Amongst our busy schedules and attempting a work-life balance it can be hard to find time to simply be- be in the moment, be at rest and be content. As our phones vibrate our pockets and as our calendars notify us continually, the only way we can simply "be" is to be intensional about it. Once we create space in our day for time, the next thing to do is fill that time with something valuable and that makes us feel good. My dear friend, Heidi Moore, has done just that. Heidi is a freelance artist working in mainly acrylics and watercolor paints. She also draws with ink, graphite and pastels.
Photography: Cote Creative | Model: Alexandra Martin | Kimono: Crafty Ninja
When you're in the process of starting a brand, it's exciting, which is a GREAT thing, but can be devastating when an idea takes a few to many tangents. Let's admit it, we've all been there at some point. (I know I have!) I'm here to let you know there is good news! We can all take efforts to build our brand on a strong foundation, a solid idea with room to grow and adapt as it matures. It sounds contradictory to be solid yet fluid at the same time. The way I like to look at it is by having a solid idea, a clear path which I want to take, keeping in mind there will be adjustments that need to happen along the way. Much like building something from scratch, a solid concept may be drafted up, but we may take a few shifts and turns to get to the final product. If we start with a solid foundation and a clear path, we'll be able to navigate the times we need to make a change. Our friend, Tony of Ward & Weston, is a craftsman of high-end wooden furniture. He designs and creates modern pieces for clients as well as custom cabinetry. Read further as he sheds light on his experience as a creative and as a business owner and how his foundation in Christ keeps him grounded, especially when it comes to the chaos that comes as a business owner.
North Dakota born and raised, Ashton Hauff may be a name that sounds familiar to you. Not only has she been actively designing for brands in her area, she's been working hard bringing together creatives in all industries through her community group, Makewell . I first met Ashton while attending a Makewell event in Bismarck, North Dakota. I knew there was something special at that event, something I had never experienced before at a meet up event. I walked away with so much drive and momentum with so many creative ideas to help me move forward in my business. As a creative designer myself, I found inspiration within my conversations with Ashton and wanted to share her journey being a founder, designer and philanthropist. In our interview, she sheds light life as a creative in business and the importance of community. She also shares her perspective on philanthropy. Did you know she likes to volunteer her photography 1 - 3 times a year to mission organizations? In the past she's been to places like Tijuana, Madrid, Nairobi, and Verrettes in Haiti. If you ask me, I think that's pretty cool!
Whether you're a small business just starting up or a large corporation on the verge of a rebrand, how you tell your brand's story is crucial to in how you communicate with your customers. There are so many pieces of the puzzle that come into play when it comes to the topic of branding and with the help of my dear friend and marketing maven, Emily Nickel, we hope to shed the light on a few of your daunting questions and help you find success in your brand communication.
Dale and Kristin Kruger, a husband and wife team, specialize in one-of-a-kind unique jewelry made with brass and silver metals, gemstones, leather, Swarovski crystals and ethnic and glass beads. Along with jewelry design, the midwestern couple have a daughter who is a medical student at UND, and a very pampered cocker spaniel. They've also recently celebrated their 25 year in marriage. Over the last couple of years I've had the chance to get to know the team of Bohemian Blu while working along side them at vendor shows and Bazaars. We've visited each other's booths and talked about life in the creative design world. At the most recent show, Unglued Craft Fest , they were situated across the isle from where I was located, when a beautiful pink set of chandler earrings caught my eye. They were unlike any piece I'd seen before, polished yet raw, dainty yet organic, and bit quirky, much like myself. They inspired me, and I then knew then I wanted to share their story as designers, makers and creatives.