Running a Business Archives | Page 37 of 49

Running a Business

Decorating

recharging your creative batteries

As I shared in my post yesterday, I’ve been feeling drained lately. I usually feel that way after any big creative endeavor. I’m always toast after the Lucketts Antique Market, the Christmas Open House left me in a creative coma for a couple of days and I’m usually useless after I finish a large round of freelance projects. I was in serious need of a creative jolt today, so I decided to get out of the house. I dropped the boys off at school set out for some retail stores. I almost always shop second hand, but it’s nice to get into a home store to see the colors, patterns, displays and trends. I dressed my very best for the occasion. Seriously. That’s what I wore. With a sweat shirt and bandanna on my hair to round out the ensemble. I did wear mascara. Anyway, I was looking for

March 7, 2012 No Comments

the book

My life for the past couple of months has basically revolved around the book I’m writing. Things are finally starting to come together. We’ve edited through chapter nine (out of ten) and I just finished my last photo shoot today. YES!! It’s been a lot of work, but very rewarding and I know I will be absolutely over the moon when I see it in print. So, I wanted to answer a few questions I’ve been getting about the book, so you have an idea of what I’ve been up to. How it happened… First of all, in case you’re new(er) to my blog, I want to let you know that my business was started just to help out with the family finances and I had no idea I would ever have the opportunity to write a book. I started writing one about 1 1/2 years ago and shared about

March 5, 2012 No Comments

Miscellaneus

more peeks…

Well, the flurry of activity will be prolonged for a few more days…fortunately. My original deadline for the photos has been extended. Whew! I was going to make it, but I was definitely going to be limping to the finish line. I feel like with a few extra days, I can make the photos even better. I started out the morning by moving things around in my office to make room for hanging wallpaper. I brought in a professional for the job for a few reasons… One: I have never hung wallpaper before and this is unpasted paper, two: I have dozens of other things I need to get done in a short period of time, and three: the paper is for a special project and it’s not a time for me to expand my DIY horizons. I couldn’t help myself, though, and I was soon up on a ladder,

February 25, 2012 No Comments

Running a Business

Sneak Peeks

The next ten days are going to be intense. I’m making my final push to finish the photography and projects for the book (as well as tweaking some of the tutorials.) I did have a very productive day, so I am feeling like I’m in a pretty good place, but I do have to squeeze as much as I can into every minute. I think I definitely will need a massage when it’s all done and maybe a full day in bed watching movies. I can’t show what I’m working on, but I can show a few sneak peeks… …and my house is a mess. Mini is helping to keep me straight, though. She even cleaned out my van today, since it was a disaster. Despite the stress and the hard work, I’m really enjoying this process and I’m learning so much about what I would

February 21, 2012 No Comments

buying & selling antiques

A Visit to Lucketts

Well, I finally crawled out of my writing-induced hermit shell yesterday and spent the day at Lucketts and running some errands. It was mostly book-related, but it was so nice to be out and about (and out of sweatpants.) I went to have my picture taken by the very talented Jody McKitrick. We had never met before, but we were providentially brought together last year by my Union Jack dresser and now she’s helping me out with a little photography for my book. I really needed a few professional shots of myself for promotional purposes, for the book jacket and some interior shots of me shopping, taking pictures, etc. Lucketts was the perfect backdrop. What’s so funny is that I ended up finding (and buying) an awesome primitive table in the process. I picked out the pictures I liked this morning and can’t wait to share some of them as well as

February 10, 2012 No Comments

blogging & writing

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks focused on the writing of my book and I’m finding it so difficult to write blog posts as well. I’ve been locked in my room in sweat pants, just writing. So, what am I going to share on my blog? Yeah…this is challenging. All of my writing and creative juices are going into the book, because I want it to be really good and fresh even to those who have read every post on my blog. I also have a super tight deadline, so I’m having to cram like a college student working on a last minute term paper. I’m enjoying the process, but this is an unexpected side effect. So, here’s the plan. I have another week or two of writing, so I’ll just post about this and that during that time. Once my writing is done, I’m going to start

February 6, 2012 No Comments

Photography

Growing Your Blog – Photography & Styling

  I kinda have to pinch myself today. I have four of my blogging icons here to share some words of wisdom on using quality photos to grow your blog and then I get to chime in on the subject as well. Kate from Centsational Girl brought us together to share a series on Growing Your Blog. I know I would’ve loved to read something like this when I first started, so I’m honored to be a part of this. The topic for today is photography and styling. I’ll give the floor to my guests and then share some additional thoughts with you… Y’all I should be arrested. I use a 4 year old Nikon D40 whose lens cap was lost a year or two ago. I have Photoshop but I don’t have time for the learning curve so if I do any editing it’s in iPhoto that came with

January 5, 2012 8 Comments

my business story

Everyone Starts Somewhere

I’ve been asked on a few occasions to share pictures of the ornaments I painted when I first started my business three years ago. I always felt a little embarrassed to show them, so I haven’t. They’re not really my style, but I decided to keep the ones I didn’t sell. I knew they were a part of the history of my business and great reminders that often times success comes out of failures and things don’t always go as planned. I also painted each one of these by hand at a time when I really needed a creative outlet. I stayed up late into the night and painted these over my kitchen counter while the rest of my family slept. I would sneak some time with them while my then 1 1/2 year old was playing and my four month old was at my ankles. These are certainly not the best things I ever made,

December 18, 2011 71 Comments

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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