My Journey

This weekend was incredible. I learned more than I ever thought possible. Above all else, I pushed myself. I felt the fear. I did it anyways. So here goes . . . you're going to need a blanket and a POT of coffee for this one. 16 minutes.

My Arch of Creativity

The idea of living within your arch of creativity... Jeff Holt mentioned this idea in Watercolor at MTH. And its been on my mind a bit since then. Really, its been on my mind mostly because my studio needs a huge overhaul, but tonight as I sit in Atlanta and listen to the sound of clicking MAC keys and good music and share insightful conversations with Lara, Jeff and Sandi. I'm reminded that the idea of living within your arch of creativity is about so much more than surrounding yourself with beautiful things. Its about taking a holistic approach to your shaping your environment - and really surrounding yourself with people and things that inspire, empower and challenge you.

I'm in Atlanta for Making Things Happen tomorrow. I'm so honored to be a guest and to be able to share my story. Even more, I'm so honored to be able to hear and witness the stories of others. Its not that being around people who are just like me is comforting. That actually has very little to do with my arch of creativity. Instead, for the next two days, I get to be around people who make me THINK - who are engaging and outside-the-box-thinkers - who are sincere to their core. That. Sincerity. Is so valuable. And something I treasure so much.

I mentioned today that I love my sweet husband so dearly because he will call me out. When I am being ridiculous he will tell me. When he disagrees with me, he will tell me. He is my biggest supporter and fan, but when I need a little push, he's there. I love that "realness". He is a Lover, an Encourager and a Pusher. I'm learning that it is so important to surround yourself with different types of people. Granted, not all people are going to bring the same things to the table - and they shouldn't. This is just the world according to Emily, but I think you need a few of all of these types to not only allow growth but MAKE you grow as well.

The Lover

The Lover is the person who is going to love whatever you do no matter what. Your clay pot may be tipping over on one side and with a giant crack in the other - but the Lover just loves it. "Its artwork," they say. "People pay big money for 'vintage' pieces like this." (Vintage, really?) The Lover is the person to turn to when you need a boost - always good for the soul when you need the positivity, but perhaps not the best when you need an honest opinion.

The Educator

The Educator is the person who makes everything make sense. The person that is constantly learning and continually teaching in a way that is non-threatening - that is thought provoking. Think - professors in college who taught, yet encouraged you to explore your own curiosities and develop your own theories - who, even though they may not agree with your stand, encouraged you to TAKE one.

The Encourager

The Encourager is the person who reminds you the sun will come up again. This person always sees the glass half full and reminds you of your strengths when your weaknesses are all you can spot. The Encourager is great for those times that you need to be reminded why it is you do what you do in the first place. I've had these days and its okay to need this person. Remember to be there for the Encourager when the Encourager needs it in return. Sometimes we all need to be reminded how strong we are.

The Pusher

The Pusher is the person who pushes you to take that next step - to be bigger than you are in that moment. The Pusher sees your strengths but knows you have more left to give. This person sees that you've won a local competition and encourages you to enter a national competition next. The Pusher sees the potential you have and thinks outside the box. By doing so, they inspire you to grow in ways you may not have thought you could.

The Challenger

The Challenger is the person who pushes as hard as they can - sometimes this is consciously and sometimes not. This person may be your friend or colleague or it may be your direct competition. Regardless, this person challenges you directly. They are big and they challenge you to step up and be bigger. This person is great to have around when you need a kick in the pants. This person will fire you up so much that you HAVE to move forward.

Each of these people are important - and each have their special place in your life at the right time. You’ll have people who fall in between these definitions as well - those may even be the best. Overall, it is so important to surround yourself with an arch of creativity - not just with the art on your walls and the color of your paint, but with the people you allow close to you. These are the people who will influence your heart and in the long run - your brand.

I text messaged my husband when I was at dinner with Lara, Jeff and Sandi. I said "I feel so comfortable here” and he said "because you're around people who are like you and inspire you." So true. I grow so much when I surround myself with people who encourage growth within me – who push me to be bigger than I think I can be – who inspire me to think outside my typical realm of thinking – who challenge me to bring my A game every time.

Today I am making a promise to myself to expand my environment/my arch of creativity - beyond just the music I listen to while I work or the color of the walls of my studio - to the people I surround myself with as well - and not just those within my own inner circle, but those I admire and learn from - even at a distance - as well.

Becoming a Blogger

I've really loved writing my "tips" posts here and here- with step by step tips to "making things happen" and costs associated with each step. When I was first starting ELP, I had to demystify a lot of the mumbo jumbo I found on the internet myself. And even when I figured out HOW to make something happen - I had to figure out how much that process was going to COST me. When my new blog launches (shortly after my website launch next week) I'll unveil a couple of features you'll find here. I've really wanted my voice to come out organically on this blog so I've blogged a little of any and everything. I'm finding my most natural voice comes when I do just that - whatever is happening with me, with ELP, with life in general. But I definitely feel a real pull towards sharing my business journey, my experiences as a business owner (in a relatable "I've been there and I AM THERE" type of way).

So as I've been preparing for my website launch and working on the functionality I'd like my new blog to have, I thought I'd share a few tips on how to stake your claim in the blog world. Granted, this is something I'm right in the middle of - but a few tips nonetheless.

And the best part about this process? It can be FREE if you'd like it! Want to guess how much I spent on THIS blog? $0. (the soon-to-benew blog - not so free - but again, its all your choice!)

Step 1 :: Open a Blog account ($0)

Blogger and WordPress are the two biggest blogging platforms out there. Both offer free accounts, but WordPress has many more capabilities than Blogger. WordPress also offers a Premium Account that includes ad-free blogs, more storage and VideoPress for those really cool video bloggers out there.

Step 2 :: Point your domain to your blog ($0 - 10)

Cost here depends on whether or not you own the domain where you'd like your blog to be found. If you don't own the domain you'd like - purchase it at GoDaddy and point it to your blog. See here for Blogger instructions and here for WordPress. You either need a direct domain "YourGreatBlog.com" or a subdomain like "YourGreatSite.com/blog" - steer away from "YourGreatBlog.blogspot.com" and "YourGreatBlog.wordpress.com" - Thanks Lara & Jeff for pointing this one out!

Step 3a :: Make your blog PRETTY ($0+)

Mk, this can be free or costly. But in the beginning, find a good DIY blog design that you're comfortable with (even something simple... like all white, here). Check out Ellie at Rainy Day Templates ($), Ross at FloSites ($$) and my own designers, Kendra & Amanda at HiDesign ($$) for professionally designed blogs.

Step 3b :: Remove that Ugly Blogger NavBar ($0)

If you're using Blogger, get rid of that ugly Blogger bar at the top. Here's how.

Step 4 :: Make sure the right info is easily accessible ($0)

Make sure your (real) name, photo, email address, Twitter link and website (if you have one) are easily accessible on your blog.

Step 5 :: Add important widgets ($0)

Widgets like the "Etsy Shop" widget, link lists, biography, etc are very important to making your blog as comprehensive as possible. Remember your blog is a brand in itself and should represent you. Also think of adding advertising (coming soon here!) options to your blog as you begin to grow your readership.

Step 6 :: Read Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuck ($10)

Do this. I could talk forever about this book. Oh wait, I did! Follow his exercises. Have an open mind - and be ready to work hard. Gary writes about monetizing social media and exploring your passion as your life's work. A game changer.

Step 7 :: Write down 50 blog topics ($0)

Sounds hard, right? Try it. Sit down with a piece of paper (that coffee and blanket from the last two posts - grab 'em) and write down 50 topics. Even if they're all over the place, write them down. Watch as your themes emerge.

Step 8 :: Write (or RECORD!) ($0)

Write and write often. Use good photos and images (not like this one. I cant think "images" right now... too many product images...!) Connect with other bloggers through Twitter and through THEIR blogs. Bring value as a resource to other people. Explore different types of blogging - through written posts and video blogs. Find what makes you most comfortable.

Step 9 :: Watch your blog grow ($0)

Use Google Analytics to watch your blog's growth. Potential advertisers will want to know the traffic coming to your site. Dont be too crazy about watching this constantly - but watch overall trends in growth and decline. You'll find the obvious - readership grows as you blog often and drops as you have lulls in your posts. Find a happy medium here depending on your topics and goals for your blog.

Step 10 :: Evolve and grow ($0)

Let your voice emerge and develop. You'll find blog topics come naturally and writing them becomes second nature. Be open minded to the shape your blog begins to take. I initially started my blog to share ONLY my thoughts on Southern Lifestyle and weddings I adored. Granted, that will be part of the blog - as they're a deep rooted part of me - but not all of it. Business ownership and the triumphs and tragedies that are found along that road are becoming my passion to write about.

On that note - and this is just "the world according to Emily" - but I'm finding it so important to keep that same open mind with your business. ELP is growing from an online stationery boutique to include custom design services, branding services and this little blog - as a business resource.

Never close a door and take a peak down every side road as you continue your journey.

The World According to Emily :: Finding Focus

Easier said than done. My entire life, I have been an overachieving, energetic, Type-A. I dream really big and I love to stay really busy – even when that means “burning the candle at both ends.” One of my New Year’s resolutions was to take better care of MYSELF. I put so much energy into my family, my home, my business – that sometimes I forget about me. I like to think that I can live on 4 hours of sleep, Starbucks and cheerios. (I love Cheerios). Lately my life has been riddled with challenges – both personally and professionally. The kinds of challenges that can steal your attention and rattle your focus if you let them.

Even writing this post, I can think of fourteen things I need to be doing right now. I’m reminded of our first exercise at Lara Casey’s Making Things Happen intensive in Watercolor. “Write down everything in your brain right now. Get it out and on paper…”

. . . I’ll be back . . .

I just wrote down 24 things off the top of my head that I should get done today. Oh my. But I do feel somewhat clearer having everything written down and out of my brain space. As the ELP site preparation reaches MAX craziness and prepares for the big reveal in 4 days, I’ve got to find a way to maintain focus, to rid myself of this exhaustion that is slowly creeping up, and to remind myself that there is so little I can actually control. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days (Psalm 90:14).

The word satisfy is something I so often do not relate to. I am so rarely truly satisfied. Happy? Absolutely. Grateful? All the time. But satisfied/finished/content? Hardly ever. But this little verse tells us to be satisfied. And for me, I am learning to find contentment in the places I’m not so crazily seeking it – but where it already lives. In my faith. In my big, hilarious, loving family. In my friends who sit and listen to me ramble about my journey, bring me hot pink diamond socks and lasagna when I’m under the weather. And in my sweet, sweet, wholehearted husband whose love is so big, so satisfying and so complete.

Photo courtesy of Meg Baisden Photography.