire
3. Complete: Adding holiday line to Etsy (almost done!)
4. Market: Purchase one more ad spot and contact 2 bloggers about features
5. Continue: Re-taking photographs for Etsy listings (goal of 10)
It’s an ambitious list, but I’m counting on my Holiday Adrenaline Rush to keep propelling me along. The monthly goal meetup is the brain child of Jena Coray. Be sure to visit her at Modish.
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