November 2009 Archives - 2/10

my creative space …

November 26, 2009 By Kellie 25 Comments

I hate to sound like a broken record ~ but where has my week gone? And again, not a lot of creating to show.

What I have been doing is finishing up freelance projects to make way for the fun projects {and start thinking about Christmas}.

On the top of the list of the “fun” projects is starting an Etsy shop. This week I have finally thrown myself in to it ~ registering as a seller, filling out all the pertinent information and next up is writing a list [naturally] of products and organising those final steps before launching. I set myself a “pencilled-in” deadline in my head of December 1. Hmmmm, we’ll see how that goes.

I started playing around with some product photography, inspired by the background in this photo ~ can you see it?

That was part of the lovely gift I got from Tinnie Girl this week from one of her blogtober giveaways, a parcel of lovely wallpapers. That one is my hands-down my absolute favourite. Thinking of using it for my shop background, although concerned it might be too busy. But I adore the colours and the pattern, and if it doesn’t make it as a backdrop, it might end up as a piece of art in our home!

[insert gratuitous flower shot here]

We have, despite our black thumbs [well, mine at least], managed to create this ~ the gardenias are blooming in the backyard. Beautiful.

More creativity over at Kirsty’s [and I am hoping to get around to visit a few more this week]

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Filed Under: about me, look Tagged With: creative space, etsy, photography

74 ways to be inspired ~ when it’s all about business

November 25, 2009 By Kellie 2 Comments

It’s hard to be inspired and creative when you are faced with a mountain of paperwork, the accounting, the taxes, or any of the other mundane tasks involved in running your own business ~ be it full-time or sideline. Sometimes it can difficult to motivate yourself when you are home on your own.

This week, I have gathered some posts from others who share their wisdom on working and creating, and running a business.

Paper n Stitch’s Craft Venture is a series of weekly posts about running an online indie business by Brenda, owner of Phydeaux Designs on Etsy and 1000 Markets. Brenda covers everything from stress to marketing.
The Howdy Do It series by Ellie from Mint and and Margot from Pitch Design Union swaps sites each Monday to talk about their journey into being their own boss. Lots of interesting tips from the real world. (they are taking a little hiatus until January for the holidays but check out this post from freelancer Steve Heiser)’
In some serendipitous timing, Belinda from gretchenmist has started an interview series ~ art making and marketing. See the first post here.
Stephanie Levy talks to a range of artists about creating and blogging over at artists who blog
I have mentioned workspaces before but it is always fun to peek into someone else’s studio. Share Some Candy has a great workspace feature here.

If you have any more great links, feel free to share them in the comments below.

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Filed Under: 74 ways to be inspired Tagged With: business

my place and yours ~ my collection

November 24, 2009 By Kellie 9 Comments

{my camera collection}

You know at first I thought, I don’t really collect anything. Then I took a look around and … hmm, whadda you know.

Well first, is an obvious. They are a few, several, OK SIX vintage cameras lying around these parts. I cleverly spread them around the house so it doesn’t look like so many. I’m busted now.

I really only started collecting them this year after getting back into photography. It started with the hunt for a working polaroid camera, then a camera for TTV, and then people started giving me their old cameras. Look ~ a collection.

What I haven’t photographed [yet] are a myriad of other collections including, but not limited to,:

the magazine collection ~ both interiors and cooking. [We shan't go there today, Hubby is probably still in shock over the number of cameras]
the vintage tea cups
and the vintage bowls and other bits of crockery
the children’s drawings I can’t yet part with
the books, not to mention the cookbooks
lots of pencils ~ which are unsharpened, so are really only serving a decorative purpose
quite a ribbon stash really
CDs, yep we still buy them, I like the tangibilty of a CD.
and there is a collection of tapes ~ remember those.

I should probably quite while I’m ahead?? Before Hubby suggests another clean out!

More great collections over at Pip’s. Thanks to the great collector Kate for the theme.

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Filed Under: about me Tagged With: meme, my place and yours, photography

lime light: carambatack

November 24, 2009 By Kellie 2 Comments

ll_carambatack

1. Red Umbrella., 2. The colorful tree – illustration, 3. Over the rainy clouds print., 4. Owls – Illustration

I first spotted the work of Norwegian artist Annette from carambatack on Simply Hue but then a search showed her work popping up all over the place. And it’s no wonder. I love these simple illustrations on the vintage book pages.

You will find lovely prints, postcards, ACEOs and stickers in her shop.

Etsy | Artfire | Flickr

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Filed Under: lime light Tagged With: art, etsy, lime light