In a recent blog post and podcast episode, I confessed that I had been experiencing creative burnout, but I think I was just...bored. I needed to learn something new, challenge myself, and add new skills to my "DIY toolbox." I realized that I have actually learned a lot by taking creative online classes. So in this episode, I'm sharing my top 10 lessons and tips on how to take creative online courses (so that you actually learn something!). Have a listen! 

Got a question? Send me an email.

READ THIS ON THE BLOG:

•  10 Lessons for Taking Creative Online Classes (So You Actually Learn Something!) - Blog post

CREATIVE RESOURCES:

• Creative Bug
• Linkedin Learning
• Craftsy
• Skillshare 
• Udemy
• SketchUp

REFERENCED

• Building a Custom Closet - Blog Post
• Jigsaw - Home Depot
• 
  

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WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

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This episode is a heart-to-heart about creative burnout and showing up for your creativity even on the days when you’d rather do anything else. I’m sharing the epiphany I had while making my bed (yes… really), what Michael Jordan and Stephen King taught me about discipline, and why I’m done letting my mood decide whether I create. If you’re rebuilding your spark, feeling stuck, or searching for permission to start again — listen in.

Got a question? Send me an email.

READ THIS ON THE BLOG:

• STOP Creating Only When You "Feel" Like It - Blog post

CREATIVE RESOURCES:

• Skillshare 
• xTool laser engravers
  
  

REFERENCED

• Excited reel I posted about my upcoming project - YouTube short
• xTool Reel on making wooden earrings - YouTube short
• Stephen King Interview
• Michael Jordon reference
• Stephen King Book - 11/22/63 (Amazon)

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WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

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Do you need a kick in the DIY pants? Then you should join my 30-Day DIY Challenge! Recently I shared with you the "BEFORE" and "AFTER" of my friend's home office makeover that I did for her. (If you haven't seen it, you can read the blog post HERE and watch the video tutorial HERE).

I also told you about the $1,000 giveaway I'm doing in partnership with Arrow Tool Group. Did you enter yet?! (ENTER HERE!)

(If not, you should, because there are only 216 people entered at the time of this publishing, so your odds are better than Power Ball! HA! You'll win a $500 AMEX gift card and a $500 ArrowToolGroup.com gift card. Free money for your next project!)

But did you know we're also doing a 30-day DIY challenge to give you a kick in the DIY pants during the month of September? SIGN UP HERE!

MENTIONED:

• BEFORE & AFTER: My Pretty Laundry Room Makeover! (Blog post)
• Home Office Makeover (Blog Post)

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• Enter the Arrow Tool Group $1,000 Giveaway!
• Enter the 30-Day "Fall Overhaul" DIY Challenge!
• Join the WAITLIST for my EmPOWER Tools 101 online course!

Support the show

WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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Don't forget to enter my $1,000 giveaway with Arrow Tool Group! ENTER HERE! 

Be sure to sign up for the 30-Day DIY Challenge, too! JOIN HERE!

I just got done doing and epic home office makeover with my best girlfriend in her home! What started as a disorganized, uninspiring "catch all" room, became a colorful, layered room full of second-hand furniture and DIY projects that turned it into a room she loves! 

In this episode, I'm sharing with you 10 tips on doing your own room makeover on budget--what to expect, what to do, what NOT to do, and some behind-the-scenes chit-chat about working on this room!

Got a question? Send me an email.

MENTIONED:

• BEFORE & AFTER: Colorful Home Office Makeover! (YouTube)
• Home Office Makeover (Blog Post)

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WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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Did you know that women make up only about 3% of the home appliance repairers, but they excel in this field? In this episode, I sit down with Mona Sims, the inspiring owner of SSG Appliance Academy. She shares her journey of starting and growing a business that empowers individuals (with a focus on women women re-entering society from incarceration or being victims of domestic abuse and sex trafficking) to learn how to repair appliances and start their own appliance repair businesses.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a DIY enthusiast, or someone curious about exploring a new industry, Mona’s story is full of valuable insights and encouragement. Got a question?? Send me an email.

MENTIONED:

• SSG Appliance Academy
• Watch my vintage dresser makeover on YouTube! 

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• Furniture Painting Classes!
• Join the WAITLIST for my EmPOWER Tools 101 online course!

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WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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I don't know about you...but in this economy, I need a side gig! Have you ever considered selling your refinished furniture on Facebook Marketplace? I've started dipping my toe into selling furniture online, and although it hasn't been very long, I've learned a few important things that you've got to keep in mind before you start selling on Facebook Marketplace! It's a great way to bring in another stream of income in this tough economy, while allowing you to exercise your creative muscle. Let's talk about how to do it right! Have you ever sold your refinished pieces of furniture on FB Marketplace? I'd love to hear your how it's going for you! Send me an email.

MENTIONED:

• Watch my vintage dresser makeover on YouTube! 
• ChatGPT
• Facebook Marketplace

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• Furniture Painting Classes!
• Join the WAITLIST for my EmPOWER Tools 101 online course!

Support the show

WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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In this episode, I’m sharing my recent struggles with feeling uninspired and disconnected from the projects that used to spark joy for me. Life has been “lifin’,” and honestly, social media hasn’t helped. 

I’ll talk about how anxiety that social media creates shuts down creativity, why taking a step back from social media might be exactly what you need, and the small changes I’m making to protect my creative spark. Let’s take back our creativity, ditch the pressure to "measure up", and create for the love of creating again.

Don’t forget to check out the blog post! Want to share your thoughts on this episode or have a question? Email me serena@ thriftdiving.com or on Instagram @ThriftDiving.

MENTIONED & RESOURCES

• Why We Lose Our Creative Spark - Episode #147
• Join the WAIT LIST for my EmPOWER Tools 101 online course! 

RESOURCES

• Beyond Anxiety - Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life’s Purpose by Martha Beck (Buy on Amazon)

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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• TikTok
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Support the show

WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

Subscribe to my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/thriftdiving

Let’s Connect!

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I have a confession: I haven't been feeling very creative lately. I've been working on projects behind-the-scenes, but I haven't felt that same creative spark and excitement. I've felt stuck and absorbed in other things, particularly family matters. It made me wonder if you've felt this way at times, too? What can we do to reignite our creativity? Listen in as I share personal stories on why I think we temporarily lose our creativity and how we can try to bring it back.

Want to share your thoughts on this episode or have a question? Email me serena@ thriftdiving.com or on Instagram @ThriftDiving.

MENTIONED & RESOURCES

• Console Table I Built with a Friend! (YouTube)
• My Son Left for College (blog post)
• BEFORE & AFTER: Hakimah's Bathroom Makeover (blog post)
• Workbench Makeover (Youtube)
• Wiring the Electricity in My "She Shed" (Video)

RESOURCES

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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• Facebook
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• TikTok
• Twitter

Support the show

WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

Subscribe to my YouTube channel:
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Let’s Connect!

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I talk a lot about power tools, but I often don't mention all the hand tools that are most important for your DIY toolbox! Join me and listener, Elizabeth, who is a former shop teacher, as we talk about all the hand tools that you should put on your list to invest in for your workshop!

Want to share your thoughts on this episode or have a question we didn't answer? Email me serena@ thriftdiving.com or on Instagram @ThriftDiving.

MENTIONED & RESOURCES

• BEFOER & AFTER Bathroom Makeover! (YouTube)
• Watch all of Bathroom Week! (YouTube)
• Woodpecker Tools
• Festool Tools (affiliate link)
• Rust-Oleum rust remover
• Back saw
• Nail set
• Tape measure with auto-lock and fractions

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

Subscribe to my YouTube channel:
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Let’s Connect!

• Blog
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok
• Twitter

Support the show

WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

Subscribe to my YouTube channel:
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Let’s Connect!

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In this episode,  my friend and I discuss how I got started with Thrift Diving, the evolution of my brand, and the challenges and rewards of running a DIY blog and YouTube channel. From thrift store finds to major brand partnerships, we cover it all. I'm chatting in this episode with Laura Rudder, a loyal Thrift Diving reader turned dear friend. Laura originally interviewed me about personal topics in Episodes #113 and #114, and now she's back to dive deep into the business side of Thrift Diving.

We discuss  Tune in to learn more about my journey, get inspired, and hear some behind-the-scenes stories that shaped Thrift Diving. Don't miss this insightful and fun conversation!

Want to share your thoughts on this episode or have a question we didn't answer? Email me serena@ thriftdiving.com or on Instagram @ThriftDiving.

PODCAST EPISODES MENTIONED

• Getting to Know the REAL Serena Appiah - #113
• Getting to Know the REAL Serena Appiah - #114
• How $400,000 in Habitat ReStore Sales (and Volunteers, Sweat Equity!) Fuels Affordable Homes for Families! - #107

MENTIONED & RESOURCES

• Building a Floating Deck - YouTube
• How to Insulate Your Windows with Plastic - YouTube
• Diary of a CEO Podcast with Stephen Bartlett
• Diary of a CEO: 33 Laws of Business and Life - Amazon
• Haven Conference
• Workbench Con
• Brianna Shelko on Instagram
• How to Use a Jigsaw - YouTube

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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• Blog
• YouTube

Support the show

WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

Subscribe to my YouTube channel:
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Let’s Connect!

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