gathering spriggs

Make It or Break It: Promotional Acts

Welcome to the Gathering Spriggs "Make it or Breatk it" weekly dialogue report. This is an ongoing column I am creating (as I go) to help us connect with other creatives and share our insights and information on crafting a successful creative life.

Many of you responded last week to the call for action and involvement in such a series, so  I am taking my role as a facilitator quite seriously. Besides, it might lead to other ventures (that I have up my sleeve).

So today I bring to the table the topic of Self-Promotion. I don't know about you, but the first thing that pops into my mind is the phrase : " Shameless Self-Promotion".  Now, I am not a big fan of the word "shame" in any form, so in order to take this concept and transform it with a more positive connotation, I am renaming it : " Self-Respecting Self-Promotion" 

Better, right? 

So now that that's cleared up, what do you consider "Promotion" exactly? Here is the Oxford American Dictionary Definition:

Promotion: Activity that supports or provides active encouragement for the furtherance of a cause.

"Active encouragment" is a pretty hefty phrase. So how do we actively encourage our own work? I will share a few of my personal beliefs on creating a promotional presence. 

1. Take pride in your work

I believe it starts with coming to terms with yourself and your work first. Giving it your best effort and then (although it may not be perfected yet) taking a deep breath and giving yourself a pat on the back.  Then when you are positive hopeful and trusting yourself and your work, others will notice right away and want what you have. Your respect for yourself and your work are attractive.

2. Don't listen to the lies. 

This to me is the hardest step. I can feel confident one moment then like a complete failure the next. But I have found the more I recognize those thoughts as lies, as an attempt to defeat me, then I gain a little more power to move forward. And if we live in honesty, we find that nobody really has it all together. 

3. Make business cards and use them

This has worked for me so many times, when I actually had myself together for a moment and didn't leave my cards at home. I can't tell you how many times clients have asked for a card, and I didn't have them with me and I just want to kick myself. Although we live in a digital age, there is something about the physicality of those little cards and they work magic.

(I design my own and order them through Overnight Prints.)

4. Talk about your work wherever you are.

This is one aspect of self-respecting self-promotion that I (honestly) suck at the most. I am very introverted. And when I am having days where I don't take pride in what I do, listen to the lies, AND accidently leave my cards at home, I ALWAYS fail at this one!! It is still a struggle, but lessens with every year. When I first started my decorative painting business nearly 8 years ago as a complete newbie, I could barely speak words to my clients let alone offer color suggestions or advice or talk about my techniques.  Now I do color consulting and speak with much more confidence than ever as I have learned what works and doesn't. What to say and what to leave at the door. Practice makes perfect.

5. Network with a community

This is a great way to build an online business. There are so many many ways to be involved online with unlimited resources. If you sell on Etsy, there are forums, groups to join, blogs to read, etc.. I suggest taking online classes, because that was my best networking tool by far. Here are some good ones:

Holly Becker's Blogging Your Way

The Creative Empire

The Fire Starter Sessions

or Read / Attend the Conference for The Art of Non-Conformity (it is changing my life currently)

Plus, if you haven't already joined these other social networking sites, then its just pointless. Go join Flickr, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter . They will only help you broaden your horizons. And don't be afraid of them. I was nervous too but they don't take long to learn and they will bring countless people into your life that will enrich it. 

Blogging is key too. You may have noticed that continued blogging increases your audience and then taking time to comment on the blogs you love will only lead more readers to your site (blog, etsy, or otherwise). Many times I end up featuring folks whom I never knew before they stopped by and left me a comment. 

So.... (that was aLOT of words for me.) I am ready to listen. And so excited to hear your thoughts.

What would you add to this list? How do you do your version of Self-Respecting Self-Promotion?? 

image: orchard cards

Remember When...

Remember the early days of the burgeoning online craft/creative community way back in 2005? That was the year I graduated college and began reading blogs (the early days of Desire to Inspire, The Black Apple etc. pre advertising and Martha Stewart show)  Alot has changed. Some for good , some not so good. After reading this (rather sad) article on Poppytalk yesterday, it got my wheels turning about where we are now. What is the fate of online businesses, handmade artists?  Are they destined to be copied by large corporations reproducing their ideas in China forcing them to quit making (as was the case with Stephanie Congdon Barnes)? Or is this an opportunity for us to come up with creative solutions to the plagiarism we see? How can we make our voice heard in this sea of overwhelming mass consumerism (which has now infiltrated the handmade marketplace)? 

I've felt engulfed by the huge Holiday push this year even from the online creative community. I find myself shutting down and shutting out, which goes against all that I desire (to be connected and energized). So I am here today asking questions. Pondering with Hope. How can we be the change we seek (especially now, this time of year)? 

Any thoughts?

(I will be back tomorrow with the beginning of my new series "Make it or Break it" to offer some business advice and success stories on self-promotion). 

image: sweet berry me

Make it or Break it

Oh, deers! Thank you all for your kind words to me this week and your enduring patience as I adjust to returning home, preparing for an Open House Art Market at my home this weekend. ( I am opening my home up to sell my fine art, prints, cards, vintage housewares and clothing collections). It's a bit of an experiment... an alternative to setting up at a craft fair this year. So why not just let people come over, share a spot of tea/cider with me and hang up my own artwork around the house, for sale? 

Once I asked my painting professor at Texas Tech University to tell me what kind of jobs artists could have when they finished college (as I tried to weigh the options of a Fine Art degree). He told me that artists may not have specific career paths or typical job descriptions but that we are "problem solvers" and having a Fine Art degree helps one to think creatively about possibilities.  Although,  the pragmatist in me didn't get the exact answer I was looking for, I have always held onto this sentiment and have carried it into my post college "real world" experience. 

I wasn't always an entrepreneur but soon after starting my own business nearly 8 years ago, I couldn't imagine it any other way.  And now I am at a new crossroads in life as I transition from one business adventure to another. Through this process,  I have gained a ton of knowledge through experience and through educating myself on business practices. And what good is understanding if it is not shared? So, I have decided to start a little series that will take you inside the real-life of a working entrepreneur to find clues to crafting a creative life and keys to success. I would love to create a dialog in this series where we can share together and learn from one another. I am curious to hear your creative successes and misadventures too!

So what do you think ?? Are you in??

** Disclaimer: I am not professing that I have all the answers or tremendous wealth, just an opportunity to share with you my story**

image: heather spriggs thompson for gathering vintage

How Do You Value Your Work?

After reading this  invaluable article on strategic pricing and the latest in Brigitte's series, Warm Soft Money, I am beginning to put some pieces of the puzzle together. The puzzle being for me, the unnerving task of assigning value to my work.  Even though I have worked as a productive entrepreneur for nearly 8 years, this one issue continues to haunt me.  Truthfully, ignoring it tends to prove not only unhealthy but slowly disabling my business. It's a catch 22. On one hand I think that I am being selfish by pricing my work and wares for much more than the cost to me, but on the other hand, I cry when I finish a job that took twice as long as expected and get payed pennies. I end up feeling devalued. 

When I read this comment from Lauren at the end of the Eco-Etsy post, I realized I am not alone:

" I have just changed the pricing strategy for my shop after realizing I was not valuing myself as an artist enough. I think often we can undervalue ourselves and worry so much about quantity we forget about the grand quality that handmade work usually holds. "

With so many artists, designers, crafters working today, its a little daunting. I am always on the lookout for ways to improve my shops, my sales, etc.. But I think this post opened my eyes to the undeniable power of believing in myself. Going forth with confidence. Knowing that I am unique and valuable therefore my work also is valuable. 

So I must ask, how do you value your work? Have you come to a comfortable understanding of your value as a creative individual? Please share... I am eager to hear more ideas!!

craft room images: heartfish and casapinka

Beauty That is You!

Thank you all dear friends for sharing with me yesterday. Honestly, I am overcome with gratitude and admiration for your presence. Thank you for stopping by daily with open hearts, honesty and great wisdom participating in my portion of the world. As you might have noticed I am taking my blog in a slightly different direction that includes building a more intentional community with you here... providing a place for honest connections in our struggles and joys pursuing and crafting a creative life. In fact, as I work on the new GS site I have been brainstorming a new tag line. Here are some thoughts. What do you think? I am getting stuck in this and need some fresh perspective:

Gathering Spriggs: crafting creative community

Gathering Spriggs: a modern romantic creating conscious connections

Gathering Spriggs: create, collect, connect

For it is YOU dear readers that give me impetus to keep moving forward... I love your creative contributions here and in the Gathering Spriggs Flickr group where I gleaned these lovely images. Please join so you can share your visual responses or inspirations as well.  

Your beauty inspires me! Thank you! I am thankful for you today!

++ Also, here is a great article on the benefits of Flickr and Pinterest in blogland and creating on online business.

images: elysa fields, cassia, sweet berry me, anna dykema via paper n stitch, twiggs

Inspired to Intimidated?

Do you find yourself transitioning out of inspiration and into intimidation when you read blogs, magazines or just spend time perusing the web? Its such a fine line from one to the other and I raise my hand high on this one... "Yes!" I have struggled with this for many years. In fact, I have to be very selective with what I read. For me, there are certain people that I long to emulate. Sometimes I go so far as to wonder if they are living the life I was supposed to live but somehow I tripped up miserably in the process.  "Maybe they never had anything bad happen to them", I fantasize. Or , I know, one of my favorites: "Maybe I am just lazy".

When I began verbalizing these thoughts to my friends or loved ones, I learned that I was not alone. I wasn't just a giant failure! And then the thought occurred to me that if this is how we were feeling, then its possible that my heros have bad days too. Days where they feel like they aren't measuring up. Maybe they feel a ton of pressure to be fabulous every moment. And maybe we only see one facet of their lives. (making assumptions about the rest). Since we are all human.

So if you had any disillusions about me, I am here to say that I am a work in progress. I am not where I want to be, but taking small steps everyday to get there. Its hard (work). Not only the risk in moving forward but also keeping the enemy voices at bay. Refusing to believe the lies that tell us we aren't going to measure up. 

This is a wonderful and magical time of year, the web is aglow and abuzz with so many creative ideas,  with new magazines launching overnight, new blogs being born, new products being produced.  So how do you take them in as objects of desire (of hope) to use for inspiration rather than intimidation?

images: sanctuary blog, mary ruffle tumblr

Blog of the Week: Bianca Snow

Happy Friday friends! The weekend is so close I can almost taste it and am longing for the time to process and get caught up on reading blogs + your comments and taking time for goal setting,  soul tending and art making.  You see, its been a long work week (after having some time last week to just pursue Gathering Spriggs) and I've felt the friction between laboring for extra income vs. maintaining a creative life. About mid-week I ran out of steam, felt my creative energy evaporate, and as they dissipated I am left lacking with not much to offer (you). Thank you for your patience and for returning day after day as faithful readers. Your presence offers the hope I need to believe in the future, to hold onto my dreams of nurturing Gathering Spriggs  full time.

So I leave you with a beautiful and relatively new blog from artist/designer, Bianca Snow. Bianca left a lovely comment for me here this week and as I clicked on the link to her site I felt a kindred connection. Plus she pursued one of my dream jobs (one I used to dream about in high school). She studied Millinery in London for five years after leaving her native Australia. Now she is back home crafting a dream, and creating beauty on her blog and in her heavenly etsy shop. So, thank you Bianca. You lifted my spirit today, offered my heart beauty and inspired new dreams. 

++ Also, if you are looking for a fool proof way to help make your dreams a reality and let your finances help you instead of hinder you then stop by Brigitte's blog series called: "Warm Soft Money"

Happy Weekend!! Let me know how it goes and I will see you back here next week!

images: bianca snow

You are (Gifted)

 

Hello dears! Have you seen the much talked about and anticipated Holiday Magazine from Creature Comforts, Gifted? Its a beautiful work of love and community. Not only does it feature hundreds of possible gift ideas for everyone imaginable but Ez has collaborated with tons of fabulous women...bloggers, crafters, photographers and stylists. Please take a peak for virtual feast! 

With the holiday season upon us officially now, this sweet guide (along with your comments from yesterday) has my wheels turning about gifts, gifting, and being gifted. Mostly in the sense of our talents. I truly believe that we each have certain giftings that make us unique. And each day we have an opportunity to utilize those gifts for a greater good. Whether its a talent such as playing the piano, sewing clothes or concocting creations in the kitchen, we each have something to offer. Each have a distinctive voice either shaped from our past experiences or learned from others.  I'll share mine first (only if you promise to share yours too). Its taken me many years and countless hours of therapy to say this but " I have the gifts of : encouraging, listening, designing, creating art and hostessing" 

So Im excited to find out... How are you gifted?  And how do you use your gifts to give back?

 

all images: gifted magazine

The Shame Game

We all do it. Or have done it. All a little guilty of shaming ourselves. I know when I read really fabulous blogs with creative inspiration (or even magazines), I hear a little voice in my ear that says " Why didn't you think of that?" or "See this person really has their life together, why can't you seem to have yours figured out, yet?". Its so subtle. From a little dose of shame we continue into a nasty cycle of contempt (and typically with women we are easily lured into self-contempt. So how do we break the cycle? How to stop believing the lies? 

I believe its about catching yourself in the act. Instead of believing every thought that comes into our minds as truth, we can choose to question them. 
I had a counselor tell me once... " You should on yourself way too much".  Meaning that I compare myself to others and feel that I "should" be doing this or that, instead of asking myself what is good for me now. In this moment. 

So where are you today, in this moment in your life?  Its a process.. a daily process (dare I say battle). But the good news is that you are not alone. We are in this together. 

I tend to put A LOT of pressure on myself to "get it together", or "have my life figured out" but more recently I am trying to live in the present, be in the present. Take one day at a time and give myself grace in the process. 

How about you?? Where are you in the process? How do you battle the shame within??? 

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++ Also, I would love to share a fun collaborative project that I lent my paint brush to. Its a great before and after decorating transformation, with my friend Kristie: The Decorologist. See what you think!

images: aleksander kelpman and j.o.l.a

Gathering Warm Affection

Oh Kindred Spirits! You don't know how revitalized I have been this weekend reading over your comments from last week's post: Keepin' It Real. Your remarks have been the impetus for changing my entire mission statement here at Gathering Spriggs. I'll fill you in on a little secret... I am in the process of creating (with the help of a fabulous design team) a new website (gatheringspriggs.com) coming very soon. And in the midst of development, I began writing a brand new bio, mission statement and tagline that is more centered around building an intentional community with you, right here. Here's a taste:

Welcome to Gathering Spriggs: a place to gather, connect, create and discover together. Sit and stay for a spot of tea, share your heart and enjoy the beauty of friends. Creative connections, colorful creations and vintage collections.

In the meantime, I am eager to build more discussions with you this week on the things in our lives that truly matter. To get closer to your heart. In fact, I wish it was you that came to dine at my table last night. (we had a small dinner party .. nothing too fancy) but in the end it was you I was longing to be with .. breaking bread with .. sipping coffee in front of the fireplace with. 

++ In fact, on that note, I am organizing a (Southern US) Bloggers meet up in the near future and would love to know if you are interested. Just leave a comment here with your email or email me at gatheringspr[email protected] if you would like to participate in this meet up!

images: heather spriggs thompson for gathering spriggs