The Gathered Blog

 

 

Valentine’s Day is coming closer. Do you love it? Do you dread it? Are you kind of meh about the whole thing?

I’m a longstanding member of club ‘meh’.

Sure, I like chocolates and flowers as much as the next person, but if it isn’t accompanied by something personal and meaningful, it fails to really move me.

But this year I don’t want to (just) be on the receiving end.

I want to share my love for the people around me in a meaningful and creative way.

Here's how...

I was talking with my sister Ellie about the stresses of motherhood and a creative person's drive to create.

While Ellie loves sewing, I'm more of a painter but we both agreed that energy seems to come as soon as we're creating. No matter how tired, it's always a happy headspace that's more powerful than coffee and feels more nourishing than kale.

Painting offers a moment to process thoughts and be something other than a mother. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom but it can get overwhelming. Just like I remember when I was single having to do everything myself also felt overwhelming.

I have tried so many different planners and organizers to bring order into my days. I would set  deadlines for myself. I tried desperately to plan my day according to the pre-printed times in my planners. 

I WILL submit the proposal by 9am. I WILL finish that commission by Friday. I WILL meal-prep for the entire month.

As if mere willpower would magically free up time in my day and force my two young boys to play peacefully and independently when I needed them to.

Strangely enough my daily schedule never fit into what I had so rigidly planned for myself and I ended up frustrated instead.

With none of the restrictions that traditional DIY crafts, like paint by numbers, offer. Instead, our kits offer lots of creative freedom to make each project your own.

So whether you’re at the beginning of your creative journey, looking for a way to create for enjoyment, or needing to gather fresh ideas for your art practice, the Artisan Craft Kit offers inspiration for all ages and skill levels.

In this article I’m going to run you through 3 things to get you started on designing your art or handmade brand

1. Get clear on what your brand stands for and where you want to take it

2. Define your brand’s defining words

3. Style your brand using your brand type

The mood board is THE ultimate direction and style guide for your brand. It helps organize your ideas for your brand in a visual way and keeps you on track while you are designing.

If you run a business, it’s vital that you provide your customers with an effortless experience. Give them a path all the way from their problem to your solution. If you don’t you’re depriving them of a potential fix.

Does this sound like how you want your customers to describe your business?

Does this sound like how you want your customers to describe your business?