Starmaker

Here I am, in my Secret Lair (or craft cave) making a crocheted star, one of about 500 I need to make for my Christmas Range.

September is Self care month

I'm on a mission this month to look after myself. I've decided to listen to what my body is telling me for once. I'm not on a health kick or a diet (although I hope I do lose a few kilos as a result) 

For example, the past few evenings when  I was about to pour myself a soft drink, I stopped and thought about what I really wanted. I was thirsty and my body was craving water so I poured myself a big glass and enjoyed it. Today my body told me it needed a caramel slice and I enjoyed that sucker down to the last crumb!

I intend to walk as often as I can, get more sleep and eat less. I want to slow down, look around me and in me too. And I hope my body appreciates it.

So, if you think it's a good idea, I've got a free 'self care September' desktop wallpaper for you if you want to come along on this journey with me. 

Here's one that you can use as a wallpaper for your pc/laptop;

And because what I'm going to do to help myself isn't always the best for everyone, here's a blank one for you to add your own ideas...

So, to use these just right click the image and click on  'save image as' and then once you've got the saved image you can save as desktop.

I hope these are of use to you, I've got it printed out and stuck to my wall so I can remind myself of my promise.

Take care,
Jacqui xx

Jacqstar - a month in the life (part four - the last bit)

The lovely Jess from Create and Thrive  has organised an Instagram challenge for handcrafters called 'A Month in the Life' in which we post a picture each day of our businesses based on a different theme each day: (See part three here)

Create and thrive a month in the life

Day 22  - Goal

My attempt to write out the pattern to the shawl I'm making 

I normally make from other people's patterns but my goal is to be more creative and come up with my own ideas. Lately I've  been madly jotting down ideas and trying to actually make them work. I also want to learn the shorthand symbols for crocheting, which at this stage looks like hieroglyphics. Wish me luck!

Day 23 - Why?

This is why...

Why do I create? Why do I bother? Because it fills my soul and completes me. I'm my truest self when I'm painting, as it allows me to switch off and be in the moment, which I find very hard at other times.

Day 24 - Neighbourhood

My new friend

Now I live in a pretty ordinary neighbourhood, but I'm near bushland and some of the neighbours are really cool (and friendly when they think food is around) so here's a mate of mine...

Day 25 - Work Clothes

My work clothes (most of the time)

More often than not I'm at home in front of the TV crocheting in my jim jams.It's been a chilly winter so I've been all rugged up in my flannies and my Peter Alexander 'Dorothy' slippers.

Day 26 - In Situ

The Bride and her Maid of Honour 

/ɪn ˈsɪtjuː/

adverb, adjective (postpositive) 

1.

in the natural, original, or appropriate position

I was asked by a client what I had in white for a wedding. I managed to come up with a few things so here is the gorgeous Bride and her Maid of Honour wearing their crocheted hats. 

Day 27 - Learn

Apps for Sellers

I love learning new things and there is so much to learn when you're trying to run a business. I recently went to a free Brisstyle seminar for crafters on online selling. So much information :)

Day 28 - In the World

Creative Markets, Springwood

Here I am out in the world at my latest market stall at the Creative Markets Springwood.

Day 30 - Treasured

This is 'Music of the Night'. I painted this in a day-long art class with acrylic paint using only palette knives and fabric paint. I'ts quite large and it's the painting I'm most proud of. I sold it a few years ago to my boyfriend, so I  can visit it whenever I like!

Day 31 - support

My two favourite people

On the left is me with my Bestie- she provides the trestle tables, ideas and lots of moral support every market day. 

On the right is me with my lovely boyfriend, who is my number one fan and provides the muscle and lots of lollies when I'm doing markets. I couldn't do without either of them!

That's the end of the Create and Thrive A month in the life Instagram challenge. I've enjoyed sharing myself and my little biz with you and I hope you've enjoyed the ride.

Love,

Jacqui xx

Jacqstar- a month in the life (part three)

Week Three of Create and Thrive's a month in the life

(see week two here)

The lovely Jess from Create and Thrive has organised an Instagram challenge called 'A Month in the life in which we post a picture each day of our businesses based on a different theme, so I thought I'd share my photos and the stories behind them:

Day 15: Rest 

Mmmmmmm Cake...

To relax for me usually involves a coffee shop (I love Wray organics) some cake and either a book or my crocheting. I love to people watch or just dive into a good book and get away from the electronic distractions at least for a little while. 

Day 16: view 

Nice view

This is the view out the window of my craft room. Some mornings there are ducks swimming in the pool. I can't wait until it gets warmer so I can get back into it and shed some of the Winter kilos.  

Day 17: photography 

Jacqstar's funky photos

I'm not all that great at taking photos but I've got a few faves that I've made prints of and framed. This one is my favourite, a streetlight in Melbourne. 

You can see more of my photos here...

Day 18: Customer 

What a little cutie

My customers are mainly women, occasionally children and men but I couldn't resist sharing this pic. I made this hoot beanie for a friend's nephew but her dog got in first to model the beanie for me. What a cutie!

Here's another happy customer with her scarf:

Natalie

This is my gorgeous cousin Kelly, owner of Bright Pink on Facebook and love of all things Pink (naturally)

Kelly

And, the cutest of them all...

The cutest of them all...

Day 19: tools 

my Smiggle toolbox 

I've got a cute smiggle pencil case that I keep my crochet hooks, wool needles, stitch counters and scissors in and it zips up so I don't lose anything. I take it everywhere with me. I just invested in some bamboo crochet hooks and I'm loving them! 

Day 20: finished 

Eco friendly cowl and beanie

I made this beanie and cowl from soy protein wool. It's beautifully soft and warm and is made from Eco friendly products. It's for sale too! 

Sparkly!

This one is the first in my new Burlesque collection but it was snapped up by a bride wanting something to keep her warm in the evening after her ceremony.

I love the colours in this wool

This is another cowl made from Soy protein and wool. It's incredibly warm and light.

Day 21:  Morning 

Oh what a beautiful morning...

The sunlight and shadows crawl across my wardrobe

I usually wake up 20 mins or so before I have to get up and I watch the sun make patterns on my wardrobe and light up the affirmations to remind me to be thankful each morning. 

That's it for week three, one more to go.
See you next week...

Jacqui xx

Jacqstar- a month in the life (part two)

Week two of Create and Thrive's a month in the life 

(see week one Here)

The lovely Jess from Create and Thrive  has organised an Instagram challenge for handcrafters called 'A Month in the Life' in which we post a picture each day of our businesses based on a different theme each day, so I thought I'd share my photos and my stories behind them:

Day 8: Branding

My Brand 

The top is how I sign my paintings, and a friend digitized and tweaked it and made it into a logo for me. My key colours are peacock inspired - teal blue, green purple and gold. 

The bottom is my business card. I wanted something that represented letting loose creatively and looked arty. 

Day 9: Me

The many sides of Jacqstar

These are the many sides of me. Silly, quirky, fun. I love a dress up party and tend to strike a pose whenever a camera is produced. 

Day 10: Inspiration 

Hands up...

I find my inspiration everywhere and at the oddest moments (in the shower, grocery shopping etc.) But I'm really out to help inspire others to being out their inner creatives.For this purpose, I'm working on a series of 'butterfly ladies' drawings to help others find their creative wings and to soar to new places.

Day 11: Assistants 

Murray and Edith Head

These are my ever faithful assistants, Murray and Edith Head (though I suspect Murray is a bit of a girl). They've modelled all sorts of hats, beanies and scarves for me and have never complained. They don't eat much either! 

Day 12: Favourite

Tree of Love

This is my 'tree of life' painting and would have to be the favourite painting that I've done so far. It encompasses some of my favourite things. I love drawing / painting curly branched trees- there's something about the curves that I like and find soothing. And I'm using some of my fave colours- pinks and purples. It's also finished with some shimmery paint and I love all things shiny and glittery! 

Day 13: Post Office 

My local post box

I don't often need to post my stock as I mostly sell to friends (and friends of friends) and at the markets. But when I do, it's just a leisurely stroll down the end of my street to the post box. 

Day 14:  Vignette 

Vignette

The definition of vignette is: a short impressionistic scene that focuses on one moment or gives a trenchant impression about a character, idea, setting, or object. 

This one was a hard one for me. I needed to provide a snapshot of what my business is, but I have interests in so many things and I really don't want Jacqstar to just be about crocheting. I love to paint, share my photos and my sketches and mostly to inspire people to be creative. 

A couple of years ago I was worried that I had to only pick one thing and stick to it but I'm eclectic in my tastes so I've made my business just as eclectic!

Stay tuned for week three...

P.S. follow me on Instagram http://instagram.com/jacqstarcreations/

Love,
Jacqui xx

Jacqstar - a month in the life (part one)

The lovely Jess from Create and Thrive  has organised an Instagram challenge for handcrafters called 'A Month in the Life' in which we post a picture each day of our businesses based on a different theme each day: 

Create and thrive a month in the life

So I thought I'd share my photos and my stories behind them. 

Day 1: Workspace 

Secret Lair (very messy)

                                      

This is the Spare Room. Also known as Jacqstar's secret Lair (I've always wanted a lair- it sounds so cool!), the Creative Cave, or most recently the junk room :)  At the moment, there's stuff everywhere, as I'm in the middle if several projects and working my way through Leonie Dawson's Double your Biz programme. 

Double Your Biz Programme

Day 2: Hands

                           

I didn't have someone Handy (see what I did there???) to take pictures of my hands in action so I improvised. I suppose wool is my first passion, followed closely by paint. If truth be told, I care less abou the medium and more about the colours. Oh how I love colours! 

Day 3: Work in Progress. 

One of my many works in progress

Wow. I started this over a year ago, and it still hasn't progressed much further than what you see here. I have no idea what it's going to be- I don't think it has decided yet. 

Day 4: Raw Materials. 

some of my raw materials

As I've said, the medium is secondary to the colours and textures, but I do love shiny glittery things. I love to feel the softness of the wool. I'm very sensory so as long as it appeals to a couple of senses I'm in love with it! 

Day 5: Sketchbook

a few of my musings on paper

I had forgotten what was in my sketchbook- it's been so long since I've even opened them. Looking at my ideas has inspired me to get back into sketching and getting all the pictures in my head out onto paper. 

Day 6: Action

but she had wings...

I don't have any shots of me in Action. But this is my Action plan. My dream board reminds me of what I want from my business and where I need to go. It's my who what when were and why -  It keeps me moving in the right direction. 

Day 7: Packaging 

brown paper packages tied up with string...

I use old knitting and crochet patterns and wrap them up with scraps of wool that are too short to do much else with. Mum taught me to waste not want not, so I'm the ultimate recycler :) 

That's the end of the first week. See you same time next week for week 2

P.S. follow me on Instagram http://instagram.com/jacqstarcreations/

Love, 

Jacqui xx