The Gathered Blog
6 Ways To Make This Valentine's Day Life-Changing
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...
Motherhood and the creative business
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.
Rhythms for the new year
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.
Announcing the Artisan Craft Kits!
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.
What's your brand type? Are you Refined, Fun, Exciting?
In this article I’m going to run you through 3 things to get you started on designing your art or handmade brand
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Get clear on what your brand stands for and where you want to take it
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Define your brand’s defining words
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Style your brand using your brand type
The 10-minute guide to creating the visual direction for your brand
Even if you don’t like sales or marketing, you’ll love this Customer Journey Map
3 Great Ways To Style Your Artist or Handmade Brand and Show Off Your Work
- the colors the artist or maker uses in their work;
- the artist’s face and complexion;
- their studio space.
Before you send me that questioning-cat-raising-eyebrows GIF, hear me out...
Brand Type 7: The Daring Brand
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Bold (NOT timid);
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Exciting (NOT quiet);
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Dangerous (NOT safe);
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Adventure (NOT passive);
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Fiery (NOT boring);
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Unusual (NOT the same old);
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Visionary (NOT a follower)
Brand Type 6: The Traditional Brand
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dependable
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stable
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comforting
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steadfast
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established