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How to take your business to the next level with a mastermind group
Business Tips

How to take your business to the next level with a mastermind group

ByRebecca Pitts June 12, 2015August 1, 2015

Editor’s Note: We are so excited to welcome our newest Dear Handmade Life contributor Rebecca Pitts the founder and owner of Hudson + Daughter. Her first topic, taking your business to the next level with a mastermind group is right…

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

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

ByNicole Stevenson November 7, 2014

“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 Costco, the grocery store and the hardware shop, prepping up for the week, like real…

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The Best of Seattle
Adventures

The Best of Seattle

ByNicole Stevenson October 29, 2014October 30, 2014

Welcome to Part Three of our Pacific Northwest tour – The Best of Seattle. Delilah and I had so much fun in Portland, as you know, if you’ve been keeping up with our posts about the trip. Here’s the best…

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The Best of Portland, Oregon – Part One
Adventures

The Best of Portland, Oregon – Part One

ByNicole Stevenson October 10, 2014October 14, 2014

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 10 hours of driving you haven’t even thought about putting on music or one of…

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The Truth About Vision Boards
Business Tips

The Truth About Vision Boards

ByNicole Stevenson September 12, 2014September 12, 2014

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 few years later. I’d been living out of my parent’s house for well over a…

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Printing the perfect business card + an Oubly giveaway
Business Tips

Printing the perfect business card + an Oubly giveaway

ByNicole Stevenson September 5, 2014September 11, 2014

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 one of my favorite shows like Three’s Company or Punky Brewster while I agonized over…

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how to make an embroidered wood circle necklace
DIY Projects

how to make an embroidered wood circle necklace

ByNicole Stevenson May 21, 2014July 17, 2014

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 table my dad made in wood shop when he was in high school. This obsession…

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the benefits of having an accountability partner
Business Tips

the benefits of having an accountability partner

ByKari Chapin February 12, 2014July 22, 2014

My long held desire for complete freedom has served me well. I’ll be the first person to admit that taking the less chosen road almost every single time, left me with some, um… bad habits. I’m the kind of girl…

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how to set intentions and accomplish your goals
Business Tips

how to set intentions and accomplish your goals

ByKari Chapin January 15, 2014January 2, 2015

Editor’s note: We are so happy to welcome Kari Chapin to Dear Handmade Life. I read Kari’s book: The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally and On-line after I’d already been running my crafty business Random Nicole…

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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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