This week has been interesting, I haven’t announced online it yet… but I’m moving!! We found a cute little apartment closer to my work and we will get to start painting and moving on monday! Isn’t that awesome? Also, I have joined Society6 (My Shop) just because I keep making all of these little illustrations and so now people can buy them as prints, phone cases, t-shirts, and more. If enough people are interested, I may start selling them myself. Really though, I just love to make them, ya’ know? Anyways, I hope your Friday is going great, here are some things to get you through that mid-day lull.
As I am getting ready for the upcoming Blogcademy trip I will be taking in the end of March, I decided to spruce up my business cards and try something different. I also ordered stickers that really show off my personality. Do you remember the deer from an earlier post about Freeing Your Creative Mind? I am in love with him and his new friends!!
I ordered these from Moo. I love using them because the quality of their prints are always amazing, they ship earlier than planned usually always AND you can print as many designs on one side of the card as you like for no extra cost. If you want to order from there too but don’t already have an account, use my refer a friend link and get 10% off your first order! It will help us both out!
Let me know what you think! If you are in need of a new business card design contact me on my services page, if we’re a fit, I would love to work with you! – xoxo Jessica
Where do you get your promotional products printed out? Link photos of your cards so I can check them out! I love seeing every bodies designs!!
One thing that I have learned about being creative, is sometimes I have to change up my surroundings in order to let my ideas really flow. It helps to get out of my office and explore. There is no way I can come up with new interesting ideas all the time if I am sitting in my office all day.
So, to get your week going, you should make some plans. Think of some things that relax you, excite you, ooo and awe you. Those are the things you should be doing to get your brain gears turning. You could do anything from running to all of your favorite antique stores, venturing around town with a camera, or for something more drastic, you could go on an impromptu trip. I’m going to keep this post short so you have more time to get out and get inspiration to start out your Monday morning! – xoxo Jessica
When you get back, blog about your day and send me a link! I want to know!! Tomorrow I will be sharing with you my surprise weekend!!
The Freelance Handbook is included in a six part series of practical handbooks by Computer Arts. This particular handbook is about becoming your own boss and it covers everything you need to know about getting started, winning over more clients, working smarter, managing your money, being business savvy, self promotion, and your well-being. An added plus that I have already benefited from is that this read is packed full of useful resources for a freelancer.
As a graphic designer, this manual can really help you out whether you are just starting your career or have been working in it for a while. The beauty is, any type of freelancer can benefit from it because it isn’t directed towards graphic design alone! It is refreshing with interesting layouts, illustrations, big numbers, and thought-provoking quotes. Though it is 116 pages, it is a fairly quick read and is definitely a book of reference.
For myself, 2013 has been the beginning of something new. My heart is learning and growing and for the past month I have been in this limbo of questions. “Who am I?” “What am I doing with Color Overboard?” Since Color Overboard is a fairly new venture, it would seem like I wouldn’t be having all of these questions. But I am. Maybe you are having these same burning questions with your own business. Two simple questions really seem bigger than I ever would have thought. What I have decided to do is take the focus of Color Overboard off of crafts (even though they will still be involved) and put the spotlight on my graphic design. I am currently working with new clients and am hoping to grow with them and gain new contacts throughout this year.
If I am wanting Color Overboard to grow as a business though, I am going to have to pull myself together and get on with pushing harder with social media. I am doing good so far for being only a few months into this but good is not going to cut it for 2013. I am going to make some specific goals for myself to make this year really shine. Having a full time job at a book publishing company really does make things seem daunting but my lively-hood depends on really stepping up my creativity. In the office I do not get to call the shots, I am just a graphic artist who lays out books. There are so many people higher up from my postion that dictate my work. Though I am happy to be there and am really learning things, Color Overboard is the place where I can call the shots. As I type this, I wonder how many of you are also trying to run a business and have a full time job at the same time.
If you are really serious about your business than it is up to you to make the difference. You have to really put in your time doing research and keeping current with what is going on in the world. You definitely can’t live under a rock if you want to get anywhere.
Like a flower you start out as a small little bud and over time you bloom into a beautiful full masterpiece. Keep it up, You’ll get there.
Just remember you are not perfect. Everyone starts somewhere. If you never start, you will never have the chance to finish.
With all of your hard work under your belt, plus living a life aside from your business, you may start to feel like you are getting burnt out if you don’ t make the time for breaks, friends, family, and just relaxing time. Don’t let it come to that. Remind yourself to build in time to all of your projects for a little you time. It may seem silly at the time even if you are on a roll with your great ideas and think there is now way they could slow down. When a burn out hits, some times you don’t realize it until it is there and it some times takes longer to get out of it than you would expect. Making time for a social life will actually make your creativity come easier and your thoughts to be crisper.
Don’t forget to step back and smell the flowers.
Next Monday I will be going more in depth about making goals for yourself and keeping them.
- xoxo Jessica
How do you feel about your business? Are you juggling an office job along side of your own Business?
I would like to thank everyone who has supported Color Overboard in the past month it has been open! To everyone who entered into the Color Overboard first ever giveaway, THANK YOU! The two winners of the 50% off coupon to the store are Becca Tally and Kara Darling!! The winner of the free item of choice, from the Color Overboard store, is KHLOE SHUFFIELD!! Thank you again to everyone who has participated, and shared the love. Feel free to let me know how I can help you out!! – xoxo Jessica
Sometimes I catch myself getting into a rut when climbing all of the mountains it takes to please a client. Don’t get me wrong, I love those mountains They are challenging and are what expand my skill set. They are even fun! But there are times when any creative person should just let their mind go. Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks. You can’t please everyone, all day, 100 % of the time. Be yourself. Your colors will show through, and hey, that’s why those clients hire you to begin with. You can offer things no one else can if you open your mind up to all of the possibilites.
How do you get your mind pumping with creative, unrestircted ideas?
For me, it is always different, but I usually have to physically use my hands. Painting, drawing, cutting, glueing, and sewing. Just saying those words really get my mind going.
When I am doing these things, I don’t feel so gridded in. Not only am I using different mediums, I can also do them in all sorts of places. Outside, inside, on the floor, where ever! Let yourself Out of the box, and run free. – xoxo Jessica
Let me know what you think! If you are in need of a new business card design contact me on my 
One thing that I have learned about being creative, is sometimes I have to change up my surroundings in order to let my ideas really flow. It helps to get out of my office and explore. There is no way I can come up with new interesting ideas all the time if I am sitting in my office all day.
