In my creative work, I’ve often straddled fences.  One foot in refinishing furniture and another in writing a book.  One foot in managing a paint brand, while the other is in freelance articles and photography.  I have always enjoyed the flexibility and stimulation that comes with hopping from one side of the fence to the other.  I have also learned over the years that one creative endeavor often speaks to another.  I get writing ideas when I’m working in the garden.  I find new color combinations for decorating when I’m mixing my oil paints.  There is a beneficial symbiotic relationship that develops between two seemingly unrelated activities. Most of the time, I feel at home bouncing around from one thing to another.  But there are some seasons where it feels chaotic and overwhelming.  It all becomes a bit too much to juggle, because there are only so many hours in

I’m often asked how I plan out my days to balance work, home, life, and creativity and, over the years, I’ve written posts about what I’m doing in that particular season of life.  As I grow (and yes, age) and as my business evolves, so does the way I plan my days.  There were many years I operated by the fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants method.  I had two small kids, my business had grown exponentially, and I was just trying to keep it all going.  That method and pace were unsustainable, though, and I felt the need to make a substantial change when I moved to Minnesota in 2017.  I decided to stop refinishing and upholstering furniture as the primary part of my business and shifted my focus to sharing about our home renovations, fine art, and writing. This shift gave me more time to think, plan, and approach my business and life

I’m so glad I was finally able to get away for a Creative Retreat last week.  It’s been over four years since the last one, so it was way overdue!  I had my first Creative Retreat in 2018 and it was a special experience.  Other than blog conferences, I had never taken time away from home and work specifically for creative and professional growth, study, rest, and rejuvenation.   In early 2018, we had just moved to Minnesota, I was transitioning my business from furniture refinishing and selling antiques to whatever was next, and I had some big things to think about and questions about the future of my creative work to answer.  I came home with clarity and a renewed enthusiasm for my work.  Since then, I’ve taken a few Creative Retreats and learned that I need about one a year to clear the cobwebs, brainstorm, and gain a bit