My darling imagineer, 2 weeks ago I asked this curious little question: Can I transform how a simple, ordinary metal tin is perceived by narrating different {visual} stories for it? The answer? Well, it blew my mind off like a celebration champagne bottle cork. Not only was it the most fun I’ve had with a creative challenge yet, the kind …
Story of a Little Metal Box
Do you remember that moment in front of the mirror just before you rouge your cheeks with a pinch of crimson gel, or press a soft chocolate-brown pencil to your eyes? You know, that few fleeting seconds where you wonder how a few dabs here and a stroke or two there can entirely transform the way the world perceives you? …
Enter The Story Parlor
To all my curious kittens and imagineers, I recently embarked on a brand new charetteering project I created as a gift to you, the grand opening of The Story Parlor, a (virtual at the moment) tea +converstation room about your biggest {brand} storytelling blind spots and pains. Pop over for a visit here to find out what this surprise project …
Hoops, A Wishing Chair and The Storybook Tree
Something’s a-brewing here in the tree-studio…but I can’t say much more than it sails my balloons (I promise I will share more later)! However I can share this: the 30-Day Sketch Challenge (albeit a little drawn out) Round 2 ‘Imagine…’ is in full swing, more than halfway through. For the next 12 sketches, I will be imagining some magical spaces for …
Your Treasure Box of Self
My mom and I are craft buddies. As a talented craftsperson (see her hand-crafted creations above) she is my main source of inspiration in what I do as a paper artisan and brand designer. Recently, while we were hanging out watching our favorite home decor design show, I asked her what she would have been if she wasn’t a schoolteacher …
Beyond the Ego: A Meeting of Minds
Since I left the architectural world to be the captain of my own dreamship, the one thing I missed the most is the creative meeting of minds with other designers and experts. To sit at a large rough-hewn, hand-crafted salvage wood table, tracing papers spread out, markers and pencils strewn about, hair mussed, sleeves pushed up, the air vibrating with …
Elegant Imperfection: YOUR Design, Hand-Crafted.
My most beloved readers, this is a post I’ve been wanting to write for a long time-to share with you the single, most important value guiding my work as an artist and designer-the concept of elegant imperfection. Wabi Sabi (the philosophy behind Japanese traditional beauty): “Wabi Sabi is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. It is a beauty …
Your Unique Bridge Piece-Making the Connection
“In a handmade or boutique business, we are not growing our ‘lists’ but rather, building KINSHIPS. Every encounter is a kinship we are trying to foster, because somewhere in there, our souls touch.” A boutique handmade or creative biz is a special treat. A luxury. A lifestyle choice. It’s personal, unique, heart-centered and full of love. In the mission keywords …
Once Upon a Time…(How it All Began for Me)
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph W. Emerson …a few years or so ago, I had an idea. I had just left my childhood dream of being an architect behind because it no longer filled my heart with joy and I couldn’t envision letting my …
Lessons Learned, New Year, New Beginnings!
Happy Glittering New Year, dear readers! While 2012 was my year of enormous transition, incredibly humbling support and unbelievable learning from so many amazing teachers, I want to say one thing though, as a creative entrepreneur: keep some discovery for yourself. Save a little bit of getting lost and way-finding sacred because we all need creative challenges to stretch. It’s so …