What and who I am into this week

Published: 12/07/2012

I met Amy Cooper at the MA Conference for Women yesterday. I instantly spied the yummy wrap she was wearing and I knew it was a heavy weight cashmere. (I have a good eye for these things) Turns out she has her own company that sells them AND some of the proceeds go to help educate a cause she is passionate it about, educating Chinese girls. Perfect, since I have been crazy cold this winter so I think I need to A. Call my doctor, because being this cold is just weird. B. Choose a color!!…maybe a little holiday present for me?

The Red Twist

Can you believe Cori Dantini’s Santa is on sale!? I love this guy. You may have heard me discuss soul-less Santa’s on the interviews and this guy definitely has some soul. I think he can hardly believe that he is on sale! I adore Cori’s art and style.

I am aslo loving what I see in artist Farida Zaman‘s new etsy shop. Cool shoe art always makes my happy.

Since I am freezing and like girly things, I think these tech gloves from Modcloth are in order. Hard to choose a color but I think paprika will go with my loden green coat. I will make sure I tell “for sale Santa” above.

Lilla Rogers gives tips for creative professionals! Part 2

Published: 12/06/2012

This episode is sponsored by Cori Dantini. You can own some of Cori’s art! Take a look here.

Stay tuned into what you’re passionate about, says Lilla Rogers! This is just one piece of advice she offers up in this interview. She shares insight on trends and how to apply them to your particular style. I love her take on making mistakes. Lilla even turns the tables on me and asks me a couple of questions! Then we go a bit “free style” and both talk about big dreams that we harbor! Don’t miss Part 1 or Part 2 with this interview with the creative industry leader! I think her book and her e course are going to be exciting!!

Sarajo Frieden’s dolls for Land of Nod:

Lisa DeJohn’s flash cards for Chronicle:

More Ruby Violet!

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Lilla Rogers talks about joy and the business of creativity: Part 1

Published: 12/04/2012

If you are creative and haven’t met Lilla Rogers, then listen up! This is a fabulous 2 part interview with a women who is a leader in the illustration and art industry. Lilla Rogers runs and agency that represents 38 of today’s top artists. She has her finger on the pulse of…of well, just about everything!

If you are not an artist or illustrator, don’t think this isn’t for you. Lilla Roger’s philosophy that “people buy your joy!” can carry over into any type of work that you do!

In this half she discusses her new book (available for pre-order) I Just Like to Make Things and she shares a super secret e-course that she is involved in! It is launching soon and yes, it is going to be epic and fun and and and … Omigosh! I just can’t say enough about each of her new endeavors…both will help you develop your creativity and who doesn’t want that?!

Lilla has a can’t miss eye for trends or what she calls “current culture and the conversation that we are having.” I absolutely love how Lilla embraces this conversation and has become an advocate for creativity worldwide.

DON’T MISS THIS CONVERSATION!

Come back Thursday for the second half!!

Pre order her book here.

Ruby Violet craft line, available here at Cherry on Top:Ruby Violet

A view of their booth at Surtex:

Suzy Ultman’s bolt fabric for Robert Kaufman:

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Oh My! It’s Jessika Hepburn from Oh My! Handmade Goodness!

Published: 11/29/2012

You have got to meet Jessika Hepburn! She is a spitfire, firecracker, bundle of joy! Her energy is palpable!

She is the editor, manager, cheerleader and visionary of the website, Oh My! Handmade Goodness.

Here is an over view of what Oh My! Handmade is all about…

Oh My! Handmade is a creative community, plus your best friend, biz mentor, supportive network, and enthusiastic cheerleader! With over 40 inspiring contributors, thousands of readers, the contributors explore monthly themes through daily posts and weekly #OMHG chats. From ethics to DIY branding to building a heartfelt business, and the vast galaxies in between, the OMHG community is waiting to welcome you.

Awesome, right? You can tell in this interview that I am completely taken with Jessika and her mission. She explains the upcoming remodel of the website!

Interactive+Informative=Epic.

I also ask her about the uber popular #OMHG twitter chats that she hosts and how it has helped her blog readership explode! The chats take place every Thursday 1-2 EST. Let’s jump over today and send her some love. They are crazy fast and fun, I will try to keep up! See you there!

I am so thrilled that she tackled the importance of being a HEALTHY entrepreneur! Bad habits can sneak up on us so easily when we are busy! Check out this download she designed to make sure you are taking care of yourselves. A must for 2013!

All I can say about this interview is: The Jessika Train is headed out of the station and you don’t want to miss it!

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Nicole Hill Gerulat talks about Nicole’s Classes online and managing her time!

Published: 11/27/2012

Meet Nicole Hill Gerulat , a professional photographer and the founder of Nicole’s Classes. Tune in and listen to how her curriculum for online classes came about. You might realize that you have a new business right in front of you as well! I love to hear how some businesses happen organically. There is no right or wrong, I had heard of creative businesses that take meticulous planning and some that spring out of a particular need. Nicole is a woman who just pushes up her sleeves and gets it done!

Nicole talks about the trials of getting the web platform up and running for Nicole’s classes. She is a tenacious lady and certainly is not a quitter, good traits for an entrepreneur!

If you are interested in design, Photography, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc. you have to check it out! I also spotted Typography and Designing for the Web, all terrific courses to supplement your business. They even have a class on How Not to Be a Starving Artist! What? Love that! You can also keep up with the Nicole’s Classes blog, fabulous teacher tips!

Check out Nicole’s Classes and her photography blog, A Little Sussy! I love this blog post Nicole did on Capturing Perfect Moments in Photography

She has also been introducing craft and art classes…eh hem…which includes a Watercolor 101 class taught by yours truly! I am so excited!!!

Nicole’s classes has a special LAST CHANCE TUESDAY 20% sale off the courses today only…hence the “last chance” so if you have been thinking you might need to up your game and learn some new programs…this isn’t really your LAST CHANCE but you know what to do.

Some of Nicole’s lovely photography work:

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Happy Thanksgiving! If you need to snuggle in…

Published: 11/22/2012

Or if you are on the road… or if you are in the kitchen making pies (like I am) you might like to download the following episodes:

1) Learn the ins and outs of art licensing from a seasoned pro, Dena Fishbein from Dean Designs.

2) Catch up on craft and art show advice from Jenna Herbut, one of the founders of the fabulous Make it Show Canada.

3) Thinking about quitting you day job? Listen to Patty Young’s story or do’s and don’ts-it may just help.

4) Invest in yourself this weekend and download Smart Creative Dreaming. You can watch me talk about it here.

5) Need some ideas for your own pretty crafting? Betz White is always sure to inspire! You can check out this adorable pinecone pattern from Betz’s on her blog or in her etsy shop.

Attorney Kiffanie Stahle on copyrights and protecting your work online

Published: 11/20/2012

Warning: Awesome business resource for creatives ahead!

Have some lingering legal questions about copyrights? If my conversation with Maria Brophy wasn’t enough to give you a kick in the pants, my talk with attorney Kiffanie Stahle will leave give you the final information and push.

How to think about Pinterest? We jump right into that as well! That subject is always dicey! What to do..what to do?

Most importantly, Kiffanie reveals strategies on how to protect your imagery and creations online. She has a vested interest in helping creative people since she is a photographer as well and an attorney!

The really good news is, she is for hire! She can look over contracts, send out cease and desist letters, whatever you might need. If you listen all the way to the end, she discusses her pricing strategy and you don’t want to miss it! This interview is a terrific resource!

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Maria Brophy talks copyrights

Published: 11/19/2012

Copyrights! Copyrights! Maria is back!! Let’s get serious about business before we head into the holidays. Listen as Maria Brophy shares some wisdom on the subject. We are no nonsense about getting you to register yours! I even have a few tips how I get hard things like this done. Maria gives some insightful examples on the importance of it!

If you need to hire a virtual assistant to get this done for you, my intern is for hire. Her name is Meghan Davis and she can figure anything out! Her email is meghandavis82@gmail.com

I didn’t want any stone left unturned, so check back tomorrow as I bring on attorney Kiffanie Stahle. She will fill in more details and tell us how to protect our images online and what is the best approach….