Try New Things

 You know the saying 'keep doing what you're doing, keep getting what you're getting! Sometimes you just have to try new things.  I recently opened another online shop as I have been thinking about doing this for awhile now but kept putting it off as I knew there would be a lot of work involved.  

Maybe you've heard of the Redbubble platform that is also a print on demand site.  This is where I decided to open my 2nd store after learning a little more about it.  The platform is quite easy to navigate and they offer useful items such as apparel for adults and children, wall art, stationary and office items as well as products that are useful in the home. 

The line up of products offers some different items that Zazzle doesn't have which makes the designing exciting for me.  It's always fun to create and see what a new design will look like on a new item. 

Drop by my shop for a browse around.  I'm creating new patterns and designs daily so hope to have a growing stock in no time. 

Here are a few items form Designsbyshell at Redbubble  

Misty Green Floral A-Line Dress

Blue Hydrangea Pattern Mousepad

Wild Bird on a Branch Art Board Print

Thanks for checking out my new products. Hope you enjoy them.

People Are Inspiring

Don't you just love hearing inspirational people stories that bring a smile to your face and just make you feel good? I know I do! 

Mike McCardell a reporter for CTV News who shares human interest stories about the lives of people who live or once lived in the Vancouver area.  

He was interviewing a gentleman recently he called the Soda Man. A 70 year old man that sells soda and water from a cart to passersby on the corner of Commercial Street and Broadway. He sets up his cart filled with sodas in a variety of flavors and cold bottles of water. The man said he does this pretty well all year long even in the colder winter months. 

He makes friends with his customers and rarely skips a day of work. He said being there makes him happy and for him is not so much about the money though he makes enough to fill his gas tank, he told Mike.  He shared that once he retired he didn't want to just stay home and do nothing. This makes him feel really good he said.

I'm sure he is making others feel good too.  People helping people, we need more of this in the world.  It shows that it doesn't matter how old you are as you can still make a difference and have a meaningful, fulfilling life.  Small things can have big benefits and impacts.  

We can learn from inspirational people like the soda man and  inspiring stories like his as they can nurture our minds, help us relate to humanity and give us fresh insight into possibilities that are out there. You never know when that simple act of kindness, small gesture or word will bring a blessing, touch someone deeply or be an inspiration for another.  

Here is the link to the interview of the Soda Man by Mike McCardell of CTV News.   https://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2277822&jwsource=cl   

Enjoy!

Positive Words T-shirt 

by Designs by Shell

Better Tomorrow Magnet

by Designs by Shell

Scenic Mountains Thank You Card

by Designs by Shell

Create, Design and Sell

When something you do for your business can be used in more ways than one it could be called dual purpose or something that goes hand in hand. As I enjoy crafting, creating and then using what I've created as images on items that I can sell in my store it gives me satisfaction and makes me feel more productive. 

Recently I have been really fascinated with making a variety of fabric flowers. These are beautiful for decorating purposes in my home. Also to add to vases or use as decor on wreaths as well as they make wonderful gifts.  Aside from the enjoyment I get creating these flowers I also take photos of the projects and where I can I use these on items in my store. For example I have used some of the images on wedding invitations, table napkins, cards and other stationary items that I sell. This makes my products extremely unique and I get both the benefit of creating the items physically and then using them digitally. I love it. Here is a sample of some of the flowers I've made and then some that I've applied to products. 

White Silk Flower Wedding Table Napkins

White Silk Flowers With Stripes 

White Silk Floral Table Napkins

Perhaps there are things you can do for your business that can serve more than one purpose. Might be time to take a look at how you are doing things and see if you can get creative with new methods.

I am busy designing and looking at new trends for 2018 that I can work with to continue to move my business into the new year. I hope you find some inspiration and fresh ideas to keep your business moving ahead.  



 

Small Business Interview with Tanya Draws

Interviews are a great way to learn about people and their businesses. I don't know about you but I get inspired by those that are creative and work hard to have their own business.  Every couple of weeks I will strive to have a guest interview on my blog featuring either an artist or someone with an inspiring online business. Hearing how others conduct their company or design their work can give us ideas and help motivate us during those tough times. 

Today I am sharing an interview with you from a talented designer. 

1. What is the name of your business?
Tanya Draws

2. What was your motivation to start your own business?
I started this as a way to motivate myself to create more art, and to teach myself new skills in design. I had been pursuing freelance graphic design at the time, and thought designing the products at the print on demand Zazzle could be a great creative outlet. When people started buying my work, I knew it could be something more! I’ve been designing patterns and drawing ever since.

3. Can you provide me with a description of your business? 
I design cute, quirky and decorative patterns and illustrations for clothing, home decor and stationery. I create gifts that can be enjoyed by people of all ages - from animal puns, to decorative patterns that look great in the home. 

4. What are the advantages of this form of business ownership 
What I love about this form of business ownership is that I can focus on designing and do not have to worry about shipping products or stock levels. Its also purely online so I can really work on my shop at any time, anywhere.

5. How do your customers find your products? 
My art can be found at the online print on demand marketplaces Zazzle, RedBubble and DesignByHumans under the shop name Tanya Draws.

6. Where do you get your motivation when things are slow? 
When I’m slowing down creatively, what helps me is to go shopping! It sounds weird, but browsing a retail store to see what items they have in stock and what kind of colours, styles and designs are popular for the season is inspiring.

7. Is there anyone you look up to for business advice? 
One person I really look up to for business advice is my sister! She is younger than me…  but she goes shopping way more than me, and always knows what is popular. :) Her great eye for style and her love of awkward humour has definitely impacted my shop!

8. Do you do marketing for your business? 
I do mainly social media marketing for my business. I can be found on twitter and Instagram! I also have a blog to showcase my work. 

9.What will you be focusing on for the upcoming holidays? 
For the holidays, I’m working on building up a collection of Holiday themed stationery & photo greeting cards! I’ve also got a bunch of holiday themed patterns in the works that I hope to add to my shop in the next few weeks. 

10. Is there anything that you struggle with in your business? 
My biggest struggle has always been keeping my self doubt in check and maintaining a balance between being critical of my work, and striving to improve. I know that I’ve grown so much as a graphic designer and artist in the past 3 years and part of that is because I see things I could have done better in my work… however sometimes I can forget this and be too critical! As creatives, I think this happens a lot. Its important to see where you can improve but its equally important to keep the things you like about your work in mind, too.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Tanya Draws. This is one of my favorite patterns that she has created. You can find it on many different products in her shop. 

Red Poppy Pattern

You Can Always Do More Than You Think You Can

Have you heard this slogan before? You can always do more than you think. This can apply to many areas of life such as our business or work, learning new skills, reaching diet and fitness goals or perhaps training for something.  

Recently on a little cycling holiday with my husband this became a motto that played on my thoughts as I climbed high hills and rode long, long stretches on my bike. Words from my husband 'you can always do more than you think you can', he was right! ( I know, right!) 

The first two days of riding we spent in Marysville, U.S. biking the Centennial Trail, perhaps you've heard of it?  This was pretty easy riding, mostly flat paved trails that weaved  through lots of trees and greenery, an Art Walk and places to stop for a coffee or lunch break. We rode the trail in two parts, day one we rode 59 km and day two we cycled 69 km. Had lunch at a unique old garage style eatery with the best old fashioned milkshakes ever. We came across a festival at Lake Stevens and stopped for coffee's and a short walk out on the dock. 

On our relax day, we drove about an hour and caught the Whidbey Island ferry to Langley, Whidbey! We arrived at our AirBnB around 2pm and once we got settled we took a stroll into the little town of Langley and bought a few groceries at an organic market for our place. A quaint little studio room. The perfect size with a lovely deck to relax on in comfy Adrirondack chairs. 

Day four was a long bike ride around a section of the Island called the Langley Loop. One in particular hill called French Hill, was pretty long. Many rolling hills and scenic glimpses of the ocean as we rode along. A total of 53 km this day. Harder than the first two days. 

Day five we loaded up our gear and bikes and drove to the other end of Whidbey Island. Oak Harbor, where there is a Naval Base situated. We began cycling around this area going up and down hills and windy roads. We stopped at a beautiful beach area and sat looking out at the ocean as we ate our lunch and refueled for more cycling. The longest hill of our journey came up at Strawberry Point Rd. Repeat 'slogan'! I just kept pedaling and made it to the top without stopping or whining! lol! All together we finished off our ride doing 35 km for a grand total of 220 km for our cycling vacation!  Feeling fit and happy we made it back home! 

So whenever you think you can't do something just keep pedaling so to speak, you can always do more than you think you can! 

Five Ideas to Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

We all get stuck sometimes. Perhaps  you’re an artist, a photographer or a writer, whatever you do you probably struggle now and then coming up with new and fresh ideas. Times when you just can’t seem to move forward.  Generally these times are characterized by low energy, maybe not eating properly, lack of motivation or just a general lack of inspiration.  There are a few different things to try to snap yourself out of this phase.  Give one or more of these a try!

1) Get enough sleep, try a cat nap (15-20 minutes) can be enough to recharge your thinking.

2) Go for a brisk walk, sit in the sunshine, give thanks for the beauty around you.

3) Hit the gym, or do some form of physical exercise like jogging, swimming or biking to boost your energy level.

4) Stimulate your mind by looking through magazines, reading a good article or visiting a bookstore, These can all help to unblock your creative flow.

5) Go for coffee with a friend, a good conversation and sharing session might be all you need to get going again. 

Here are some of my latest designs from my store Designs by Shell…Thankfully the creative juices are still flowing here…