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How to set boundaries between you + your creative business
Business Tips

How to set boundaries between you + your creative business

ByErin Duncan February 13, 2015February 12, 2015

Editor’s Note: Welcome to the fourth post in Erin Duncan’s (wrenbirdarts) monthly Dear Handmade Life column focusing on self-care for creatives. If you didn’t catch Erin’s other posts you can check them out here: 5 tips to analyze your work…

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Big changes, friends! Our Instagram handle has off Big changes, friends! Our Instagram handle has officially changed from @dearhandmadelife to @hellonicolestevenson. Our website is now HelloNicoleStevenson.com and has been redesigned by @iamthekatiemac, @leechdemon and me. I’m so excited and proud of the work we’ve done! While the name is shifting, the heart of what we do remains exactly the same: building community, offering support, and providing mentorship for creatives like you. This change reflects a more personal direction for me and for the spaces we’re creating. You’ll now have three places to connect with what matters most to you: ✨ @thepatchworkshow - Everything about our makers market and community festival Patchwork Show. 
✨ @craftcationconference - All things Craftcation, our annual conference for creatives. BTW: We have a handful of early bird tickets, grab one and have a life-changing week with us! 
✨ @hellonicolestevenson - A home for my reimagined podcast It’s Part of the Process, The Club (our online community for creative business owners), and CAMP (our six-week mindful goal-setting program). I’m so excited to share this next chapter with you. Thank you for being part of this journey and for letting me show up for you in this new way. Here’s to more connection, creativity, growth and embracing ourselves as the weird and wonderful creatives we are! 🎨🧵🌈🩵
Before I get into it, just a quick reminder that @ Before I get into it, just a quick reminder that @craftcationconference registration is closing soon! Trust me... it’s the best place on earth for creatives to try new things. Comment “CRAFTY” and I’ll send you more info. When was the last time you tried something totally new? I’m talking about the kind of thing that makes you feel awkward, unsure, and maybe even a little ridiculous—like learning a new skill, picking up a hobby outside your comfort zone, or saying yes to something that scares you just a little. Here’s the thing: trying new things isn’t just fun (though it can be); it’s also a secret weapon for your creative practice, business, and life. ✨ It rewires your brain. New experiences spark creative problem-solving and help you see challenges in a fresh way. ✨ It teaches resilience. Being bad at something (and doing it anyway) reminds you that mistakes aren’t failures—they’re how we learn and grow. ✨ It fuels your creativity. Exploring something outside your usual world can inspire new ideas and breakthroughs in your art, work, and life. So, here’s your nudge: try something new this week. Let it be messy, imperfect, and a little scary. You never know how it might spark your next big idea—or just remind you how fun it is to experiment without worrying about the outcome. What’s something new you’ve been wanting to try? Drop it below—I want to cheer you on! 🎉✨ #makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #craftcation #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessowner #craftbusinessowner #trynewthings
📌 Save this to kickstart your 2025 goals in jus 📌 Save this to kickstart your 2025 goals in just a few minutes! Before I get into it, comment “CLASS” to join my FREE goal-getting class & and I’ll send you the details! 1️⃣ What’s one thing I actually want to focus on next year? Not all the things—just one. Maybe it’s finally launching that online course, saying “no” to projects that don’t excite you, or carving out time to create just for fun again. 2️⃣ What’s been holding me back this year? Is it your perfectionism? That never-ending scroll on Instagram? Trying to do everything yourself instead of asking for help? Naming it is the first step to overcoming it. 3️⃣ What’s one small step I can take now to make 2025 easier? Organize that chaos of a workspace, update your website, schedule your social posts for January, or even just buy the planner you’ve been eyeing (and actually use it). Progress doesn’t have to be huge to be impactful. 💡 These questions might not fix everything overnight, but they’ll help you step into 2025 with clarity—and maybe a little less chaos. What’s your answer to #2? Drop it below—and I’ll give a tip to help you overcome it. #makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessowner #craftbusinessowner #mentor #goalsetting #goalgetter #newyeargoals
Not that you need validation from me or anyone els Not that you need validation from me or anyone else BUT in case you need to hear it today, if you make art (of any kind), even if you lock it in a closet and no one ever sees it, even if you don’t make a living from it, and even if you think it’s awful. If you make art, you’re a REAL artist. Want to hang out with other people who get it. Come to Craftcation, our annual conference packed with workshops and inspiration. Want to get to know Craftcation? Comment CRAFTY and I’ll send you a link to take a tour of your future favorite place. 🎟️ Here’s the scoop: • Discounted early bird registration is live now, but tickets are limited! • We’ve got a flexible PAYMENT PLAN where you decide the amount and timing of your payments. 💸🗓️ Craftcation highlights: • Five incredible days with 200+ craft classes, business workshops, social events, and wellness activities, all at the beautiful California beach. If this sounds like your jam, check it out and register ASAP (we sell out every year)! 🤗 We can’t wait to welcome you to our amazing community! #craftersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessowner #mentoring
🎯 You know what’s scarier than failing? Waiti 🎯 You know what’s scarier than failing? Waiting for the perfect time that never comes. When I started my business, the timing was far from perfect. I barely knew how to sew (and started a clothing line 🤦‍♀️), had no clue what a spreadsheet was, and my confidence was at an all-time low while my anxiety was at an all-time high. And yet…I did it anyway. Why? Because the ‘perfect time’ doesn’t exist. The moment I decided to make a living with my art—and refused to stop until I did—it became the right time. Was it easy? HA! Not even close. But it was worth it. I learned, I grew, I shared my art with the world, and I even paid my rent doing it. ✨ Waiting for the perfect time = waiting forever. Start small. Start messy. Just start. That’s what CAMP is all about—helping you not just start but finish those big dreams you’ve been carrying around. 💪 🏕️ CAMP is our six-week online goal-getting bootcamp designed to help you take your goals from ‘someday’ to done. With weekly modules, accountability cabins, and practical, actionable steps, CAMP is here to give you the tools, support, and momentum to make it happen. Because starting is hard, but finishing? That’s where the magic happens. Drop “GOAL” in the comments to join the waiting list and let’s do this together. 💥 #makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessowner #craftbusinessowner #mentor #entrepreneur
One of the biggest mistakes I made in my creative One of the biggest mistakes I made in my creative business? Trying to water down my unique creative vision to fit what I thought buyers wanted. I remember second-guessing every design, thinking, “Would this sell? Is this what people want?” I ended up creating work that wasn’t true to me—and surprise, it didn’t connect with buyers either. Why? Because it lacked authenticity. The moment I stopped trying to be what I thought people wanted and started creating from my heart, things shifted. Buyers showed up. My work resonated. And most importantly, I felt good about what I was putting into the world. So here’s my advice: Stay true to your creative vision. Don’t let fear of rejection or outside expectations water down your magic. The right people—the ones who resonate with your work—will find you. Your uniqueness is your strength. Lean into it. Have you ever struggled with this? I’d love to hear your story—drop it below and let’s chat. 💛 And if you’re looking for a place to reconnect with your creative vision, Craftcation is the perfect space to do it. From inspiring workshops to supportive conversations with fellow creatives, it’s where you can dig into what makes your work yours and find the confidence to share it with the world. 🎟 Ready to grab your ticket? Comment TICKET and I’ll send you a direct link. Still thinking? Comment CRAFTY, and I’ll help you take a tour of all things Craftcation. 🧡 #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinessadvice #reframingthoughts #creativementor

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