Creative Ways Podcast

Victoria Close founder of Bikudesigns has lived and in Japan with her British husband and children for 25 years.   Victoria reuses vintage Japanese kimonos and makes them into stunning jewellery pieces and accessories like earrings, brooches, necklaces and headbands

Victoria calls herself a self-taught jeweller which interesting, only because her degree was in something else, she has trained in silver smithing though so it’s so common that we do this isn’t it? As of course talk about this, the hang ups we all carry as creatives had being an expert.

We look at what the pandemic is like over there and how they have coped In Tokyo just before the Olympics 2021

Although, Victoria and her family have lived through a tsunami a huge earth quake and a tsunami and nuclear melt down in 2011

She thought there had been a tremor during our chat!

 

Victoria’s Takeaways

1.Your business can be completely different to where you started, we all evolve, that’s ok!

2.Imagine your creativity is like a cork, if it’s pushed down it will float back up

3.Say ‘I am a …….

4.Watch how you tell people what you do. Is it In shock? or with conviction?

5.Set up a support group for your followers or village/school or any community you’ve felt you could help, you if think this, you will be 100% right!

6.Even in the biggest disasters nature and wildlife has the power to push through!

7.Take photos of your cities everyday objects, you will find many who have left, miss seeing those moments and objects

      LINKS:   Overseas Makers Guild Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/347500526246146   Overseas Makers Guild Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overseas_makers_guild/   Bikudesigns VIP Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254399134978215   Bikudesigns website: https://www.bikudesigns.com/   Bikudesigns Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bikudesigns   Bikudesigns Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bikudesigns/

Greg Straight is probably one of New Zealand’s most prolific illustrators having carved out a niche generating custom illustrations for high profile brands. His work is all around us in the form of murals, packaging designs, billboards and magazine covers as well as featuring in nationwide campaigns for many household brands.

When covid hit Greg had just opened his new studio. All of his projects got cancelled almost overnight, what do you do? Plus, his wife works in the business full time too.

Countdown,  Christchurch Airport. Auckland Council, Qantas, Sunday Telegraph, Nespresso, TVNZ , McDonalds

Greg has a professional but laid back approach. His works span everything from logo design and branding to murals, lots of stunning packaging, infographics and so much more! Oh, and he’s met the prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

Here are Greg's Takeaways

1.If the worst happens and you lose all of your projects look to see how you can make it work, there might be something you’ve overlooked before.

2.Don't ignore your local contacts, there can be lots of work there. You know their home and area so it’s actually easier to fill their needs. Plus, the know like and trust factor is there too.

3.Working near another creative can be a game changer, look online for open studios

4.Working with your partner can be scary and stressful

5.Sometimes we just to unplug and go somewhere for the day to change our view point 

6.When you create art it won’t always go out the way you want it but that doesn’t always mean that it hasn’t worked out. Sometimes it’s best you took a different root.

7.If Greg hadn't gone over to that other artist in the cafe, he wouldn’t of got a whole exhibition!

8.Keep on creating, don’t stop!

9.Don’t be precious about your art keep on making

10.Don't give up, keep crafting and developing to find your style

11.When you spend the time doing personal projects you aren’t restricted!

12.Do nothing and nothing happens

Www.Gregstraight.com

 

Dawn Machell is an extremely successful illustrator and surface pattern designer. Dawn specialises in character design and surface pattern for children and babies.​

Dawn’s designs have appeared on a wide range of products including books, nursery interiors, apparel, wall art, toys, greetings cards and stationery.

Dawn has designed for Mamas and Papas Fabrics and Friends, Kidsii, Tigerprint, Lilipinso, Happy Friday, Menudos Cuadros, Aquarupella, Mamas and Papas, Next, Disney Stores, Silver Cross, Hallmark, UK Greetings, Mothercare, Tesco, Mini Club, Boots.

YoYo Books, Elephant and Bird Books,  I Am A Bookworm Publishing, Really Decent Books, Fisher Price.

The list goes on!

Dawn was also part of the famous studio ‘Dotty Wren’ studio who took the world by storm at Surtex in 2014 and in Dawn’s words ‘it was so successful, we didn’t have to go back again’

Dawn tells us the best way to exhibit and we also talk about pricing as a freelancer.

Dawn's Takeaway's

1. Share with a few friends ay Surtex, It doesn’t matter if you only met online, you all want the same end goal.
2. Take your designs on hand luggage
3. Find the nearest Ikea store for all of your props
4. You’ve got to bite the bullet and go through the process at your exhibition, learning on the go, there’s no other way
5. There will be a lull after your exhibition, you’re going to feel exhausted, you’re not going to give it less than your all.
6. Horrid financial situations can and has happen too many successful people, it how we react that counts.
7. Your career isn’t one make or break, it’s a serious of choices.
8. Turning work down is scary, but trust your intuition, your creative energy matters everything effects .
9. Get your style so strong that companies want you to do your handwriting rather than mimic others.
10. Don’t feel bullied when pricing your work, if they want your work they will pay for it.
11. As an industry, we need to understand when we are selling cheaper than the rest of your field, it will actual cheapen the pressure the whole market.
12. Follow your joy, it will lead you to loving your days.

Connect with Dawn here

https://www.dawnmachell.co.uk/about

 

Natalie Gaynor is taking the world by storm with her purpose driven Hand Embroidery Business.

Run from her studio in Salford Manchester, Natalie creates ready to buy and bespoke stitched hoop art, embroidery kits and hand embroidery workshops.

Natalie has 3 children and her husband is self employed, he got his van stolen too at the beginning of lock down, how did Natalie show up for this pandemic? She stepped into fear and tried new things and as you can imagine she can’t stitch ‘Hair up, Bra off, Sweats on’ fast enough!

Connect with Natalie here

https://nataliegaynordesigns.co.uk/

 

Natalie’s Takeaways

 

1.Take yourself out to a cafe and sew listening to the hustle and bustle of others around you.

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2.Hone in on what your customers are after If you’re good with people you can create a safe space for them, that brings huge value to people’s everyday lives

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3.Get your kids working on your business, they will learn so much.

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4.Adjusting your business to the current times is scary, but necessary, it gets easier and you will get more comfortable.

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5.If you’re children seem to have dropped their creative passions of late, just try 10 mins games with them

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6.Everyone business owner has days has days where they think they can’t do this anymore but there’s no two days the same so keep going

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7.Join some groups like your city’s Etsy group if it’s available - groups really help you feel supported and grow

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8.Set a Patron site up to help you with your subscription or any offers your dollars will see the value and you can offer something each month.

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9.Knowing  that needle work is mindful is important once we know this we might still pushing it away like it’s an indulgence, hobbies are good for the soul in the same was as yoga, sport  of healthy eating

Jessica Swift is a surface pattern designer, an artist and a successful online teacher, I get asked all the time if it’s possible to design for many different markets a d Jessica certainly manages too. Her work is colourful, whimsical and intuitive, Jessica created these magical oracle cards when she became a new mum.

I’ve been a fan of Jessica’s work for years so imagine when I’m sat late in the night feeding my toddler that blowI felt reading that Jessica who was 6 month pregnant with her second baby had lost her husband tragically aged 40 to addiction. I sobbed for her that night and sent a prayer, what I saw of course I know she will of been ruined, but what we all saw was her carry on the best way she knew how, being open and honest and to create and heal through her art. You will hear Jessica talk about what she heard in her ear on the day of their loss and what kept her going.

 

Jessica’s Takeaways

1.It’s as important to know what you don’t want to do

2.Choose who your advice is from

3..You don’t have to take peoples advice it’s someone’s opinion

4.If you get bored easily keep variety in your business too, we need to keep excited

5.Creating art every day is what’s important chip away each day

6.If daily projects work for you then commit online or with a mentor or support group and stick to it

7.It’s possible to have different Income streams as an artist and not just one niche!

8.Keep your eyes on your own paper!

9.Do what is calling to your heart

10.Do your most important work first in your day and do your admin work after

11.In one of the darkest times of your life, you will hear your angles talk to you, listen to the whisper

Find Jessica 

https://www.jessicaswift.com/

 

Skillshare 

https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Daily-Art-Practice-for-Self-Care-14-Days-of-Messages-To-Yourself/1597322804?via=user-profile

https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Color-Freedom-%E2%80%93-Using-the-Recolor-Artwork-Tool-in-Adobe-Illustrator/1966953702?via=user-profile

https://www.skillshare.com/classes/Pattern-Camp-%E2%80%93-Level-II-Create-Complex-Repeating-Patterns-in-Illustrator/2139577957?via=user-profile

Andrea Garvey stepped out of corporate America as a creative director into a world where she could paint and teach and create the life she wanted through her art!

8 years ago Andrea’s mother in law who she was very close too died, she was an artist. Two nights later, Andrea had a vivid extremely colourful dream, it shook her so much, she was drawn to start painting, she says this literally stirred her soul and helped with all of the grief and loss. This became and obsession, Andrea kept learning and practising until she had to quite her life as a creative director and step fully into her art.

                                                                                                      Andrea’s Takeaways

1.Take classes become the student again

2.Carve out time at each week

3.Make an area in your house where the kids can go and create too

4.10 mins a day, that’s all you need!

5.Google anything you need to know, no one was taught

6.Set yourself a challenge and a date and stick to it each day.

7.Being accountable moves your business leaps and bounds -Invest in a mastermind or a buddy each week making that commitment means your committing to your business

8.You may not be able to afford a coach or mentor, but there’s so much for free online now, in podcasts, blogs, you tube videos and clubhouse, give yourself that learning time.

9.Be ok with being the learner, no one knew how to do YouTube videos or online classes.

10.Look at your day and ask yourself, ‘can I outsource?’ This doesn’t have to cost money. You could swap your skills with each other.

11.Imposter syndrome comes up for everyone, expect it and look at it and say ‘I see you? That’s ok!’

12 Having a morning routine to yourself is huge. Give yourself an hour before the house wakes up to journal and meditate

13 Have a love note folder! Print off all of your reviews, DM’s and positive emails, this will remind you what you've done who you’ve helped!

Sign up for newsletter (free 8x10 download) and for online course information:

www.andreagarvey.com

Facebook Community for weekly live studio chats:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/324152791914269

Monthly Zoom Classes:

https://www.andreagarvey.com/creative-sessions

Instagram

@andreagarveyart

 

Graham Cullis only discovered art in May 2020 during the pandemic whilst living in Bali, Indonesia. It appears he has a natural talent and he is now a full time oil paint artist with a 6 month waiting list for his unique "Surprise Commission" concept. 

Art helped him through a very dark time when he experienced an intense bout of depression and now he wants to give back and help people discover ways of managing their own demons. Graham now has a fantastic much needed mental health campaign this project is now going global, it’s called the #karmacardproject.  He sends packs of six gift cards of his art prints around the world to people pledging a small amount monthly amount on patreon.com/grahamcullisart

They can use these gift cards to spread love and positivity around the world to people who may need it as random acts of kindness. 

Supporters in  23 different countries are receiving packs and it is growing fast! 

This is very exciting and very encouraging as he believes soon he will have financial freedom to run all these wellness projects and produce his vlog to more of a professional level. 

 Graham makes regular vlogs in which he spreads the message about art therapy and wellness in general. I am collaborating with all kinds of artists and advocates for mental health. 

He has just set up and piloted an art therapy youth club in Newquay Cornwall called Youth Art Connect their first event was on 24th April 2021 it was a massive success and very well received.

All that aside, you’re going to learn some new marketing tricks that have got Graham surf board sponsorship deals, lecturing and many tv and podcast gigs all from an extremely personable trick he does daily for his followers! listen to find out what it is

Graham's Take aways

1.Say yes, follow the yes's and keep being curious, even if you’re  in your dark.

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2.Say yes to workshops that’s a sign to what your inner interests are, you will never know what you’re good at if you say no to everything.

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3.Work out what is your zone of genius? Yes you’re a creative, but are a good facilitator? A good talker? Great with people? Really Good at writing or good with children, this is normally the lowest hanging fruit this will be the thing that catapults you.

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4.If you see the clown kid at school, take the time to see their strengths. Subconsciously They will always choose the clown role over letting others know they are struggling in class.

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5.When charging, you can tell them your base rate - next mention what people have paid up too and let them decide?

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6.Self development- There’s curve balls everywhere but as long as you’re working on you, we are never finished we are constantly learning and evolving as long as we remain humble this is a beautiful process.

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7.You can make your own opportunities, if you believe in what you’re building- that energy turns into a passion and that’s infectious people want to be part of that.

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8.When Marketing be genuine, and put your own personal spin on it, send a voice note people want to feel seen in the noisy world or of course even better send a song!

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9.If you’ve got a message that you know would be a great campaign that will change lives even, then let others know get them involved people like to be part of something meaningful.

Connect with Graham 

https://www.instagram.com/grahamcullis/

 patreon.com/grahamcullisart

Youth Art Connect

Writer and all round creative, Juliet Thomas gave up her corporate life after 2 decades of excelling her finance roles, but this path didn’t ever light her up, finally, Juliet jumped ship and yes you guessed, it she has found her purpose and her life’s true work.

Juliet did it messy and said yes to every new opportunity. Being humble paid off as within months Juliet was running a writing group which is now known as the Curious Creative Club!

However, through this time Juliet found out she had Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer which was a surprise to say the least. She’s now through chemo treatment and on the road to recovery, Juliet talks about what it was like going through all of this and in the pandemic too. And even through all of that she still found time to give weekly live workshops for psychologies magazine!

 

Juliet’s Take aways

1) If you can and are just starting out, have a year of play and experimentation and see what you fall in love with

2) Working on your own, and especially long term projects is hard, if you can find a group where you can share ideas and be accountable, as you would with colleagues in an office, and if there isn't one, create one yourself like we did.

3) Perfectionism is the death of moving forwards with your big dream, just start, you can tweak and improve later, nothing terrible will happen. 

4) Don't let your own self-image / perception insecurities put you off being visible, sometimes not having those hang-ups about what you look like can be quite freeing, and the strength and focus instead becomes your message and that you were brave enough to show up - people will relate to that and be rooting for you.

5) Think yes first, no second, don't discount things out of lack of confidence - think what is the very worst that can happen, and then realise how unlikely that is

6) Follow the opportunity, not the money (as John Hegarty says)  -you never know where it might lead and it can lead to some great collaborations and learnings

7) Spend time in nature, walking and noticing your surroundings - it's the ultimate top up for creative energy and we need that head space for idea generation and problem solving

8) Find your tribe and check in with them regularly, whether that be fellow creative friends or connections on Instagram - much as I love my family, half the time they 'don’t' get it, so you need that inspiration, advice, support and mentorship from like-minded people.

9) Don't beat yourself up if you have more than one creative passion, and have a multi-creative project portfolio of work, if it's what keeps you interested and motivated, who cares? But do try to find systems and techniques to put in place that work for you,  so you don't feel completely overwhelmed and disorganised

10) Finally, don’t put off your creative dream and think I'll get around to it 'one day', if this last few years has taught us anything, it's that life is unpredictable - just do it, no regrets, and whilst you have the energy!

 

Website Home & Blog: www.thecuriouscreativeclub.co.uk

Instagram: @thecuriouscreativeclub

Facebook: The Curious Creative Club 

 

 

This week we are joined by artist Andy Greenacre creator of unruly print .He used to be a photographer teacher too but when he was told he won't be able to stand up for very long all day for the rest of your life, he of course questioned what was truly important and what creative path he really wanted to take, live and breath for work, as we know there is a big difference. 

Andy ran the successful Makers Market From Home throughout lockdown, plus he broadcasts for Radio, which you might think nothing of until you hear Andy had a huge fear over public speaking! 

Andy’s Takeaways

1.Project your energy

2.Remove people from your socials who make you feel negative

3.If you want more structure or accountability, ask another creative to collaborate with you, you will naturally level up and that energy together  is huge

4.What are your boundaries? Know those when you want to work with others.

5.Keep being curious it’s what feeds us, if we get too busy we can forget to do try new art.

6.Champion yourself. People go to the theatres to see someone perform, they don’t go to see someone hiding In The corner!

7.Not everything has to be monetised, trust the creative road

8.Chase the play not the pay

9.Treat your creative business as work it’s not a side line when if you’ve got a day job for now, this is your life’s work what you’ve always wanted to start, go all in, if you haven’t the money, give your time on the side it won’t grow without your full respect. Your langue and the way you talk about his matters

10.What positives are you going to hold onto through lockdown that you will keep moving forward? Hold onto it. Write it down and set reminders on your phone to keep you from straying

Find Andy here

https://andy-greenacre.co.uk

http://www.unrulyprint.co.uk/

 

Nadina Ali Is a graphic designer who creates stunning typography art and clothing with important messaging. Her website and bio reads ‘creating for the people!’ Nadina also designed the cover of Fredrick Joseph’s book ‘The Black Friend on Being a Better White Person!’

 Nadina is an activist too, you will hear very quicken what a strong worrier she is! Nadine grow up in France, a 2nd generation Muslim immigrant from the tiny African country Comoros. Nadina put herself through university and left France to study and work in the U.K. Nadina relocated a few times, up and done the country to complete a second degree and work in Fashion for 8 years. As you will learn, Nadina makes her life circumstances work for her, she chooses how to get back up.

We do raise the question and dive deep into the question ‘how diverse is the design industry?

We talk about possible mindsets of brave immigrant families. This week is an extremely important conversation and we hope you will join in on it! Let us know your favourite takeaway!

Nadina’s Take always

1.You can’t control redundancy or bad circumstances, but you can control how you react to it.

2.No part of your journey is wasted, there’s no dead ends it’s all part of who you are today. You 6 years ago may not of taken this opportunity for example.

3.Nadina had only been to a museum once by the time she reached adult life because she felt it was for the elite! Check in your circles and see if this mindset is the case. Remember we all have power to educate and help with future generations

4.The traumatised mindset can take up to 6 generations to change if not worked on and questioned

5.To change a mindset and teach ourselves to be confident is hard enough, and that’s with evidence that works, let alone sending your children to a career you or your family have no experience in.

6.The mindset of not being qualified even with 2 degrees is an imposter syndrome, there are many extremely talented white humans who have self-sabotaged because they thought they didn’t deserve their success, now imagine how many ethnic talented souls wasted there must be?

7.The kill Bill fight effects everyone in the U.K it’s our human right as a democratic society to be able to protest. Find out how you can help in your area of online. I’ll put a link in the show notes.

8.If you have that racists uncle or cousin remind him or her that that footballer is a human and someone’s son. Have that uncomfortable conversation.

9.Stepping into your purpose takes courage, stepping into a world where you don’t feel represented in this day and age is not ok. If you’re a buyer or a design manager ask your manager, store account teams, where are the Hanukkah and Eid cards why aren’t there more LBGTQ wedding cards, adoption parent cards etc. Keep questioning nothing changes from comfort. Or if you’ve  not got anyone, you can use linked in, Twitter, you all have power! Question it.

10.You are so much more powerful than you think. Share the uncomfortable posts on social media, start following new accounts from other countries even, watch the news from across the world on a big topic and see how different the perspective can be.

11.Don't be nervous if your white, say ‘I’m aware I’m white, help me use my power to help others to educate me’! People will see your hearts there. Having these conversations in this time is ludicrous isn’t it?!

Connect

https://www.nadinadidthis.com/

https://www.instagram.com/nadinadidthis/

Links 

The Black Friend on Being a Better White Person! -Fredrick Joseph’s

https://www.walker.co.uk/The-Black-Friend-On-Being-a-Better-White-Person-9781529500615.aspx

Stand Up To Racism https://www.instagram.com/standuptoracismuk/    Brotherhood Media  https://www.instagram.com/brotherhoodmedia/   Greg Bunbury's https://www.instagram.com/gregbunbury/