CREATIVITY + INNOVATION Page 22 of 50

Join us for seven days of PaperLove

Posted on 2014-09-29 at 9:36 am.

Join ‘7 Days of PaperLove’ to be in with the chance to win this kit and a free place on PaperLove: the e-course (starting in November) [Image: Uli Schade]

Join us and our friends at Paperphilia for seven consecutive days of PaperLove to celebrate papery goodness and ignite your own paper passion. Challenge yourself to fold, cut, collect and see paper in a whole new way. It’s free and it starts Tuesday 7 October. Register HERE for “7 days of Paper Love” and see below for the chance to win a free place on our upcoming online course PaperLove.

For a chance to be featured on the Paperphilia blog and to be entered into the draw to receive a gift voucher for the next PaperLove class, please follow the instructions below to sign up.

Here’s how to take part:

(1) Register HERE for “7 days of Paper Love” to have the challenge posts sent directly to your inbox each morning (from Tues 7 Oct to Mon 13 Oct) and officially sign up for the challenge.

(2) Join the challenge and share your images on facebook, twitter, instagram and pinterest using the hashtag #PaperLovechallenge

(3) If you would like to be entered into the draw to win a free place on the PaperLove e-course (including a delicious kit!), please be sure to use the hashtag in as many places as possible when you post your image. You will be entered each time you post to twitter, facebook, instagram & pinterest using hashtag #PaperLovechallenge.

If you write a blog post about the challenge be sure to add a link to the bottom of your post and email us a link to your blog. This will also be counted as an entry to the giveaway and you can enter as many times as you wish.

(4) We will also gather images to showcase on our blog and facebook albums once the challenge is over with a link to you/your website or blog and send this out to our subscribers.

(5) The winner of the free place on the upcoming online course PaperLove, including a delicious kit of stationery goodies, will be announced on the Paperphilia blog on Friday 17 October.

Please be aware that by joining Seven Days of PaperLove you give your permission to be added to the mailing lists of Paperphilia and Do What You Love. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Any questions? Drop our friends a line at [email protected]

Nothing is impossible!

Posted on 2014-09-18 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today we bring you a guest post by Mary J. Dinan, author of The Global Suitcase, an inspirational travel book that’s been published worldwide.

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Author pic Mary Dinan (300dpi)

I’ve always loved travel literature. Over the years I’ve spent hours in my local book shop looking at books by travel greats like Michael Palin, who went around the world in 80 days, Jonathan Dimbleby, who embarked on a 10,000 mile trip into the heart of Russia and octogenarian Dervla Murphy who went to Afghanistan on foot and to India by bike. Then one day, while I was scouring the shelves looking for my next read, a lightbulb went on in my head. I decided, right there and then, that I was going to write a travel book.

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Make 2014 the year you commit to your art career! (MATS is back…)

Posted on 2014-01-09 at 11:15 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Happy new year! We have a feeling that 2014 is going to be a very exciting year, and hope it is a great one for you. Why not make this the year you commit to your art career, invest in yourself and pour everything into making a living from your talent? If you are ready to take your art from good to great, and start to truly flourish as a professional artist, we have some special things in store for you. Read on…

Make Art That Sells Part A& B is back! Registration is now open for the March 2014 class (begins March 31). These are two 5-week e-courses which give you everything you need to know to make and sell commercially-viable art in the hottest markets, learning from someone who has sold art for products worth over $100 million! Find out more and register here.

Want to know what kind of impact this course can have on your career? Here is what alumnus Emily Balsley had to say about it:

“I went into the course a fairly “green” illustrator and I have come out of it ready to take on the world one illustration at a time – with new skills, self-confidence, focus and drive.

When I first signed up for the course, it was hard for me to justify paying so much for this class when I was hardly making any money as an illustrator! But that was the point of the course, right?!? With encouragement from my husband, I decided it was time to do something for myself and look at it as an investment for my career. And now that it’s over, it was worth every penny. I can’t imagine how many hours of planning went into this class, but thank you so much for putting in all the effort. It really shows.

This is what I’m supposed to be doing, and I couldn’t be more excited about what opportunities lie ahead.”

Read Emily’s full review of the course here. Find out more about the course and book your place here!

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Our brand new online experience Make Art That Sells: Assignment Bootcamp is filling up fast, ahead of class beginning on February 3. This is a structured six-month program of monthly assignments to help you build a strong body of work. You will get five professional-level art assignments over six months to help you create great pieces that are ready to sell. Each month you will have three weeks to complete the assignment. You will then have the option to post your work to a public gallery where it can be viewed by peers, art buyers and industry experts. Find out more and register here.

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The Global Talent Search will soon be back – this is your opportunity to win two years’ representation from top art agent Lilla Rogers, along with a host of licensing deals. This is a highly regarded and fiercely contested opportunity, so if you want to maximize your chances of winning we would strongly encourage you to take one of our Make Art That Sells classes to help you understand what sells, how to present your work, and how to create great art that is commercially viable. More details on the Global Talent Search coming in the Spring…

So what are you waiting for? Take the leap, make the commitment, and get cracking!

If you can do it, or dream you can, begin it…

Posted on 2014-01-08 at 4:14 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

This is one of my favourite ever quotes, because it puts the power in your hands. It reminds us that if we have the capacity to dream of something, we have the capability to make it happen, if only we begin…

“If you can do it or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” – Goethe

Back in 2010 I went on my first art retreat, and when I was there I distinctly remember picking up a copy of ‘Somerset Studio’, one of the beautiful magazines from American publishing house Stampington, and thinking “Just imagine getting published in a magazine like that.” Four years on and I am now a columnist for Stampington’s brilliant magazine ‘Where Women Create Business‘, and have been featured in several of their other titles in between.

If I think about how it happened, it was a combination of…

Dreaming of what it would feel like to make it happen (Vision/Imagination)
Thinking “Someone has to do it, why not me?” (Boldness/Naiveity)
Deciding to go for it, because the worst that can happen is that an article proposal will be turned down, or ignored (Thick skin)
Getting out of my door to network, meeting people, and getting introduced to people who know people (Deep breaths/Connecting)
Getting clear on what I have to say, and then choosing to share that with the world (Authenticity/Belief that we each have something to offer)
Taking steps to make it happen, and keeping at it (Persistence)

However big or small the dream, it can often be made a reality through a combination of the things above.

What steps do you find help you make your ideas happen?

PS: The column in Where Women Create Business is jointly-authored with Kelly Rae Roberts. In this third of four articles we talk about the importance of choosing to deliver products and services which serve your audience and support your purpose. It is a fab magazine – you can get a copy in all major US bookshops or via the Stampington site here.

Alternative meeting spaces

Posted on 2013-12-13 at 9:58 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

With Beth on maternity leave our working day looks a little different lately, but we still have Mr & Mrs K meetings to chat about things coming up, and to look ahead to next year.

One of the great things about living in a city like Brighton is the proliferation of cafes, and we like to meet there to chat somewhere different from our home office. A different environment never fails to spark new ideas… Lately one of our favourite places is somewhere that won’t be around for long – the ice bar next to the temporary ice rink, which has been built in the grounds of Brighton Pavilion.

With Beth heavily pregnant there may be no ice skating for us, but it is lovely to sit on their comfy sofas next to a sparkling Christmas tree, looking out through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the people skating round and round, laughing and stumbling and laughing some more. Ahh office life is hard!

What is your favourite place for meetings?

Do What You Love Interview – Emma Brassfield

Posted on 2013-12-10 at 8:59 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

With Christmas on the horizon it has been impossible to ignore the amazing and magical gifts that are on offer. This is certainly true at Studio 7t7, a beautiful studio amongst the trees and greenery that is a haven for creativity.

Working to her own designs and to the exact ideas, themes and colours of her customers, Emma Brassfield weaves, moulds, glues and stitches leather and fabrics together to make stunning one of a kind pieces. Then the sparkle comes alive, attaching itself to all the petals, elements and pieces that make up the amazing creations. Emma has had a fascinating career in TV and film, but is now concentrating on creating unique gifts for children including magical fairy doors and personalised crayon rolls.

Emma: Mother and Founder of Studio 7t7

This is how Emma describes herself: “I’m an artist, designer, and guerilla knitter. When I’m not working full time making creatures and costumes for films, I like to nestle in my garden workshop and make jewellery and children’s gifts for my small business; Studio 7t7, or I run around after my 2 year old.”

1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?

I really love being creative… so for me, I have to be doing something creative in my job. For as long as I can remember I’ve made things. I started Studio 7t7 as a way to be able to design my own range and to make gifts that people will love to give.

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The Amazings: Keeping Knowledge Alive

Posted on 2013-11-29 at 8:57 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

We’ve all read articles, watched documentaries and had conversations about the unprecedented rate of population growth in the world today. The first billion in the world is thought to have been reached around 1800AD and by 1960 the world had reached three billion. Since then, in just over half a century, we have more than doubled this with over seven billion people now living on this planet. Quite astonishing statistics to swallow. And with this, our demographic is getting older as health care improves and life expectancy rises. Yet there still seems to be an attitude in our culture today that sees our ageing population as a burden to society, with members of the younger generation failing to engage with their elders. Perhaps, this outlook needs to be turned on its head – after all, isn’t it a great thing that we are able to spend more time in this world, experience more wonderful offerings and learn more and more with each day?

That’s exactly why I have chosen to dedicate this blog to this inspirational, relatively new organisation: The Amazings. Back in 2011, the founders decided to embark on building a startup that looked at the ageing population in a different way. Their basis for their mission was simple:

‘Society has always learned from its elders but somewhere along the way we have lost that connection between generations – which means losing rich, valuable and rare skills.’

They believe that ‘wisdom is one of the greatest untapped resources this planet has’ and as such have built a fantastic business around looking at our elders in a positive light, taking the attitude that we should all learn from them, rather than view them as a generation we need to help. The Amazings have built a network of talented, skill-rich elders and are creating a series of online craft classes to inspire individuals with their next project and teach skills to following generations. From how to patchwork a geometric cushion to learning how to handsew an heirloom patchwork quilt, there are lots of succulent craft skill lessons to get your creative juices flowing.

I for one certainly feel very fortunate to have grown-up with two loving grandmothers playing important roles in my life right up until my late twenties and have many fond memories of learning from them both: whether being taught how to cook a generations’-old secret fudge recipe or spending hours in front of a log-fire cutting out patterns to cross-stitch hand-made Christmas presents, it was always a happy occasion and I hope my children will also be lucky enough to experience such lessons with their own grandparents.

Our education system is currently failing to encourage and offer opportunities to pupils to pursue vocational training careers but we must be careful and wary of losing such valuable skills in our society. We must appreciate and learn from our elders the generation-old skills they have to offer and keep creativity alive.

‘Try something old. Learn something new.’

What did you learn from your grandparents? Is there something that you have always wanted to learn from an elder but haven’t yet done so? Why not make it your mission to learn this weekend?

If you would like to find out more about The Amazings and the work they do you can visit their website.

There are a whole host of companies that will inspire you to learn, to look at life from another angle and ask questions of society: there’s something for everyone and it’s worth taking the time to browse the web and find those little gems that resonate with you. Whoever you are, these companies cannot fail to get you thinking so why not start by assigning yourself a few hours to kick-back and enjoy exploring some of my personal favourites:

Good – a global community of, by, and for pragmatic idealists working towards individual and collective progress.
Do Lectures – inspiring talks from people who are changing the world.
Springwise – if you’re looking for a fix of the best new entrepreneurial ideas out there then Springwise is the place to go. Springwise scans the globe for the most promising, unique and innovative business ventures, ideas and concepts that are ready for regional or international adaptation, expansion, partnering, investments or cooperation.
TED – a well-known and well-loved nonprofit devoted to ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’.
Daily Good – promotinng positive and uplifting news from around the world through daily and weekly newsletters. It certainly feels good to receive some upbeat news in your inbox everyday…

I’d like to introduce myself to you. My name is Susannah Keene and I’m back to lend a helping hand to DWYL whilst Beth is busy preparing herself for motherhood! I first met Beth working together at UNICEF in London and since then have spent a couple of years working in Ghana, moved back to the UK to get married and am now expecting our first baby in the New Year which is very exciting. I’m enjoying exploring new opportunities for DWYL’s development and sharing growth ideas with Paul for 2014 so watch this space…

If you know other any other inspiring companies please share them by leaving a comment below.

Do What You Love Interview – Forest Foundry

Posted on 2013-11-21 at 9:45 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Today’s interview is actually with a collective of talented artists from around the world, who ‘met’ each other through our Make Art That Sells course (with Lilla Rogers) and have gone on to form a business relationship which allows them to pool resources, access a wider audience and support each other. We love this idea, and were intrigued to find out more about the artists behind ‘Forest Foundry’.

This is how they describe themselves: “Forest Foundry is an art collective of eight artists from around the world, who believe that beautiful art should be accessible to everyone. We create art that is colourful, and evokes the imagination. We try to make sustainable choices whenever we can, to help the future of our planet.”

The Forest Foundry consists of Katy Tanis (KT), Karma Voce (KV), Ine Beerten (IB), Victoria Weiss (VW), Zoe Ingram (ZI), Miriam Bos (MB), Neiko Ng (NN) and Kat Kalindi Cameron (KKC).

1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?

KKC – My life at the moment is a bit of a juggling act. I have two small children (aged 5 and 3) so I have to balance the school run and home stuff with my love of designing and illustrating. I am working on a few licensing projects at the moment which is my main goal as an artist.

MB – It’s pretty easy doing what you love when the thing you love doing the most is creating. I get up, start a doodle in my sketchbook while having breakfast. Then I get behind my computer to check emails and social media, and when I have had my cup of tea I start working on whatever project I have at that particular moment. My days are like this almost every day. Even on the weekends. It’s hard to stop.

ZI – When I realised I was about to hit 40 this year I decided to take the bull by the horns and do Lilla Rogers’ Make Art That Sells e-Course which was absolutely amazing, and following on from that I entered the Global Talent Search, which I won! I am now doing something that I absolutely love with a passion and I believe that Lilla’s course came at the right time for me.

VW – I think for most of us that are also mothers, it is a real test of how deep do you love what you do creatively. Every time my day is about to go downhill I ask myself why I am doing what I am doing, and this gets me back on track. It is simply so much fun. It’s magical and mysterious and I can’t imagine my life otherwise.

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Creating magic

Posted on 2013-11-18 at 6:51 pm.

Written by Beth Kempton

Last week we went up to London for a very special show in the West End – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl. It is one of my favourite books from childhood, and Sam Mendes’ version was a feast for the eyes, full of mystery and surprises, all bound together by a delightful story. There were exploding potions, flying elevators, rivers of chocolate and even some breakdancing. The stage came alive with colour, motion and magic.

Roald Dahl was an absolute genius at capturing the things that fascinate and delight children and adults alike. From rude noises and naughty characters, to worlds of sweets, and retribution for nasty adults, he captured it all. I met him once, when I was about 8. I queued up for hours at a book fair to get his autograph on my copy of The BFG. When I got to the front of the queue I couldn’t help but stare at this old man, who had a twinkle in his eye and a pocket full of crazy ideas. If he was still alive and I had the chance to meet him again, I’d ask him where he got his inspiration from.

Apparently Roald Dahl wrote most of his books in a shed at the end of his garden, which shows you don’t need to travel far, spend much or do complicated things to get inspired. If he could create dreamcatching giants, square-footed witches, everlasting gobstoppers and a giant peach from inside a hut furnished with a brown chair, tartan rug, small wooden desk and a waste paper basket, surely each of us can conjour up magic wherever we are too.

Here’s another example of simple creativity – just loved seeing how this inventive couple have made November completely magical for their children (when they make the toy dinosaurs come alive…)

I’m all for making your space imaginative, for trying new things, and going off on adventures to get inspired. But sometimes arranging that space, getting round to doing things, or planning a trip can give way to procrastination and excuses. So this week why not take a leaf out of one of Roald Dahl’s swizfiggling books and find a way to inspire yourself right where you are, with what you have now. And be sure to tell us about it on Facebook or Twitter!

Happy Monday!

Do What You Love Interview – Lucia Griggi

Posted on 2013-11-07 at 8:55 am.

Written by Beth Kempton

Lucia Griggi is one of the world’s only female professional surf photographers, and an award winning one at that. Does she need more introduction than that? This is clearly a woman doing what she loves (and what talent!)

Here is how Lucia describes herself:

“My father is from Venice, Italy and my mother is from London, England so maybe I’m pulled by whatever inspired Marco Polo overland to China or the same psychic winds that took Captain Cook halfway around the world to Hawaii and Alaska. Marco Polo went east, Captain Cook went west and I want to go both ways at the same time. Some say wanderlust is in your blood, some say it gets in your blood. With me it’s both.

See a little, and you want to see a lot. See a lot, and you want to see a lot more. And if by chance you see it all, you can start all over again, because change is a constant. Becoming a photographer has given me a chance to realize what I genuinely believe is my destiny: to travel the world and understand it. I began as a surf photographer, obsessed with the search for the perfect wave. But that search has lead me on paths away from the beach, to worlds I didn’t know existed. Getting to know the unknown is now my passion.

My site www.luciagriggi.com is for those eager to look beyond everyday life – a showcase of my journey so far: North to Alaska; as far south as South Africa; west to California and as far east as Sri Lanka. Hawaii, the Maldives, Vietnam, Morocco, Australia: North, south, east and west. I’ve seen a lot but I haven’t seen it all and I share these photos, hoping they will inspire in others what I have found in myself: The desire to travel, have adventures and learn and experience different cultures. All I want to do is see the world and capture it in a way that will encourage others to follow their passions and make their dreams become a reality.”

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