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 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