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have a question?

have a question?

have a question?

Hello!

Have a question you can’t find the answer to? Select an option below so we can make sure your question gets to the right place.

We can’t wait to chat with you,

Nicole & The Dear Handmade Life Team

Hello!

Have a question you can’t find the answer to? Select an option below so we can make sure your question gets to the right place.

We can’t wait to chat with you,

Nicole & The Dear Handmade Life Team

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More people than not in our community of creatives

More people than not in our community of creatives struggle with anxiety, depression or another mental health disorder. I know this because during our monthly mentorship sessions in The Club (our community for creative small business owners to get guidance and mindset support) someone mentions what they’re going through. It makes me (and the other creatives in the group) feel less alone, seen and welcome.

Yeah, in our meetings we do proactive work on our businesses… we set goals, hold each other accountable, share resources, I do one-on-one mentorship, etc. but the moments where we get vulnerable with each other - when one person says they’re struggling with impostor syndrome and it’s amping up their anxiety or their motivation is down because of depression or their inner critic won’t shut up and it’s triggering something... Those are the moments that bond us and help with the mindset shifts we need to define and move towards whatever our individual idea of success is.

My creativity has helped me get through some dark times. When my anxiety is out of control, I know I can turn to journaling to get some relief. It’s not like it makes it all go away but it helps. It’s part of my toolbox of coping skills. The other thing that’s a huge part of how I’m able to run my business with at times crippling anxiety and OCD is community.

It’s knowing I’m not alone. It’s having people to support and be supported by. It’s being in a community where you are seen just as you are and welcome others in that way.

If you’re looking for your people... Craftcation is where I (and many others) found a community that made me feel understood. 🎨💖 Join us next April for five beach days in California where you’ll:

🤗 Feel embraced by hundreds of strangers.
👩🏿‍🎨 Connect with art makers & supporters, authenticity seekers, and growth mindset badasses.
🎨 Choose from 200+ craft & business workshops, wellness activities, and social gatherings.

👋 I can’t wait to welcome you into our band of creative weirdos!

🎟️ Discounted early bird registration closes soon!
Wondering if Craftcation is right for you? 📩 DM me!

Hey holiday shoppers, Here is what you have been s

Hey holiday shoppers, Here is what you have been searching for...

Say good by to the mall and mainstream retailers and hello to a vibrant day in San Pedro, where local magic awaits!

Discover the joy of community over competition at our @thePatchworkShow with over 100 vendors at @Craftedportla. Support these artisans, find unique gifts and feel good about shopping local.

Plus... delicious food trucks and local brews from @brouwerijwest will keep you fueled up when you get creative with free craft activities in select booths.

See you on 12/10, 11am - 5pm at Crafted at the Port of LA in San Pedro!

AND HERE'S THE BEST PART!
Admission is free for everyone! So gather your loved ones, including the furry friends, for a day of fun, creativity and community.

For more event details follow @thepatchworkshow and sign up for our emails.

🏖 Long Beach @marinestadium 10.29
☀️ Ventura @downtownventura 11.5
🌉 Oakland @jacklondonsq 11.18
🌳 Redwood City @cityofredwoodcity 11.26
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10
🌆 Tustin @oldtowntustin 12.16

#patchworkshow #craftshow #makersmarket #holidayshopping #holidayshoppingmadeeasy

@twogenerationsart
@goldenbaycreative
@mermaid_moxie
@thecraftartshop
@glassellcandleco
@roschbakehaus
@wendysaurus_tufts
@ahrongkimart
@mcgee_pottery
@otebt
@cahteh
@ilovekittees
@flowerchildhair
@thetravelingstones
@tcbjewelryshop
@mngotty
@creaciones.pequenitas
@yaisnaturals
@laurenmakesitwork
@ineverdraw

When I was in high school I worked at a vintage st

When I was in high school I worked at a vintage store. It was my dream to work there. When some dreams come true, you see all the cracks in your fantasy but in this case it’s was pretty darn near perfect.

I dressed the mannequins (pretty sure that’s where my short stint as a Hollywood costumer 10 years later came from). I reorganized the store any way I wanted (finally a place for my OCD to shine). Window/store displays were 100% mine (my childhood obsession with dioramas came in handy). I got a discount and first pick of everything that came in.

My bosses were an “old” (to me at 16 year old although they were probably only in their 20s or 30s) couple of punk rockers with bleached hair and tattoos that looked like they were done with a blunt needle and ink from a ballpoint pen.

I was a Catholic school girl who wore plaid skirts and white button up shirts from 9-3 Monday-Friday but after school and on the weekend, I dressed like I’d just come out of a time machine from the 1950s and smoked cigarettes as I rung people up while Iggy Pop blared from the boombox on the shelf behind the counter.

It was a magical time when I look back with my rose-colored glasses. There were moments of magic but also feeling scared being in the store at night alone, wondering if my bosses thought I was doing a good job and spending hours cleaning (spraying Windex and rubbing spots with a paper towel) garbage bags full of clothes my bosses dropped off from their hauls at the by-the-pound wholesalers.
[con’t in comments 👇👇👇]

Want a FREE limited edition tote bag featuring ori

Want a FREE limited edition tote bag featuring original art by Nicole? You got it!

Thanks to our friends at @makerplacebymichaels by @michaelsstores the first 100 guests at our @thepatchworkshow in San Pedro at @craftedportla on 12/10 who stop by our info booth will get one of these awesome totes. #MakerPlacebyMichaels #AD

🧵🎨What’s MakerPlace?
If you’re a lover of creativity, it’s where you can discover artisan treasures, live online classes, and how-to’s all in one place.

If you’re a creator, it’s where you can Sell your handmade items or seats to live online classes and share how-to’s with commission-earning supply lists.

We’ll see you at Patchwork Show San Pedro where you can shop handmade and local goods from 100+ makers as well as get crafty with our free craft activities at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles AKA the coolest permanent weekend market featuring the work of LA's best artisans and craftspeople. You can grab craft brews🍻 and food 🍔+ catch live music 🎶 next door at @brouwerijwest.

As always, Patchwork Show is FREE to attend, family-friendly, and pet friendly! 🐕❤️🐩

#craftersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #crafter #crafters #maker #makers #craftshow #makersmarket

Sorry @target but forget the mall & big retailers

Sorry @target but forget the mall & big retailers this weekend...

Instead join us in Redwood City to shop local from 50+ talented Bay Area makers in downtown @cityofredwoodcity! 🛍️ Great eats from local restaurants 🍔🍕🌮 and 🧵🎨 free craft activities.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
FREE to attend, family-friendly, and pet friendly! 🐕❤️🐩

Join us at our last @thepatchworkshow markets of this season in:
🌳 Redwood City @cityofredwoodcity 11.26
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10

P.S. Applications are closed BUT you can still apply for our waiting list. DM me waiting list and I’ll send you a link to the waiting list application.

#craftshow #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #shopsmallbusinesses #localeconomy #makersmarket #holidaygiftideas #holidayshopping

WAIT!! 🛑 Are you sabotaging yourself by always

WAIT!! 🛑 Are you sabotaging yourself by always trying to make “perfect” work? 😱

It’s common for us creatives to struggle with perfectionism. But trying to make only perfect art isn’t going to get you anywhere. 🚫

You have to make a lot of art to get good and here’s a newsflash, a lot of the art you make is going to be crappy. But, that’s OK! Bad art eventually leads to great art. 🌟

Your challenge today is to make something. Start it. Finish it. And don’t let yourself care how crappy it is. OK? Now, get to work. 💪

BTW: If you want to join a bunch of other creative weirdos and make art, try new techniques, no worry about how “bad” your art is, switch up your perspective, learn from the pros and more, join me at Craftcation! 🎨🌈

You’ll spend five days at the beach in California with me (and your future besties) and get to:
🌟👥 Feel welcome as your wonderful and weird self by hundreds of strangers.
🎨💖 Spend time with people who value art, authenticity and a growth mindset.
✂️🧵 Have your pick of over 200 craft & business workshops, wellness activities and social gatherings.

Discounted early bird registration is open now!
❓Have questions?
❓Wondering if Craftcation is right for you?
📣Send me a DM!

If you’re ready for a life-changing week with the most inclusive and welcoming community, JOIN US! 🌟

P.S. - For more on making crappy art —> Google Ira Glass art quote (it’s worth it!). 🎨🔍

#creativity #makearteveryday #artheals #crafttime #craftcation

© DEAR HANDMADE LIFE 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS SITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS. WE DISCLOSE ALL SPONSORED POSTS BY NAMING THE SPONSOR IN THE POST.

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