Hello everyone! I am so excited to be a part of such an awesome group of entrepreneurs and creatives! My name is Keely and I am a graphic designer and illustrator who happens to juggle full time motherhood as well. Being my own boss has many rewards, but it is fraught with challenges as well (both on the business side and creative side of things) . I find that being on my own and working from home means I have to work extra hard to keep my creative juices flowing. Without all the day to day office interactions of a normal 9-5, creative slumps can be frequent. A little eye candy can do wonders for jolting that creative genius awake. I know how easy it is to get stuck in a rut, and no matter what your business, inspiration of any kind can do amazing things for you and your work.

Sometimes we just need to see inspiring things. Other times we need to get out of our comfort zone and challenge our process. We all get into routines, and my column will be about stepping out of the mundane, if even for a minute. A mix of curated imagery and quirky exercises will help you flex those tired creative muscles. If nothing else, it will be a little eye candy for the soul. I’m looking forward to it! –Keely

Photo (c) Erica Midkiff

Why do you need to worry about spelling things correctly when you have a spell-checker in your email, your word processor, your blog creator, and often in the comment box of blogs? While it’s super handy if you’re typing too fast and write “adn” instead of “and,” that spell-checker won’t catch the following spelling errors:

+      A misspelling that, itself, is a correctly spelled word. Example: you type “were” instead of “where.”

+      An incorrect choice of homophones. Example: you type “complement” instead of “compliment.”

+      The use of two versions of a word in the same document. Example: you type “likable” in one place, and “likeable” in another.

+      An error on something handwritten! Obviously.

A spell-checker will find words that are just plain misspelled (that don’t spell another word), and will catch simple errors when you’re typing too quickly. There are other times, though, that you have to be very careful—for me, I have to pay attention when I’m typing the word “though.” I nearly always type “thought” instead! I scan very carefully for such errors when editing.

So what are some alternatives to using a spell-checker? Most importantly: don’t be afraid to look up words! I’m certainly no spelling champion. (Though now that you mention it, I did win the school spelling bee when I was in the fourth grade. The word that stumped me when I moved on to Regionals? “Goulash.” I’m still a little bitter.) I look up words all the time, and many I look up multiple times—“embarrassed” gets me every time.

You can also study lists of difficult words and learn spelling rules and exceptions if you’d like, and I hope you’ll learn to use some common homophones correctly (particularly they’re/their/there, its/it’s, and your/you’re). But really, I suggest:

+      Use the spell-checker first. Let it catch those obvious errors!

+      Again, look up any word you’re unsure of. Most dictionaries have reputable, free online versions.

+      When editing your writing, hunt for any word that you might have misused (homophones, variant spellings, and so on).

We all misspell things sometimes—it happens. But if you’re aware that a spell-checker isn’t perfect, and neither are you, you’ll go a long way toward making sure things are spelled correctly in your writing!

For a little more help, you can find a few homophones and their meanings, as well as a list of commonly misspelled words, on my website.

: Erica Midkiff // Copy Editor :

"Car Park" Print by Indira Albert on Etsy

A couple of months ago, there was quite the internet kerfuffle regarding the virtual visual clipboard/ networking/baby animal “awwwww” factory that is Pinterest. The issue was about the somewhat draconian Terms of Service agreement, causing many users to jump ship. Pinterest listened, and adjusted their TOS accordingly. Way to go Pinterest. (If you want to delve into the debate as to what the problems with the TOS were, and whether the changes should alleviate your fears, check out these posts, at Scientific American, Above the Law,  and DDK Photography.)

Regardless of the changes recently made, the reality of Pinterest (and really the internet at large) is if you are putting your content online, it will very likely get reproduced and used on other sites. If your content is properly attributed to you, then this is awesome.* Your work gets seen by more eyeballs, traffic is driven to your blog or shop, and maybe you get some sales out of it too. The problem is when your work isn’t properly attributed to you. No one knows it is your work, no traffic is driven to your site, and sadly, because no one seeing that image knows that it is your work, they can’t buy it from you. This is decidedly not awesome.

It is a frequent refrain on Twitter and blogs from artists, makers, and bloggers that they randomly stumbled upon an uncredited photo of theirs while using Pinterest. That got me thinking about the ways in which we can make this process not random – actually seeking out unattributed photos on our own. Many of you may be familiar with these tools, but I have found them very helpful to not only find unattributed photos, but also to find blog mentions that might feature your work, but not actually mention you by name. Any such blog that I’ve contacted about this with my own work has been more than happy to amend the post to include a link to my shop. Eyeballs, traffic, sales!

Tin Eye

This reverse-image search engine was the first that I used and is generally pretty good at finding matches. On Tin Eye, you can either upload a picture from your computer, or enter a link where your image appears. Tin Eye then searches the web for that same picture and pops up your results. I’ve had some issues with Tin Eye not finding results when I know they exist, so it’s definitely not comprehensive. But still a good place to start. The plug-ins for Firefox and Chrome are also super handy, allowing you to simply right click the image and then search on Tin Eye. This is also a great way to source images you might find on Tumblr, Pinterest, or other blogs so that YOU can properly attribute them before posting online.

Google Image Search

Totally fun interface, whereby you can simply click and drag the image into the search window and Google runs the search. This is the best way to find “hidden” blog posts about you – ones that feature your work, but not your name.

SRC-IMG

Not a very catchy name, right? But again,a cool interface and good search results. SRC-IMG is basically a bookmark on your browser. When you want to check for the source of an image, or other uses of it online, simply click the bookmark. Question marks appear on all the images on the current page. Click a question mark, and your search results appear.

Those are the main image search techniques I use in my own business. Any other resources out there that you have used to find image sources or track down uncredited images of your work? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

-Alyson Thomas, Drywell Art

* Some artists actually don’t think this is awesome, and try to get their images removed from Pinterest. That’s a whole other debate, but my take on it is that Pinterest can basically serve as free publicity for your work, just like a blog feature, if you are properly attributed.

(You might be thinking – is this a small business issue? Why is she talking about this? Well, it is not directly a small business issue, but it’s a societal one, and the first three links are bloggers and magazines who do cover design, style, trends and products, so I feel like it is relevant to talk about here.)

A recent post by Andrea of Fly about diversity in the media led me to…

An older post by Justina with a similar riff on the topic, and…

A new online interiors magazine with an LGBTQ perspective. And finally…

Who’s News is a blog of the Society of Professional Journalists that features stories on diversity and the media.

My new world.

This might be more accurately titled “Things I’m Afraid to Tell You Part II”. I am canceling the Retail Readiness workshops in Portland and Seattle. I am still doing my workshops in NY next week, but I am embarking on a huge new project (the clubhouse/project space) and it’s going to ramp up incredibly fast. I am cutting out as much travel as I can until the space opens its doors for business.

If you signed up for either workshop, you will receive a refund. I am very sorry to have to do this but for my sanity, something had to give. Here is the current status on my other projects.

Consulting: I’m also cutting back on consulting until the space is open. If I am already working with you, this doesn’t affect you, but I cannot take on new clients for a few months.

eBook: The Retail Readiness eBook is close to being done so I will be going ahead with that launch this summer.

Speaking: I’ll be deciding in the next few days if I can still attend the Letterpress Conference. I really want to but the date is, possibly, the exactly wrong time for me to be away.

Office Hours: I will be dropping down to one session per month this summer.

Blog: Still blogging, still here for you.

Thanks everyone for being so understanding right now. I am stretched a wee bit thin (understatement) so I hope this will help alleviate that feeling.

Last week, Etsy purchased a company called Trunkt (more about that here and here). I was involved in Trunkt *many* years ago when I sold jewelry – they are a small operation based in NYC. Trunkt evolved over time to help connect makers who want to wholesale with stores who want to buy from them.

Amid all of the (very understandable) confusion flying around Etsy about this acquisition and the future of the company is an undercurrent of discontent, partly about wholesale and partly about who is allowed to sell on the site, which due to timing is somehow tied up in this issue. I don’t know what the plans are for integrating Trunkt with Etsy, but I did want to say a few things about wholesale in general, whether it is via Etsy or not.

1) Wholesale is not a dirty word. Some folks are automatically associating ‘wholesale’ with mass-market. This is not the case. Wholesale is the condition where goods are offered to stores to buy; stores then resell the goods at a markup. The goods in question could be produced in quantities of a million, or of just one. I don’t think that wholesale inherently is bad; it’s how almost all retailers operate. Etsy is a way to sell direct and I doubt that is going to change any time soon, but some sellers do aspire to selling wholesale, and this will probably make that process a little easier. I doubt it will be forced upon anybody!

2) It takes a lot of work to run a store. There is a lot of grumbling about wholesale pricing and retail pricing. On average, a retailer will double the price of your work. Does that seem unfair? It’s not. A store is not just raking in the dough; they are paying for a lot of expenses that eat up that markup, like rent, insurance, payroll, marketing, buying inventory, and oh yeah, profit. You are providing something to stores (at a price that allows you to profit) and stores are providing the same thing to customers (at a price that allows them to profit). If you cannot price your work to allow for wholesale, you don’t need to wholesale. Again, nobody is making you do it.

3) If you want to wholesale, your online store needs to sell your work at the same price as an offline store. If you feel uncomfortable with this, you should not pursue wholesale, and in fact, you probably won’t get many store accounts. Your store needs you to be a partner, not a competitor. If you are still worried about being able to offer people a compelling reason to buy from you, find another way to entice them: offer special packaging, offer your product in a special color, ship internationally – just don’t undercut your stores.

Wholesale is not for everyone – and that’s okay. Please respect the makers who decide to use wholesale as a way of growing and sustaining their business, and the store owners who want to resell your work and support what you do.

images via made by girl, leif, urban outfitters, house to home and egelnick and webb

2012 has been a big year for pattern and the recent resurgence of marble as a material and motif are no exception. I love black and white pairings as well as unexpected colour combinations like neon or hints of metallics. When it comes to marble, I think a little goes a long way and the pattern really works best when combined with other prints and solid colours.

images via neapolitan, hi + low and zak klauck

The lines of marble veining manage to look great with both modern and handcrafted typography. Chocolate Editions used the pattern as vibrant chocolate bar packaging and I think marble motifs in general lend themselves quite successfully to food products (perhaps it conjures the image of stirring delicious ingredients?) I love how L’Amuse-Bouche, the Yale French Language Journal, uses a modern marble motif as a publication end sheet.

images via contemporist, snedker studio and vvork

Once shunned, marble has been gaining steam as an interior design material. I love this scalloped countertop created for Joy Cupcakes in Melbourne. Marble also has a new life in innovative floor designs and I like how designers and architects are thinking far outside the box when interpreted the motif. From stripes of different marble types to handcrafted ‘marbelous’ wood planks, the effect is beautiful.

images via style at home, neapolitan and ny mag

I have to admit that marbled patterns have never been my favourite but I am rethinking my position with all of the new approaches being taken. I love this kitchen featuring marble tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern. I am also entranced by one-colour and metallic line versions of marble motifs (they feel like woodgrain) and vivid patterns that look like a mash-up of marble and watercolour.

images via bakers royale, woman and home, and my recipes

If marble isn’t in your design plans or if you happen to own a food-focused shop, consider bringing marbled patterns to your culinary creations. Perhaps a shop party with a marbled theme is in order? (Invite me please!)

images via mjolk, rare device, chapters, apartment therapy and muhs home

Another 1980′s throwback that has been modernized with great success is brass. It wasn’t very long ago that brass had a bad rap so it is fabulous to see the material get a whole new life. Unlike its shiny, yellow-focused predecessor, the “new” interpretation of bronze has a more vintage and natural appearance. More cool-toned but full of patina, this modern bronze is much more versatile and clean-feeling. It mixes beautifully with colour and I love all of the animal and faceted brass objects popping up.

images via this is glamorous and remodelista

The thought of brass shop designs might strike terror in the heart of fingerprint-weary shop owners but have no fear! Modern retail details focus on brass wearing to its natural patina or the use of vintage brass. I love how Erica Tanov created a feature wall of 4,000 oval tumbled brass discs attached with brass nails as a stunning installation.

images via samma

Samma jewellery studio creates magnificent feats of brass and geometry and I particularly like how they style their pieces – on half-paint backgrounds and chalky surfaces with slight marble veining. Proof that two 1980′s trends can come together in a fabulously chic and modern way.

images via ny mag,asos, top shop, american prom, designworklife,zatchels, and opening ceremony

Is it just me or do magazines, blogs and media exclaim “metallics are back!” every single year? Personally, I don’t think sparkle and shine really ever go out of style but rather, move into different metal trends. In addition to brass, 2012 is bursting with gold, silver, copper and embellished details. Perhaps, with economic uncertainty, consumers are focusing more on quality and a little embellishment can enhance the perceived value of an item. One mini-trend I have noticed is the resurgence of coloured metallics. Used with wild abandon in the 1980′s (think royal blue lamé), new versions of coloured metallics seem to be focused on saturated jewel tones which successfully marry shiny vibrancy and elegance. I am interested to see if this trend has legs in the rest of 2012. I think it works wonderfully in shop windows and could be particularly beautiful when paired with winter knits and textured materials.

images via bella figura, under consideration and motherbird

Branding and print-wise, I am eager to experiment with bringing hue-filled metallics to paper via colour foils. I love the effect on black and white and am rather obsessed with the idea of metallic colour edge painting. A fun way for a shop or brand to bring one central pop of colour and shine.

images via kleidersachen, vogue, harper's bazaar and fashionologie

Burgundy, wine, maroon, vermillion – there is no shortage to the names given to the red/brown/purple hue that looks like it will become an “it” colour of 2012. Along with deep greens and cobalt blue, the colour was featured prominently on Fall 2012 runways. Most often dubbed “oxblood”. this hue is rich and full of dimension.

images via euro style lighting, maria kitano, lily milan, m loves m, refinery 29 and fashionologie

Admittedly, anything resembling burgundy has been low on my favourite colour list for many years now but I am enjoying thinking up new ways oxblood can being used. I love how the saturated hue, in both matte and shiny finishes, can work with other colours. Cornflower blue, vivid magenta, saffron, dusty teal and even pastels – oxblood has depth and seems to take on a cast of whatever it is paired with. It will be very interesting to see if this trend can make the leap from runway to consumer and if it has a market in home products.

image via fan pop

I spotted this Golden Girls promo shot and noticed how it features marble patterns, brass, metallic colours and oxblood. Everything does come around again, doesn’t it? Rose is even rocking the uber-trendy peplum. Hoping you all find new ways to interpret design classics and remix old trends. Until next week, I am off to the shops… – Chloé

Hello! I’m Tara Swiger, the newest member of the Contributors family, and I write and teach creative tiny businesses how to explore building a business that works for them.

I believe there’s no map to your success, you’ve got to make your own map! In my column here, I’m going to simplify and personalize the act of sharing your thing, so you can find (and delight) the perfectly right people.

My book, Market Yourself: A Marketing System for Smart + Creative Business, is a guidebook for anyone who makes something and wants to share it with the world. In it, you break down your marketing into it’s most important, effective parts and work through over 30 worksheets to get crystal clear on what makes your thing awesome + what makes your perfect customers giddy.

To celebrate being part of Rena’s excellent blog, we’re giving away a free copy of the book!
To enter:
Leave a comment by Friday, May 11 telling me the thing that keeps you from sharing your thing, from getting it into the shops and into the hands of people who will love it.

Or, you can enter by liking Rena Tom on Facebook!

First of all, thank you again for your wonderful words on my post of last Thursday. I didn’t write it to gather comments but I loved reading every one. My community is the best community and it shows. Also, I have been reading everybody else’s thoughts on this and I am just overwhelmed and in awe. Giant mushy hugs all around.

Last week was my first week with 5 days of childcare – that’s 32 1/2 hours, five days of work in a row, I haven’t had that for a loooong time (Ivo is 2 1/2). The funny thing is that I was sort of at a loss – I didn’t know what to do with all of that time, so I wasted some of it! It’s funny how you get used to one schedule and then any deviation throws you off. I expect to spend much of this week relearning how to prioritize what I do; last week I was just giddy, and unfocused.

I mostly worked on business plan and book-related content, but did take time to meet with my friend Suzanne, who runs the Beholder, and my blog contributor Christine. These ladies are smart and creative and exactly the kind of people I like to work with, so I had some inspiring talks. Suzanne is helping with the branding for my space (still no lease!) and Christine wants to start a local manufacturing hub in SF.

I’m in an uncomfortable bit of limbo as I await news about the lease. If it happens, everything goes at warp speed immediately and I have to change a lot of my plans for the summer. If it doesn’t happen, I am going to pull back and focus on the book and ecourse and try to chill out a bit. I hate dependencies and contingency plans, but I have ‘em. Meanwhile, many clients are returning for second rounds of consultations. It’s a busy time.

Speaking of busy, I have one more Office Hours timeslot left for this month. I may have to put this on hiatus if I get my lease, at least until I have a physical location again to execute from. So, if you want to chat, sign up soon!

I am prepping for NY and signing on new blog contributors and finalizing notes for my workshops and doing all that fun stuff. It still feels a little lonely. I’ll be really happy when the lease comes through and I can perhaps even get an intern (!) which would blow my mind. If anyone in the Bay Area is a great multitasker, let me know.