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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Lauren Venell

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and

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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Natalie Cuen

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and

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The importance of off-line networking, Creativelive tour + eight business classes you need to take right now

Days when I’m knee deep in spreadsheets and I never think I’m going to make a dent in my overflowing inbox, I look up at

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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Maddie Spoto

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and

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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Kelly Affleck

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and

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How to Make DIY Circle Confetti Coasters with Sizzix

During my twenties and early thirties at-home entertaining was pretty much one of my favorite things to plan for a Sunday afternoon or weekday evening.

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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with T&A Leather

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and

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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Keri Cleverly

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we’re sharing tips and

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How to Make Washi Tape Mason Jar Solar Lights

My obsession with washi tape runs deep. Almost as deep as my obsession with hanging out in my backyard. Since I work from home, working

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Why Attend a Creative Conference? An interview with Vennice James

Welcome to our interview series about attending creative conferences! Since our Craftcation Conference is just around the corner (March 26-29, 2015) we wanted to share

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How to Make DIY Fancy Glitter Holiday Shoes

The night I got introduced the wonderfulness that a little glitter could add to a pair of shoes was also the night I found out

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How to Make a Winter Woodland Snow Globe

Growing up in Southern California with parents who weren’t big on traveling, I didn’t have a chance to fully experience a white winter until my

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10 WAYS TO ASSESS IF AN OPPORTUNITY IS RIGHT FOR YOU + YOUR BUSINESS

“I’m pretty sure my eyeball is about to fall out,” my husband said last week. It was our day off and we were shuttling between

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The Best of Seattle

Welcome to Part Three of our Pacific Northwest tour – The Best of Seattle. Delilah and I had so much fun in Portland, as you

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The Best of Portland, Oregon – Part Two

Welcome to part two of our two part series on our favorite spots in Portland, Oregon. If you missed the first installment of this series

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The Best of Portland, Oregon – Part One

It’s a pretty awesome feeling to be on a road trip with someone you’ve known since the day you were born and realize that after

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How to Make a Patchwork Adjustable Camera Strap

I have a vintage tin cracker box on my dresser. The box has traveled with me for over 20 years to the nearly 20 different

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The Truth About Vision Boards

If I hadn’t gotten a really bad case of the flu five years ago I probably wouldn’t have heard the term vision board until a

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How to throw a backyard karaoke party

My favorite karaoke bar in my town closed down last year. Although I love karaoke, I’m not a diehard karaoke junkie but a few times

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Printing the perfect business card + an Oubly giveaway

I remember my mother sitting at the kitchen table clipping coupons for hours when I was a kid. I’d be in the living room half-watching

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Goat Cheese, Sriracha + Artichoke Dip Recipe

The first time I ate artichoke dip was at my aunts house (not Delilah but one of my other aunts). The backyard was bustling. Kids

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How to Make an Instagram Photo Pillow

I’ve carried a camera with me just about everywhere for most of my life. At first was one of those long 1990s 110 cameras that

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25 Ways to recharge creativity + motivation + combat feeling overwhelmed

“How do you do all of that stuff?” This is a question I get asked often by people who know me, as well as by

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How to Make a Keychain Ear Bud Pouch

One of my kitchen cupboards does not stay closed. I spent a year closing the cabinet, leaving the kitchen and sitting down in the dining

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A few years ago, I couldn’t get on a plane witho A few years ago, I couldn’t get on a plane without spiraling into anxiety.

I’d find any excuse not to go anywhere that required flying—“Oh no, I already have plans that weekend” (I didn’t) or “I’m not really interested in going there” (I was).

Seriously, what kind of bananas person turns down a trip to Hawaii? Me. I was that person.

Eventually, I decided I didn’t want fear making my travel plans for me. So I did the work—therapy, breathing exercises, distraction crafts that fit on a tray table, overpacking snacks, and yes, a little Xanax. Baby steps. All the things.

Last month, I flew solo to Columbus, Ohio, to meet my mastermind group (@natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio) for our first in-person hangout after meeting virtually since February.

We balanced our time between deep business talks—what’s working, what’s not, what we’re dreaming up next—and exploring the best spots in Columbus.

Natalie—our host and unofficial Columbus spokesperson—planned the most thoughtful trip, and I fell completely in love with the city.

It felt so good to be in person with these brilliant women who constantly inspire and challenge me in the best ways. I’m grateful I stopped letting fear decide where I get to go—because this trip reminded me what’s waiting on the other side of it.

#smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssupport #anxiousmind #mastermind #creativesupport
A few years ago, I couldn’t get on a plane witho A few years ago, I couldn’t get on a plane without spiraling into anxiety.

I’d find any excuse not to go anywhere that required flying—“Oh no, I already have plans that weekend” (I didn’t) or “I’m not really interested in going there” (I was).

Seriously, what kind of bananas person turns down a trip to Hawaii? Me. I was that person.

Eventually, I decided I didn’t want fear making my travel plans for me. So I did the work—therapy, breathing exercises, distraction crafts that fit on a tray table, overpacking snacks, and yes, a little Xanax. Baby steps. All the things.

Last month, I flew solo to Columbus, Ohio, to meet my mastermind group (@natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio) for our first in-person hangout after meeting virtually since February.

We balanced our time between deep business talks—what’s working, what’s not, what we’re dreaming up next—and exploring the best spots in Columbus.

Natalie—our host and unofficial Columbus spokesperson—planned the most thoughtful trip, and I fell completely in love with the city.

It felt so good to be in person with these brilliant women who constantly inspire and challenge me in the best ways. I’m grateful I stopped letting fear decide where I get to go—because this trip reminded me what’s waiting on the other side of it.

#smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssupport #anxiousmind #mastermind #creativesupport
If you found this, you’re probably one of my peo If you found this, you’re probably one of my people.

I send monthly letters to folks like you — about creativity, self-trust, and what it really looks like to live a creative life that feels like yours.

To join the list comment: NICOLESNEWS
If you found this, you’re probably one of my peo If you found this, you’re probably one of my people.

I send monthly letters to folks like you — about creativity, self-trust, and what it really looks like to live a creative life that feels like yours.

To join the list comment: NICOLESNEWS
I took a stained glass workshop at @gooddeacraftsc I took a stained glass workshop at @gooddeacraftschool in Columbus, Ohio and had the best time.

Kara, the co-owner and instructor, was incredible—patient, clear, and so much fun to learn from. (Huge thanks to @natterdoodles for magically making this connection happen!)

I loved it so much that I immediately invited Kara to come teach at @craftcationconference —and she said yes! 🙌 This year we’ll have four stained glass workshops, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Want to make stained glass with us—and spend five days by the beach filled with 200+ craft and business workshops, inspiration, and community? Join me at Craftcation! Early bird registration is open now.

BTW: This stained glass workshop was part of a mastermind trip with @natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio, and it was exactly the creative adventure I didn’t know I needed. Natalie planned the entire trip—every stop, every meal, every detail—perfection.

I completely fell in love with Columbus: the people, the food, the creativity everywhere you look. I’ll be sharing a full recap soon, but let’s just say this trip filled my cup in all the best ways.

P.S. Thanks to @natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio for capturing some of the video clips!
I took a stained glass workshop at @gooddeacraftsc I took a stained glass workshop at @gooddeacraftschool in Columbus, Ohio and had the best time.

Kara, the co-owner and instructor, was incredible—patient, clear, and so much fun to learn from. (Huge thanks to @natterdoodles for magically making this connection happen!)

I loved it so much that I immediately invited Kara to come teach at @craftcationconference —and she said yes! 🙌 This year we’ll have four stained glass workshops, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Want to make stained glass with us—and spend five days by the beach filled with 200+ craft and business workshops, inspiration, and community? Join me at Craftcation! Early bird registration is open now.

BTW: This stained glass workshop was part of a mastermind trip with @natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio, and it was exactly the creative adventure I didn’t know I needed. Natalie planned the entire trip—every stop, every meal, every detail—perfection.

I completely fell in love with Columbus: the people, the food, the creativity everywhere you look. I’ll be sharing a full recap soon, but let’s just say this trip filled my cup in all the best ways.

P.S. Thanks to @natterdoodles and @bobodesignstudio for capturing some of the video clips!

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