Staying Curious

Drops of Sunlight

I'm starting to formalize my jewelry making business.  
I've approached a couple of places to sell my earrings locally-it's exciting and wickedly nerve-wracking at the same time to put yourself out there.

To make yourself a little vulnerable.

 It takes you to a place of potential rejection, which is always a squirmy feeling, but it's the place you have to go if you want to move forward.

I went to an Arts and Crafts Festival this weekend and I use this as study time, but also for inspiration and motivation.  You can use these events to learn a ton about what others in your creative area are doing.

What are people charging? And holy crap, what are you going to charge when you start to sell your work? How do your materials and work compare in terms of pricing? I came away with the distinct knowing that my prices are too low and my friend actually yelled at me when she found out what I had been charging.

How do they display their work? I've been shopping around for cards to display my earrings and I saw a lot of creative alternatives to standard earring cards, many hand made.

What materials are other artists using? Silver, copper, mixed media? I find people charge based on the materials they use, the time it takes to create the product and their own personal experience, reputation, expertise...

What stands out most to me? What's the feeling you want to create for the people who buy your  products or services? Energized, relaxed, playful, educational?
 What booths are you most drawn to and why? Is it the colors, the simplicity, the products themselves?

You can learn so much from what others are doing, both online and in person.  
 Drop in with a sense of curiosity, knowing that you will integrate new ideas in your own way that will be a reflection of your style.

Offering Possibilities

I am addicted to possibility.  

It's why I love ideas.  Why I make endless plans and live most happily in my dreams.

I can see the possibilities and they get me really, really excited.

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of potential, for the eye which sees the possible.  Pleasure disappoints, possibility never." 

-Soren Kiekegaard"

If you can tickle that sense of possibility in me, you have me.  You have me for a $4,500.00 teacher training or a pile of czech glass beads on Etsy. You have me because I believe that what you have to offer is going to move me toward my dreams. Those beads are going to help me get what I really want (and it's not the beads).

What I believe is in the promise of those beads. That I can take those beads and make some great earrings that I can then sell.  And if I can sell those, maybe I can make more jewelry and turn it into a thriving income stream.  I start to envision how those beads will get me closer to building a life around what I enjoy and living freely.

I don't think I'm the only one who thinks like this. Every major purchase from my house to my Master's Degree, I made because I bought into the possibilities I saw in them.

So I ask you, my friends who are putting your work out there, who are offering classes and products for people like me...

Where will your offering take me? 
To answer this, you need to know where I'm really looking to go.  What are my goals?  What do I really want?  What do I envision for myself?  Is it the same as what you're dreaming of?  How will your artwork, class, product or e-book help me see the possibilities of what I can create for myself?  Can you show me, teach me, empower me, inspire me, hold me accountable, hold space for me to figure it all out myself? You don't have to do all of these things, but I need to be able to see and feel where you will take me.

What does your offering make possible for me? Paint me a pretty picture-what will I be able to do, what will I know, what will my finished work look like if I try it your way? I really want to be improving and moving forward and maybe you're just the person to help.

I'm very willing to invest in myself-in education, in resources, in tools.  But I need you to paint the possibility for me.  Get me feeling it.  Get me forming all kinds of pretty sugarplums dancing in my head of what could be.

What separates you from slimy advertising-type people is the possibilities you describe are rooted in a genuine desire to help people live the lives they imagine (not just sell them a pile of dung).  It's about seeing wants and deeper needs and responding with your own strengths and possible solutions to move people forward. 
 
Here's a site I love that doesn't sell a thing at the moment, but accomplishes exactly what I'm talking about.  It gets me dreaming.  It shows me what's possible through real stories of women who have begun to make different, radical changes in their lives.  Women who are setting down the expected and moving in the world in a new way.  It shows me it's never to late to choose beauty and joy and the possibility of where choosing differently can lead.  

Taking Action

Painting In Process

There is so much happening and everything is showing up because of one thing:  committing to take action.

I was stuck for a long, long time.  Doing lots of research.  Holding up ideas with so much potential and then tearing them down.

It's embarrassing to say that I pulled out an old journal of mine from 1999.  It had exercises in it about what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go.  What I wanted to accomplish.  And you know what?

I still want many of the same exact things. And I'm only starting to create them NOW.  (It's 2000-freaking-thirteen!)

In those journals, I promised myself I would take action, but I always got stuck when it actually came time to REALLY do something.

I would consistently conclude that the ideas I thought were spectacular, were certainly way-way-way out of reach.  Just not possible. I didn't know enough, have the skills or the money I thought I needed to begin. I needed to study more, learn more, save more money, have a business plan, really know exactly what I was doing and what the specific outcome would be.

And that's when I would start to tear apart that idea.  It seemed much nicer to stay right here where things were tolerable (but not really fun or interesting or exciting in any way.)  And then I would get the next big idea and the cycle would begin again.

The funny thing is that many of the women in my groups now praise me for jumping right in.  Taking risks.  Moving quickly.   I find that a little funny considering it has taken me 14 years-and if I were to be really honest, it's been much, much longer.

If you know alot about being stuck and circling endlessly around ideas without ever doing anything, I've got a secret to share with you;

Get clear and get moving. 

You can start on a small scale and you have everything you need right now. Watch what begins to happen. Watch the dreams start to take shape when you commit and start doing something tangible and real. 

Transition is exciting and terrifying.  Your inner Ms. Perfect will not rest and will still scream at you as fear leaks in and tells you it's not going to work-you'd  better quit while you're ahead. 

But if you're like me, you already know what happens from inaction.  You may find that once you get started, it's a lot easier than you thought it would be. 

You can make a good chunk of extra income each month, doing creative things that you enjoy, not to mention the little part about shaping your life to be exactly how you want it.  Commit and begin.

I'll be sharing what's been working for me so check back in or join the mailing list for more in-depth ideas.  

It's time to take action. 

Embracing the Artist's Life

I met Pam Brewer Varacek through an online class that we both took.

 

Artwork by Pamela Brewer Varacek

She’s the first one to holler out “Europe Anyone?!? Who’s with me?” You can just see her big heart and her warm approach in the way she encourages others and creates her art. I was so glad that she decided to share with me about the giant leap she just took.  She's left behind the land of the regular paycheck to pursue her dream of being a full-time artist: 

KD: Hi Pam, thank you for taking some time away from painting to chat.  Not too long ago, you announced that you were leaving your full-time job to pursue making a living through your art. I think this is something many artists think about, how did you know it was right for you and how did you know the time was right?

PBV: I had a children’s clothing store for 10 years and I loved it. I didn't really do much art making except painting on kids furniture-but it was creative and I loved being my own boss. After my business closed, I worked at a gourmet shop and then most recently at an oyster company doing accounts receivables-Ugh! I was miserable because there was no creativity. I kept saying I didn’t belong there. Finally I begged my husband to let me quit. Financially it was a hard decision because we would be losing my income but I felt in my heart that it was time and that it would all work out so I would be able to do this. 

KD: You have the heart of an entrepreneur and the soul of an artist-the best combo! I can just imagine that Accounts Receivable didn't really light you up like art does.  So what are you dreaming of with your art venture? 

PBV: I’m trying to keep an open mind and let the possibilities present themselves to me-so far that keeps happening...I have sold 6 paintings since December, was asked to show my art at a local restaurant and last week I was asked to hang my work at a church, of all places! I have been invited to join a group called Live Art Fusion-where artists paint while musicians perform and I had a friend ask me to send my work to her as she knows someone that works at The Huntington Art Museum on Long Island. I’m keeping my fingers crossed on that. It feels like it’s all in sync right now so I am trying not to think too much about any of it or react to it. I love it though. 
 

Artwork by Pamela Brewer Varacek

KD: You're approaching the process intuitively, just like you do with your painting. That's fantastic and inspiring. I love how the world is rising to meet you! So how, after working for yourself for 10 years, did you find that you are an artist? 

PBV: I always thought of myself as an artist even as a little girl-my older brother Michael was an artist and he inspired me. I knew in first grade that I wanted to be an art teacher and so I eventually went to Nazareth College for art education and then went on to teach for about four years. I lost my job and decided to try other things such as selling hand painted items at craft fairs. When I became a mom, everything creative pretty much came to a standstill in my life. I didn't do any art for a long time and I longed for it but never allowed myself the time to do it. Two summers ago I felt this overwhelming urge to paint again and a friend from college posted an online course called “Get Your Paint On.”  It really opened something up in me. I ended up taking the course twice. Something inside started stirring and I was craving more. That's how I discovered Flora's class-it has changed me completely. I feel like it has woken up my spirit. 

KD: I can see your spirit awake and shining in your artwork! You seem to be living the perfect artist’s life, complete with an upcoming trip to Switzerland and Paris? 

PBV: Yes, I’m going to Switzerland on the 19th to see my brother and then maybe to Florence and Pisa, I would love to go to Tuscany too. On the 29th I will take a train to Paris and meet up with someone I met on the Flying Lessons Group-she is from France. I’ve never been to Paris and it's been a dream of mine to go! 

KD: That sounds amazing and it’s great that you now have the freedom to travel without worrying about what’s waiting for you back at the oyster place. I said your life seemed like an ideal artist’s life, but it's got some rock star elements too.  You've been painting on stage while a band plays?  That is so wild, what was it like? 

PBV:  I have painted onstage while a local band called Soundswell played-that was an awesome experience. It was such a high to be up there with great music and have people watch you create.  People kept coming up to me after the show to tell me they enjoyed it. Many wanted to see the finished result too. It was hard though because the lighting was dark and the colors kept changing so you had to work around that but there was great energy! 

KD: That is serious pressure to perform, it’s definitely not for everyone but that's one of the things I love about you! You are just out there grabbing life by the bawls (as they say in LI)!

PBV: It’s so funny you say that because I don't think of myself like that, I feel like I'm not grabbing enough bawls hahaha! I see others in our group and feel like they are so brave and doing so much already and it’s always baby steps for me.

KD:  I see you as one of those people, and while we're on the topic of our online group, one of your greatnesses is the support and encouragement you give to others.  Is teaching in your thoughts or plans? 

PBV: Teaching adults scares me but I do love being able to help others out by telling my story and maybe my process will help someone to be inspired-that's what its all about. I love and treasure our little community, it’s been such a huge part of my growth. I am hoping to get going with a painting/art night at a local restaurant and then I am definitely kicking around an online course at some future point. 

KD: Do you have artists online that you follow or who have influenced your work?

PBV: Dan Casado is one of my faves at the moment. I have a lot of people whose work I love, here is my Pinterest link to see some of my influences.

Artwork by Pamela Brewer Varacek

KD: You mentioned that you have sold 6 paintings since December. How are you getting the word out about your artwork? 

PBV: I have sold paintings to people on Facebook and the restaurant where I have them displayed. My friends and someone I met on vacation have also bought paintings. It's encouraging that I haven't spent a dime on advertising and I am selling them. 

KD: I think your art appeals to many people-I think they're going to sell faster than you can paint ‘em. So where can people see and buy your artwork now? 

PBV: Right now only on my facebook page.  I've got someone coming over this week to work on my website too.

KD: It's good to know where your time is best spent and what to enlist the help of others with.  I'm guessing you have a great sense of this after years of owning your own business.  Thank you Pam, for inspiring us with your art and your actions! I can’t wait to see where this new journey leads you! 

What Is It About Donna Downey?

What is it about Donna Downey (DD) at Simply Me that makes me want to jump in my car and drive 12 hours to North Carolina to go to one of her classes?  What makes me kick myself if a Wednesday passes and I didn't go to her site to see what she's up to? 

I can tell you right away, hands down, it's the video inspiration pages she does every Wednesday.  I can completely lose myself in watching her happy process unfold.  I've been known to lose hours of my life to watching video after video.  Donna packs in tons of ideas and demonstrates how to use different materials.  I've learned how to make my own spray bottles of paint and how to transfer images from Donna, along with a million other fun techniques.

Her site is a complete reflection of her. Her background is a compilation of her own artwork and represents her perfectly. She uses her favorite color (teal) for her headers, which matches the tips of her hair, the paint on the walls of her studio, even her glasses are teal-ish.  As she says, it's simply her.  Putting herself out there in her own totally authentic way.

Now, while doing all this seemingly fun and joyful stuff, Donna is also selling herself and her products, but it doesn't feel the least bit slimy to me.  She sells the supplies she uses in her inspiration pages, but it doesn't feel like a sales pitch. I want to buy them because I have seen what they can do and I want to try them out myself.  I wanna make something fabulous like she just did! This is exactly how you want your audience to feel if you're teaching or selling products-you want to inspire your audience to create.

You might be interested in pulling the spirit of what Donna does into your own site if it feels natural to you. You're going to do it your way, but I think it's always worth it to spend some time studying what others do well, as you can learn from the success of others.

Here's my interpretation of what Donna does well, that you can draw from:

• Demos!  I love DEMOS!  People love demos and here's why:  People are getting tons of good information FOR FREE.  If you're giving me something for free, I feel much better about buying from you.  It's a give and take. You've given something to me and now I'm giving back to you for your efforts and generosity.
• Show your skills:  Seeing your process online helps me to feel confident in buying from you.  I know that Donna knows her stuff and I know that she has something to teach me.  I learn something every time, so I know I won't be disappointed with my purchase of a class from her.
• Strut your creative stuff-Donna has a seemingly bottomless supply of creative ideas and I bet you do too.  Show them off! Then, I will want to be in the presence of your energy and travel to wherever you live to sit in a class with you.
• Share your adventures-Share your version of living the creative life.  People are signing up for your lifestyle as much as your art.  I love to see where Donna's been and what opportunities leading a creative life can bring. It's inspiration to keep on going! She's traveling all around teaching her classes and sharing her experiences along the way.  Even if you're not jet setting about, you still have aspects of your creative life that will help draw people to you.  Is yoga a part of your creative lift?  Do you take different classes yourself?  Do you visit parks with beautiful waterfalls that you might capture and inspire others with?
• Make your site an extension of who you are- Use your colors.  Let your banner be a reflection of what your site is about.  Here's some info. on creating a banner.  It's geared toward Blogger, but the info. is helpful in general.  You can also google "creating a banner in ___" and insert the platform that you use.
• Include great photos-The content, the clarity and the lighting of Donna's photos really reflect what she is communicating with her words.  They make you curious, you want to go deeper.  I know in my rush to post, I don't always spend time on my photos (Documenting my work is my least favorite part of the creative process).  You will be best served however, by carefully curating your own online photos.  
• Use your photos to tell a story-Often, you don't even need a lot of words in a post.  Donna uses her photos to tell a story of what she has created.  You can do this for demos too-you don't need to make a video even, you can show what you're doing step-by-step by taking photos along the creative journey.

Drop me a comment and let me know who some of your favorite online creators are and why you love them.  Knowing what makes a website great helps us all as we work to build our own online businesses!

I spent $4500.00 for an online class

Yes.  Yes I did spend $4,500.00 to take an online class.  Yes, it scared the crap out of me to do it.  I am, shall we say.... frugal?  I won't even spend $40.00 on a pair of pants.  What's more, the class is a teacher training class in painting and I had never really even painted or taken a painting class or an online class before I signed up. 

What made me do this wild, way out there what-could-you possibly be thinking act?  I don't do this kind of thing.

It was Connie.  Her site.  Her words.  Her video blogs.  The way she is living her life.  I found it very much in line with what I want for myself, and I knew that I wanted to go deeper, learn more, and expand my creative potential exponentially. 

And I knew that Connie was exactly the person I could do this with.  I'd never talked to her before.  I didn't even e-mail her any questions about the class.  I just signed up and sent my $500.00 deposit before I could chicken out.

So, how did I know?  What does Connie do that you too, can do as you start to get your own site up and running?

She let me "see" her in a few different ways.  Through her video blogs-I watched "vlogs" that covered years of time, she got dreads, she cut them off, I felt like I was going through the process with her.  Her written posts too, were so wide open and soaked with her truth that I connected with her in my own heart.  I returned several times to her post about leaving her job and starting her own business as this resonated deeply with me.

I took her free online tutorial "Total Alignment" and knew that this type of creating was for me.  I wanted to sign up for "BIG" but it was full.  Ignite had openings and by this time, I was hooked.

I started learning everything I could about Intuitive Painting (which I had never heard of before) and I took the HUGE LEAP of signing up for the Ignite Teacher Training Class.  (Remember I had never taken a painting class or an online class before...)

Turns out, I absolutely love the class and feel like it is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. It's given me the confidence to start putting myself out there:  making and selling my artwork, teaching art classes, collaborating with other artists...it's expanding my world exponentially-just as I'd hoped.

As I work to build my own site and online business, I'm noticing what captivates me about other people's sites.  How did Connie get me from never painting or taking an online class to jumping right in with my entire self and a good chunk of money?

What can you learn from her online presence?

• Look at the whole picture you are creating-I was attracted to Connie's lifestyle.  Doing yoga, making art, collaborating with other artists, participating in raising feminine energy-these are the things that drew me in because that's the lifestyle I'm looking for. I paid my money to move my life in a positive direction and to help others do the same, not just to learn how to teach painting.  What do you have to offer that pulls people in?  What is it about you.
• Provide samples of what people will get from working with you.  I love Connie's artwork and she displays it frequently.  She shares how she creates it.  She holds painting parties where you can join her to paint online.  I want to be able to create powerfully and fearlessly, which is another reason I signed up.  What can you show people to demonstrate your work?  Look for ways to visually share what the outcome of working with you will be.  If you don't have a tangible product, guide people to create an image in their mind, maybe through description, testimonies or sharing the accomplishments of those who have worked with you in the past. Help them paint a picture of what they will get out of working with you.
• Give away something powerful for FREE.  Connie does this with Total Alignment.  It gives people an introduction, a taste of what's to come.  It makes me want more.
• Make it easy for people to sign up.  With Connie's classes, you just click on the class, you're taken to the registration form and from there it's simple. 
• Make it easy for people to pay you:  Connie offers a payment plan, but gave us a discount for paying in full (it was a $500.00 discount for the class I'm taking!) You may also want to consider this as it makes it easier for people to spread the payments out, but gives an incentive for paying upfront.  Perfect.  Whether you're selling a painting or a class-some people may need to spread the payments out.  Connie uses Paypal to collect the payments.

So, part of my own development is evaluating websites to see what I can glean from them.   I'm happy to have a look at yours!  Want to know what people think of your site?  I'm giving out my thoughts for free today.  Leave me a comment with a link to your site. I'll check it out and give you feedback. I believe in building on strengths, so I'll point out where I see you shining as well as what I'd like to see more of.  It's not easy to put yourself out there-get a little boost of encouragement and support to keep on doing it!

Update:
Thanks to all who signed up to have me look at your sites.  I love to see the beauty you are shining out to the world through your art and your spirit!  If you missed the freebie day, but want me to take a look at your site, contact me at:  haveallthis@gmail.com