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Running a Business

closed doors and open windows

Yesterday afternoon, I received a phone call and I could tell immediately from the tone that bad news was about the be delivered. I had a feeling I already knew what that bad news was, though, so I didn’t feel the need to sit down to steady myself. “We presented your second quilting fabric line at our January show and it didn’t sell enough yardage for us to make it, so we’re canceling that line.” They assured me it wasn’t about bad design, but about bad timing in an already crowded market and there was some comfort in that. Of course, I felt the initial sting of failure even though I was expecting it. And I hate to admit it, but my thoughts darted to anonymous people on the internet who are critical of me and how they would delight in something I created not being successful. But once those

March 7, 2019 120 Comments

a slice of life

contentment boundaries

I wrote earlier this month that my two focus areas of 2019 are contentment and health. These are two areas I’m working on, so anything I share with you is like the blind leading the blind, but sometimes there is comfort in that. Sometimes it’s nice to be at the same point on the same journey together, right? And really, that’s what the heart of blogging is about…just an average person sharing what they are up to. Soooo… let’s talk about contentment and some boundaries I needed to set up to help me on that journey. Years and years ago, when I was a newlywed and just starting to develop a love for all things home, I became a shelter magazine and decorating book junkie. I subscribed to all of them and I joined the book clubs… you remember the ones that you would pick 8-12 books for $.99/each when

January 28, 2019 96 Comments

my business story

why I write this blog…

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the whys behind the things I do. For the new business ideas I’m currently cultivating… Why am I working on them? Is it simply to earn more money? To satisfy a desire for a particular creative outlet? Is it out of fear of missing an opportunity? For the ones that are currently on my plate… Why am I doing them? Is it because I’m already doing them, so I just keep doing them? Is it because I’m afraid to let something go? Is it because there is a true passion behind the project? I haven’t been asking why for a long time. Maybe out of neglect or busyness? Maybe because I was apprehensive to dig too deep and cause too much disruption if I didn’t like the answers. But, I’ve been thinking more about the whys. I’ve been asking difficult questions and some of

January 22, 2019 138 Comments

Running a Business

Instagram Q & A | Business

I got so busy with other things, that I left this series hanging! A few weeks ago (months at this point), I opened my Instagram Stories up for questions and I’ve been answering most of those in blog posts. If you missed those posts and want to see them, you can find them here… Instagram Q & A Home Stuff Instagram Q & A Milk Paint Line In today’s post, I’m answering questions asked about my business. I tried to condense similar and repeat questions into one, so this post wouldn’t be a short book! Is it difficult to maintain consistency with blogging and social media posts? I would say it is sometimes difficult. I have been blogging for almost 10 years and I took it seriously right from the beginning. I’ve always viewed it as a part of my job, so I do it even when I don’t feel

January 16, 2019 41 Comments

a slice of life

the creative’s s-word

S-t-u-c-k. The s-word dreaded by creatives all over the globe. And there is good reason for dreading it. You’re humming along, in a creative groove and then you come to a complete halt. Your mind is either blank or so cluttered with non-fun, creativity-sucking things that there is nowhere for a spark to catch. Man, I hate being stuck! As we’re creeping towards Christmas and I’m already looking forward to taking a long break, I have to admit that I have been feeling a bit stuck creatively. I’ll sit at my easel and flip through books and ponder what I’ll paint next without putting brush to canvas. I’ll sit at my computer and distract myself with window shopping on Etsy or watching news bloopers on YouTube. (Some are a riot.) I’ll set aside focused time to work on a specific project only to find myself uninspired, sitting in front of

December 19, 2018 42 Comments

Popular

a new standard of measurement

It’s that time of year where we get our planners out and start to fill the pages with the goals and dreams and to-dos for next year. And, as I’ve been pondering my own 2019 and all of the promise it holds, I’ve been thinking about the push for more that is so prevalent in our society and more specifically in the online creative community. There is this trend, this idea that is being perpetuated in this world of “girl bosses” – that you have to have big dreams and you were not “made to be small” or live a small life. And, I have to admit that it all sounds good. But, there is something that doesn’t sit quite right with me… Who defines small? Small is relative. A mouse is small compared to an elephant, but it’s enormous compared to a flea. Something can really only be defined

December 11, 2018 219 Comments

All Things Home

The Mercantile in Knightdale

I spent Thanksgiving in Raleigh, NC, visiting Jeff’s family. The days were mostly filled with relaxing and visiting, but I did take advantage of my close proximity to one of my MMS Milk Paint retailers (In Sweet Time at The Mercantile in Knightdale, NC) and I spent an evening teaching a milk paint demo and signing books. The evening itself was so special. You know how magical it is when you get to spend time with creative kindred spirits? It was all of that and more. The demo turned into a full sit-down workshop (with several people from the “audience” participating in painting and finishing the piece) and a discussion about creative small business, blogging, and social media. I got to meet so many delightful people, some who dropped Thanksgiving preparations and others who drove several hours to be there. And I had the treat of touring the beautifully curated a

November 27, 2018 20 Comments

Furniture Makeovers

Instagram Q & A | Milk Paint Line

As I shared last week, I invited followers to ask questions on my Instagram Stories and I received so many questions that I decided to sort them into categories and answer them in blog posts. In the last Insta Q&A post, I answered home-related questions. You can find that post HERE. I was asked a lot of posts about my business and creative business in general, so I decided to pick out the milk paint related questions, so that post wouldn’t be a novella. This post on its own is pretty lengthy! How did you get started making paint? I’m so glad someone asked this question because it’s such a good story! I feel like I can say that because it’s an opportunity that unfolded for me. I was a participant and a character, but not the author. I merely took a step forward each time there was room in front

October 29, 2018 22 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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