My 4 words

My four words

My 2015 amazing Biz and life workbook 

It's that time of year again when I start planning for next year and looking back on the year that was. 

Looking back at my workbooks for the beginning of last year I found an almost forgotten page- my 4 guiding words (or mantra) for my business for the year. Written down in January I don't think I've glanced at them since, but looking at them at the end of the year, I think I chose well and I'd like to keep applying myself to them. I intend to print them out and put them where I'll see them every day 

 1. Abundance

a·bun·dance 

noun

1.

an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply: an abundance of grain.

2.

overflowing fullness: abundance of the heart.

3.

affluence; wealth: the enjoyment of abundance.

I'm aiming for all three (well maybe not the grain, but you know what I mean) Having enough, giving more to others so they feel the abundance, and thereby me receiving abundance from them. The feeling that I've got enough of everything and I'm not going without, not having that panicky feeling that I may not be able top afford a big bill that's on the way (or the unexpected speeding fine that I somehow get every now and then!)

2. Brand

"Unique design, sign, symbol, words, or a combination of these,employed in 

creating an image that identifies a product and differentiates it from 

its competitors. Over time, this image becomes associated with a level of 

credibility, quality, and satisfaction in the consumer's mind. 

Thus brands help harried consumers in crowded and complex marketplace, by 

standing for certain benefits  and value. A legal name for a brand is trademark 

and, when it identifies or represents a firm, it is called a brand name."


Put more simply, a “brand” is what my prospective customer thinks of when he or she hears my brand name.  It’s everything the public thinks it knows about my name brand offering—both factual (e.g. It comes in a robin’s-egg-blue box), and emotional (e.g. It’s romantic).  My brand name (or logo) exists objectively; people can see it.  It’s fixed.  But my brand exists only in someone’s mind.

What does Jacqstar Creations mean to you? What are the first words/ images that come to mind? 

They may not be what I have in mind but that's OK. I'm trying to establish my brand and make it cohesive and easy to understand.

Having said that, it's evolving, as am I and won't be the same in 5 years as it is now. 

3. Learn

I ADORE learning new things and anyone who knows me knows that I'm a font of trivial information (which only comes in handy when you're on my team in a Trivia contest), but I love learning new facts or techniques. And if you run a business you need to keep updating not only your business and financial goals and plans, but also your creative ideas and techniques. 

You never stop learning,  and I never want to lose my child-like fascination with new things.

Things I want to learn this year to enhance my business:

• Wool dyeing techniques
• I'd love to learn to spin my own wool but I'll have to save up to get a spinning wheel
• SEO (search engine optimisation) and general internet-y stuff
• How to build a better blog (gonna learn/ figure out Wordpress this year)
• Pattern designing 

There's more, but it's best not to over commit myself, and  as the year goes on, I'll add and change things.

4. Professional 

I've got a hobby business but I still treat it professionally and expect to be treated with the same professionalism. I'm striving to make things better and more professional, and bit by bit will get there. It's a matter of thinking big :)

From little things big things grow.  

 **********

What are your 4 words?

They don't have to be business related, what simple words/ concepts can you apply to your life for next year?   

If 4 are too many (and I'm wondering whether I'll be able to focus on all four) choose one or two that you'd like  to focus on. 

I'd love to hear your words. 

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 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 Creations - behind the scenes

Wanna be in my tribe?

Tribe

no not that kind of tribe...

This kind of tribe:

Jacqstar's tribe

If you believe in any of the following, you're one of my tribe... 

I believe in old fashioned creativity.

 I believe in getting your hands dirty- gardening, cooking, finger painting.

 I believe that giving hand-made gifts means so much more than just  
   buying  them at the shops even if the quality isn't as good).

 I believe that growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

 I believe in manners.

 I believe that everyone is creative and contributes something wonderful     to the world.

 I believe in miracles.

 I believe in singing and laughing and dancing (sometimes all at once).

 I believe in unicorns.

 I believe that if you believe in it and want it badly enough it will happen.

 I believe in bright colours.

 I believe in releasing my inner child as often as I can.

 I believe in just giving it a go, even if it's a total failure (failures aren't   failures, they're lessons).

 I believe in sitting on the floor.

 I believe in stretching.

 I believe in hugs.

 I believe in YOU

So if any of this resonates with you and you'd like to hear more , please sign up to my mailing list and pop along to my Facebook page 

Jacqui xx

Win a beautiful snuggly cowl!

Love this peacock-coloured cowl?

WIN IT!!!

Simply sign up to my monthly newsletter 

and automatically go into the draw to win it. 

(Link is to the top right ----->)

Made with Cleckheaton Artisan 12 ply 

50% wool,the colours run from teal 

blue through browns, green and purples. 

Knitted in the round with a twist, it's 

beautifully warm and not too long. 

Competition ends 30th of April 

2014. 

Winner will be notified on my Facebook page by Friday the 2nd of May.