You Are Creative!

A friend of mine recently penned this inspiring statement about the creativity that lives in all of us.

Life is one great creative manifestation. You may think you don't have a creative side; yet you don't need to be an artist to live in a creative life. You are innovative and can think of so many new ways to do all sorts of things. Your inventive, creative side can be as simple as creating a special recipe or at work in doing a spreadsheet a new easier way. The importance of CREATIVITY in this life is that it allows you to express yourself. Your self-expression is "ONE OF THE GREATEST DIVINE GIFTS YOU OFFER OUR WORLD." -Evann Woodard

 

The greatest hindrance for most people in releasing their creativity is the fear that it will not resemble the work of others enough. There is also the lingering hurt from being ridiculed or laughed at when creativity was shared. Very few of us can maintain our confidence after experiences like that. Many people also feel that they have to produce fine artist-level work in order to be authentic.

The manifestation of our inner creativity is for ourselves first. It is to first please ourselves. There are things that you can do. You can create something that was not there before. You can take something and alter or enhance it so that it doesn't look the same as it did before. The greatest consideration is that it be important and valuable to you.

Next, your creativity is for whomever can and will appreciate it. Rather than attempting to coerce some to accept our work, we should surround ourselves with those who appreciate our efforts without having to beseech them. 

 

The old saying is valid, A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. If a person does not appreciate our work, their hearts will not change through our begging. This is important in both our private and social lives. We should improve where we want to and can and go where our work is admired and appreciated. 

 

Yes, you have creativity within. You are creative. You can create. Believe in yourWself. Protect your creativity. Let it come out, in private if you have to at first. Always remember, don't throw your creative pearls before swine, because they will be trampled upon. If you feel that you must share your work in the beginning stages, show it to those who are inclined to be compassionate, kind and appreciative of the skills of others. Whatever type of creativity you choose to explore, maintain your confidence and keep creating!

Creative People: Donald Roberts On Being A Successful Creative

I met writer Donald Roberts in an eCommerce group that is hosted by Payhip, the London-based, selling platform. Because of his experience hacking out a self-publishing career, he has some straight talk for aspiring creatives. His message sums up as do what it takes and keep doing it! 

To enter in to the arts as a future the first thing you must do is teach yourself the discipline of dedication. You must focus on your writing and any art that goes with it no matter what form you wish to call it. You must understand that creation is only the first step. The business of the arts, in order to make an income is as demanding as the art itself.

You can not set schedules, I'll work from ? time to ? time. Nor can you work entirely on inspiration. You must always understand your story at least in the department of the imagination.

To be an artist/writer you will discover it is a lonely life. You can't play with your friends like you would with any other job.

Personally, I work 18 hours a day, not consecutively but several at a sitting, coming up for air, food, coffee and visits and adventures with my partner. She is and artist as well and we do make some sort of effort to go off together to refuel our relationship.

Outside friends have to wait until we are between projects and not burdened down with the business of artistship.

So, if you can't dedicate 80% of your life to the disciplines of art...go find a job that allows you more free time.

Finally, while you are starting out you need money, which means you need a job to make money to pay the bills. Make it a no-brainer job with as few hours involved as possible....just enough to survive. If you work hard, someday it is possible to make a living...and independent publishing is the best. I suggest you find someone who will promote your work for a small percentage. Promotion is a time glutton.

Barrie Island Graphic Storyteller

Donald is a self-employed mystery and sci-fi writer who lives in Ontario.

Shop

https://payhip.com/barrieislandstorytellergraphicnovelspresents

Contact

https://payhip.com/barrieislandstorytellergraphicnovelspresents/contact

 

Innovation, Adaptability, Persistance: David's Bridal

Consistently, we see innovation, adaptability and persistence as the kingpins of enduring business success. Those traits have made David's Bridal the lone, national, wedding dress chain today.

While David Reisberg decided to begin selling his privately-designed wedding gowns in 1945, innovation began 20 years later after he sold his south-Florida salon. In 1972, Phillip Youtie bought the boutique and around 1988, brought in the retail expertise of childhood friend Steven Erlbaum.

Stores at this time stocked only sample gowns in a standard size. Youtie and Erlbaum changed the store model in the late 1980s with this warehouse off Interstate 95 where they stocked designer gowns, discontinued dress and manufacturer overruns at below retail prices. This chain of bridal stores was like none of its kind. David’s Bridal was all about making a no-frills shopping environment for those who need an expensive wedding dress for a fraction of the price. Stores were not comfortable, but more plain and warehouse-like. Although there was little to no comfort in the stores, brides-to-be could expect a bargain.

Adaptability resulted in finding ways to acquire new stores:

Years later, as the business grew even larger and larger, small stores were starting to go out of business while more David’s Bridal stores were being put into the business. Between 1994 and 1995, 12 stores were added to the bridal corporation...In 2000, the May Department Stores Company bought David’s Bridal from Youtie and Erlbaum for $436 million. By this time, David’s Bridal was the largest retailer of bridal gowns and wedding-related merchandise.

Persistence

David’s Bridal is the largest American bridal-store chain...and the only nationwide competitor of bridal stores...One in four American brides are dressed by David’s Bridal.

Successive acquisitions and emergence out of a two-month bankruptcy did not kill the dream. While Mr. Reisberg worked faithfully for over two decades and did not financially enjoy the astronomical success of his brand, the point is this; David's Bridal endured through the innovation, adaptability and persistence of all who believed.

On October 11, 2012, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice announced the completion of its acquisition of David’s Bridal, Inc. in a deal that valued the company at $1.05 billion.

David's Bridal is currently in 49 states, 5 Canadian territories and the United Kingdom. As of 2018, it was worth $2.5 billion.

Opportunities to innovate surround us everyday and many of the commerce giants that we recognize are still owned by the innovators. Those who do not own their flagship brands have taken the fortunes made through them and built new ventures. You may not be seeking colossal growth for your brand but the methods that lead to this kind of proliferating success can help you to reach your goals. 

How can you innovate your brand so that it will stand out and attract a robust market?

Is your growth lagging for lack of adaptability to an ever-changing society?

Do you cling to pet projects and ideas that do not inspire persistence?

 

Sources:

David's Bridal Locations

David's Bridal - UK

PRNewswire - David's Bridal

The List - The Truth Behind David Of David's Bridal

The New York Times - David’s Bridal Files for Bankruptcy, but Brides Will Get Their Dresses

Wikipedia - David's Bridal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roberto Blake On Successful Brand Deals

When asked if he finds it more difficult, as a person-of-color graphic designer and Youtube creator, to obtain brand deals in comparison to others, he replied,

Not really but I’ve also built a system for brand deals...I also do better on brand deals than most Creators my size or larger regardless of their background, due to my ability to negotiate and package my deals.

While discrimination is often endured daily by many of us, his successful focus is on evaluating how to deliver more value to the clients/customers whom he does acquire.

While I'm not aspiring to produce and upload YT videos (the unpopular slideshows format works better for my schedule), I love Roberto's content. He's clear, engaging and relevant. This is not the first time that I've written about him. 

I like making a pit stop at his channel to see what he's currently sharing. I am also a graphic designer but I don't freelance. I prefer to design pre-made products and services. Roberto produces many videos with inspiring content that can apply to any creative pursuit.

Check out his YT channel and website for great info on boosting the success of your brands.  

About Roberto Blake

Roberto Blake is dedicated to building the creator economy through helping creators and influencers build brands and businesses online. Learn how to monetize your creativity and skills, grow an audience, sell products, monetize YouTube videos, make money online, and build a personal brand. He has grown his Youtube channel to over 500,000 subscribers.

Find Roberto Online

Youtube Community

Youtube Channel 

Awesome Creator Academy 

Roberto's Youtube Starter Kit

Interested In Sponsoring Roberto Blake And Sharing Your Brand With His Viewers?

info@robertoblake.com

725 Ponce De Leon Ave
ATTN WeWork Roberto Blake 2nd Floor
Atlanta GA, 30306 

 

 

 

Creative People: Rossana Radaelli

Rossana Radaelli is an Italian collage and gel-printing artist whom I ran across at Instagram. I especially appreciate her paper stencil gel-printing techniques, her handmade paper silhouettes reminiscent of the Dinah Wakley-style and her magazine-inspired collages.

Rossana's Links

Website 

Website in Italian but you can see some of her splendid collages here. The Google bar also pops down from the top so that you can translate the site into English.

Blog

Blog in Italian but the Google bar pops down from the top so that you can translate the site into English.

Instagram 

Youtube

Jonah Larson Crocheting Since 5yrs Old

A followup of Jonah Larson, the crocheting prodigy. Learn what his career plans are and how his life started in the Larson household.

Jonah's Links

Jonah's Hands

Instagram 

TikTok 

Twitter

Amazon Books

Press

Wisconsin Business 

CBS Minnesota

House Beautiful 

The Drew Barrymore Show 

NPR

 

How To Create Easy Altered Art Book Pages

I love this altered art book pages tute by Aldridge Crafts & Gifts, a craft retailer out of Norfolk, United Kingdom. I particularly like how the die cuts are used to accent the pages. I have a supply of die cuts from other projects and my testing of new dies.

Notice how the spray inks stain the pages with colors that are too dark and an opaque coverage with at first does not allow the underlying work to show through? Well, they usually dry lighter in tint. Some of it can also be mopped up with a tissue, making the end result even lighter if needed.

I also like the technique of adhering elements that extend beyond the edges on the pages  and snipping the extra off. This technique gives the pages such a neat, finished appearance.

The process of altered art is really not as confusing and intimidating as it looks. It's just step by step, starting with laying down a surface for you work, either using paint or paper. You begin to add elements and accents as you see fit.

There is no perfect way to create it. It's what you feel should be added as you work along. The artwork will also guide you. Art creates itself. It also helps that you can work on it over a period of days or weeks. Do a little and come back to it later. Your nerves will have rested and you'll have a fresh perspective with new ideas on how to proceed.

For an old book, the flatter the additions to the pages, the better. There are so many pages and the book needs to close. With a handmade book, you can add as many or as few pages as you want, so your pages can have thicker elements.

This video is a perfect example of how easy it is to create, in a few, non-intimidating steps, altered artwork that is stunning! Give it a try. In the end, you'll be surprised that you did it!

Have a Happy Creative Weekend!

If you are viewing this post via feed or email, please visit Printaphoria & Creative Living to view the video by Aldridge Crafts & Gifts at the top of the post.