Notice!

Well,

Even though I thought I'd never end up doing this, I'm putting my blogging to a stop. Why?

As I've discovered more and more blogs (most of which way more successful than mine) I've come to realize mine resembles them too much. Originally, I thought my idea for this blog was fresh, but it turned out I haven't done my research. Now, mine's a shadow of the many out there and this dissatisfies me to a point where I no longer wish to continue writing it. Because of that I've decided to stop doing it for some time until I decide in what way it'd go. I have to come up with a new idea, a new schedule and find my passion for blogging again.

I do realize I have promised MojoSteph and chanyeevon they'd be featured and this will happen. Most likely, the feature dates will be the 13th and the 27th, but ultimately it depends on them, so no promises on this one.

If and when there's news to share about the life of the blog I will post. When it's finally sorted out, you'll know. For the time being, thanks to all of you who supported me and Handmade Discoveries. Keep an eye on us for the features of the awesome two artists this month!

Hope the days between your visits leave you calm and happy,

Bilyana

Sharing: Photo updates! Yay!

Hey, guys!

Today's post will show you some of the new product photos I took last Friday! I'm quite happy with the outcome even though the original photos sucked really hard. All of that was thanks to my old camera that's not even near to the awesomeness of the one my partner's lending me. Super-duper macro mode? Check. Preview photos on the camera screen? Awesome. Actual picture? Way blurred. Exposure? Deadly underexposed. Focus? What's focus, m'lady? Anyway, two programs, three hours and a lot of nerves and "Which one? This one? Or the other?" thoughts later the outcome is:

From:

To:

From:

To:

And finally (yeah, this is the last pair), from:

To:

Do you like them? You can check out the rest of them here and here. Well, that being done, there's only the polar collection to be rephotographed! I think I've kept the integrity, but still improved the theme feeling and the quality.

On Wednesday I'll be searching for the perfect photos! Join me in the treasure hunt for the best photographed products and finds some inspiration and a new level to aim at! Until then

Keep improving even if your motivation only lasts two days,

Bilyana!

P.S.: I'm having second thoughts. Which ones are better? Yeah, right, I've got the "dramatic" shallowness of field and all, but are they clear enough? Can they be clear when the varnish reflects light? Am I crazy?!

Finding: Cynthia

Hello, guys!

Before I get too apologetic about missing out two posts (I had some reasons, hadn't I?), I'd like to go right to the point! Today's featured artist is Cynthia from A Tree Thing who creates stunning family trees in the loveliest colours possible! I can't wait to show you some pictures, but  let's follow the rules (ain't they my rules to break?). Enjoy!

• Share a bit of your story, please.

My name is Cynthia and I am a creative. hello.

Ever since I was a child I knew I wanted a future in art. Illustrator. Art teacher. Fashion Designer (no matter my taste in fashion is lacking). I ended up in advertising, an art director, and I couldn't be happier. I moved away from home for this career and as a result, I met my beloved cat Fred and my dear husband Mike.

I am a crafty person, always looking for the next DIY project. Our wedding was no exception. As a thank you to our parents, we presented family trees that I designed personally. It was fun: the research, the design and the family connections. Those family trees were two of a kind, a gift to never be repeated. But I enjoyed it so much that I have decided to continue designing family trees. And from that came A Tree Thing, an Etsy shop full of my unique family trees.

• What place does art have in your everyday life? How do you manage to balance creativity and chores?

Art IS my everyday life. It is my job from 8-5 and my hobby from 5-8. Besides my day job as an art director, I am always on the look out for the next home decorating project or surfing the net for a new recipe. I enjoy developing my green thumb, a trial and error process for sure, and going to concerts with my husband. I enjoy movies, music, video games and books, all forms of everyday art in my everyday life. I couldn't picture a life without art.

• What is it that inspires you?

My inspiration comes from graphic design publications, DIY and crafty blogs, fabric and textures, photography and nature. But even more than all that, my inspiration comes from my coworkers, my friends and my family. Without their support, their guidance, their critiques, I would not be able to further develop my own creativity.

• What do you expect to happen to your Etsy store in the future? Where do you see yourself in one year?

I have no idea. whatsoever. If my Etsy store did so much as fund my family tree making hobby I would be the happiest creative ever. If my family trees found their way into babies' nurseries and wedding gift tables and a grandmother's family photo wall, I would jump with delight. Will they? I don't know. The journey has just begun.

• Any strategy to help you achieve your artistic goals? Would you share one tip with all new-born artists?

Ask for opinions and honest critiques of your work and don't take any of it personally (I know, it is difficult). Use it to strengthen your product and your talent.

• Anything else you'd like to say?

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. I wish everyone luck in their creative endeavors.

'Personalized Baby's Family Tree Print - Roxann Collection, GREEN'

and

'Personalized Family Tree Print - Shirley Collection, Orange'

'Personalized Family Tree Print - Robin Collection, Orange'

and

'Personalized Baby's Family Tree Print - Jane Collection, Blue'

Thank you, Cynthia! This has been so far the best wish I've received! More about Cynthia and her creative work and life you'll find at her blog (she sends awesome update e-mails) and by following her on Twitter!

Well, as far as my luck goes, I need tons of it to get things running faster than they would by themselves. However, this is Cynthia's special space here, so I'll leave all that stuff for Monday when I'll make sure some post gets published. And I'm off to magnet-drawing-land!

Have a nice weekend (wow, so many weekends, it gets hard to think of a wish already!) and make sure you're following whatever set your feet on a creative path!

Bilyana

P.S.: A better wish than all my words:

The Tip Factory: 2

Hello to all!

Today I'll start with the (preferred) post content and mingle it with some personal updates.

Five lessons I've learned this week!

• Do not neglect.

Neglecting the everyday tasks we perform is something we all know. Yes, we had more important things to do and yes, the electricity went dead and yes, our e-mails suffocated us. In the end, however, (especially if it's a long-postponed end) all the work is waiting for you right where you left it. The e-mails won't go away and so won't the blog. Even if you don't really have outer control (like subscribers f.e.), the thing that should make you get to it is the fact that coping with information (and hence learning and growing and making more money) is a process that requires time and attention. You cannot read 60 e-mails in an hour and expect to have learned all from the posts of your mentors. You also shouldn't be surprised if you missed something important or interesting, after the 15th message they all feel the same. And at the end you've waisted time to pretend you've read them all.

My advice (and a fresh and supported one) is: be strict about your daily work. Make time for it. You probably haven't done something more important in those moments anyway.

• "Eat the elephant" one bite at a time.

IttyBiz' columnist Johny Truant wrote a damn good post about learning to take small steps. Especially useful for emerging artists, this post helped me be at peace with the fact that my shop's still not what I want it to be. I thought I'm sicking at running Ammadin's, but yes, I don't know all and it's supposed to suck a bit in the beginning. The post goes especially well with the clichéd phrase "Keep calm and carry on". Learn from what went wrong and at some point you will know how to avoid it.

• Be concise.

This, however, should be no excuse. Try to be concise in your vision and your choices. Like this concise and a bit more on the top with packaging and freebies. It will make you look like a professional with the integrity needed to leave a lasting impression. And I'm not saying this as a seller, because I suck at managing my shop's integrity (but hope is lurking behind the clouds!), but as a buyer who's spend tons of time at Etsy and has remembered but a few of the sellers I've seen.

• Random: Do not use opened surveys.

Well, with my first customer there's hope for my survey to come to use. However, Naomi from IttyBiz strictly denied the use of opened answers. Why? My guess would be that people are lazy. Often, they don't know what exactly to say. Sometimes, I guess, they might not want to be honest. Thinking of that I'll revise my survey and finally come up with a way with the awesome guy who does this whole computer magic for me.

• Last (and probably mentioned here before): Rest, rejuvenate and regrow.

When I missed Wednesday's post (and not entirely without conscious thoughts about it), I felt something was wrong. I've grown a bit weary of all the hasty browsing and writing and deadline-coping. I'd write a post and then feel a bit squeezed during the rest of the day, no wish to create whatsoever. But in the end I have to remember my blog is one of my enterprises, not my primary. It's grown to be a lot more than product-presentation (unlike my Facebook page, guilty as charged), but still it should not tire me out. Yes, sounds like whining to me too, but that's how it is, I do many stuff during the day. Too much side work can be an obstacle. Rest from it and focus on yourself. All will grow as far as you have the strength to dig, water and nurture it.

Today's useful place to visit:

While I've neglected my Facebook page, I intend to fix that soon. Etsy's blog has promoted this awesome Facebook post and if any of you missed it, make sure you check it out. It will guide you as to how Facebook promotion works and how it could work better.

Well, the post's grown quite long again and I'll have to think of that next time. Hope you've felt the wind of help in your sails and have reached at least the ass of the elephant. Not sure what I'm speaking of? Well, you've probably scrolled over it, so go back and be strict!

Bilyana

Random Something: An apology

Hey, guys!

I'm really sorry to have missed today's post, but I'll make what's possible to find a way to post it tomorrow (if there's Internet at the hotel at all). The reason? A lovely, lovely person not only ordered a magnet, but complimented me on the shop and I finally feel the Universe has been fair! Thank you, Jodi!

Well, I've been so busy with a trip to Pleven and the first order and my parent's 20th wedding anniversary that I can't even promise any further posts until I see what's the situation in our hotel. Sorry! And you won't be having this next time! Promise!

Anyway, hope you'll have a nice week or so with much sun and cooling rain and the happiness I feel right now with my partner next to me! Wow, the lengthiness.

Bilyana

Sharing: A life in pictures

Morning! (Well, technically it's noon.)

I seem to have more to blog about than the space I allow myself per post (although last Monday's was pretty lengthy). So, today I'll show and not tell (a popular creative writing formula) about what's happening in my kitchen. Apart from computer gaming and drinking shamefully large amounts of ice tea.

• Knitting: my first finished... thing with my own handmade buttons!

• My first shop themed ACEO from draft to completion:

• My first ever stamp and the few that followed:

And it's pretty much that. Guess without the talking that's a pretty short post, but at its end I have to share that I'm thinking of some way to get more followers for my blog. I was thinking of something like "Get a friend to follow, earn yourself a magnet" but am not quite sure how this might end for me financially. I was also considering doing a normal give-away like all the blog I read, but will see to that. I still have to take new pictures of the polar, farm and family magnets, but I'll get to that soon (hopefully).

What do you think of the two give-away ideas? Have any tips for bringing more followers? I'd love to hear from you, guys! On Wednesday you'll be looking at 10 fresh Etsy finds grouped around a surprise theme! (Meaning I haven't thought of it yet.)

Until then remember to keep yourself motivated and well-fed in order to bloom creatively,

Bilyana!

Finding: Monique

Hello, guys!

Today I'm quite excited as the artist we'll get to know is enthusiastic, driven and (well, yes, for me as a blogger this is a huge thing) punctual! Meet Monique from HoneyBliss and tune your reading senses for some fresh creations with a solid story behind their backs!

• Share a bit of your story, please.

I was born in Miami but grew up here in Toronto, Canada. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and been very creative. In middle school I’ve made greeting cards, bookmarks, shaved pencils and repainted them with decorations, made comic books, made jewelry…all with the intentions of selling them. I would sell a few then move on to the next project.

It was only in late 2005 that I started sewing after tagging along with my mom to take sewing lessons at a lady’s house. My mom used to sew a lot – clothing for herself and for my sister and I – but she had stopped for a while and wanted to get back into it. I was learning for the first time. I actually really enjoyed it and since I was never really good at shopping this way I would have clothing that I really wanted. So I made myself a new wardrobe all the while getting better. I had stumbled upon Etsy but never thought that I would make clothes for others. But once my skills improved and I felt that I was at a level where I could sell clothing, it was only natural for me to try to turn it into a business. In that way, Honey Bliss was born!

'Spring Awakening Goergette Maxi Dress'

• What place does art have in your everyday life? How do you manage to balance creativity and chores?

Art/fashion design has a major part. I’m always on the lookout for interesting and inspiring things. I always look at, borrow from the library or buy fashion magazines and frequent fashion websites.

I am still trying to be balanced. I tend to neglect certain things (chores, friends) when I’m hard at work on a project. What I try to do now is allot only a certain amount of hours to working on my line.

• What is it that inspires you?

Nature! Nature is a big inspiration to me. I absolutely love summer because that is when everything is sooo beautiful. The sun brightly shining in the sky illuminating everything, making the grass greener, the flowers more vibrant. The sunsets are gorgeous, painting the sky a blend of orange, purple, red. Even a stormy or dark gloomy day is beautiful. The trees seem to be more emerald against the puffy grey sky. The flutter of a butterfly, decaying wood, flowers…I am inspired by anything and practically everything in the summer. So nature most definitely is my biggest inspiration.

'Mon Cherie Petal Front Babydoll'

• What do you expect to happen to your Etsy store in the future? Where do you see yourself in one year?

I would love to be a source of inspiration. I sell one-off pieces that I like to think will guarantee individuality when someone wears it. So I would want to be the go to shop for fashion enthusiasts who love to buy unique clothing. Even to have people frequenting my shop just to look around and be inspired. I’ve only just recently started, so I have a long way to go.

'Cheer Up Yellow Ruffle Sleeve Dress'

• 
  
  Any strategy to help you achieve your artistic goals? Would you share one tip with all new-born artists?

I used to go with my gut when creating a piece of clothing. I would be so excited to make it that I wouldn’t take time out to write steps as to how I would complete the garment. Then I would make mistakes and waste time trying to fix it. So I try my best to calm down before starting a project (haha) and plan out and write/draw the patterns I need, step by step instructions on how to construct it etc. I find that saves me a lot of time and I tend to finish the garment much faster since I’ve already practically made it in my head while planning.

One tip that I would like to share is never give up. I know it’s a common rule of thumb, but it’s so true. If you’re passionate about something, keep at it. You may not see results right away, but if you keep working hard you are bound to see the fruits of your labour!

• 
  
  Anything else you'd like to say?

Just want to thank you Bilyana for doing a feature on me! I am honoured. J

'Fun Polka Dots and Bow Back Dress'

Thank you, Monique, for sharing your insights and showing the right attitude for a young Etsian! You've reminded me how I should behave and believe in myself not just for the first two weeks. For more updates on Monique's work and life visit her blog and keep an eye on her Etsy shop for unique clothing and accessories!

Hoe you've enjoyed and benefited from today's post. Again, I just have to thank Monique for the punctuality and serious attitude and I'll hope there are more eager sellers out there waiting to be featured in this small blog. I'll be on a vacation fro next Thursday, but the blog will be kept alive and hopefully by a live me depending on the availability of an Internet connection. On Monday I'll show you what's kept me busy (well, apart from my computer game) and so might you as well via my rarely used comment section!

Until then, have a nice and sunny weekend (hopefully with the presence of Chinese food), 

Bilyana