newblog - Nicole Stevenson

how to make to a painted geometric wood necklace

A few days ago someone asked me, “what’s the thing you do that when you do it you loose track of time and your mind

are you ready to hire a rep for your creative handmade business

“Where’s the rest of your line?” The woman asked as she pulled my shirts out of a Trader Joe’s paper sack. “My line?” I had

16 must-listen podcasts for creatives

In the spring and fall I spend 70+ hours alone in a car driving back and forth between southern and northern california for our events.

how to build a wooden raised bed planter box

The first time I ever tasted something that didn’t end up in my mouth via the grocery store, I was seven. My mom and I

how to make an embroidered wood circle necklace

Wood is one of my all-time favorite materials to use in my diy craft projects. My love affair with wood started with the little side

how to make soy candles

Remember the whole story about my heartbreak and how it led to me leaving my house in Los Angeles and moving in with Delilah in

how to sew a vinyl applique luggage tag

At one point in my life I went nearly five years with getting on an airplane. This may not seem like a huge deal to some

13 Business tools that help keep me from going berserk

You all know Delilah and I are busy gals. We each run our own businesses as well as three businesses together – Craftcation Conference, Patchwork

diy washi tape and image transfer candles

Just so you know: Dear Handmade Life received products from Scotch that we mentioned in this post. However, we only write about and recommend products

protect your business: tips on intellectual property, trademark + copyright

*Editor’s note from Nicole: When I started my first ‘real’ (not the refrigerator box stationary shop on my front lawn when I was six) business

why i attend conferences

This week Delilah and I were interviewed on Work Life Branding, a web series hosted by Steph Calvert (Hearts and Laserbeams) and Nicole Longstreath (The Wardrobe

how to submit a successful craft show application

“Thank you for your application but we regret that we can’t offer you a space at our upcoming craft show.” The first time

camp mighty, slumber parties and frozen underwear

In the morning I pulled my underwear out of the freezer. They were covered in toothpaste and water and they were frozen solid. I had

how to be better at accepting criticism of your artistic work

the return to modern domesticity and girly graphic design a few months ago i posted about how the first patchwork show never would have happened

ten questions every entrepreneur should ask themselves

ten questions every entrepreneur should ask themselves Generally, when I have a problem I can figure out steps to move towards a solution. If I

Taking risks in business, life and creativity

I fear snakes. I fear airplanes and being buried alive. And yes, even in my late thirties I have an intense fear of being kidnapped.

the benefits of taking a break

the benefits of taking a break a few weeks ago my husband, seth told me a secret. we took the afternoon off and drove to

eight product packaging tips + all my ex’s

8 things your product packaging should be: if all my ex’s were in room together and a stranger walked in and was asked, “what do

marketing on a budget and growing your business

When I first started my clothing line, Random Nicole over a decade ago the internet was hardly a marketing tool for entrepreneurs the way it

how to build a chicken coop + raise backyard chickens

how to raise and care for backyard chickens Last week I found a mouse in my purse. I like to claim that I’m a little

basil, goat cheese + marcona almond stuffed apricots wrapped in proscuitto recipe + a little reminiscing about pintxos in san sebastian

i made these lovely basil, goat cheese + marcona almond stuffed apricots wrapped in prosciutto a few weeks ago for a pool party at my