Week18: Interview with Jenny Alexander

Please welcome Jenny Alexander to the blog today.  She is an indie artist, from Lancaster, PA, and is here to talk to us about the wonders of being a mommy, business woman, and creative superstar!!

How did you get started as an artist?  Did you always want to own your own business?

I always wanted to be an artist of some kind and but never even imagined that it might happen one day.  I've dabbled in photography from about age 9 or 10.  My dad was a professional photographer and I grew up shooting photos with him and with a darkroom in our basement that we used all the time.  It was where I really felt the need to create for the first time. I dreamed of being a professional art photographer for many years.

I really found my "place" in live performing venues.  It's strange because I was always very shy as a child but was able to be more bold onstage.  

In college, I met and teamed up with the man who, years later, would be my husband and we began a 10 year career as professional magicians.  We traveled all over the country performing for corporations and at private events and we finally put down roots in Las Vegas.  We headlined there together at Caesars Palace for about seven years and in other venues around the city until we were expecting our first child in 2004.

Once our son was born, I continued on in the show but it eventually became more difficult as he got a little older.  I joke that I retired but really I left the show to be able to stay home more with him.  I gave up the bright lights, celebrity encounters, huge crowds for the quiet joys of motherhood.  It's a choice that I never regretted, although I may make a return to the stage someday!  

It was during this time that I began dreaming of having a career that would allow me to be home, yet still express myself creatively and be successful.

And it was around the time that our second child was born (a little girl this time), that I began creating the technique that I use now.  I use vintage ephemera - old advertisements, antique wallpaper patterns, old sheet music, love letters, greeting cards and art papers.  I collage these together in what I call kaleidoscope collages.  I take a section of the original image and repeat it so that it mocks the look of a kaleidoscope.  The backgrounds are layered with additional vintage images.  It's an intricate look and process and one that I hope is unique and recognizable as my style. I hope that viewers can see a piece and know that it's mine just because of the feel and look.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration EVERYWHERE.  I keep a notebook in my car, keep notes on my phone, remember ideas in my head and try to write them down before I forget them!  I'm completely inspired by old things like antiques, vintage items, old photographs, old letters.  I feel like these things have held onto a piece of the energy from the person who owned them and I love to dream about what life must have been like for that person, at that time.  

I'm also very inspired by music.  When I hear a song that really moves me, I challenge myself to create a piece that mimics that feeling.  I try to create images that tell a story.. through the feel of the piece, the title, the colors and textures, the type of description that I give each one.  It's important to me to give the viewer something to emotionally grab a hold of when seeing the piece.  And I like to give my buyers a story to tell along with the piece to adorn their walls.  

How do you balance being a mother, artist, and business woman?  What is your typical daily schedule?

Oh my.  Well, some days I don't balance it very well! With three small kids in the house, (they are all under 6!) things are sometimes a little unpredictable.  An added challenging element is that my husband is still a performing magician and he's often gone on cruise ships for a week or two at a time.  So, everything is on my shoulders during those times and, honestly, it's not easy.  I like to think that I handle things gracefully and everyone says that I do.  I hope they're not just being nice!

Mornings are pretty crazy getting my oldest two kids ready for school and on the bus.  I always make sure I have time for coffee and a quick email check.  I can usually address one or two quick emails first thing in the morning while the kids have breakfast.

My little one is almost 21 months old and, once the kids are on the bus, we have breakfast together and I can get some work done during Sesame Street.  Thank goodness for Elmo.  Really, really, really.

He plays in the studio while I work and that sometimes goes well, depending on his mood that day.  I'm sure all moms understand that some days kids just need more attention, are grumpy or just plain difficult.  My baby is generally so happy-go-lucky and I'm a lucky Mama that I can do everything that I do with him hanging out alongside me.

His naptime lasts about 3 hours and that's when I hit the work HARD. No stopping by twitter to check on everybody, no peeking at facebook for a quick chat.  If you follow me on any of those places, you'll notice that I disappear from all my normal social media hangouts in the afternoon!

During this time, I'm doing the actual work.  Getting orders "in process," packing up new orders for my daily trip to the post office, working out new ideas and techniques, answering business emails, working on my wholesale contacts and getting into the thickest part of my work day. It's hard to do all that I need to in those few hours and some days, I am literally running.  I save the "leftovers" of work for later on, after the kids are in bed.

Once the kids are home from the bus, it's all family time.  Dinner, homework, playing, reading, baths, snuggles, bedtime.  It's the best part of the day. Those quiet moments tucking them in and whispering in the dark, their faces lit only by their nightlights, reminds me why I work so hard.  It's so I can be home for every moment of their childhood, be their role model, be their best friend, be a great Mama and teach them to be good people making wise and loving choices in their lives.

And I'm proud that my kids see me doing what I love, balancing a pretty tough schedule and making it work.  They see me trying new things every day, sometimes failing but getting up and moving on.  I hope that they learn from me to be passionate and be flexible.  It's what has gotten me where I am right now.

What advice can you give to beginning Etsy sellers?

First off, be patient.  Chances are, this isn't going to happen overnight for you. It certainly didn't for me. Etsy is a huge community with so many sellers and buyers.  Make it as easy as you can to be seen.  Take great photos with some personality.  If I see a product, I'd love to know right away that it was yours, just from the feel of the photo.

Another great tip that I have I usually save for good friends but, we're all good friends here, right?  My biggest break so far was being in an Etsy Finds email.  It was last year and was themed around the movie Eat, Pray, Love.  I actually contacted Etsy about curating a find based on this myself but it was already in the works with an Etsy administrator as curator.  I was excited to be included in the Finds a few weeks later!  I got a ton of sales, contacts, hearts and wholesale contracts. So many eyes saw my shop that week and I'm still riding the wave that it started.

So, here's the nugget of advice... Study what's big in pop culture and tag your items using those things.  Movies, pop culture icons, upcoming holidays (even random ones).  Think like an Etsy admin.  What hip and unique thing could they possibly have their eyes on that might fit with something you make?  Don't stretch it too far and try to draw a ridiculous line between the two things but pick some keywords or phrases and put them in your tags or descriptions as it fits.  My item was black and white henna designs on stone coasters.  They were rustic and warm and I tagged them with "India" and "Eat, Pray, Love."  It was an easy match for Etsy with a nice, clean photo. It made a huge boost in my business and I hope it might do the same for you!

Can you give 5 things that have kept your business successful?

Innovation - All of my collage work is square and I am constantly looking for ways to use those square images... throw pillows, candle holders, magnets, coasters.  Everything I do is pretty much square so it's an easy mold to fill when looking for new ways to use my images. Having new items keeps me interested and hopefully keeps my shop new and fresh for those die hard customers.  Plus, I only make things that I personally love.  That way, even if the new idea doesn't fly, I can keep them for myself!

Flexibility - Whether it be with your daily schedule, fitting in your passion around a full time job or family, flexibility is the key to evolving.  When I feel stuck on an idea and just can't find my way through it, I relax and try to work around the issue, instead of forcing a solution that might not be perfect.  I try not to be too hard on myself and to roll with the punches.  I also do a number of art shows throughout the year and flexibility is a MUST for those!

Face time - Speaking of doing live shows, I think that's so important.  You've got to get out there to see what people are really drawn to.  I have been able to focus my style and product lines so much more easily by doing art/craft shows.  You get to meet your customer and see what they want, see what questions they ask and work on your presentation.  Having this presentation or "elevator pitch" helps you to succinctly express exactly what it is that you do.  This comes in handy in so many situations!  

Down time - Take a break!  As creative, small business owners, we are constantly thinking, creating, networking and DOING.  It's exhausting and I often don't realize it until it's too late and I'm overwhelmed.  So, try along with me to remember to just *stop* a few times during the day.  If I'm not physically working, I'm thinking, planning, conceiving new ideas.  But I've got to take a break, especially in my head!  Even if it's just sitting down with a cup of coffee and watching some Elmo with my baby and having a giggle.  It's just the small break that I need.

Confidence - One thing that I've learned by tackling all of this on my own, is that I can do anything.  If I can run a household, raise three kids, build a business and not go crazy, then I can do ANYTHING. And so can you!  We've all got a ton on our plates while growing businesses, following our dreams and loving those around us.  With good time management, loving support from our families and the energy that momentum brings, we are really unstoppable.  Go for it and share your gifts! 

Do you have any projects you want to promote?

I'm currently preparing for my three big East Coast Spring shows and that's keeping me really busy.  I'll be at Crafty Balboa's April Showers show in Philly, April 30th.  

I'm excited to be a new vendor at the highly coveted Art Star Craft Bazaar in Phildaelphia May 14-15th.  It's at the beautiful Penn's Landing and hosts tons of super cool, artsy and innovative vendors.  I'm over the moon to be showing there alongside several Team Handmade in PA sellers.

And I'll be returning to Silver Spring, MD for one of my favorite spring shows, Handmade Mart on May 22nd.  It's such a great show, with fabulous crowds of handmade lovin' folks that really appreciate my style and my work.  It'll be a great way to round out my spring line up.  

If you're on the East coast, please stop by and say hello!  I guarantee these shows will be fabulous!

And, my work is always available online at my Etsy shop.  I'm always working out new ideas, new product lines and one of a kind or short run goodies.  Drop me a line and say hello!  I love hearing from new Etsy sellers and buyers!


All artwork and pictures courtesy of the talented Jenny.  Thank you so much, Jenny, for taking the time to answer some questions.  You are a true inspiration to all of the busy moms, wondering if they can have it all.  What a beautiful life you have.  Wishing you lots of love and success!  THANK YOU!!

I'm being featured here...

Are you curious about how I got started as an artist, my family life, and where the name PeachHoneyLove came from?  Well, you're in luck because the wonderful Suzanne Redmond is interviewing me today over here!  Please check it out and show her some love!

Interview with Laura Otero

Laura Otero is a Marketing guru and fab jewelry designer. We met during Kelly Rae Robert's e-course, and instantly bonded. She is so extremely generous and has really helped

turn my drab Twitter/Facebook/Blog page into something to be proud of.... and our work is not done. Please help me welcome her!!

You have started blogging five days a week... How do you come up with new posts so frequently?

I made the decision to start blogging 5 days a week when I was feeling a little “stuck”. Oftentimes human tendency is to slow down or give up if we don’t see our goals being realized in the way or timeframe we’d envisioned. I have found the best way to counter feeling stagnant is to do just the opposite…in other words, to crank UP the work and output. When I was feeling the most discouraged, I wrote this post about determination and breakthroughs. I wanted to document these feelings, so I wouldn’t forget later. Just a few days after writing the post, reached my breakthrough! I’ve since begun the transition to working part-time, which has allowed me more time to pursue my creative interests.

Posting 5 days a week was scary at first. I was used to posting once or twice a week. Creating a theme for each of the 5 days instantly gave me structure and a starting point for each day. In fact, I recommend creating themes for each day to other bloggers who would like to increase the number of days they post each week. I unleashed lots of creative goodness by brainstorming the themes.

What drives you?

What drives me today is very different from what drove me for the past decade. As a marketing director, I worked hard to “prove” myself to myself, to management, and to the corporate office. Looking back on this, it’s no wonder I was left feeling empty and superficial. As soon as I decided to pursue freelance design (web/print) and jewelry-making, I felt more at peace with myself.

Listening to my heart and pursing the interests that are true to me has been naturally motivating. My father’s work ethic is also something I model myself after. I also believe that the work schedule I created for myself in the corporate world has benefitted me today.

How do you balance being a mother/freelance web designer/jewelry designer/wonder woman?

Finding balance is always a work in progress. I am fortunate to have a supportive family and husband. Our children are also at wonderful ages (9 and 10 years old), where they can play independently or together without needing constant supervision at home. I try to balance my work time with family activities. I do remember when they were toddlers, I didn’t have as much time to devote to my other interests. In those days, I remember finding my peaceful place when we’d take a daily walk (kids in the stroller) together. Changing our environment and going on daily adventures kept us all creatively stimulated and less fussy. Kids naptime (when they were younger) and getting them to bed at an established time each day also free up small windows of work time.

Where did you learn your internet saviness?

In 2004, I was asked if I would consider a transition from a traditional marketing position into an online marketing position (at the same company). Looking back, what a gift this was! It’s hard to imagine how different things were back then. The majority of people on Facebook were college kids, and the big thing at the time was MySpace! Being an “early adopter” of new technology and online tools was something that has proved to be quite an asset (both then and now).

Many of my “Tutuorial Thursday” blog posts begin when I find myself stumped. If I don’t know how to do something online, I figure it out (a combination of trial and error and Google) and write a step-by-step tutorial post. I figure if I didn’t know how to do something online, there must be others who are asking the same questions. I graduated with a Professional Communications degree, which helped with marketing/pr/design. Since then, I’ve taken advanced html courses and learned most of the design and web programs I use from Lynda.com. The tutorials are helpful and very affordable!

What do you think the 5 most important parts of creating a unique and cohesive brand? And what can we do to achieve them?

What a great question! Even after 7 years in marketing/advertising, I don’t have all the answers. Here are a few tips about creating a unique and cohesive brand online. Many of these things I’ve learned from experience. If you dove into various online spaces and are not following each of these tips, look at them as something to work towards. I’m still working towards these goals as well.



1. Carefully name your company/biz and develop a professional logo that you love. Your business name and logo will help brand you online. Brainstorm, discuss with friends/family, and work hard on these two things!
2. Develop a creative statement and bio. Your creative statement (think of it as your slogan) should identifies what you do / what your work is about (“Mixed Media ~ Jewelry ~ Graphic Design”, for example. Something more descriptive is also great; just keep it short and sweet since it will most likely be included below your logo on places like your blog header). Write a bio about yourself/your work. Include it where possible. This may feel silly in the beginning stages, but will come in real handy soon.
3. Select a photograph of yourself that people will come to know you by. This will be used for your profile pictures. It’s ok to move away from a singular photo as you continue to build your brand online, but having one strong photo that showcases you is very helpful in the beginning. Use this photo on Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, Wordpress, Youtube, etc.
4. Be consistent in your online identity/name and design. For example, try your best to make your blog address, twitter profile, facebook shortened URL, identical when it comes to your portion of the URL. If you are “BestySmithArt” on twitter, your Facebook Business page should also be facebook.com/bestysmithart. Likewise, your blog header, website, facebook biz page profile, and various other online spaces should look like they belong together and were designed by the same person. It is an extension of your brand. Everything from the color choices, fonts, and photos are all important. This is something I am working on, personally, too.
5. Keep biz cards and samples handy. Get a professional set of business cards printed. There are a few online sites that are quite affordable. Consider customizing the back of the cards with photos of your work. Beyond this, consider printing a “rack card” with a few photos of your work and even more information about your business. Be prepared to give small samples of your work (if applicable) by having a stash of giveaways/extras in your car. You never know when you’ll meet just the right person. Beyond giving them a biz card, it’s extra special if you have a pair of earrings or small piece of work created and on-hand to include with your card. I have been known to keep 5 pairs of earrings in my car, wrapped in a gauzy pouch, tied with my biz card. If this doesn’t make sense for your business, brainstorm something else that is tangible and fun to include with your biz card that will represent your work well.
6. Bonus tip: Don’t give up! Social media and marketing take time to work. A combination of heart + hard work will pay off.

I loved your post about creating a Networking Emergency Kit. What kind of events are they and where can we find these events in our area?

Balancing family and volunteer time with networking is tricky but can be possible! I try to attend the following meetings (below) monthly or quarterly, depending on how often meetings are held. I try to include a good balance of marketing/social media organizations with artistic and more casual get-togethers. This helps make networking fun!

American Marketing Association
National Association of Women Owned Business
Chamber of Commerce meetings (attended in the past through my employer)
Charleston Craft Bee
Social Media Club Charleston
BarCamp (a technology conference)
Social Media workshops/seminars
Tweetups (on social media, marketing, jewelry, design, or anything in between)

My friend Kelly Thiel recently joined a local Art Guild, which is another awesome group if you have one in your city

Can you talk about Hootsuite and how you use it to manage your business?

If I had to pick my favorite Hootsuite feature, it would be scheduling (read my post about it here). I also really love that it allows you to send updates to more than one of your social network accounts from one centralized location. I discovered it first for Twitter, but have since added my personal and business facebook accounts (one for my online marketing biz AND another for my jewelry biz!) to my hootsuite dashboard. I wrote about getting started with Hootsuite here. After you get comfortable, I have instructions on adding your personal and biz pages to Hoosuite here.

Let’s talk about your web design business. What type of services do you provide? How long is the process and how do you manage working with long distance clients?



I’ve been designing websites since 2004. It’s something that I love to do! I also have experience in print design and enjoy designing brochures, logos, business cards & rack cards. In the social media space, I can quickly design professional looking blog headers, facebook business pages, twitter backgrounds…you name it! Some of my favorite recent projects have been turning sketches/art into digital illustrations and creating blog buttons with corresponding code for artists.

Email marketing is another longtime passion of mine. I’ve managed email programs for companies sending to 30,000+ subscribers with the click of a mouse.

Regarding working with long-distance clients, I’ve been fortunate to work with people from all over the US and as far as Puerto Rico. With the power of the web, it’s a pretty seamless process to collaborate and launch a website, facebook business page, blog, logo, or just about anything else for a client no matter how far we may be apart geographically. I limit the number of projects that I manage to minimize turnaround time and keep costs affordable.

I have posted photos of some of my recent work over on my facebook business page and hope you can stop by!

Is there anything else you would like to talk to my readers about/promote?

I’d like to thank you so very much for this special interview opportunity. It has been wonderful to connect with a Kelly Rae “flyer” through the power of the web. I am so excited about 2011 and know it will be a year of great opportunity and growth for your business. Please let your readers know I am always happy to answer their social media/ online marketing questions!

They can find me:
Strategic Online Marketing on Facebook
Strategic Online Marketing Blog (updated 5x/week!)
My Personal Twitter
Dreamy Design Works Jewelry on Facebook
Dreamy Design Works Jewelry Blog
Dreamy Design Works on Twitter

Thanks Laura!!!

A little love!!

I'm so eternally grateful to Laura Otero, of Strategic Marketing Online, for giving me the opportunity to be featured in an interview on her blog. Please check it out and show her some love!!!

Interview with Brandi Hussey

I'm celebrating my artistic community (those special people who I've connected with over Facebook, Twitter, Flying Lessons class with Kelly Rae), so I want to place a spotlight on one of my new favorite Etsy shops, Catie’s Blue, and it’s owner and jewelry designer, Brandi Hussey.  I was first introduced to her by a fellow flyer, and then took part in Brandi’s Color Rockstar class... this is where my obsession began.  Her eye for color combos is truly amazing, and has inspired my to look at color with an intuitive mind and open heart.  Due to her talent I have picked my color scheme for PHL and am well on my way to perfecting my brand.  That's what I call progress.

Her blog is full of tips and tricks... from removing a color cast from a photo to putting together shop policies for your ETSY shop... it’s all there, folks!! I have spent hours on her site going over every little detail, and I would recommend it to anyone starting out in the creative biz.

Brandi has had such an impact on my business, so I wanted her to come over to PHL and spend an afternoon with us. So please help welcome Miss Brandi Hussey!!!

Your blog is so chock full of useful information on branding and representing YOU, where did you come up with the name “Catie’s Blue?”

Thanks for the kind words! As far as "Catie's Blue", it's actually a particular color, a bright aqua blue. Back in college, I had a professor named Catie who really took me under her wing and became a mentor to me. It was incredible the amount of time and energy she was willing to give to her students; she was so protective of all of us, and it was really inspiring. 
Coming from Greece, she had an affinity for any shade of aqua. She said it reminded her of the Mediterranean, and I could relate because it reminded me of the Pacific (I'm originally from Hawaii). She wore it so much that I began to associate it not just with her, but with creativity, passion, and integrity. It was such an inspiring color to me, that when it came to naming my business, I drew inspiration from that and named my company after my mentor's favorite color. You could say she's to blame for my obsession with aqua!

-Photo by Brandi Hussey-

What a wonderful story!  It's amazing how a compassionate, dedicated mentor can shape how you look at the world (in your case, how you look at color).  As aritsts, we speak through our work, and our color choices are such wonderul voices.

In you "Color Rockstar" class you talk about color definitions, and how everyone has a "personal connection" to specific colors.  We use these colors as words to our "personal story."  I loved that you included shades of your favorite color, aqua, in your list of color definitions.  Creativity, emotional, blissful, joy, free, and flight were the words you used to describe your connection to this specific color.  What a wonderful way of getting to know you through you work... we get a sense of who you are without ever meeting.  Very smart!!

-Photo by Brandi Hussey-

Were you always a full-time jewelry designer, or did you start out with a “day job”?

It's kind of funny, because I went to art school but didn't really intend to make a living as an artist. I was stuck in the idea that "artists can't make money", so I didn't really intend to try. Instead, I had applied to a Master's program for Art History - but I didn't get in. So, I moved back to Texas from California, and I had a job at a bookstore right after graduation. I worked there for a couple years when I got a job with a major airline, working in their customer service department. It wasn't a bad job, but I didn't do well in it. It sucked the life out of me, till one day, I just couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't happy, and worse, I barely recognized myself. After a night of reflection, I put in my two weeks notice and quit.

My intention then was to go back to grad school, but I never made it (clearly, someone was trying to tell me something about the path I was suppose to be on!). I was on a family vacation in Hawaii when I literally tripped going into a bead store (I really am that graceful). When I looked up, all I could stare at were the colors and sparkling beads everywhere; I was smitten. I had done beading growing up, and I tried my hand at metalsmithing in college, but something was different that day. I think by then I was looking for a reason to use the art degree I had, so I was more open to the possibility of making a living from it. I took a few classes to refresh my memory, then when I got back home, I started my business. So, I went full-time from the start over three years ago.

So your accident turned you onto the path you were meant to lead... funny how that happens :)

What obstacles did you face along the way? How did you push through those obstacles to follow your dreams?

It was really easy to make the switch. I had already quit my last job, so I had the time to devote to figuring things out, and I had a little money saved. And what I found out was that it's actually pretty easy to start a business. Remarkably easy. My decision to go for it was made even easier by the fact that I only had me to think about. I didn't have a family of my own relying on a steady income (or health benefits), so no one would lose anything by me taking a risk. If things were different, I probably would have had a different start to share!

As far as obstacles... While I had support, it wasn't always unanimous. A lot of people thought I would fail or that I'd lose interest. This was coming from people I had hoped to ask business questions from, so while I could understand their point of view, I felt like I had no one to turn to. I had to learn those business aspects on my own. I won't lie; it wasn't always easy and I made mistakes along the way. But it felt so right that I stopped fighting my instincts. I started trusting them instead, and I just kept plugging along.

It took some time, but I realized fairly quickly that I wasn't totally clueless. While I had no idea how to run a business, I had been working since I was 15; my resume was full of customer service jobs. Not only that, but I was also familiar with presentation and displays, selling, graphic design, composition, branding, general computer work, and blogging. I was decent at writing, had some photo experience from building my portfolio, and knew a little about advertising from a random class in college. There was no experience or job too small to draw from. Once I listed what skills I felt I needed as a business owner, I realized I had a decent foundation to start with. And as time went on, I firmed up that foundation by learning other skills and expanded on it with experience. 

Wow!! You really were meant for the life of a business woman. You had all the skills hiding right underneath your nose.

-Photo by Brandi Hussey-

I’m having trouble managing my full-time job and all the “to-do” lists that go along with starting a creative business.  How did you deal with those business start-up woes? 

It's so tough to juggle everything. There's only so much time in the day and only so much you can do yourself! Add in family time, creating time, and just LIFE, and it's super easy to feel overwhelmed. Three things help me stay sane: a schedule, a system of organizing that works best for me, and prioritizing. 

A schedule: Everyone needs one, and this becomes especially important for those who work full-time. Schedules help reinforce the idea to others in your life that you aren't sitting at home eating bonbons; you are actually working during that time. It also helps you set limits for yourself. I found out pretty quick that I'm a workaholic - it's easy to get lost in the work because it doesn't always feel like work. Plus, if you're the one doing everything (and you most likely are), there's a pressure to keep pushing. Work's become fun, so you don't mind doing it, but working too much for too long without a break can lead to burnout. I've been there and it's not fun, so now, I'll schedule in down time, too. I know that sounds nuts, but it's a reminder to myself to take a break every now and then.

I will say that my schedule is pretty fluid, and always has been. I have the flexibility to change and move things around if need be, and I don't feel bad or guilty doing so. I know that I put in the hours, so if I need or want to take a day off, I will. Stepping away to rest has become very important to me, especially in a 24/7/385 job. It never really ends, so I'm the one that has to set the boundaries.

Organizing: Organizing is important for a lot of reasons, but the two big areas where you want to try to stay organized as much as possible is in your studio and with your business records. You need to start keeping records as a business owner (this was new for me), so the quicker you can get in and find what you need, the better. It also helps you come tax time. Beyond that, an organized (or semi-organized) studio means you're not wasting time looking for supplies. Time becomes very, very precious when you have a full-time job and still want to create, so the faster you can get down to creating, the better.

Prioritizing: This is the biggie. You can have a relaxed schedule and be a little relaxed with the organizing, but prioritizing gets me through the busy times. There are two kinds of prioritizing that needs to happen: life priorities and business priorities. Life priorities include things like family time, your well-being, and your health; these should take precedence over any business priority. For example, if you're married and have kids, family time comes first. You can't get that time back, so enjoy it, then create after the kids have gone to bed. 

Business priorities are specific tasks that need to happen. I have goals and objectives I aim to complete each week (versus every day), and I'll prioritize them according to how fast it'll take me to get them done, desire to do it, and when they need to get done. I'll take the time-sensitive projects first, then I'll get the things I don't want to do out of the way next (so I don't have it looming over me). I'll do or save the tasks I can complete quickly for when I'm pressed for time. And since I can get wrapped up in the networking or computer work, I'll set aside big chunks of time for creating. 

And if all that fails? Ask for help. Reach out to a fellow artist, a friend, a family member. Get them to help package orders, prep for a show, ship.

Ahhh... the importance of a strong community :) I can’t tell you how helpful that is... time to get out my planner and start scheduling and prioritizing.

-Photo by Brandi Hussey-

What does your typical day look like, and how do you cope with the endless “to-do” lists?

The best way for me to cope with the endless "to-do" lists is to have a fluid schedule. Rather than have daily tasks, I'll have weekly ones. Ones that don't necessarily have a specific day where I have to get them done, which lets me insert personal things during the week. So, if I need to take photos but it's raining that day, I'll move photo day to later in the week. Or if I need to take the morning off for a personal reason, I will. How do I decide what gets done in any given week? That's where the schedule and the prioritizing comes into play. 

It also helps me to do things in bunches. It's more productive for me to create 10 pieces in one sitting, rather than a piece a day. It's easier for me to take photos for those 10 items at one time, rather than trying to fit photos in every day. Trying to do everything every day is a lesson in frustration, so I don't put that kind of stress on myself. Beyond that, I know how I work and when I work best. Knowing that about myself gives me a better idea of how full I can fill my schedule and how much is too much.

As far as a typical day, I tend to be online during the day, taking photos in the early afternoon, then creating at night. My day usually starts between 9am and 10am, and I'll wake up in front of my computer. I'm definitely not a morning person, so it helps to spend that time reading through emails and blogs, catching up on forums and groups I'm in. I'll spend maybe two hours online, then I'll head off for lunch, and maybe a photo session (I take photos outside in natural light, so I need to get out there in the early afternoon). After lunch, I'll do another quick check online, then head into my studio to start working till dinner. I'll eat, check in again, and if I'm feeling like I'm on a roll, I'll go back and create some more; if not, I'll relax in front of the TV or with a book. This schedule will vary if I'm in marketing and networking mode; that's when I'll be online most of the day, creating content for my blog, networking, taking an online class. My day usually ends around 2am or 3am. I've always worked best at night, so I don't fight that instinct; it just isn't productive for me.

-Photo by Brandi Hussey-

I am fearful that my artwork won’t appeal to the masses.  How do your find the balance between creating items that speak to you, and those that will appeal to others?

It's a tough line to walk, that's for sure. When I first started, I asked friends and family a lot of questions. I used to do a lot of trunk shows, so that was a great place to ask people for feedback about specific lines I was trying and techniques I was doing. Nowadays, if I'm unsure, I'll ask a jewelry friend for a critique.

While I never really followed the trends, unless it fit in with what I was doing at the time, I definitely was creating for other people rather than myself when I first started. I was doing okay, sales-wise, but then a funny thing happened. Sales started picking up when I started putting more of my style into my pieces. The things that sold best were pieces that I truly loved; the things that sat for months and months were things I was lukewarm about. It was almost like people could sense how excited I was or if I was excited at all.

Now, there were definitely exceptions - some pieces I loved creating are still sitting in my shop, and things that I felt unsure about sold. Sometimes, that's just the way it is, but generally speaking, I sell more things that I'm passionate about. I'd also say don't be afraid of creating a niche for yourself. There is a market for anything, so if you aren't having success with one audience, keep trying till you find one that embraces what you do. Having a niche or an angle also helps people remember who you are and what you do.

I'm glad I'm not the only one creating at 2am... when creativity knocks you have to answer, no matter what time it is. 

What inspires you, and where do you find your inspiration? How does your Hawaiian heritage contribute to this inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere, and I think being Hawaiian does contribute to that. See, in Hawaii, there's a huge mix of different cultures. You get exposed to a ton of different things - food, clothing, people, styles, music. There's always something to see, something to catch your eye, something to spark your imagination - tt's an eclectic, laid-back, welcoming place. So, if given the time, I can easily find something to inspire me out of anything.

For me, I'm heavily inspired by colors, and the gemstones and lampwork beads I work with. I have shades I favor more than others, but color combinations in general are endlessly fascinating to me. Hawaii plays a part here, too; it's such a vibrant, colorful place that it's hard NOT to be inspired by color there.

Beyond that, Hawaiian culture really emphasizes and appreciates handmade items. My maternal grandmother was what you would call a master crafter of traditional Hawaiian art. She passed along some of her vast knowledge to me, though I don't know if she'd consider it art so much as keeping up with tradition and honoring the old ways. There is a strong base in Hawaii right now that not only love handmade, but crave it. 

-Photo by Brandi Hussey-

What are you 3 favorite blogs and what draws you to them?

It's really hard to choose only 3!

I love, love, love A Creative Mint. Leslie has such an eye for color, and her photos are gorgeous. Plus, I just took an e-class that she co-taught, and I'm amazed at her process, her studio, and how she's quickly made a name for herself as a blogger.

I adore Erin's blog, Treasures Found. She has such a way of appreciating life, and her blog always gets me thinking. She's so passionate about what she does, and so honest about what she feels - she's an incredible and inspiring storyteller.

I have to read Happiness Is every day. Shannon has such a joyful, stylish, curious soul, and she only features things she loves. It's a little bit of sunshine in my day.

Thank you so much for taking the time out to talk with me, is there anything you have coming up that you would like to share with my fellow bloggers?

I don't have anything concrete yet, but I'm working on a couple of new e-class ideas, a couple of e-book ideas, and possibly a new venture all together. I'm letting the ideas sit till after the holidays, and hopefully by then I'll feel rested and ready to share. It's become obvious to me recently that I really enjoy helping other artists find their path, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to acknowledge that part of me. Getting to spend time here with you is a great start, so thank you!

You have truly been an inspiration to me and my growing passion for creating art.  Thank you for taking time out to of your busy schedule, and for being a mentor as I embark on this lovely road. 

Please visit Brandi on her blog, website, and shop...