Move the Needle Wholesale Line Sheet

If you are interested in selling Move the Needle items in your shop or bulk ordering, I offer wholesale pricing. Wholesale is the sale of merchandise to retailers. I sell all wholesale items at half price as the original item.

Check out Move the Needle's line sheet on Issuu.

You can contact me for more info or to sign up for my wholesale mailing list.

Surrealism in Photography

1. I love these images that use surrealism in photography by Kyle Thompson. He defined his style as surreal conceptual photography; the creation of a surreal world in order to depict concepts. Surrealism releases the creative potential of the unconscious mind such as by the irrational juxtaposition of images. Kyle likes to use props, smoke and lighting effects to add a surreal feeling to photos.

   
   

   

   
   

   You can see more of his photography here.

How to Become a Freelance Writer

Do you want to become a freelance writer? These are some tips I have to earn money from your writing.

Perfecting Your Skill

uDemy: uDemy has over 40,000 classes and courses. You can find many on freelancing and writing.

ed2go: This site offers classes on a variety of topics that can help you learn nonfiction, creative writing and other skills that can help you in the workplace. I am currently taking a class on becoming a magazine writer.

FreelanceWriting: This site has some good resources on freelance writing.

The Write Life: This site has good tips on freelancing, marketing and more. It also has a job board.

Make a Living Writing -This site has eBooks, courses and some free resources on being a freelance writer.

ProBlogger -  If you want to  make money blogging, ProBlogger has a job board of blogging jobs. It also has tips on blogging.

Creating a Portfolio

Clippings.me - This website allows journalists, bloggers and writers to create online portfolios. The premium version allows you to add unlimited clippings without clippings.me branding.

Pressfolios - This site allows you to add up to 12 stories for free or pay for a plan that can give you 250 or unlimited stories.

Google Drive - Google Drive is a good free option for writing or backing up your writing pieces. It is good to send to people if you just have a sample to send out.

WordPress - Use a hosting platform, such as WordPress, to create your own website or blog. They also have many themes available that could be used to create a portfolio.

Finding Writing Jobs

Ready to get started working? These are some websites to check out.

Content Writers - This site is free to sign up and allows you to write articles for businesses. Writers are paid within 14 days of content acceptance via PayPal.

Online Writing Jobs - You can be a SEO content writer, copywriter, blogger or subject matter expert. You can get paid up to $50 per article.

UVOCORP - UVOCORP is a freelance academic writing agency. You can write essays, reports, literature reviews and speeches. Writers are paid twice monthly.

TextBroker - Textbroker is an article and content writing service.

Upwork - Upwork is a platform for freelancers. You can create a profile and look for writing jobs, such as blogging or writing eBooks, to make money.
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Have you ever tried freelance writing? What ways do you like to make money?

Art Journaling: Creating Abstract Images

Have you ever wanted to create abstract, fantasy or surreal images in your artwork? Here are some tips for unleashing your unconscious mind and creating creative works of art. 

Supplies:

• Art Journal: You can use an art journal or sketch paper. 
• Pencil or Marker: You can use professional art marker or just sharpies.
• Other Art Materials: You can use whatever medium you like to create abstract images. My art journal entries are mostly sketches, but you can add color such as with colored pencils or watercolor paint.

Techniques:


1. Abstract images can be fantasy like or as if they were from a dreaming. Try closing your eyes or meditating and visualize images. When you open your eyes, draw images you saw. You can also try keeping your art journal by your bed and drawing images from your dreams. 

 

 2. Take a physical object or image and draw half of it on one side of an art journal page. You can also draw the whole image and then erase, rip out or cover up the other half. On the other half, draw a fantasy image or half of another object to create a fantasy image. In my picture, I drew an image of a flower on the right side and added an image of fire on the left page.




 3.  A similar idea you can try is taking physical object or image and adding a fantasy image to it. Look to see how real life images can be turned fantasy like by replacing one part of the image with a different image. In my top journal entry, I made the body of the butterflies in to keys. I also added a keyhole to the tree. In my second image, I turned birds in to scissors. 
 

 4. Try writing a line of text and drawing the phrase you wrote. In this image, I wrote the line “harvesting the heart” and added hearts to a bowl. 

Do you like to create abstract or fantasy images? 

Floral Prints in Fashion

Spring is the perfect time to wear floral prints in fashion. Here is some floral inspiration I love.

Floral print dresses, like this green and white floral dress, are great for spring. 

These four looks are perfect for spring. The second look is from Delightfully Tacky. 

Try adding a a fun floral skirt to your outfit.

Here are some more spring floral dresses.

How do you like to wear floral print? 

Interview: Dreamcatchers from Tiaralianna

Tiaralianna makes dreamcatchers and string art made of vintage finds and handmade pieces. Legend says that bad dreams get caught in the web of a dreamcatcher, while good dreams pass through to ensure good dreams while you sleep. Dreamcatchers can be used as car accessories, worn as jewelry or can be used as decor.

Why did you decide to sell dreamcatchers in your shop? 

I created my first dream catcher in 2013 as a project but had no intention of selling. Mid 2015 I started creating more dream catchers as a hobby, again I didn't intend on selling any. My boyfriend of 5 years was the one who first saw my potential and decided to create my shop name and Instagram account Late 2015. He even sold a bunch of my first dreamcatchers. From there I got inspired to make it a small business and took over the shop myself. 

How would you describe your style?
I've come to realize I don't really have a set style. Rather, my dreamcatcher style varies from whatever inspires! A lot of my style comes from bohemian, hippie, and cottage chic looks. I love creating both traditional and non traditional styles with each dreamcatcher being unique.

What is your creative process like?
Creating dreamcatchers is very therapeutic for me. Often when I start creating dreamcatchers I envision the end result and run with it. However, sometimes that's not always the case. Times when I feel uninspired I like to hit up a bunch of craft and/or thrift stores and pick up some beautiful pieces such as doilies, yarn, etc. I often get inspired this way.



Describe your studio space. Where do you work?
Everything I do regarding my shop is from my home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Most of the time I find my self working in my home studio or on my balcony ledge where I get a gorgeous view of nature.

What is your favorite feature on Etsy?
My favorite feature on Etsy is the review tool. I love hearing customer feedback. I have yet to receive a negative review, but I'm sure if it's constructive feedback I wouldn't mind either way. Being that my studio space is filled with dreamcatchers, it's hard to let a lot of them go. The review feature allows me to hear from their new owner, it makes my day!

Do you use any other websites?
Instagram and Facebook is my main social media platforms. I sell my dreamcatchers online on Etsy along with in person sales. My hopes are to create a website for my shop separate from Etsy.

Where do you get inspiration?
Working with art has always been a creative outlet for me. I believe that God gives everyone a gift, intended to glorify Him. My gift, however small, is a gift of creativity none the less. What good is a gift if it isn't shared? Knowing that my creative ability was intended for his purpose inspires me to keep creating art. 

What is your favorite way to promote your shop?
Social media has always been my favorite way in promoting what I do. Instagram and Facebook in particular are sites I enjoying using. These sites allows me to interact with users in a way that's more personal along with showing others an inside look of what I do. Through social media I like to post pictures about shop updates along with my creative process.

Do you sell wholesale or consignment?
I do not sell wholesale or consignment at the moment. I'm open to the idea but for now I'm selling direct.

Do you ever do craft shows?
I have yet to do a craft show but I aspire to be a part of one in the future! 



Do you make other types of art? 
Yes! On my Etsy shop I list string art. My first dreamcatcher was a combination of both string art and dreamcatcher. The materials I used for the base were a wooden board, nails, and string. I created this piece by hammering the nails in a circle and weaved the pattern with string. I plan to recreate more of these in the near future. Since it's a stable wall-hanging, I use mine for hanging earrings and necklaces.

What do you hope for the future with your shop? 
In the future I hope to create my own website where I can list my dream catchers along with pictures and videos of my creative process.

Is there anything else you would like to add? 
Thank you so much for taking interest in my shop! If you like what I do, check out my mother on Instagram: @ieggmedia. She is an artist that works with chalk, paint, and digital mediums. She's one of my biggest role models and encourages me to follow my creative passion.

Free Printable: Etsy Shop Critique

Do you want to critique your own or someone else's Etsy shop? You can click the button below to download my free critique worksheet that will help you review your Etsy shop. The free printable has questions about branding, the name of the shop, products, pricing and more. The questions will give you a brief overview of how the Etsy shop is doing.





You can also see my listing on Etsy for a full critique or see my Hire Me page for more info on my services.

Do you ever critique your shop?

Scrapbooking Inspiration from A Beautiful Mess

These are a couple scrapbooking photos that inspire me from the blog, A Beautiful Mess.



They also  have some tips with scrapbook ideas on their blog and a shop with scrapbook supplies.

How do you like to scrapboook?

How to Cook with Edible Flowers

Did you know you can consume some flowers? Edible flowers are flowers that can be used in baking or cooking. For example, they can be added to salad or to decorate a wedding cake.

Here are some tips for cooking with edible flowers:

• You can buy edible flowers fresh or crystalized. Make sure the flowers do not have pesticides.
• If you buy flowers fresh, store them in a glass of water in the refrigerator before using them.
• When cooking with edible flowers, keep the rest of the dish simple. Edible flowers often have unique flavors.
• Do not overdo it when adding edible flowers. You want to use them sparingly, such as to garnish a dish.

These are some flowers that are edible:

• Lavender
• Mint blossoms
• Rosemary
• Calendula
• Violets
• Pansies

These are some ideas for cooking with them:

• Use edible flowers to make tea or wine.
• Use in flavored oils or marinades.
• Make spring flowered lollipops.
• Add flowers to ice cubes to add to beverages.
• Make rosewater with edible rose petals and distilled water.
• Add to soup as a garnish.
• Use crystalized flowers to decorate cakes.

Have you ever cooked with edible flowers?

Iridescent Collection Lookbook

Check out the new iridescent collection in my shop on Etsy, Move the Needle. You can check out the lookbook for this collection below:

You have a choice between 8 beautiful iridescent colors. Iridescent paper displays reflective, rainbow colors that change when seen from different angles. The paper is made in Taiwan. It has a glossy finish, with a vinyl like feel texture. 

 

All items are custom and made to order. You can get a Custom Iridescent Wavy Greeting Card or Custom Iridescent Rounded Greeting Card. If you prefer a collage look, the rounded card is available for collage. 

You can also get custom volant moleskine journals. If there is another style of Moleskine journal you want, I can take other custom orders.

The items are also available in gift sets. The Iridescent Greeting Card Gift Set comes in a set of 8 wavy or rounded greeting cards. You can also get a set of 8 of the Custom Altered Iridescent Soft Cover Volant Moleskine Journal

Use the coupon code IRIDESCENTSALE to get 10% off any order using iridescent decorative paper. 

Creative Pinterest Boards

Pinterest is a photo sharing website that helps you collect inspiration and ideas. Pinterest can be a great tool for promoting your business. Follow along with this free printable worksheet to come up with creative and interesting Pinterest board ideas. Download the worksheet here or click the button at the bottom of this post. You can look at my own notes when I filled out the worksheet for my own Pinterest.

1. First, write down what products you sell and some general words and phrases that describe your business.



2. Write down some phrases that describe the personality of your brand or shop. These could be adjectives that describe the mood and feel of your business. You might also include different styles you use in your products.




3. Who is your target market or ideal customer?




4. Describe their personality and interests more. What do they like to do for fun? What will a customer or someone be doing while using your product?

6. Could you relate your business to any special events or holidays?



7. Are there any places your business relates to?



8.  Now think of other categories related to your niche. Write these down. Take it one step farther and think of more categories that relate to the categories you wrote down.

9. Choose your favorite words or phrases from above to create in to Pinterest boards.

Writing - Since a journal can be used for writing, I thought many of my viewers or customers might be writers or like to write. I created a writing themed board on Pinterest

Edible Books - I don't want to repin a bunch of things that look just like the products I sell, but if I choose a product that isn't directly related to mine, it makes a nice board. I like looking at the creative paper making and book arts on Pinterest.

Iridescent - I wrote down different styles I have in my items such as iridescent. The different techniques I use and styles in my patterns make interesting boards. An iridescent board shows off iridescent patterns as well as other items that use iridescent styles in them such as fashion



Maps - Another style I use is maps. I like using decorative paper with maps in my journals and greeting cards. Since my business can sort of relate to travel in general, I thought a map themed board would be a good idea.

Birthday - My business relates to special events so this was a good focus for me. Birthdays, an event I related to my business, makes a fun Pinterest board since it is more unique than the typical holiday boards. Birthday cards are a product I sell. A Pinterest board could include everything from birthday cake recipes to decorations.

Bullet Journal Inspiration

Have you heard of the bullet journal method? The bullet journal is an "analog system for the digital age" that uses rapid logging. It is a coded system you keep in a journal. It works like a planner to help you track the past, organize the present and plan for the future. You can read more about how to use this system here.

I haven't tried out the system myself yet, but I think it is an interesting idea since I sell handmade journals in my shop. Here is some bullet journal inspiration I found:

This image is from bulletjournaljoy.

These journal entries come from Kara Benz.

These entries are from the blog Hello Deborah.

Have you ever tried the bullet journal system?