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balancing business & creativity

There are days when I feel a little buried in business.  When exciting things and growth happens, more business comes along with it.  E-mail, bills, paperwork, conference calls, things that can’t be ignored.  I want to be painting furniture or trolling Pinterest or glittering something.  I want to just be creative.  So, it’s a constant balance between the two.

Kriste worked today on getting orders packed up and getting about 1/3 of the look books unboxed and ready to pack and ship tomorrow.  (It was a little strange seeing so much of my face piled up all over my living room!)

After some meetings (which are super exciting) and some e-mail, I informed Kriste I needed to do some creative things…just for my mental health.  We camped at the dining room table, pouring over creative things to do with milk paint and ideas for the next look book.

We pulled out a bunch of random bits we bought a few weeks ago and tried out some ideas we had for glass glitter projects.

   

…and I took pretty pictures while we were at it.

 

 

…and we found some winning projects that we want to expand on.

     
Miss Mustard Seed-0462

…and we had some ideas that weren’t so successful, but that’s all a part of experimenting.  We’ll make tutorials for the successful ones and the fails went directly to the trash can.

It was just the kind of creative time I needed.

Business is a part of…well, having a business, so we might as well make it pretty.  I found a beautiful accessory that I love every time I see it…

 

 

It’s a beautiful leather book that looks like an antique encyclopedia volume…

…but is actually a case for my laptop.

 

Some people are so clever and know how to make business a bit more fun for those of us who would rather be doing something creative!

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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12 Responses

  1. Oh I LOVE the computer case! I am SO hearing you on the business/creative balance! I have those moments lately where my heart starts to palpitate and I just have to jump up and away from the “books” or the housework and someone will inevitably hear me call out, “I just have to PAINT SOMETHING!” … and so I do. And then I feel better, more mentally stable and able to carry out the rest of business and family and life… and coffee helps too. 😉

  2. Thank you for sharing.. it was not quite the inspirational post I was looking for personally; I think I relate to the “pie in the sky” era posts better… But I am very grateful for all the wonderful inspiration you have given me through the years!
    And I agree with Sharon; a good cup of coffee always makes everything better!! 🙂

  3. i so get it, marian. i thrive on the balance that comes from expressing creativity and PLAYING. i think i would shrivel up and wither away without those windows of time. lovely images and work, beautiful blogger!

  4. I bought that laptop case for my daughter last Christmas and it looks even more realistic with a little wear and tear! Good for you for taking that time. I’m in that sandwich generation between kids and parents and have little time to do those creative things I love and I miss it so much!

  5. Cute case for your laptop, Marian! I found one similar to that for my daughter a couple years ago for her phone – disguising modern tech with a distressed leather.

    I must confess – I am a glitterphobe! When I receive cards with glitter, they are immediately quarantined. I have recently been cleaning out my basement and, apparently, this goes back years. I was cleaning out 22 yr old school papers, and came across a glittered shamrock by one of my girls that I had wrapped with Glad wrap, that’s how bad I was/am. But your projects (esp the bottlebrush tree) look great. 🙂
    Rita

  6. I had a case from that same company for my iPad but one of the leather straps that holds the tablet tore and couldn’t be repaired after only a few months of light use. The same thing happened to my mom on 2 identical cases from the same company, in the same spot. We were so upset because those cases weren’t cheap! Grrr. I certainly hope your laptop case holds up better than our iPad cases did.

  7. I so understand, sometimes I just have to leave our vintage businesses and their messes and go upstairs and sew. Add a little bit of chocolate to that and all is well with the world again 😀

  8. ok WHERE did you get the computer case?! I’ve been avoiding my computer way too much lately – and the blog is suffering. Mabye I need a cool case to make me want to get back to it!

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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