Helen sent us these photos and writes:

“Hi Lilla, Ashley, Susan and Julie!

I’m back (in body and in mind) and happy to be back!
The trip was interesting to say the least. I missed human honesty, hot water on demand, drinkable tap water, real mattress, not worrying about theft and being duped, fast internet connection, my computer, work and of course you ladies!”

Tomorrow: See Jenn Ski’s new work.

Tomorrow: See pictures from Helen’s trip to Odessa.

Ok, so Risa walks into my studio and I immediately take a picture of her gorgeous necklace. And then I draped it on a blue vase for a better look. All neutrals: silver, pearly white, clear quartz, whisky quartz. I want to make this. I really do.

Tomorrow: Jon Cannell’s piece for Time International.

Nice.

Tomorrow: See a really, really pretty necklace.

A tea party for cats and dogs.

Monday: Matte’s happy owl print

When you are given an assignment to illustrate a ‘how-to’ piece, you must show the information clearly, yet in a beautiful way. You are decorating the page. Trina does this so brilliantly. The have a bit of a David Hockney and an Edward Hopper quality. Check out the lone flip flops.

Tomorrow: Helen’s tea party for cats and dogs

I met this lovely lady at the Flea Market and bought the dress off her back. She makes these with vintage fabrics. Look how long it took me to blog this. About four months. Oh well.

Tomorrow: Trina’s gorgeous work on Aqualates

Here’s a how-to piece that Mike did for us for his portfolio. It’s a perfect style for Readymade Magazine. (Readymade art directors? Are you out there reading this?) It’s great to do pieces for your portfolio to attract the kind of work you want. I often say, “What you show is what you get.”

News Flash: We’ve gotten Mike a picture book, and he’s up for another. Can’t tell you more at this point, but I sure will as soon as I can.

Tomorrow: Vintage fabric dresses from a Martha’s Vineyard flea market.

This is a great piece you might enjoy. I found it here.

Enjoy it!

So you want to be more creative, in art, in business, whatever. Here are some tips that have worked for me over the years:

1. Ignore everybody.

2. The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.

3. Put the hours in.

4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.

5. You are responsible for your own experience.

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.

7. Keep your day job.

8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.

9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.

10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

11. Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.

13. Never compare your inside with somebody else’s outside.

14. Dying young is overrated.

15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.

16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can’t.

18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.

19. Sing in your own voice.

20. The choice of media is irrelevant.

21. Selling out is harder than it looks.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about “Commercial vs. Artistic” is a complete waste of time.

24. Dont worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.

25. You have to find your own schtick.

26. Write from the heart.

27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.

28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.

30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.

31. Remain frugal.

32. Allow your work to age with you.

33. Being Poor Sucks.

34. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.

35. Savor obscurity while it lasts.

36. Start blogging.

37. Meaning Scales, People Don’t.

38. When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams.

Tomorrow: Mike’s illustrations on how to install a washing machine (just in case you were wondering).