PROPS and TOPS

 Today is all about giving Props!  So I'm tipping my most colorful hat to the following:

Props to all of the Artists out there that work their hardest to keep Art alive, in the forefront and available to everyone especially the kids. Because we know what the school situation is like when it comes to Art these days!

Props to all of the people that keep it real. People that make things clear for us when others make the waters murky with lies and foolery!

Props to the Teachers that teach us new things we never imagined and take us places in our learning that we've never been.

Me and My Spirit Nephew (I'm his play auntie :-))

Tops to the young people who have a dream and even at the cost of losing friends or being considered an outcast continue on their Dream Path.

Tops to all of the fabulous people I've crossed paths with over the past few years. The people that helped keep me focused and strong when the easier thing to do would have been to walk away.

Tops to all of the people who have shared their wisdom, hearts, crafts, good energy!

Props to the Artists that go out there and do it, their way, without offending, but more making a statement of individuality and keeping "Freedom" in their message. I can't say I care for them all as far as what they do entertainment wise but I do care for the fact that they are not afraid to be 'unique'.

Props to the people that work to preserve history in Art. Such as Vintage, Ancient, Foreign, different mediums, etc. Without them we wouldn't know most of what we do today about Art and Entertainment. Let's face it, pictures on the wall tell stories we would have never known otherwise.

Props to all of the people who are related to me in spirit! :-)) I love you like a play cousin!

Props to all those who grace our lives with sound! Not just dancing and singing sound, but sound that tells stories, like Sounds of the Forest, Spoken Word, Historians, and yes Musicians and Actors and Crafters, etc.

 Props to Photographers who take those pictures that tell the story with proof. After all, seeing is believing.

Props to my friends who have been there from the beginning and remain through all of my Dreams and stuff that comes with that. (If you're an Artist you know what I'm talking about!)

Props to anyone that reads this LOL :-) Seriously. Props to you. Only people with good energy hang out here so Heeeey! :-)

Have a fabulous relaxing day and hey, tip your hat to yourself and say "I know I'm Good!" :-))

Steph

When My Ship Comes In

What do you do when the winds die down and the sail in your creative boat fails.... Pick it up and carry it!

Seriously, when I created this painting a few years ago I was painting two people heading for the light. The light of creativity, peace of mind, you name it. Well as you can see, they wound up carrying that boat. LOL but it did get me to thinking of a saying I used to hear all the time as a child "When my ship comes in". I always associated it with "when I get some money or when fortune knocks on the door", but over the years my ship has been many things (and generally it has nothing to do with money ) and sometimes it comes and sometimes it floats on by.

What does your ship carry? Generally mine is the opportunity to spend quality time with my grown children, fabulous new colorful friends, sales in my shop, or long lost friends (thanks Facebook LOL) or some major Art-tastic event like a total Art-tastic Creative Spurt. Whatever it is, it usually requires me carrying it to shore. I know you know what I'm talking about. But over the years, I've learned to carry that load without even stopping to consider how heavy it is. We all do that, it becomes habit.
And I believe we can do the same thing with our creativity and inspiration.

Painted in a bad creative space. Apparently. LOL

I just recently realized that my Art reflects my emotional state more than I even knew. So, realizing that I've decided to go full force when I have the mental smiles (like now, 6 purses, 10 Aprons, several Journals, a few collages and a few other items in about 3 weeks) and to find something better to do with my time when I'm not LOL. Because that Art just ain't right yall, it's just ain't right! LOL. So now I dedicate that time to this self-marketing trip I've been on for the past .... oooh ok, let's not get on that boat!

 If you're an Artist, Dancer, Dreamer, Cook, Secretary, Gas Station Attendant....whatever, If you are here...You've Arrived, Your Ship has come in. Because we have so many opportunities open to us that we don't consider opportunities.

Gotta Go, my Ship for the Day has just arrived. Time to fire up that Sewing Machine :-) Have a Fabulous Day!

Home Sweet Home 2009

Social Media, Networking, Marketing, Branding, or just plain Foolery!

Social Media, Networking, Marketing, Branding, or just plain Foolery! How do you tell the difference when out there trying to make a name for yourself and your Art business. Being Old School...for real, I have to admit that just like most folks, in the beginning I jumped on the Internet Band Wagon. I know I'm aging myself but if you know me or follow me you already know I'm 51 and proud of it! When I first became fascinated with being online, this is what I had...

and this was what my modem looked like... And if you know anything about how they've speeded things up you know... LOL

Now back then there were BBSs. Bulletin Board Services. The best you could get out of this was funny games where most of the characters were actually Alphabet or Symbols, not real characters like now. And I thought they were the best thing since smoked bacon! The day I actually had a chat with someone online I thought I'd stepped into the future for real! So now you know when my fascination with the whole 'World Wide Web' began. Before it was 'World Wide' LOL

Ok, back to the subject.... Now there is so much out there and so many directions to turn in when it comes to Social Media, Internet Networking, etc.... it can be scary. How do you determine which way to go when you are trying to make your presence known, but not your personal life? Ok so here are some lessons I've learned when it comes to 'putting it out there'.

1. Whatever you do, can come back to you! -Be Careful about what you post. Business or otherwise. I've seen personal stuff that made my skin crawl on some peoples pages. Example, the other day I visited an Artists website because he'd sent me a couple of pics so I could maybe post on 'Living In Color'. Well let me tell you, the first half of his first page talked about how he became an Artist because he was abused and it was an outlet and then went on to describe in graphic detail how. Me and my Cursor ran screaming from his site. I feel bad for him but my visit was about Art. I didn't want to see the Art after the sadness. Maybe a different forum for talking about that would work better. He did mention that he hadn't sold anything in a year :-(

2. Only post pictures of yourself that you would want everyone, including your children to see if you are posting them on your Business page. Someone told me they couldn't believe the goofy pics I posted of myself on my Facebook Fan Page.... here is my response to that...

Oh and...

3. Last and most important... Be thoughtful. Think things through before making them a part of Internet history connected with you and your business. Sometimes we learn this by Trial and Error but when you do, be mindful of it. There is so much out there that you can't take back!

From About.Com
Definition: Social media -includes the various online technology tools that enable people to communicate easily via the internet to share information and resources. Social media can include text, audio, video, images, podcasts, and other multimedia communications.

From Dictionary.Com
Definition: Networking -a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals andgroups having a common interest

From Merriam-Webster.com
Definition: Marketing -the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service

From Entrepreneur.com 
Definition: Branding -The marketing practice of creating a name, symbol or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products 


From Encarta.MSN.com
Definition:  Foolery -irresponsible behavior: irresponsible or playful behavior

**Tip: before you sign up on other services check the fine print at the bottom. Who is the site owner, what do they offer, what is their Info Sharing Policy?

I'm just saying! :-) Have a colorful day!

Steph

Create Your Own Creative Inspiration - Just do it!

Someone told me that they thought Inspiration was over rated! What?!!! How (or why)do you get from point A to point B happily without being inspired to do so?

Ok first of all I found some words that rhyme with Inspiration that are....Inspiring LOL
Affirmation...Animation...Celebration...Coloration...Decoration...Destination...Jubilation and Illustration! Hmmm you see where I'm going with this...INSPIRATION IS A GOOD THING.

Ok back to my point. Oh that was my point! So how do you find Inspiration when you've convinced yourself there is none? I don't know. But I do know if you open your mind to being Inspired things happen.

I don't fancy myself a seamstress or a sketcher or a cook. But when I am Inspired to do those things, they just happen.

Sure I've had some misses

My head hurts just thinking of the flavor of this LOL

But just the satisfaction of being Inspired and following that lead made the experience worth it. If you feel Inspired run with it. If you don't, it's okay to look outside of your own head for that Inspirational Boost. Try purchasing a Sketch Book (or make one) and keep it handy at all times. If you want to jot something down, there you go. If you want to draw something, keep track of an idea, whatever...there you go! If you want to try something new, it really can't hurt to just try it. If it doesn't work...so what. Try again, no pain no gain! :-)
Life is Groovy!

**Oh, I've posted several purses and totes on my Etsy page, be sure to check them out :-))
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephJordanOriginals