Change can be a very good thing.
Recently, I translated Anne LaFollette’s website from version 7.0 to 7.1. The experience was less bumpy than I anticipated. This update comes equipped with fantastic new features that save time and reduce redundancies. It has really stepped up to the plate.
Read MoreSo much has changed in our society since the advent of smartphones and social media. They’ve irrevocably altered how we interact with those around us and with the world at large. Every industry has had to undergo a metamorphosis, especially brand marketing (and I would know a thing or two about that).
Read MoreA few months ago, Fast Company published a piece about multiple brands dumping their classic script logos. This includes Eddie Bauer abandoning its simple, elegant cursive wordmark in favor of a sans-serif font with a goose next to it. Johnson & Johnson also ditched its gorgeous, swooping letters for, you guessed it, a sans-serif font.
Read MoreAs a creative person, there’s nothing worse than feeling stuck on a project. When those artistic juices are stagnant or nonexistent, their effect can trickle over into other parts of our lives. That block is an energy sucker.
Read MoreIf you’re a solopreneur, chances are you drag your feet when it comes to working on your brand. You’re not getting paid to fine-tune your business, so why does it matter? So, you treat giving your business the attention it deserves as a “job” instead of the priority it should be.
Read MoreIt’s World Sketchnote Day! As artists, we’re expected to have the most expensive, high-end sketchpad on the market to fill with our drawings. After all, the hallmark of a creative person is their tools, and for sketchers, in particular, you can almost always expect them to carry a sketchpad.
Read MoreThe holidays bring about a host of fun traditions. They’re how we reconnect with loved ones because, let’s face it, life often gets in the way. Chances are you have some of your own, whether passed down in your family or self-made. As for me and mine, we’ve got a handful of traditions that make the holidays – and Christmas in particular – even more special.
Read MoreAs we near the end of the year, I want to highlight a project from 2023 that means a lot to me. That project is Corda, a jewelry line with gorgeous, handcrafted macrame jewelry. You’ll find everything from bracelets and necklaces to earrings and cuffs.
Read MoreFor National Entrepreneur’s Day, I’d be remiss if I didn’t spotlight one of my favorite clients (and mentors), Anne LaFollette. Anne is a creative entrepreneur who helps other creatives grow their businesses. She offers various services, from a minicourse called From Doodles to Dollars that shows creatives how to transfer their “doodles” onto products to The Pattern Design Academy, an online coaching program for aspiring Surface Pattern Designers. She even has a mentorship program for creative entrepreneurs called Anne’s Atelier.
Read MoreIf you’ve visited my About page (and if you’re here, you probably have), you know this much about me. At my core, I am an explorer. That translates into a love of the outdoors and the mountains. You’ll usually find me snowboarding, hiking, camping, backpacking, and mountain biking. I love visiting National Parks. That desire for exploration, that longing for adventure, is a wellspring for creativity.
Read MoreOctober 25th is International Artist’s Day, and if you know me, you know how much I love art. To celebrate the creative souls who brighten our lives with their artistic magic, I want to highlight an artist I absolutely love: Andy Goldsworthy.
Read MoreIt’s a great feeling when a client wants to work with you again, whether for a spin-off from their original company or a new business entirely. You already have an established relationship from the first project. You have a collaborative back-and-forth that flows seamlessly (well, hopefully). In honor of these special working relationships and National Women’s Small Business Month, I want to spotlight three women-owned businesses that are repeat clients.
Read MoreSometimes, potential clients will ask me just to create a logo for them without the expectation that I’ll do their branding. For me, a logo is more than a simple graphic. Graphics are easy to create. But a logo is usually what consumers associate with a brand or business. It’s an essential part of branding.
Read MoreYou’re probably at least familiar with ChatGPT and its function. You might be even more familiar with the several AI apps that have spawned over the past year, which create different themed images based on photos of you. Maybe it’ll transform you into an 18th-century painting or a fairy in a fantasy novel. All this to say, AI is on the rise in the creative space, whether we like it or not.
Read MoreI have a personal relationship with taking calculated risks. In fact, they’ve bled into my business as well. After studying in London for a semester in college, I felt like I could conquer the world. It was super empowering. But the next risk I took really altered the course of my life: driving cross-country from New York to San Francisco with only the stuff in my car and little money to my name.
Read MoreYou’ve undoubtedly heard about the Supreme Court case “303 Creative LLC v. Elenis” by now. Lorie Smith, the founder of 303 Creative and a Christian web designer, told the court that she shouldn’t have to design sites for LGBTQ+ customers because it’s against her religious beliefs. And, horribly enough, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor.
Read MoreI really admire Martha Stewart. A woman who moves through life with flexibility and curiosity, confidently pursues her dreams, embarks on many adventures, and befriends Snoop. Well, that last one might be a little harder to achieve.
Read MoreJuly is National Anti-Boredom Month, and July 5, specifically, is National Workaholics Day. That’s certainly an interesting collision of concepts: staving off boredom and working too much. This is the perfect time to unpack what happens when creativity doesn’t flow freely because you’re overworked. You’ve undoubtedly heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” That 100 percent applies here. You can’t produce your best work if your creative wellspring is dry.
Read MoreRevisiting an old project always makes for a uniquely introspective experience. There’s the knee-jerk human reaction to shrink away and judge yourself for the work you did years ago, especially when comparing it to where you are now. Of course, there’s also the glass-half-full approach: look at how far you’ve come. Look at that growth.
Read MoreQuitting scuba diving was a struggle for me in more ways than one. Firstly, my love for nature made me feel like I was turning against an inherent part of myself. Secondly, as a mom, I want to participate in activities with my kids. Once I moved past those hurdles, though, I realized there are so many things I can do with them that don’t compromise my boundaries.
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