Brush Dance

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:17:00 +0000

This Tuesday, we are offering this beautiful Awaken flex journal for 50% off! This special journal makes the perfect gift this holiday season, either for a loved one or for yourself. Don't wait... this special is good for today only!

See it here, and use coupon code BLOG055 at checkout!

Free Shipping!

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:01:00 +0000

For a limited time, we are offering FREE SHIPPING with all orders. No Coupon Codes needed for this one, kids.

Some of our 2010 Calendars are getting a bit low on inventory.

Pocket Engagement Books make terrific stocking stuffers. Magnets, too!

Make a list (and check it twice) using our popular Flex Journals.

There's still time to order Christmas Cards.

And you know. If you order from the Enchanted Dreams Collection by Kristina Swarner, you'll not only get free shipping - you'll also get incredible sale prices.

In closing this infomercial of links and sales, I'd like to thank everyone for your kindness and support. Brush Dance has the best customers. You can join us on Facebook to see what we're talking about today and enter to win a 2010 Calendar. We're giving away one each day between now and December 15.

Happy Holidays!

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:11:00 +0000

Don't get caught shopping at the last minute this Holiday Season! Just in case you missed out last Tuesday, we're again offering 25% off your entire order at www.brushdance.com, but only for one day! Visit us today and check out our thoughtful stationery products... we have something for everyone on your list. Use coupon code BLOG054 at checkout!

Save 25%

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:49:00 +0000

No Coupon Code needed!

Save 25% on everything in the store.

Happy Holidays!

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:10:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is just two days away, and that means the Holiday Season is officially here! Visit us at www.brushdance.com to find thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. Today only, take 25% off your entire order! Use coupon code BLOG053 at checkout.

Here and There

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:02:00 +0000

Good morning!

We have so many amazing things going on that I thought I'd take a little time this morning and list them all in one easy-to-find place.

Giveaways

Over on our Facebook Fan Page, we are trying like mad to reach 300 Fans. When we do, two randomly selected Fans will each win $25 Gift Cards to our online store. Come join us. Get your friends to join us.

We're also giving away boxes of Christmas and Holiday Cards on Facebook. You'll need to participate in our Card Exchange to be entered to win those. I'm probably the most excited about this and hope to send and receive zillions of cards this season.

Karyn from French Charming is giving away some of the products I sent her. Her description of her blog is "Lifestyle, Inspiration, and All Things Lovely". What she doesn't talk about is how cool she is. I contacted Karyn out of the blue after I saw one of her posts and we've exchanged a few emails since. Here's what I know about Karyn already - she says YES! She embraces life and all that comes with it. She's sincere and kind and honest. And I think you'd really like what she's doing over at French Charming. (We've exchanged no money with Karyn.)

Kelly Rae Roberts (from our Journey to Wings line) is sponsoring a giveaway on her blog. One lucky person will win a $50 Gift Card to our online store. We advertise on Kelly Rae's site, too. (See below.)

Coupon Codes

We really bumped up the advertising this year on blogs. You can find our ads on these sites. Most of the ads come with Coupon Codes that are valid through the end of the year. These are blogs that I follow and think you would enjoy, too.

Boho Photography

Cup of Jo

C Beth Blog

Kelly Rae Roberts

A Shimmy in My Spirit (Cynthia Louden)

Jeannine Roberts Royce

Blomma Finds

Website Specials

Join our Mailing List to receive exclusive special offers from Brush Dance. During most of the year, we only send mail once every few weeks. This time of year, things are a little more busy, but we never send more than one mailing each week. Our biggest sale of the year is coming right up and the only way to find out about it is through our mailing list.

Right now, we have 20% off all Calendars and Date Books.

Our popular Butterfly Wings Collection is on sale until the end of the month. This art features the work of Cynthia Louden.

And, finally, we have a few items in the Clearance Section of our site. Seriously, under $6 for Address Books.

Whew..I think that's it! Have fun exploring and shopping!

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:22:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special features our Whirls and Swirls flex journal! This collection has been incredibly popular, and we want to share this journal with our blog readers! Today only, this flex journal is on sale for 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG052 at checkout!

Christmas & Holiday Card Exchange

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Holiday Card Exchange!

We all enjoy getting Christmas and Holiday Cards. Some of us even love sending them. (Ahh..the pens, the paper, spreading holiday cheer across the miles!)

Brush Dance is hosting a Holiday Card Exchange for our Fans on Facebook.

Here’s the scoop....

To sign up, just go over to Facebook, become a Fan of Brush Dance (you have to have a Facebook account – but it’s free, easy, and fun), leave a comment letting us know how many people you want to send cards to, and you’re in. Easy Cheesy!

I’ll send you mail requesting your address and then around December 1, I will send your exchange list. Sometime before Christmas, you’ll send your card(s) out. Because we’ll be exchanging names and addresses, you have to be over 18 to join this exchange.

AND!....here’s the super-cool part. One randomly chosen person out of every five who sign up will receive a FREE box of holiday cards from Brush Dance! Woooo! We would love it if everyone sent Brush Dance Christmas cards, but even if you don’t, we want you to participate in this exchange. It’s all about creating joy in the season!

Happy Happy Holidays!

Interview with Cynthia Louden (Part 2)

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:11:00 +0000

This is the continuation of my interview with Cynthia Louden. Seriously, you want to check out her "go to" list of songs. So many of them have become favorites of mine, too!

What is your best piece of advice for artists who are just getting started?

You have to love the process. There are so many hurdles to being an artist. If you don't love the "doing" of your art, you will never be able to surmount all of those hurdles. I also think that you have to keep learning and working on your skills. It's a life long process. Artists don't retire.

I know from your blog that you watch So You Think You Can Dance - who are your favorites this season?

I haven't chosen favorites yet. It's still too early in the season. I really do love the show. First of all the dancing and choreography are magnificent. You would have to pay a pretty penny in New York or London to see dancers this good. I love the passion and dedication of both the dancers and choreographers. I love how the dancers grow and how much they learn and how much the love for their art deepens during the season.

I try to dance around my kitchen every day. It's not that I dance so long each day that I get a good work out. I dance because in just a few minutes I can consistently improve my mood by 15-20%. (Yes, I am embarrassed to admit, I've kept charts.) I talk about it quite a bit on my blog and other women have begun dancing around their kitchens and coming back to my blog to tell me how it improves their moods as well. Having my mood improve by that amount effects everything I do and create the rest of the day. I have this dream of a million women dancing around their kitchens every day. So You Think You Can Dance helps to keep me enthused about dancing in my kitchen. I also find good music on the show.

Which song always puts a Shimmy in Your Spirit?

I have a rather long list of "go to" songs on my iPod that are guaranteed to get me up on my feet dancing. Here are some of my favorites...

Mercy - Duffy (I heard this one first on So You Think You Can Dance)
Shake, Rattle and Roll - Joe Turner (an oldie but definitely a goodie)
Say Hey - Michael Franti
Hey Eugene - Pink Martini (this song always makes me laugh)
Respect - Aretha (no list is complete for me without this one)
Hiphip ChinChin - Club des Belugus (another song I discovered on So You Think You Can Dance)
Let The Good Times Roll - Delbert McClinton (There are so many versions of this song. I think this is my favorite.)
Feelin' Good - Nina Simone
Koop Island Blues - Koop Island (Do you remember the Mia Michaels routine to this song on SYTYCD?)

And, finally, my favorite question – if you weren’t an artist/photographer, what job would you have?

If I wasn't an artist/photographer I think I would want to be a travel writer. If I was in my 20s I would be a dancer trying out for So You Think You Can Dance!

Cynthia's blog (A Shimmy in My Spirit) is a great way to learn more about her and what she has going on every day. She talks about her creative process, dancing, chocolate, and much more.

Through November, all items in the Brush Dance Butterfly Wings Collection are on sale - save 20%.

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:06:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special features our beautiful Enchanted Dreams rectangular magnet. Today only, this magnet is on sale for 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG051 at checkout!

Interview with Cynthia Louden (Part 1)

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Before we get started with the interview, some important information and links:

Save 20% on the entire Butterfly Wings Collection at Brush Dance

Cynthia Louden's Blog: A Shimmy in My Spirit

On a personal note: It was difficult to limit myself to just a few questions for Cynthia - and when I read the answers to the few that I asked (we did this in email), I found myself wanting to sit with her and chat for hours. I've known for years that Cynthia is diverse, multi-faceted, oh-so-talented, and really - she has done, seen, and experienced so much. Mmm..yeah, and she's a little bit geeky, too - that always gets bonus points in my book.

On to the interview . . .

Tell us about a day in your life. Do you schedule time for creating or is your schedule more free-flowing?

My most creative time is in the morning. I usually wake up with ideas and am eager to get to my computer, cameras and other creative tools. I would love to create every day, but some days are just filled with "to do" lists...the kinds of things you have to do as a free-lance artist - invoicing, shipping, answering emails etc. I try several days a month to set aside time to go out photographing and I photograph a lot when I travel. I'm also a gatherer of inspiration. I carry a camera and notebook just about everywhere I go so I can collect ideas, words, colors, music, texture...whatever inspires me.

I know you love to travel. What was your most exciting trip? Where have you not been that you want to see? Where could you go over and over and never get enough?

I don't know how to take a vacation from my work. Traveling gives me a break from my daily routines and all those to do lists. Yet I always travel as an artist/photographer. I would feel naked not having a camera along on the trip. Gathering inspiration while traveling is a huge part of the fun for me. When traveling I'll get caught up with how light is hitting something or I'll stop to photograph color or texture on a wall, or a reflection in a window or will take a picture of my breakfast. My family and friends are used to it and just keep on doing what they're doing, knowing I'll soon catch up with them.

I would have to say that my most exciting trip was going on a small boat up the Amazon River in Brazil. It was so hot, and the jungle was so dense and there were snakes and scorpions, and caiman and piranha in the river. It was such a different geography and life from what I was used to. My senses were on overload. Everything I smelled, heard, touched, ate and saw was new to me. I was traveling by myself and I was literally trusting strangers who owned the boat with my safety and life. I am glad I had the experience. I have been fascinated with the tropics ever since. But I don't think I would want to do it again...not alone anyway. It may have been the most exciting trip, but it wasn't one of my favorites. I'm really more of a latte or glass of wine at an outdoor cafe kind of person. I think a lot of my favorite traveling moments have been in small towns, villages or neighborhoods watching the local life go by.

I have a long list of places I would still like to visit and photograph. Although I have visited England's small towns and country gardens, the only thing I have seen of London is Heathrow. I would love to spend time exploring London's neighborhoods. Also on my very long list is Venice, Holland, Costa Rica, & Montreal as well as return visits to France, Cuba, Panama and Switzerland. I would love to take tango lessons in Buenos Aires.

I think my favorite places to photograph, no matter what country or city are farmer's markets. I like to get there early so I can enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the vendors arrange their products. And then the action begins. . .neighbors greet neighbors, buyers bargain with sellers, women stroll stall to stall filling up their market baskets. No matter where I’ve witnessed this scene - it feels like abundance. And there's so much to photograph and get inspired by.

How long have you been keeping a Journal? Do you have any advice for someone just getting started with journaling?

I've kept various types of journals for many years. What works best for me is to carry around a small moleskine all the time to collect snippets of ideas, conversations, compositions, quotes and thoughts. I like gluing pictures into my journals and writing on them, especially my iPhone polaroids. I also write down ideas for my blog and web site. I am journaling less since I began my blog and miss it a lot. I am determined to get back to spending more time with my journals.

For someone just starting to keep a journal, I would suggest making the journal just for yourself - at least at first. If I know all of my notes and snippets are only for my eyes, I am much freer. If I think there is any chance I might be sharing it on my blog or with someone I begin to censor myself and my journaling becomes more controlled. It stops doing the work I need it to do and that's to be a safe place where I can dump good and bad ideas that I can sort through later.

That's it for today. Stop back next week for more of our interview with Cynthia.

Butterfly Wings on Sale

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:45:00 +0000

Everything in our Butterfly Wings Collection featuring the artwork of Cynthia Louden is on sale.

Save 20%

Remember, Brush Dance shipping is just $8 - no matter how large your order.

Return tomorrow for the first part of my interview with Cynthia. She is such a creative, fun spirit.

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:12:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special is our Thich Nhat Hanh illustrated journal. Today only, this journal is 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG050 at checkout!

Courage Doesn't Always Roar Interview

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:03:00 +0000

Earlier this year, Mary Anne Radmacher appeared on KATU's AM Northwest to discuss her book "Courage Doesn't Always Roar"

Click here to see the fabulous Mary Anne

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:01:00 +0000

It's time for another Tuesday Extra-Special! Today only, take 25% off your entire order at www.brushdance.com with coupon code BLOG049!!!

Winner!

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Our latest winner of autographed copies of Mary Anne Radmacher's Journal and Book is Laura Aiken! Laura, I'll drop you an email with details and information!

Have a great weekend, everyone. To see what I'm up to this weekend, see my personal blog: Witt + Wisdom.

We regularly have product giveaways on the Brush Dance Facebook Page, too - become a Fan to enter.

Interview with Mary Anne Radmacher (part 2)

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:28:00 +0000

This is the conclusion of my interview with Mary Anne Radmacher. All of her items are on sale right now - save 30%.

Your calligraphy style is unlike any others - are you self-taught? How long does it take you to complete a piece?

i did take a quarter of calligraphy in 8th grade. beyond that, I’m self taught. i created this lettering style over a period of five weeks in which i sequestered myself in a property overlooking the pacific ocean and lettered each letter of the alphabet thousands of times until I created a lettering approach that I felt uniquely represented my writing.

writing original material is a pleasure to me. it often can come quickly. lettering, depending on the quality of my “hand” can be good in a first take or it can take dozens of versions to get it right. art work – is like hatching an egg. (okay: confession. i’ve never hatched an egg..but i imagine it would be difficult.) there are some pieces i work on for weeks, some for months.

Give us a peek into your daily schedule - do you get an early start? Stay up late? How do you split your time between writing and art?

I occasionally get up early. that means I get up early and then stay up late. I’m a late night person. my most alert, best thinking times are early morning. my most creative time after after 4 in the afternoon until after midnight.

split my time? split. defined,- “break or cause to break forcibly into parts, esp. into halves or along the grain.”

in the afternoon, my time isn’t so much split as it is, spilled. one thing moves to another often naturally and then rolls back to the place it started. in the morning, I easily work to identify tasks and cleanly and purposely complete one thing before moving on to another. I attempt to lay out my day to best utilize the natural tendencies of my personal clock.

What new projects are you working on?

i’m completing the lettering and art for my third gift book called, THE MOST IMPORTANT PROMISES. and the research and interviews are moving forward for my next non-fiction work, THE SERVICE HABIT. both of these pieces are for RedWheel*Weiser*Conari Press. I’m looking forward to the release of my second gift book, MAY YOUR WALLS KNOW JOY and my co-authored with Jonathan Huie book, SIMPLY AN INSPIRED LIFE in september. (also with Conari Press). (Note: SIMPLY AN INSPIRED LIFE has been released.)

Mary Anne included this as a P.S. to her letter to me:

i love meaningful mail. i love sending mail and receiving mail. in fifth grade i did a research project on the u.s. forestry service just as prompt so i could write letters to rangers in those look out towers.

when i was a youngster i would spend my allowance on greeting cards and cover up the words on the inside and write my own.

i’ve designed greeting cards with brushdance for almost twenty years. it thrills to me to think that my words and art, translated through the language of the brilliant designers at brushdance, partner with people all over the world in their effort to communicate and connect. someone asked me just the other day what i do when i need cheering up. as a practice, i write a friend a REAL note in a card at least once a week. when busy lifting another person’s spirits, my own are drawn up as well.

Gift Cards

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:53:00 +0000

Looking for the perfect gift? We are now offering Gift Cards on our website. Starting at just $15, this is the one-size-fits-all holiday gift!

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:11:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special is our Bible Inspirations flex journal. Our Bible Inspirations collection features spiritual art paired with words from the Bible. Today only, this flex journal is on sale for 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG048 at checkout!

Enter to Win!

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:03:00 +0000

Enter to win signed copies of Mary Anne Radmacher's latest book "Simply an Inspired Life" and Brush Dance's "Live Boldly!" Flex Journal.

Simply leave an inspired response to this post in the comments by Thursday at 11:59 pm (Eastern time). A winner will be randomly chosen from all of the entries. One entry per person. Must be in the US or CAN to win.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Interview with Mary Anne Radmacher (part 1)

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Mary Anne Radmacher is powerful. In her art, her words, and especially in her presence. She is someone who shares herself with you and in doing so invites you to do the same.

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to ask Mary Anne loads of questions about herself and her art. This is part one of that discussion.

Which came first for you - calligraphy, other art, writing?

as a tot, I experienced repeated hospitalizations. in an effort to curb my sense of isolation, hospital staff spent time with me by shifts. interns read their work out loud, nurses – their reports. doctors asked me to repeat for them the most recent announcement on the floor loud speaker. I was wrapped in the magnificence of words in this way.

declared well and sent home – my fascinating with words continued. I fancied that I had much to say and even more taken with the form and shape of the words themselves. discovery of my father’s stash of permanent markers in his home desk prompted my first foray into performance art and exploration of calligraphic form. the yellow “pages” of the family breakfast nook were the perfect format, I thought. standing on the bench I started at the top of the wall and worked my way down to the molding. very pleased with my work I thoughtfully returned my fathers markers, and went searching for my mother.

i recognize this event as a significant lesson in my life as a writer. i quickly came to realize that not all reviewers are going to share my opinion of my work. this lesson has served me well.

Have you had other careers in the past? If you weren't an artist, what career would you choose for yourself?

I picked berries and beans each summer from 4th grade through my freshman year. i was an office assistant for my grade school secretaries. i’m pretty sure I passed sophomore science with a B by earning extra credit grading my teacher’s quizzes. the summer after my mom died I worked in the kitchen of an “old folk’s home,” providing table service, cleaning dishes and reading to the elders if I had extra time.

my junior and senior year in high school when I wasn’t in a play, performing with one of my music groups, competing in speech or meeting a deadline for my journalism school paper role…I worked as a clerk in a local drugstore.

a school pal’s dad hired me into my first formal office job. his assistant, Lynne, taught me almost everything I would ever need to know about running anything. ever.

i cleaned hotel rooms, worked at a hospitality desk, shucked crabs and was a fish monger; I was a store clerk in a variety store; I ran an eight chord 1930’s switchboard for a college, I worked my way up to director of public relations in a private school, I consulted non-profit organizations as an independent consultant.

and then I turned twenty four.

before I started my own company I worked in the personnel department at Freightliner parts manufacturing plant. and then I worked in various capacities for people who were like family while I took care of my dad who had alzheimer's disease. one of my dearest friends fired me from the last job I ever had working for someone else. i’m so grateful to her for that…it took my art/writing career from a haphazard activity I did when I wasn’t working for someone else to what I did FOR work. full time. at that time I wrote, “the jump is so frightening between where i am and where I want to be. because of all i may become I will close my eyes and leap.”

i’d be an artist no matter what career i would choose for myself.

Thich Nhat Hanh in New York City

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:12:00 +0000

I've posted about the Thich Nhat Hanh speaking engagement last weekend on my personal blog.

Click here to read about it. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience.

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:15:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special features our Thich Nhat Hanh flex journal. Today only, this journal is on sale for 50% off! With spot illustrations and the words of Thich Nhat Hanh throughout its 120 pages, this journal is a must-have!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG047 at checkout!

Live Boldly! Save 30%

christine@christinewitt.com (Christine Witt) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:37:00 +0000

Save 30% on our entire Live Boldly Collection by Mary Anne Radmacher.

Live boldly.

Laugh. Risk love.

Continue to learn.

Appreciate your friends.

Lead or follow a leader.

Do what you love.

Live as if this is all there is.

- mary anne radmacher

Powerful words, yes? Here's more from Mary Anne:

Courage doesn't always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,

"I will try again tomorrow."

Mary Anne once told me that she's looking to change the world with her art and words.

I believe she is doing just that.

Shop and Save 30% on our entire Live Boldly Collection

Tuesday Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Christine Witt) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:12:00 +0000

This week's Tuesday Special is our Imagine flex journal. Our Imagine collection of products features images of the Buddha and mindful quotes that will inspire you. Today only, this journal is 50% off!

Click here to see it, and use coupon code BLOG046 at checkout!