*WINNER ANNOUNCED* Small Business Spotlight: Curly Willow Collections { giveaway }

Congratulations to the WINNER of the Curly Willow Collections gift card set. I’m so thankful to Vicki for hosting this very special event at my blog and I hope others will visit and purchase her incredible merchandise.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to the winner ……..

Welcome to Small Business Spotlight, a special feature post at Three 31.

Curly Willow Collections features handmade products and custom designed artwork. Visit Vicki’s blog, Vicki Designer and Etsy store, Curly Willow Collections.

A big THANKS to Vicki for sharing her business and sponsoring a giveaway too ….. details below!

Why did you start an online store, blog, and website?
I’ve been doing graphic design for over 25 years. (Yes, I’m much older than most bloggers out there. ha) And I’ve always had to design based on my client’s aesthetic. I never really had the opportunity to design for me. I didn’t even know if I was good at it.

In November of 2010, I convinced my best friend to start a blog with me where we could show and tell about our designs (www.curlywillowdiy.blogspot.com) She is definitely gifted at interior decorating. Her home is always beautiful and I wanted to let people know about it. So, after we blogged together for a year. I felt the need to break off and find my own way, my own following. The Etsy store came about simply because I really needed to make some extra money. The economy was tanking and we were feeling it. I have a part time job where I work from home. But I also wanted to contribute a little more as well.

Describe your style.
Gosh, this is a hard one for me. After designing so much for others, I really had no idea what would come out of me when I had time to design pretty things for me. I think the only way to describe my style right now is girly, but a work in progress.

What type of equipment do you use?
Adobe Photoshop is my main man! It does everything I need it to do. I love working in it and I know I still don’t know everything it can do. It’s some powerful software… it’s got great muscles!

What ONE item could you NOT live without?
Probably being in tune with my emotions. I usually design best based on my mood

Please provide a brief explanation of your business and work flow.
My children are grown for the most part. I have a daughter, 25, who is married and lives on the west coast. My two sons are 19 and 17. So, one is in college and one is in high school. But, they are self sufficient. As long as their dinner is prepared, I can do whatever I want!!!!! Plus, I work and design throughout the day, sometimes to music, sometimes to movies. Just depends on what I feel like that day.

Do you have a creative “oops” that you can share?
I don’t really have a creative oops, but I definitely have many, many designs, or drawings that I do not sell because I’m not completely happy with the way they look.

What do you consider beautiful?
I love all design. I truly believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All design, whether interior design, art, patterns, illustrations, or nature, inspires me.

What brings joy to your life?
I love taking care of people. I love cooking for my family, and I love designing and expressing myself.

Are you a self-taught web manager, graphic artist, and business owner or did someone show you the ropes?
I have an Associates design in Commercial art from a technical school. I was not a good student growing up. I learn best by doing and I have ADD, so a classroom setting was brutal. But, I excelled in design school and it was the first time I got straight A’s. I was happy when I found my place in the world. However, when I was in design school, there were no computers to help you design, everything was done on paste-up boards and we had to send out for type. I went back to school to take a refresher course in Adobe software about 15 years ago. Before that, and since then, I taught myself.

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere. I am most inspired by God’s creation. I think most designers and artists would say the same.

Have you ever found yourself in a “creative funk,” and, if so, how did you get out?
Oh yeah, I get tired and need a break. Sometimes, breaks are a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks. It just depends on what I see that will inspire me next. I don’t do anything specific to try to get me out of my creative funk. I accept that part of the process. In any job, everyone needs some down time to rejuvenate.

You have many creative outlets, which provide you with the most satisfaction?
I like making connections with the people who buy my art and ask them where they will be using it. I love the stories they share with me.

What is one lasting impression you want to leave in your work?
I want my art to have made a difference in someone’s life.

If you did not have a website and Etsy store, what would you be doing?
BE REALLY BORED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To date, what has been your biggest accomplishment?
Not giving up! I think it’s super easy to try something and when you meet a fork in the road or it doesn’t go as well as you thought, tendencies are to quit. But, as I age (UGH!) I realize greatness comes from patience and perseverance.

Do you have any special plans in 2012 that you can share with us?
My goal for my business in 2012 to just to get my shop out their in the blogging community, to take risks in my designs and try something new each month. I do have a goal to make at least two putz/glitter houses each month and put them in my shop for sale in September for Christmas. I love the building and decorating process of those sweet little houses and I am finding I am good at it too.

In addition to answering these questions, Vicki is hosting a giveaway. One winner will receive an assortment of her custom cards. The set includes two (2) of the five designs featured above.

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To enter the giveaway, simply answer this question in a comment:

Would you rather send or receive a card?

For additional entries,

• Visit Curly Willow Collections on Etsy and select a product you like – name that item in a separate comment.
• Subscribe to Vicki’s blog via email – and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
• Like Curly Willow Collections on Facebook – and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
• Follow Curly Willow Collections on Twitter – and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
• Follow Vicki Shead on Pinterest – and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
• Subscribe to Three 31 via email – and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
• Follow Nicole Hutchison on Pinterest – and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
• Follow nmhutch on Twitter – and tell me you did so in a separate comment.
• Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or blog – and tell me you did so in a separate comment.

Giveaway ends Sunday, March 25 at 9:00pm Central time.

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If you (or someone you know!) would like to sponsor a giveaway, or be featured in the Small Business Spotlight, message me for details!!!

Hugs,

Small Business Spotlight: No One Without {N.O.W}

Which ONE item would you say is the most important?
Honestly, all of our items are most important because they are all a means to an end. The “end” is funding more initiatives and helping more people. The sole purpose of our business is to change lives through the sales of our clothing. Without different items to appeal to different people, we wouldn’t have nearly enough sales to fund those initiatives. Therefore, all of our pieces of clothing and accessories are of equal importance to the mission of No One Without.

Can you provide a brief explanation of your business and work?
No One Without is a For Purpose fashion brand supporting non-profit partners through consumerism. No One Without empowers our customers to be advocates for change by choosing the organization that most moves them. In turn, No One Without gives 20% of their proceeds to the chosen organization.

MAKE YOUR CHOICE ~ SHARE YOUR VOICE

We partner with organizations by setting up specific initiatives according to their needs. We then set up progress bars on our website so that fans can see how far we need to go on every initiative. Once we have met the initiative goal, we write a check to the organization.

Do you have a creative “oops” that you can share?
There are times with creative thinking when I’m so obsessed with thinking outside the box, I miss what’s right in front of me. From time to time, there’s something to be said for simple and the impact it can make.

What do you consider to be beautiful?
The question should be, what do I not consider to be beautiful. There’s so much beauty around us everywhere, even in the things the world considers ugly. We don’t have to put it in a frame, or declare it across the lands to see beauty. If we open our eyes to the things around us, it’ll pop up in almost every situation. That’s when the fun REALLY begins!

Are you self-taught or did you have a mentor that showed you the ropes?
If we really dig deep, is there really such thing as “self-taught”? Even if we don’t identify specific names of mentors, we learn from books, from programs… from people who went before us. There’s nothing better than learning from people with more knowledge than me. At No One Without, we relish in the opportunity to learn new things from people who have already been down the road we’re on. Why re-invent the wheel when you can just improve upon beautiful things people have already tried.

When did you decide to open your business?
No One Without began in 2010

Have you ever found yourself in a “creative funk”, and, if so, how did you get yourself out?
There’s always the possibility of a creative funk. That’s what being creative means. Sometimes the creativity runs out for a second. That’s where the beauty in the world we already discussed, and all those brilliant mentors we mentioned come in. We run ideas by people, grab inspiration from the world around us and above all else.. ASK FOR HELP! We’re never afraid to say we  might need a new suggestion from people who are close to us.

You have many creative outlets, which provide you with the most satisfaction?
Personally, dance will always be my one outlet that makes me the most happy. I fell in love with dance many moons ago. It has gotten me through many bad days, many illnesses, many failed relationships, and still remains. My body ages, spreads out, and breaks down with every passing day, but I still find ways to dance. Even if it’s just rocking out in my living room.

What is ONE lasting impression you want to leave in your work?
CHANGE… We want to change lives, change the way businesses do their business, change how young people will build their new businesses in the future, and GIVE BACK every chance we get.

Do you have any special plans for 2012 that you would like to share?
Fund initiatives, change lives, love people, work harder, be stronger, help others become stronger, praise God for all his blessings more every day, and be a person little girls look up to.

You are writing “A Creative Bible,” what are 5 verses (things to remember) you’d include:

1. You have to laugh at yourself, even when you think you might lose your mind.
2. Never lose your capacity to love. The love will see you through the temporary sanity lapse.
3. Constantly further your knowledge. Research new things, meet new people, read anything you can get your hands on.
4. Eat peanut butter with a spoon.
5. Dance every time you hear a beat.

Thank you, Kelli for sharing your story and passion to spark change and impact the lives of others. As a reminder to Three-31 readers, for every product sold at N.O.W., a life is impacted. Make a difference! Make a choice! Make an impact!

Find N.O.W. on social media too ……

* Facebook *

* Twitter *

* Pinterest *

Blessings to you and the choices you make this day.

Love,

Small Business Spotlight: Fnkybee Photography

Welcome to Small Business Spotlight, a special feature post at Three 31.

I met Jamie through her blog and instantly became friends. Her sense of humor and sarcasm make me laugh, even when skies are gray. Jamie recently decided to throw caution to the wind and pursue her dream of opening a photography business. Last October, Fnkybee Photography was born. This lady is seriously talented. I’m so delighted to call her my long-distance friend.

 

What type of equipment do you use (camera, lens, etc)?
I shoot with a Canon 60D for now and use an 18-135mm lens and also a 50mm prime f1.8. I have my eye on a 5D and soon it will be mine. Very soon, that camera and I will be together.

Which ONE item would you say is the most important?
The one item that I say is most important is really not an item at all, it is your eye. You can take good photos with any camera if you have the eye. Over the last few years, I have really learned my eye and with every click of the shutter, I learn more.

Can you provide a brief explanation of your work flow?
My workflow goes like this … I come home from a shoot and, in most cases, upload the photos immediately. Then, I go through the photos getting rid of the obvious trash (blinks, mid expression aka funny faces, etc). My next step is to go back through the photos again making a new folder of the ones that I will edit. Not all photos that go in this folder will get edited, but I try to narrow it down as much as possible. In my editing software, I will pull up a number of photos in a series (a certain pose or background) and narrow it down to 2 or 3 and then start to edit. I usually end up with around 60-70 final edited photos.

In general, how many pictures do you take during a normal session?
Oh geesh, I get click happy sometimes! I go into every shoot telling myself not to get click happy because it just makes it harder on me at editing time, but I usually take LOTS of photos. During a three-hour shoot, I probably take 500 pictures. It also depends on the subject. I find if I am taking pictures of kids I take a lot more due to trying to capture that smile that can come and go so quickly. I like to put my camera on the sport setting with kids and have them run and play while I’m holding the shutter down and capturing lots of photos.

How do you know you’ve found “the right shot”?
I like to say the “Money Shot”! You just know. You know it before you even edit it. It comes up as you are going through the photos and you get a big cheesy smile on your face and want to yell out “MONEY SHOT!” It makes me all warm and fuzzy.

Do you have a photo session “oops” that you can share?
A photo shoot oops … hmm … I probably have one with every shoot. I was shooting with my sister one day and we were at my husband’s place of work in the shop yard. We were climbing over the materials trying to get her to a certain spot and we both bit it. I fell and my camera went down with me. I about cried but awesome enough, nothing was hurt. I am somewhat clumsy and it seems I am always losing my balance with every shoot. whether it be me just bending down and almost tipping over or on a ladder and nearly falling off!  I am a walking insurance claim.

What do you consider beautiful?
Life. Life is art and I love to capture it through my lens. Capturing anything from an innocent smile to putting someone in a grungy worn down space and snapping away. Everything in life has a beautiful quality.

Are you a self-taught photographer or did you have a mentor that showed you the ropes?
I am completely self-taught. I have always loved photography but never had the time to really learn. A few years ago, my husband got me my first DSLR for Christmas and that is when my love became a passion. I would snap photos of my kids here and there but that was it. Three years ago, when both kids were in school, I really concentrated on my photography and learning my eye. I would take off during the day and go shoot places. I would share a photo here and there and people would tell me how good they were. I thought they were full of it, but as I got more comfortable behind the shutter my confidence grew. At 34, I finally took the leap and now I’m chasing my dreams as a photographer. I am taking a photography class this month just to get one under my belt.  That is the thing with photography: there is always something to learn. Whether you went to school or are self-taught, it’s constantly changing.

How do you make clients feel comfortable during photo shoots?
I try to get the clients as comfortable as possible before we start a shoot, but everyone always has a case of the nerves. It’s inevitable. I tell them it’s just me and to be themselves, I ask them about their personality and I always want their true personality to shine during their photo shoot. I tell them that I have been on the other side of the camera and know the nerves they’re feeling. I try to get them to throw their nerves away as soon as possible. When we shoot at the studio, I have music playing, I cut up with them as much as possible. As much as I try to keep the shoot professional, I don’t think it is in any way. We laugh, we talk, and I try to keep it as relaxed and silly as possible. When I go through the photos after the shoot, I can see a difference and notice their relaxation. It shows through the photos.

Briefly describe your very FIRST shoot.
My very first professional shoot was with a local musician, we did a location shoot in downtown Nashville. I was nervous as all get out, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that someone would pay me to take their photos! He told me how nervous he was and I tried not to let my own nervousness show. Between the two of us, we were both a hot mess! I asked him about his personality. Are you a serious person? Are you silly? He told me that he was a bit on the silly side and I told him to run with it. Immediately, he relaxed and his personality shined. He would be serious then silly and I got great shots of both.

How do you decide on locations and subjects?
It depends on who it is and what the shoot is for. My first shoot, for the musician, was very urban. I put him in a field that had train tracks and the city’s skyline in the background. Then, we went around the block and he stood against a wall with beautiful graffiti. He loved it. My sister does set design for my photo shoots so she usually decorates for studio sessions. For clients wanting something special for their husband, my sister and I set up a bed with white silk and sheer sheets and make it as sexy as possible. My preference is to put subjects against texture, exposed brick, old wood, metal, etc. In the end, location depends on what the client wants. Even when shooting kids, I make it as urban as possible.

When did you decide to become a professional photographer?
I took the leap into professional photography in October 2011. I was so nervous but decided it’s now or never. Life is too short to sit around and think about what I could be doing. I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around this whole adventure yet. It’s so exciting! I still get giddy when someone books a shoot.

Have you ever found yourself in a “photo funk”, and, if so, how did you get yourself out?
I haven’t found myself in a funk yet. I think only because it is still so new. I hope to never find myself in a funk and, if I do, I know it is time to mix it up a bit.

You have many creative outlets, which provide you with the most satisfaction?
Making my photos into an art piece with different effects, colors and textures. It gives the photo a totally different personality. Also, the coolest thing after editing a photo and the client says, “That doesn’t even look like me!”

What is ONE lasting impression you want to leave in your photographs?
I want the person to look at their photos and say, “I’m a Rock Star!”

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be doing?
I would still be a stay at home mom. Photography has given me a creative outlet. It’s gotten me out of the mundane rut that easily creeps into life.

You are writing “The Photographer’s Bible,” what are 5 verses (things to remember) you’d include:

1. Find your style and stick to it. No matter what you’re shooting, make your style shine.
2. Be yourself with clients and make them as comfortable as possible. It makes a huge difference in the final product.
3. Be silly. Yes, you are a professional photographer, but the more you are relaxed the more your client will be too.
4. Everyone has an inner rock star that they are hiding or don’t realize they possess. Find your client’s inner rock star and they will love you for it.
5. Pay attention to the details. Don’t rush the photo shoot. Take your time. You will be thankful for this at edit time.

Do you have any special plans in 2012 that you can share with us?
I am so excited for 2012 and I just can’t hide it.  (yes, that was a Pointer Sister reference)  I photograph for Pineapple Pinups, a full service PinUp Company here in Nashville. I am looking forward to hitting the ground running for both my company and with Pineapple Pinups. Both of our business began in October and we’ve both been really busy. Luckily, our businesses are growing by word of mouth and referrals. The future looks bright for both and it’s overwhelming and very exciting! We have received lots of positive feedback, I know 2012 will be one to remember!

Thanks again, Jamie, for participating in this special feature. I appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge of photography with someone who constantly forgets to put a memory card in her camera and remove the lens cap before pressing the shutter button!!!! 

One more thing: don’t forget to enter the GIVEAWAY here at Three 31, the contest ends tomorrow!!!!!!!

 

YOU could be featured at Three 31 too ….. send me an email for details!!!

 

Happy Friday,