Instagram: What’s All The Fuss?

July 25, 2013

instagram, photo journal

 

Instagram: What’s All The Fuss?

If you’re not using Instagram, it’s time you started. Instagram is fun & easy to use. It is also becoming a wildly popular social media tool.

How to Get Started

Simply go to your app store on your smart phone or ipod, download, set up an account, choose a username and upload a profile picture.

Open the app. You can either take a photo within the app or choose a photo that already exists in your phone or ipod gallery. The photo will appear on the screen where you will have the option of manipulating the photo using Instagram’s filters. There are several filters to choose from to add interest to you photo. You can take an average photo and turn it into an amazing one using the filters.

 

 

Once you have the photo the way you want it, click the blue arrow at the top right hand corner to share it on Instagram. You also have the option to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Tumblr. Type a title or message (remember to use hashtags here! click here to learn more), then click the green check mark in the top right corner.

You can also open Instagram on your computer by using the username and password you set up originally when you downloaded the app. Here you can see photos in a larger format. You can also get the embed code if you want to add a photo to your blog or facebook page…..ALWAYS be sure to give credit to the person who took the photo along with a link to their Instagram page.

Who to Follow?

It’s easy to find people to follow on Instagram. You can see which of your twitter and facebook friends are using Instagram so you can follow them. Another way I like to find people to follow is by using the search tool. When you open Instagram, press the "explore" icon (looks kind of like a star) at the bottom just left of the camera icon, then press the "search" icon. Here you can search for people you want to follow by typing in their name or press "tags" and type in #art, #fitness, #sunset, etc. This will bring up tons of photos that have been tagged with that word. Press on a photo you really like, then press on the name of the person that took the photo to go to their page to see if they are someone you want to follow. If so, press "follow". If not, press the back icon and try someone else.

Social Media

Like other social media platforms, you want to gain followers. With Instagram, when you "follow" people, many times they will "follow" you back. When you follow someone, their photos will show up in your stream when you open the app as will your photos show up in their stream. You have the option of commenting or "liking" their photo by pressing the heart icon.

Add an Instagram badge to your blog to help gain followers. You can get the badge when you log into your account on your computer. Go to www.instagram.com, log into your account, click your username in the upper right hand corner and choose "badges" from the drop-down menu.

If you use wordpress.org, you can add "Alpine PhotoTile for Instagram" widget to your side bar. Download the plugin, then go to "widgets", drag and drop the widget to your sidebar. Add your information where you see the blue arrows. In the image below, you are seeing my settings and how it looks on my sidebar, but you can choose your own settings.

 

It’s a great way to stay connected with your audience and friends. Photos are very personal and relatable. Take photos of you at work; what’s on your desk, what you are working on, what you see outside your window, people in the office, etc. Also, take personal photos; your flower garden, your pets, your family members, etc. People will get to know you by seeing your environment and what you are doing. Make sense?

Digital Photo Journal

My favorite thing about Instagram is that it’s a great way to track your life. You are literally creating a photo journal. When you’re on vacation, capture the moments and highlights of your trip. Be sure to put where it was taken so you won’t have to rack your brain years from now as to where you were. (Usually, if I am out of town, I will take photos and store them in my camera and upload to Instagram when I get home. Not a good idea to let the world know you are out of town, if you know what I mean)

You are not only sharing your life with your followers but you are creating a legacy for your family. It doesn’t get any better than that! So start today and have fun!

Are you using Instagram? Whether you are or you are just getting started, I hope this article was helpful to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Obtain Your Dream Life With The Strangest Secret

July 23, 2013

Obtain Your Dream Life With The Strangest Secret

Want to obtain YOUR dream life? Listen and learn today! I found Earl Nightingale’s “The Strangest Secret” CD some years ago and have listened to it countless times in my vehicle. For me, this is the best time to listen to motivational CDs. As Zig Ziglar calls it, “Automobile University”. People have learned to speak a new language and taken college courses utilizing their time traveling in their vehicles back and forth to work. Try it for yourself!

If you’ve never listened to “The Strangest Secret”, take some time today and do it! Listen to it over and over until it becomes engrained in your thought pattern. (to get the MP3, click here to get a transcript click here) Earl makes perfect sense of some of the most basic principles in goal setting and goal achieving. Here’s one of my favorites:

Why do we become what we think about? Well I’ll tell you how it works as far as we know. Now, to do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels the human mind. Supposed a farmer had some land and it’s good, fertile land. Now the land gives the farmer a choice. He may plant in that land whatever he chooses, the land doesn’t care. It’s up to the farmer to make the decision. Now remember, we’re comparing the human mind with the land. Because the mind, like the land doesn’t care what you plant in it. It will return what you plant, but it doesn’t care what you plant. Now let’s say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand. One is a seed of corn, the other is night shade, a deadly poison. He digs two little holes in the earth and he plants both seeds; one corn, the other night shade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the land and what will happen. Invariably, the land will return what is planted. As it is written in the Bible, as you sow, so shall you reap. Remember the land doesn’t care. It will return poison in just as wonderfully abundance as it will corn. So up comes the two plants; one corn, one poison. Now the human mind is far more fertile, far more incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It doesn’t care what we plant –success, failure. A concrete worthwhile goal or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so on, but what we plant it will return to us.

So what are you planting in your fertile mind? Positive, cheerful, thoughts and goals? Thoughts that will lead you to your dream life? Here is another story that explains why we need to set goals:

I remember one time I was driving through Arizona and I saw one of those giant earth moving machines roaring along the road at about 35 mph with what looked like 20 tons of dirt in it, a tremendous incredible machine, and there was a little man purged way up on top with the wheel in his hands guiding it. And as I drove along I was struck by the similarity of that machine to the human mind. Just supposed you’re sitting at the controls of such a vast source of energy. Are you going to sit back and fold your arms and let it run itself into a ditch, or are you going to keep both hands firmly on the wheel and control and direct this power to a specific, worthwhile purpose. It’s up to you. You’re in the driver’s seat. You see, the very law that gives us success is a two-edged sword. We must control our thinking. The same rule that can lead a man to a life of success, wealth, happiness and all the things that he has ever dreamed of for himself and for his family, that very same law, can lead him into the gutter. It’s all in how he uses it; for good or for bad.

Let’s keep our hands firmly on the wheel of our minds to steer and guide it! We need a road map….we need goals in order to get where we want to go in life….to achieve our dream life. I am a firm believer of this because I have used listened to this CD and applied the techniques in my life and saw it work. It can work for you, too!

My last episode was about Earl Nightingale’s 30-day challenge. It is also revealed at the end of the above video. Try it! I am. My 3×5 card reads “lose 10 lbs”. It keeps my mind focused on this goal throughout the day. When I get a craving to eat something that isn’t in line with losing 10 lbs, I pull out the card, read it and visualize myself 10 lbs lighter. It makes me smile and helps me to resist the temptation to eat unhealthy foods. 

Always remember, it’s up to you. No one can control your mind, but you! So take charge and become all God created you to be and live your dream life! See you in August…..when I’m 10 lbs lighter!!

 

earl nightingale, dream life, motivation, inspiration, goals

 

Tell me…..are you going to set a goal for your 30 day challenge, if so, what is your goal?

 

 

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Setting The Record Straight For Licensed Artists

July 18, 2013

setting the record straight about China, Made in China, setting record, manufacturing, artists, art licensing

 

Setting The Record Straight For Licensed Artists

 

Often I get questions from folks asking why I have my products made in China or why did I quit making the Primitively Whimsical calendar or when will I create scrapbooking papers & accessories? I know I’m not the only artist that has been asked these questions so I would like to set the record straight on some of the most commonly misunderstood facts about licensed artists.

What is a licensed artist?

A licensed artist provides artwork for companies to use on the products they create. The artist is simply giving the company the right, through an agreed upon licensing contract, to feature their art on the products the company makes. The artist retains the copyright; they are merely giving permission to the company. The company then pays a royalty (percentage of sales) to the artist on a quarterly basis.

So the artist creates art…..and that’s it.

Why do you have your products made in China?

I recently had a very sweet customer ask me this after she purchased some of my licensed products. She was very disappointed that the items were made in China and was curious why I didn’t make them here in the USA.

This goes back to the above question….we licensed artists have no control over where a company manufacturers their products. Of course, we could only agree to work with companies that make their products in the USA, but we would literally go out of business. I would love nothing more than to have all my licensed products made here in the states, but at this time it is unrealistic.

My husband and I had a small framing business. We framed prints of my artwork and sold them wholesale to gift shops across the nation. Around 1995-96 our competitors moved their manufacturing of framed prints over to China making it impossible for us to compete and we ultimately had to close our business, Primitive Folk. I saw first hand how manufacturing in China changed the game. If you didn’t "go with the flow" you couldn’t compete with the low prices your competitors could offer customers, therefore, leaving you in the dust. So, we can’t blame companies for moving production overseas. They, too, are just trying to survive.

There is an upside….eventually, as the workers in China demand higher wages, manufacturing will begin to move back to the states and create some much needed jobs! I recently spoke to one of my licensees and they just moved the manufacturing of their paper napkins back to the USA because it was more cost effective.

Why did you stop making your (fill in the blank)?

Back to question #1. An artist signs a licensing agreement with a company usually for 2-3 years. If the product sells well enough, they will not only continue to manufacture it but add more products. On the other hand, if it doesn’t sell well, they will quit making it. Again, we artists are powerless when it comes to this situation. We are at the mercy of the retail stores and the consumers.

Guess who holds some of the power? You, the consumer! Yes, YOU! When you’re out shopping and you see something you like by one of you favorite artists, if there’s room in the budget, purchase it! When the store runs out the items, they will re-order…. and the more they sell, the more likely you will see more products featuring that artists work from that company.

I loved painting the Primitively Whimsical calendar and I also loved the Angel Blessings calendar Legacy Publishing produced, but they didn’t sell through so they were discontinued.

It can be one of two reasons…..either the retailers didn’t buy the product for their stores (meaning you never even got the chance to purchase it) or the retailers bought it and the consumer didn’t purchase it. Either way, it’s the same outcome. The product is discontinued.

When are you going to create scrapbooking supplies?

If I had a dime for every time I was asked this question, I could retire! For the record, I would love to see my art featured on scrapbooking supplies, but I have never had the opportunity to work with a scrapbooking company.

I hope this information helps to set the record straight. We artists are grateful to be able to share our art with the world but in order to continue to do so, we need consumers to buy products that feature our artwork. It’s that simple. AND to all of you who do purchase products featuring your favorite artist’s work, we appreciate YOU!

 Do you have any other questions about licensed artists? I’d love to hear from you here in the comments.

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10 Tips For Finding Joy In Every Day

July 16, 2013

joy, find joy, daily blessings,

 

10 Tips For Finding Joy in Every Day

 

We all strive to live a joyful life. Some days are definitely easier than others. On the days joy doesn’t come knocking on our door, choose one of these 10 tips to create a more joyful day.

  1. SEARCH – Go for a walk and search for hearts in nature. Snap photos of the hearts you find. You will be surprised how many you find. When I see a heart-shaped leaf or a heart-shaped stone, it reminds me of the love God has for us. It’s as if He is sending us little love notes.
  2. PLAY – Take some time to play with your kids, your pet, your spouse or friend. With little kids, this is an easy way to find joy but if you don’t have kids, play with your cat or dog. Play a card game with your spouse or friend. Play golf, tennis, racquetball, croquet….the ideas are endless.
  3. ACCOMPLISH – Fix something or clean something that you have been putting off for a while. I know this sounds like work, but if you’re anything like me, when I have something I really need to do, but put it off, it wears on me. Then, when I finally do it, it feels terrific and I wonder why I waited so long!
  4. VOLUNTEER – Pull weeds at your church, help out at the local soup kitchen or women’s shelter. Help a neighbor hoe his/her garden. Here again, the ideas are endless. Helping others will make the giver and the receiver experience joy.
  5. LAUGH – Do you have a friend that you can just be silly with? You both make each other laugh? Pay them a visit. Watch your favorite sit-com or funny movie. Watch home movies of when your kids were little (this may make you laugh and cry). YouTube is a great source for laughter…..click here for tons of laughs!
  6. APPRECIATION – Find joy in the small stuff. Go for a walk in the woods. Stroll through a flower garden. Eat dinner outside. Go on a picnic. Set up a tent in the yard and "camp" with the kids. Have smores around a campfire. Watch the sunset. Lay on the yard on a blanket and look for objects in the clouds.
  7. LISTEN TO INSPIRING PEOPLE – While cooking dinner or driving home from work, put in an inspirational CD. Here are some good examples…Zig Ziglar, Napoleon Hill, Earl Nightingale, Rhonda Byrnes
  8. MAKE A HEALTHY MEAL – This may sound silly to some of you, but when I cook a healthy meal for my family and watch them enjoy it…knowing I am helping them to be healthy and strong, I find joy in that. Some days making dinner can feel like a chore…especially if you have nothing planned and at 5pm, you run to the store to get something you can quickly cook for dinner. Take time on Sunday to plan out your meals. Go to the grocery store once to get all that you need to make the meals. By being prepared every day, you will find cooking dinner for your family a joyful experience. This goes for anyone who is single as well.
  9. CREATE – Write in your journal, draw in your sketchbook, play with clay, make a necklace, pick flowers to make a bouquet. Find joy in creating something.
  10. GRATITUDE PRAYER – Many times when we pray we are asking for God’s help. Instead, find a quiet place, sit in a comfortable position, relax your body, close your eyes and thank God for everything you can think of for 15 minutes. This is the best way to find joy every day.

There are plenty more ways to find joy in every day. The above list is just the beginning. The more you seek joy, the more you will find it. Soon, It will be so ingrained in your mind that you will automatically find joy in every day.

How do you find joy? Share your ideas with me!

photo credit: Ant1_G via photopin cc

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The Importance of Registering Your Art for Copyright Protection

July 11, 2013

copyright, register copyright, art, artist

 

Why is it Important to Register My Art for Copyright Protection?

 

The answer is simple. So another person won’t use your art for monetary gain or take credit for your talent, creativity and hard work. With so much art marketing and sales being done online today, it’s more important than ever to protect your work from being copied by others.

What is a Copyright?

  • A copyright is an exclusive right granted to the copyright holder (you, the artist) regulating the use of an expression of an idea or other information. The most important thing to know about copyrights is that it regulates and protects only the form in which the idea or information is in, not the actual idea or information itself.
  • For example, the copyright that is held to protect the Daffy Duck cartoon prohibits unauthorized parties from distributing copies of the Daffy Duck cartoon or creating works which copy or very closely resemble the cartoon in any way. It does not, however, prohibit anyone from drawing or creating works that include cartoon ducks in general, so long as they are adequately different and not considered imitative of the original work.
  • Copyrights can protect a wide range of forms, including poems, plays, books, literary works, web copy, movies, dances, ballets, musical compositions, audio recordings, sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs, software, radio and television broadcasts and other forms. Registering your works with the U.S. Copyright Office is basically like a copyright protection insurance policy. Most people don’t know that basic copyright protection automatically arises when the author first creates the work and fixes it in a tangible form, without having to do anything or registering a copyright.

So Why Register for Copyright if my Work is Already Protected?

  • Basic copyright protection may arise automatically when the author first creates the work, but there are many protections and insurance benefits that are not allotted without holding a registered copyright. Registering a copyright establishes a public record of your copyright and ensures that everyone is aware that you have claimed copyright protection for your work. Also, if you hold a copyright for your work, you have the ability to sue any entity or individual who infringes upon your copyright and distributes and/or copies your work and stop the infringement from happening.

How do I protect my art?

  • The first thing you do is sign your work. Signing your art is an integral part of the creative process. The instant you apply your name to a piece of your art, you declare that art officially finished and ready for public exposure. No matter what your signature looks like, what form it takes or where you put it, no work of your art is complete without one.

  • Put the date created on the back of your art as well

  • If you’re like me, you are excited about your creation and want to share it with others on your blog, Pinterest, Facebook and other platforms. If you do this, you need to put a ©(your name) watermark over the image in a place that isn’t easily removed by photoshop or any other program. Here is an example of what I do to my art when I post it online (doesn’t hurt to add your blog address at the bottom for some free advertising 😉

 

  • File for copyright registration within three months. Once you sign your work, it is protected to a degree but not if you need to take legal action against an infringer.

What to do if I find my art has been infringed upon?

  • The first thing to do is send a cease and desist letter. In the letter, state that you are the rightful owner of the art and you hold the certificate of copyright registration. Include a hard copy of the art that has been infringed upon. Keep track of all correspondence. If the person continues to use your art, you can take legal action.
  • Read this article "Art Copyright Infringement and Your Creative Health" at Artbusiness.com
  • Taking legal action can be expensive but if you have the art registered, you have documentation that you have asked the infringer to cease and desist and they are making money with YOUR art, then you have the right to sue.

How do I register my art for copyright protection?

  • Go to www.copyright.gov to file with the US Copyright Office
  • Download the US Copyright Office’s pdf guide which will walk you through the process step by step
  • If you get stuck, need to know how to organize your art before filing, or not sure what title to file your art under, get my Ebook here for only $5.99

I have had my art infringed upon a few times over the years. I have never went to court over it. Usually a cease and desist letter will do the trick as most people don’t want to be sued. You have to decide if it is worth suing someone over. If they are making a lot of money using your art and they won’t cease and desist, then, yes, it would be worth taking them to court. But what I have found in most cases, it’s just annoying that someone is taking credit for your creativity and they didn’t necessarily make any money from it.

My philosophy is this……keep moving forward. Leave them in the dust. Don’t let an infringer get you down and occupy your thoughts…it will crush your creative spirit. It is disheartening when you find your art infringed upon (and the initial shock leaves a pit in your stomach) but don’t dwell on it. I don’t mean to sound flippant but like I stated earlier, in most cases the infringer will cease and desist. God gave us a talent to share with the world so don’t become so nervous about the possibility of having your art infringed upon that you quit sharing your art. What is the point of creating art if nobody sees it?

The important message is to have COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION for all your art. It is like an insurance policy. Also take precautions when putting your art on the internet as stated above.

 

Have you ever had your art infringed upon? Do you know anyone who has? Share your stories of how they handled their situation.

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Break Your Routine & Become Marvelous

July 9, 2013

routine, god's call, marvelous life

 

Break Your Routine & Become Marvelous!

 

Are you on the path of something absolutely mediocre or something absolutely marvelous? Do you get up every morning excited to start the day? Do you strive to become the best version of yourself?


Or, do you wake up every morning and do the same ol’ routine? Do you wake up Saturday morning wandering aimlessly through the day only to go to bed and wake up Sunday morning wandering aimlessly through that day as well?

Or do you wake up Saturday morning with a list of chores that couldn’t possibly be done in two days, but you try?

 
It is easy to get caught up in a "routine". If you’ve seen the movie "Hope Springs", you know what a routine can do to person and/or relationship. it’s a very enlightening movie, especially for married couples. It opened my husband’s eyes as well as mine to what we DON’T want to happen to our marriage. Here is a brief overview of the movie without giving too much of the story away.
 
"Kay (Meryl Streep) and Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) are a devoted couple, but decades of marriage have left Kay wanting to spice things up and reconnect with her husband. When she hears of a renowned couple’s specialist (Steve Carell) in the small town of Great Hope Springs, she attempts to persuade her skeptical husband, a steadfast man of routine, to get on a plane for a week of marriage therapy. Just convincing the stubborn Arnold to go on the retreat is hard enough – the real challenge for both of them comes as they shed their bedroom hang-ups and try to re-ignite the spark that caused them to fall for each other in the first place."
 
Now don’t get me wrong….I don’t want anyone to have the feeling of "never satisfied", "never happy with what I have and always wanting more" or "always looking to the future instead of living in the now". Those mindsets are destructive. However, we can live in the now, be grateful for what we already have but still work towards something marvelous!
 

God calls each of us to become the best version of ourselves. We are called to be great wives, husbands, Mothers, Fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers and friends. We are called to serve. We are called to share our gifts. We are called to be marvelous. Whatever your calling is….remember, God is with you…..and with God, you cannot fail!

 

So whatever hopes and dreams you have for your life, break out of your routine. Plan your work, & work your plan. Set goals and strive to meet them……..dream big, pray hard, then do with great enthusiasm! Your marvelous life is waiting for you!

 

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Tips For Staying Healthy While You Work

July 4, 2013

walk, exercise, healthy, stay healthy at work,

How To Stay Healthy While You Work

 

If you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time, you may not realize how dangerous it is to your well-being. James A. Levine, M.D., Ph.D. from the Mayo Clinic, wrote:

"Researchers have linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns, including obesity and metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions that includes increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Any extended sitting — such as behind a desk at work or behind the wheel — can be harmful. What’s more, spending a few hours a week at the gym or otherwise engaged in moderate or vigorous activity doesn’t seem to significantly offset the risk.

Rather, the solution seems to be less sitting and more moving overall. You might start by simply standing rather than sitting whenever you have the chance."

And here I thought because I do rigorous exercise Monday through Friday, I was healthy! I needed to think differently and you may need to as well. Here are some suggestions that will get you up off your duff!

  • Park near the back of the parking lot.
  • Ask a question to your coworker by visiting them instead of emailing.
  • Set an alarm on your phone for every hour – when it goes off, stand at your desk and do squats for one minute. Obviously this doesn’t work for someone in an open office space.
  • If you can’t do the above, at least stand up or walk to the bathroom/kitchen.
  • Stand up and walk to your filing cabinet instead of rolling your chair.
  • Stand up and organize your desk the last 5-10 minutes of the day (win-win)
  • Request a sit-stand desk at work, or if you work at home purchase one.
  • On your break, go for a brisk walk.
  • Stand while eating lunch.
  • Stand while talking on the phone.
  • Take the scenic route to the bathroom.

As soon as I heard how unhealthy it is to sit for long periods of time, I immediately started looking for solutions. Whether you are an artist, accountant, blogger, designer, secretary, etc, I am sure you can incorporate one or more of the above suggestions into your work day in order to be more healthy. Give it a try!

Which suggestions will you try? OR do you have any other suggestions to add? Share your thoughts!

 

 

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Living a Life of Gratitude

July 2, 2013

How Do You Get More of What You Want?

 

By Showing Gratitude for What You Already Have.

 

Gratitude is one of the single most important and powerful virtues. We need to be grateful for what we already have in order to not only keep what we have but to obtain more of it.

It is really simple if you think about it. For example, let’s say you have a flower garden. If you are grateful for it’s beauty, you will take care of it by watering it and weeding it. If you are not grateful for your flower garden, you will ignore it and soon it will become filled with weeds which, over time, will kill the flowers.

Now, how do we apply that scenario into our personal and business relationships? The same theory applies really. Show your gratitude towards people and you will receive gratitude back. On the contrary, ignore your spouse day after day and see how long he/she sticks around. Same goes for business relationships.

Supportive People From Your Past

Whether you are just getting started in your business or you are a CEO of a fortune 500 company, I am sure there are people who have helped you get where you are today. Someone believed in you, encouraged you, reached out to inspire or help you. That act of kindness played a part in your achievements. Maybe it was your pastor, your parents, your spouse, a teacher, a friend, a colleague, coach or neighbor. Maybe they offered to loan you some money, equipment or supplies. Maybe they gave you some good advice or shared an experience they had in order to help you. Maybe it is as simple, yet powerful, as praying for you. Regardless of how big or small the gesture, you need to be grateful.

Employees

Don’t forget the glue that is holding your business together. Your employees also need to be appreciated. Be the kind of person you’d like to work for. Be kind and courteous and show them your grateful for the job they are doing. Not only will it make the work environment uplifted and positive but your employees will want to work hard for you and will care about your business.

Customers

What about the fuel that fires your business and keeps it running? Without customers, you have no business, so naturally, you are grateful. How do you show your gratitude? For regular paying customers, maybe throw in a freebie in their next order with a "thank you" note attached or offer them a discount on their next order.

People in Your Personal Life Now

The virtue of gratitude is also important in your personal life, maybe more so. As I mentioned earlier, there are people throughout your life who have encouraged or helped you in some way. What about the people in your life currently? Your spouse, children, family and friends also need to be shown gratitude.

God designed humans to connect and have relationships. Nobody can do everything on their own, nor do we want to. Therefore, showing gratitude is natural.

Ask yourself  "What if I woke up this morning with only the things I gave thanks for yesterday"…….that is powerful. I have a sign hanging in my studio where I can see it every day that reads, "What am I grateful for today?" Take a moment and think about it, do this every day for 3-5 minutes. If you practice gratitude every day it won’t take long before gratitude is your natural state of being, and when that happens you will have unlocked one of the greatest secrets to life.

Challenge for You

I’m sure as you were reading this article, people came to mind from your past and present time. My challenge for you is to write their name on a list and every Monday, take 30 minutes to hand write thank you notes. As more people come to mind, add them to the list. Be specific in your thank you note and tell them why you are thanking them. In this day of social media and email, people seem to have forgotten the art of letter writing. Who doesn’t LOVE receiving real mail?…..and something other than bills! Not only will sending thank you notes make you feel amazing and full of gratitude, but the recipient will feel loved and appreciated. "The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated." 
– WIlliam James

Gratitude Quotes

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. — Albert Schweitzer

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good. — Maya Angelou

We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives. — John F. Kennedy

You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance. — Kahlil Gibran

To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference. — Thomas Merton

Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses. — Alphonse Karr

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. — Marcel Proust

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. — Thornton Wilder

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. — Epicurus

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. 
– Oprah Winfrey

For bible verses about thanksgiving and gratitude, visit HubPages.

 

What are you grateful for?

 

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The New Social Media Search Tool – Hashtags

June 27, 2013

social media, hashtags, blog, keywords, keyword research, hashtag

The New Social Media Search Tool – Hashtags

 

Are you using hashtags on your social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and  Pinterest?  If not, you need to start today!

What are hashtags?

A hashtag is simply a phrase or keyword with a the pound sign (#) placed in front of it. I know, it seems so simple but don’t underestimate the power it contains.

Once you hashtag a word in social media, all account users can see it. It goes into the world of hashtags. This allows users who are not following you to see your tweets and content that you put out on various social media platforms. So to keep it simple, you are only one hash-tagged word away from possibly being seen by thousands, if not millions of people through social media.

How do I use hashtags?

There is definitely some hashtag courtesy that you need to be aware of.

  • It is recommended that you only use hashtags for 1-3 words per tweet or post. If possible, 1-2 words is better. You don’t want to flood your tweets and posts with hashed words that make your brand or business look like spam. You want your tweets and posts to be simple and filled with content to direct the user back to your blog or link that you are promoting.
  • The hashtags you use inside of a sentence should flow naturally and be words you want to be connected with. Here is a good example:
Considering #licensing your #art? Read this first! www.teresakogut.com/is-licensing-right-for-you/

and here is an example of what not to do:

#Learn about #art #licensing with Teresa #Kogut. Read her #articles for #insight into the #licensing #industry. www.teresakogut.com

  • You can type your hashtags after your post instead of inside the post, example:
Considering licensing your art? Read this first! www.teresakogut.com/is-licensing-right-for-you/ #art #licensing #artlicensing

  • Don’t use hashtags with every post or tweet. It really isn’t necessary. Save them for promoting your articles, webinars, and other news about your business.
  • Don’t do this #readmyarticlesaboutartlicensing. This will be unrecognizable in a search and won’t do you any good…..and it’s a little annoying to try and read.
  • Don’t be a spammer by using hashtags in comments on someone else’s page.
  • Research a hashtag before using it. Research your top 7 keywords to see if other people are using it and what they are saying. Do your keywords attract the attention and people you want to connect with?

How do I know what keywords to use with a hashtag?

Start with your own blog’s tag cloud. What words do you consistently use in your content. This will give you a jumping off point. Then research, research, research. Use the keywords you use in your blog and type them in Twitter’s built-in search tool. You can use their Advanced Search to look for anything you want and include or exclude things like retweets, etc. so you only see the data that is useful to you.

Dashboard Twitter tools like HootSuite also let you set up streams for particular keywords to help you continuously monitor the Twitter conversation on your topic.

Google+ has a great built-in search function, too. Use the search box at the top of any Google+ screen to run an initial search, then filter your results for groups of people or geographical location using the drop-down menus on the search results page.

To do a search on Facebook, run your search using the search box at the top of your personal Facebook page (your fan page won’t have a search box). You can use hashtags or not. After you type in a keyword, choose from the search filters in the left sidebar. Choose public posts to see who is talking about it or pages to see what your competitors are up to.

The time is now! Start posting on all your social media platforms using simple and relevant keywords with hashtags keeping in mind all the above dos and donts.

Sharing is Caring! Please share this post with others if you found it helpful to you

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Time Saving Tools for Artists & Designers

June 25, 2013

tools, artist, time-saving.tips

Time Saving Tools for Artists & Designers

 

Along my career path, I have discovered some tools that I couldn’t live without. They are simple, yet powerful. What artist or designer doesn’t want to save time in the uncreative part of the creative process? I can’t think of any. These tools are inexpensive, simple and easy to use. Maybe you already use them yourself, but if not, after this article I am sure you will adding these items to your tool box.

Light Box

I use a light box for transferring my drawings to watercolor paper. Before I purchased one, I used a window, but that gets old quick! After I enlarge my thumbnail sketch and re-draw onto graph paper, I tape the drawing to my watercolor paper and use the light box to trace the image. Simple and easy.

Proportion Scale

One of my favorite tools! Take the guess work out and save a ton of ink and paper by using this handy tool to enlarge your thumbnail sketches. Let’s say you want to enlarge a 3" x 2" thumbnail sketch to 12" x 8". Simple put the inner circle at 3" in alignment with the outer circle at 12". Then look at the amount you need to enlarge the image in the window…in this case 395%.

Before I discovered this tool, I would stand at the copier and guess what percentage to enlarge the sketch. It always took several copies to get it right. What a waste of time and resources! So this is a must-have for your tool box.

 

Graph Paper

I mentioned above how I use graph paper in my process of creating art. After I enlarge my thumbnail sketch to the size I need it using the proportion scale, I tape it to the back of the graph paper. The lines on the graph paper help to square up the image, especially handy if you are creating borders around the image. This is also the time to add more detail to the image.

Tracing Paper

 

If you need to add a quote or text to a drawing, tracing paper is the tool for you. Instead of guessing if it will fit, simply lay the tracing paper over the drawing and write your text. I also use it for mirroring. For example, draw half a heart on it, then fold the tracing paper to mirror the other half of the heart. It will save you many erasers over the year :)

I also use tracing paper when I am painting a face with acrylics. Sometimes an eye may look to low or one side of the face is more rounded than the other. Simply lay the tracing paper over the painting and trace the half of the face you like best using a pencil, then flip the tracing paper over and draw over the lines with the pencil. The pencil will transfer onto the painting so you can get the right proportions for the face.

Graphite Paper

I use graphite paper to transfer by drawing onto my canvas or wood when painting with acrylics. I enlarge my thumbnail sketch using my proportion scale. My acrylic paintings are usually large so I will have several pieces of paper to tape together like a puzzle. Then I lay my taped-together drawing over the substrate I am painting on and tape it securely at the top. I slide a piece of graphite paper between the two and trace over my lines. The graphite paper transfers to the substrate.

Where to Purchase?

All of these items are available at Dick Blick. If you click on the images, it will take you directly to the product on Dick Blick’s website. Check your local Micheals, JoAnn, or Hobby Lobby stores as they carry most of these tools.

These are very basic and simple tools that you may or may not already use in your creative process. Either way, I hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me!

Do you have any handy tools to share with us?  Comment below and let us know if you already use any of these tools or if you want to share your time-saving tools with us.

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