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september diy + business book club and giveaway
Book Club

september diy + business book club and giveaway

ByNicole Stevenson September 26, 2014October 2, 2014

When I started my handmade business a decade ago there were very few resources for handmade entrepreneurs. There were no blogs like Oh My Handmade Goodness or books like Kari Chapin’s The Handmade Marketplace or podcasts like After the Jump, Fresh…

Read More september diy + business book club and giveawayContinue

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Guess who is always knocking on the door when you’re pushing yourself out of your comfort zone? 

Yep, it’s your inner critic.
She takes on many forms...
• Perfectionism
• Impostor syndrome &
• Procrastination, just to name a few...

Before you start hating on her, remember, she’s only trying to protect you from getting hurt. 

When she shows up, open the door, acknowledge her presence and then, let her know that you’ve got this. Then, when she steps aside, guess who’s waiting around the corner to step in?

That’s right, it’s your inner badass. She’s there to answer the door from a place of love, esteem and courage (if you let her). 

Maybe your risk is about making a commitment to yourself to live more intentionally or to be more creative or to finally start the business that’s been on your mind or to take the business you have and make it what you know it could be. 

Do I have to tell you everything that your inner critic would say to the what-if’s that show up as you’re about to leap?

Nope, because you know that voice and what she says by heart. You’ve been listening to her for so long that her judgments feel like facts. 

They’re NOT facts. They’re fiction.

The fact is that you are enough. You deserve to create a life that makes you come alive. Everything you need to create the business of your dreams is there for you. You deserve to take the time to explore your creative impulses. 

And the only one standing between where you are now and where you want to be is you. I know you have a laundry list of reasons (ahem, excuses) of why this isn’t the right time or you don’t have the resources you need etc. But, that right time is whenever you want it to be. You are the one who molds what could be just another groundhog day into that day that you take the first step towards what you want.

If your dreams life includes creativity, community or building a profession from passion, click the link in our bio and check out Craftcation Conference.

What’s Craftcation? It’s [con’t in comments👇👇]
Did you catch this eye-opening fact? 💰 If eve Did you catch this eye-opening fact? 

💰 If every US family dropped just $10 a month at local businesses, we’d be looking at a whopping $9.3 billion boost for our economy! 🌐💼 

Let’s turn those dollars into change for creatives and small businesses at our @thepatchworkshow market this season 12.10 in 🛳 San Pedro at @craftedportla. 

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 also 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! 🐕❤️🐩

PLUS get a FREE limited edition tote bag featuring original art by Nicole! 

Thanks to our friends at @MakerPlacebyMichaels the first 100 guests at our @thepatchworkshow in San Pedro 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. 

#holidayshopping #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #sanpedro #southbay #craftshow #giftidea
Ever wondered what a Craftcation feels like? 📷 Ever wondered what a Craftcation feels like? 📷 Picture this: Five life-changing days packed with 200+ craft classes, business workshops, social parties & gatherings, and wellness activities (🧘‍♀️yoga and meditation on the beach anyone?) all at the sunny California beach! ☀️✨ 

If this sounds like your kind of party, discounted early bird registration is now OPEN! 🎉

📣 PSST: We’re not bluffing; we sell out every year. Don’t hit snooze on this!

In search of your people? Look no further! Finding folks who embrace the quirks, cherish creative chaos, and are fueled by the desire to share their craft with the world can be a challenge. But fear not, we’ve made it a breeze. These are the kindred spirits who flock to our Craftcation Conference each year.

Craftcation isn’t just about honing your creative skills; it’s about discovering a community that gets you, celebrates your uniqueness, and pushes you to showcase your creations to the world. 🌈✨

Ready to dive into a sea of inspiration, laughter, and salty air? We can’t wait to welcome you to our community! 🌊🎨

#communityovercompetition #craftcation #venturabeach #smallbizowner #smallcraftbusiness #craftshowprep #arttherapy
NEW Tustin show date! Applications are open! The NEW Tustin show date! Applications are open!

The moment we have all been waiting for is here!

The reschedule of our Tustin show has been finalized and we will be back in Orange County, December 16th from 11am - 5pm.

Want to know what’s even better?

We will have more spots for vendors! So join us in @oldtowntustin surrounded by historic buildings and great local shops and restaurants. 

If you haven’t applied yet, join the vendor waitlist!

If you were a vendor for Tustin be sure to check your email for what to do next, if you already submitted an application or waiting list application, DON’T fill out a new application, just email spaulding@dearhandmadelife.com and let her know what size booth you want. Have questions? Send us a DM and we will help you out!

#tustin #orangecounty #holidaygifts #holidayshopping #shopsmall #craftshow
Join us TODAY in Sebastopol & shop local from 11am Join us TODAY in Sebastopol & shop local from 11am-5pm! We’ll have 50+ local makers, 🧵🎨 free craft activities, a fine arts show curated by the Sebastopol Centre for the Arts at the same time indoors and more! ☀️🛍️🍂
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As always, @thepatchworkshow is free, family + pet friendly. We can’t wait to hang out and support local biz!

The Fall 2023 @thepatchworkshow schedule:
🏖 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

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 #sebastopol #sonomacounty #holidayshopping
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!

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