10/10/10 Project-Me!

Well today is the last day of the 10/10/10 Project; "10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions" (Actually, in this case it was the 8/8/8/ Project, a couple of people had schedule conflicts). For the past 8 days, I featured an amazing artist and creative spirit who started and built their business from the bottom up. Each artist answered the question . . . 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Since today is the last day, it is time for me to post my answer. Each of the artists involved have posted answers to the other 7 questions so be sure to visit their blogs as well. I have provided links to their blogs after the answer each day. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as we had fun answering. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Joerling-Studio/218183375864

Etsy Hand Made: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaulaJoerlingStudio

Etsy Vintage: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaulaJoerlingVintage

Years in Business: I have been a freelance artist in one form or another for 30 years. I have been a freelance illustrator for about 8 years.

A little info: I am a freelance illustrator living in Atlanta Georgia. My designs are primarily used for the gift and tabletop industry. Typically, I work in watercolor and collage and enjoy incorporating fabric, stitched paper and found objects in my art.

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question 6

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

The licensing part, I have an agent for that. I don’t have the time or energy to send images to manufacturers, read contracts or wheel and deal.  I would rather be in the studio painting.

Current Projects

“Currently I am working on a series of collage pieces that will make their way to my etsy handmade shop.”

10/10/10 Participants

10/10/10 Project-Dani Keith

Coming in on the home stretch of the 10/10/10 Project; "10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions" (Actually, in this case it is the 8/8/8/ Project, a couple of people had schedule conflicts). Each day, for the next 8 or so days, I will be featuring an amazing artist,  and creative spirit who has started and built their business from the bottom up. Each artist will answer the question . . . 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

and on the last day of our project, I will share MY answer for the above question with you. Each of the artists involved will be posting answers to the other 7 questions so be sure to visit their blogs as well. I will provide links to their blogs after the answer each day. Have fun!

Today's answer is from Dani Keith.

artist name: dani keith

business name: {dani keith designs}

years in business: 2

blog: http://danikeithdesigns.com/blog

shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/danikeith

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danikeithdesign

twitter: danikeithartist

brief bio:

maker of pretty things. grower of dreams. catalyst for creativity.

dani keith has been creating for a lifetime. in the spring of 2010 she was set up on a blind date with metalsmithing, and she says it was instant, true and deep love at first fusing! {dk} is constantly evolving, and dani is genuinely excited to see where each turn takes her.

artist statement: "I find the beauty in the simple geometry of shape and transform metal into a story that the wearer wants to be apart of"

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?  

I, like most creative entrepreneurs wanted to do everything myself, its part control and part plucky drive and while everyone, EVERYONE who is successful will tell you to delegate your weaker links to the professionals to free up your time for your strengths you still think…ahh I can handle it…well lucky for me that my other half is fluent in all things technical, so I have handed my website work to him…it is a small safety net, I know that while the hubs does all of the tech work I still have complete creative control.

10/10/10 Project-Phyllis Dobbs

Today is day 5 of the 10/10/10 Project; "10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions" (Actually, in this case it is the 8/8/8/ Project, a couple of people had schedule conflicts). Each day, for the next 8 or so days, I will be featuring an amazing artist,  and creative spirit who has started and built their business from the bottom up. Each artist will answer the question . . . 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

and on the last day of our project, I will share MY answer for the above question with you. Each of the artists involved will be posting answers to the other 7 questions so be sure to visit their blogs as well. I will provide links to their blogs after the answer each day. Have fun!

Introducing the multi talented Phyllis Dobbs.....................

Phyllis Dobbs

Business Name - Phyllis Dobbs Art & Design

Started business as - Lucky Duck Designs

Blog 

Website

Facebook 

Zazzle 

Zazzle for Businesses

Years in business - I started my business 28 years ago.

Brief Bio -

As an artist, I create art for licensing on products in the textile, gift and home goods industry. In textiles, I have designed fabric collections for 7 years. I also focus on designing quilt and sewing patterns and have written a new built book “Asymmetrical Quilts”.

 What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

In my business I work on deadlines and priorities. So things that don’t fit high on the priority scale at the moment get pushed back. This usually includes working on new ideas that I brainstormed and want to try out as well as technical things like upgrading software, computers and devices. I do love technology, but have to work it in.

10/10/10 Project-Shari Sherman

Today is the halfway mark of the 10/10/10 Project; "10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions" (Actually, in this case it is the 8/8/8/ Project, a couple of people had schedule conflicts). Each day, for the next 8 or so days, I will be featuring an amazing artist,  and creative spirit who has started and built their business from the bottom up. Each artist will answer the question . . . 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

and on the last day of our project, I will share MY answer for the above question with you. Each of the artists involved will be posting answers to the other 7 questions so be sure to visit their blogs as well. I will provide links to their blogs after the answer each day. Have fun!

Introducing the enchanting and colorful, Shari Sherman

Shari Sherman

Name of Business:  Hula Dog Designs by Shari Sherman

Social Media Links:

Blog:  http://dashboardhula.blogspot.com/

Facebook Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/HulaDogDesigns

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/HulaDogDesigns

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/sharisherman/

ETSY:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/HulaDogDesigns

Years in Business:  Hula Dog Designs by Shari Sherman, was started in 2010.  Prior to that, I created art as Island Girl Studio, LLC since 2004. 

Brief Bio: 

I make Happy Art for Happy People!  I love that thrill of getting an idea and making it come to life.  I love bright colors (especially turquoise!), strong simple lines, and adding words of inspiration to my art.  I like mixed-media because it is limitless, but painting will always be my first love.  My subject matter frequently includes dogs, books, and anything related to the ocean/beach, because that is what I LOVE.  People often smile when they see my art, and I feel like I am doing my part in making the world a happier place! 

QUESTION 6: What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Although I still do 1 or 2 shows a year, I have essentially put doing outside art festivals on hold, so I can concentrate on the online side of my business more. Art festivals really helped me to become BRAVE about my art, not to mention all the wonderful people I met along the way. There is a camaraderie there, and you can really develop a sense of belonging in the art community. BUT, they are a LOT of work, physical work, and I think I got kinda burned out on it. So, I decided to cut way back on that side and focus more on internet opportunities and the prospects of getting into the world of licensing. 

Shari is currently working on a book project called, The Inklings.  For more information on this and other fun stuff, like her page,  Hula Dog Designs on Facebookor check out her blog, Dashboard Hula.

10/10/10 Project-Valerie Weller

Welcome to day 3 of the 10/10/10 Project; "10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions" (Actually, in this case it is the 8/8/8/ Project, a couple of people had schedule conflicts). Each day, for the next 8 or so days, I will be featuring an amazing artist,  and creative spirit who has started and built their business from the bottom up. Each artist will answer the question . . . 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

and on the last day of our project, I will share MY answer for the above question with you. Each of the artists involved will be posting answers to the other 7 questions so be sure to visit their blogs as well. I will provide links to their blogs after the answer each day. Have fun!

Introducing the fabulous Valerie Weller........

BUSINESS INFO:

www.twig2neststudio.blogspot.com

www.twig2neststudio.etsy.com

www.valerieweller.com (launching soon)

http://pinterest.com/valerie_weller/pins/

https://www.facebook.com/valerie.weller

BIO:

Valerie Weller considers herself an art creator, a lover of color, and a seeker…. She has spent most of her life as a graphic designer with a fine art background, yet in the past few years, has been transitioning into developing & creating her own body of work. Her dream is to create, paint, and share her process full time. 

Passionate about color, Valerie works in watercolor, acrylic, oil and mixed media. She holds a BA degree in art with a minor in education. After a solid thirty years of running a successful freelance graphic design business, she is now transitioning to create "part two" of her artistic life, in the world of painting. Currently she is developing various works of art in the mixed media category. From small to large paintings in an organic, intuitive style, to art journaling in watercolor, & mixed media, her work continues to express her passion for color and expressive, organic forms.

Valerie shows her work at boutiques, art shows as well as online through her etsy shop, website, and blog. She is working on an e-course/video series in watercolor, based on the wonderful response to her art journaling pages. Valerie loves to connect with people and works to inspire other's to believe in their own gifts. Her hope is to connect through her art, to cultivate and nurture the development of each person's individual "art spirit". 

CURRENT PROJECTS:

www.valerieweller.com (projected launch- July)

and an online watercolor e-course (in-process-stay tuned to blog posts for launch date)

SHOWS:

June 24  www.topangavintagemarket.com

July 22 www.topangavintagemarket.com

30 years in the business of art and graphic design

6-What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently? 

As of now, I am wearing all hats, since I am in the development stages of building my "art business". I suppose after the business grows more, the time will come to streamline the process, wherein I will need to delegate to an assistant. Confession: of all the daily business tasks necessary, shipping is the one I would love to hand off first. Packing, shipping, labeling and post office are not my cup of tea. I tend to spend more time packing with love and making things look good, that I end up losing time in the day, unnecessarily. I know that once I can afford to delegate business chores,(not limited to just shipping) there would be a lot more painting and development happening.

10/10/10 Project-Stephanie Guimond

Welcome to day 2 of the 10/10/10 Project; "10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions" (Actually, in this case it is the 8/8/8/ Project, a couple of people had schedule conflicts). Each day, for the next 8 or so days, I will be featuring an amazing artist,  and creative spirit who has started and built their business from the bottom up. Each artist will answer the question . . . 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

and on the last day of our project, I will share MY answer for the above question with you. Each of the artists involved will be posting answers to the other 7 questions so be sure to visit their blogs as well. I will provide links to their blogs after the answer each day. Have fun!

Presenting the talented and lovely Stephanie Guimond.

Name of business: Stephanie Guimond - Artist, visionary, avid left-brainer

Social media links:
blog: http://www.creativelivingexperiment.com/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/strawbalestudio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieGuimond.Artist.Visionary.LeftBrainer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/s_guimond
Artist profile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTUIcky8uOU

Years in business: less than 1

Bio:
I'm Stephanie Guimond, artist, visionary and avid left-brainer. I paint, I dream big and I love spreadsheets.

In 2008 I picked up a paint brush for the first time since kindergarten and haven't put it down since. My art, like myself, varies in style and personality from the vintage girly to the unexplainable abstract. The most common theme is visibly the feminine, but I'm always exploring...

Working with materials like acrylics, paper, pastels and ink, I'm drawn to an intuitive and fluid approach to painting where images appear organically before being polished into a finished product. Because of this intuitive nature, pieces are heavily influenced by what I'm living the week, the day or the moment they are created. They reflect a personal story that in an odd way infuses them with a universal quality.

I share my home with hubby and Cassie, our Golden Retriever. I left my 9-5 job last fall to try something different, and spend most of my days working in my guest bedroom turned office/studio creating art and other paid work that supports the life I want to create overall.

I am grateful for the opportunity.


~~~

Question: What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Answer:
In addition to deliberately putting many ideas on hold (specific workshops & services, art shows), I've put some of the administrative parts of my business like filing and record keeping on hold while I work on developing new offerings and expanding my business platform. I'm fully aware that I can only do this for so long before it comes back to haunt me.

I intend to get help setting up a system for records and accounting - I want to work with someone who knows what they're doing to avoid major headaches come tax time. I could do the research myself, but it would take me a looooonnnnng time to figure it out because I'm just. not. that. into it. I've already spoken to someone about it last month, may this very post be my reminder to follow through!

Current projects: a new Website, growing my business with a new left-brain offering called Get Clear, Get Moving (coming soon!), learning to balance it all in my own way

10/10/10 Project Robin Norgren

Today kicks off the start of the 10/10/10 Project; "10 Women, 10 Businesses, 10 Questions" (Actually, in this case it is the 8/8/8/ Project, a couple of people had schedule conflicts). Each day, for the next 8 or so days, I will be featuring an amazing artist,  and creative spirit who has started and built their business from the bottom up. Each artist will answer the question . . . 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

and on the last day of our project, I will share MY answer for the above question with you. Each of the artists involved will be posting answers to the other 7 questions so be sure to visit their blogs as well. I will provide links to their blogs after the answer each day. Have fun!

Presenting the multi talented and beautiful Robin Norgren-the brilliant mind who conceived this project. Many thanks Robin!

Robin Norgren

Name of business: Robin Norgren Studios

Social media links:

Website: http://www.robinnorgrenstudios.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/robinlnorgren

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/wellofcreations.myetsyshop

Years in business: 4 years

Brief Bio:

 I strive to live life to the fullest.  No matter what.  I have grown into myself through my love for Jesus and HIS LOVE FOR ME. Art, motherhood, business, creativity and yoga are the cherished vehicles for this deepening.   Life can beFULL, JUICY, MEANINGFUL, PURPOSE FILLED, LOVELY.  I want to help you come to your fullest life.  I create workbooks, ecourses and workshops that chronicle my change and growth and offer you ways to find out what YOUR FULLEST life will be. 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Digg, Stumble Upon, Delicious, Flickr, Pinterest, Google+ and so so many other "connecting" sites.   Does anyone else see how ridiculous it is to think that you can be "authentic" on each AND EVERY one of these sites?  I admit that for a while I would either spend half the day on these sites or use some sort of "sprinkling" method to make sure I get "exposure."  But who are we kidding?  If WE ARE ALL doing that, are we really connecting with anybody?

So I have scaled WAY BACK on my engagement.  I love to blog, so I blog. I connect with interesting people on Twitter so I engage there as well.  Lately I am addicted to YOUTUBE (I know! I am a late adopter) so I have fun over there as well.  But with any engagement – yes EVEN ON Pinterest and Facebook - I am sharing and spreading the word on things I love and align with how I view life and want I want to emulate in the world.  If that means I will never be a success as far as selling a bunch of "my stuff"… well after four years I guess I am good with that.  I do not believe that will be the result though.  I believe that one day I will find those people who find what I am saying or doing as valuable to their lives.

Robin Norgren is currently completing her life coaching certification and would LOVE to offer you a FREE 15 minute mini session – sign up for her mailing list here: http://www.robinnorgrenstudios.blogspot.com/p/life-coaching.html

Inquiring Minds Want to Know....

Ever wanted to know how a freelance or self employed artist made it work? Well here's your chance.
Friday is the start of the 10/10/10 Project put together by Robin Norgren. 10 Women running 10 different Businesses will answer 10 Questions about the how, why and what of their creative endeavors.

(Actually, in this case it is the 8/8/8/ Project, a couple of people had schedule conflicts).

Starting Friday and for the following 8 weekdays  I will feature a different artist who will answer the question..... 

What part of your business have you delegated or put on hold in order to focus your energy more efficiently?

There will be links to the other artists blogs where a different question will be answered.

For more information and a list of session one and two participants click the photo below.

Thanks and check back Friday!

Little Paper Dresses

After preparing new work for Surtex, the licensing show in New York, I decided to switch gears and play for a week or two. My sister's birthday was coming up and I decided to make a special card for her. I have to say that one of the things I enjoy most is making handmade cards. 

It can be anything that I want it to be and I don't have to think if it would be the right colors or style for licensing. 

I really liked how it turned out so I decided to make some larger ones for my Etsy shop. 

If you don't already know, I make sculptural paper shoes, handbags and dresses and I wanted to offer something a bit more affordable for people who love those.

I thought you might like to see the process.

 First I make a pattern of the dress I want to make and select the prints and paper that I want to use.

Then I make lots of little embellishments. I am a bit addicted to making little paper flowers.

I paint and cut out any little accessories that I need.

The embellishments get matched up with their dress partner. I like to be sure that everything is going as planned.
After making several backgrounds I put it all together and add painted details. As you can see I have changed a few things from the original card. At 8.5" x 11", these are also larger than the card.

 "Perfect Ensemble"

 "Garden Dress"SOLD

 "Special Dress"

I am hoping to offer prints and cards in the near future.

Which one is your favorite? I would love to know.

Thanks for looking.

xop