Good to Know ... Insights for the Creative Life

In the past eight months, I have made it my mission to understand (or at least, participate in) social media. Please know that I do not do this because it comes naturally to me, even though I consider myself to be socially skilled. I do this because I've been told it is an important tool for success in the creative industries. When I first worked in the quilt industry in the 1970s, the Internet was not available, and we promoted ourselves in far-less immediate ways, like space advertising and public appearances, both of which took months to plan and implement. Today, I can take a piece of fiber folk art off of my work table at my Nestle and Soar studio, and within an hour, someone in London has heard about it, seen multiple photos of it, and purchased it. Gratifying? Immediately.

It is good to know that learning all about the social workings of this amazing electronic medium is not second nature to everyone, because no one really wants to feel like a lonely dork. So I have sought out others who absolutely "get it" and have picked up two good-to-know tips to share today. Now, this will either help you a lot, or you will think kindly that I am "late to the party". Either way, here you go!

Truths of Social Networks

“Everyone on social networks is motivated by some combination of the following human needs:

Love   Finding love, keeping up with loved ones, and so forth.

Self-expression/emotion   Sharing life’s details with friends.

Sharing opinions/influencing people   Using social media as a platform for influencing opinions, usually about politics, religion, or other things we don’t typically debate in person.

Showing off   Sharing life’s successes and/or achievements with others.

Fun/escapism/humor   Using social media to get a good laugh.

Memories and nostalgia   Catching up with old friends and sharing old stories.

Making money   Using social networks primarily to support professional pursuits.”

Chris Treadaway and Mari Smith in Facebook Marketing, 2010

An item on Pinterest that caught my eye...

There is another type of social media that I've begun to learn how to use, and this platform is inspirational for creativity...Pinterest. Have you gotten sucked into the wonderful world of Pinterest? Next to playing Mahjongg Legends when I have insomnia, this is my next favorite way to unwind. Pinterest is a club of sorts that members use to communicate things they've seen on the Internet that they like or even covet. When you see something that makes your eyes sparkle, you can "pin it" on a Pinterest virtual pin board. This is a social activity because other folks who like similar things as you can "follow" you on Pinterest and therefore see what you are pinning on your boards. Then, they can comment on the item, repin it onto their own board to show their followers, or even (and this is the commercial aspect of Pinterest), click through to the originating source of the item. This is a great way for creative folks who make items to sell show it all around the town with a touch of a button. I find Pinterest to be an amusing way to see good ideas, discover talented artists, and promote my own fiber folk art. In fact, if you go to my website, www.nestleandsoar.com, there is now a hot link that let's you follow me on Pinterest! Maybe sometime, perhaps in the middle of the night, you can see what I see in the whole-wide world of creativity!

Thanks for stopping by,

Georgianne

Aspen Grove Needle Felt Pillow -- New Design from Nestle and Soar

Aspen Grove, ©2012 Georgianne Holland

I am pleased to introduce you to the latest original needle felt design from my fiber folk art studio, Aspen Grove, a handmade tree pillow. I had a great time creating this wool on weaver's cloth pillow. Handmade embroidered pillows are often on my work table, but this design was off-and-then-on the table many times over the course of two months! I just couldn't land on how I would handle all of the forest elements. When I finally decided that the aspen tree leaves needed to be golden wool sheeting appliqued to the needle-felted landscape, I was finally able to finish this design.

I like to think of my handmade tree pillows as soft art for the home, especially when I tackle a landscape using wool roving. The texture of the wool roving when I needle felt is perfect for such a nature-inspired scene. No two pillows by Nestle and Soar are exactly alike, even when I am following my original designs! And beyond my own imagination, I love capturing my collector's favorite photos onto a pillow such as this...it is fun to receive a commission request with photos of a favorite vacation memory.

Aspen Grove Pillow, close up

What type of forest or woodland scene calls to your heart? Living in Colorado, an Aspen grove has a lot of meaning to me. Which type of tree to you think of when you think of forest? Please let me know, as this will give me inspiration for future pillows!

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Top 10 Tuesday

I have a wonderful list of my Top-10 to share with you today! I'm very excited to think that even some of these wonderful handmade items, organizations, books, or artists could become part of my day-to-day life! I would love for you to take a look and see what you think...post a comment and enter yourself into a drawing for a Nestle and Soar magnet set! I do love to hear what you think...

#1 KnittingShop on Etsy

I would love to make or buy this soft gold neck warmer. It is very stylish and can be buttoned-up in numerous ways. I've never had the guts to try cable knitting...this is going on my wish list. Thanks KnittingShop! You can find it here.

#2 Proteales on Etsy

This lovely Mood Necklace caught my eye, and I think it will catch the eye of others when you wear it! It's design is simple and the mood stone changes color, so it is as versatile as you are! You can find it here.

#3 Free Flying Boutique on Etsy

I have never learned how to crochet, but Jessie Bender of Free Flying Boutique has it mastered. Her Blue and Green Beaded Wire Crochet would work well with my wardrobe and sense of style. I have so many outfits that would work with this! I own two of her necklaces and feel special every time I wear them. Thanks, Jessie! You can find her here.

#4 Elizabeth Frank Artworks on Etsy

Isn't this Deer Song sculpture charming? It has been carved from aspen wood and the base is made from reclaimed vintage wood. Elizabeth's clever use of materials is one huge reason why I love her! She has many more pieces to choose from here.

#5 Lookout Studios and artist Patty Baker on Etsy

Patty's work inspires me because she does such a wonderful job capturing the spirit of nature using acrylics. The fluidity of this piece, Another Blustery Day, makes me feel like I am there, feeling the wind! You can find Patty here.

#6 Small Work in Wool and artist Susan M. Hinckley on Etsy

I have admired Susan's work at Colorado's revered gallery, Show of Hands, and each time I see a new piece, I'm thrilled! Beyond her charming work with wool and embroidery is her sense of humor, which she adds with words and sly expressions! You can find Susan here.

#7 American Art Therapy Association

This week I ran across a video by way of the Art Therapy website. Have you ever wondered how the artistic part of your life could impact others? Do you express your artistic side as a "medicinal" experience for yourself?

#8 Arbor Day Foundation

I remain steadfast in my support of this group and their efforts to keep trees healthy and plentiful in America. I found this great book this week and enjoy reading it with my evening tea. In the spring, we are planning to plant a Red Maple in our backyard! I'm very excited! Please support the Arbor Day Foundation here.

#9 Wool Felt Central

As a fiber artist, it is important that the sheet wool felt I use comes in the best colors, quality, and at a fair price. Here is my go-to supplier for wool sheet felt. I recommend them highly! Their customer service is top-notch, too!

#10 What Makes Me Smile this Week

I believe the world needs super heroes, and this one gets my vote today!

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Please remember to comment and I'll enter you into a drawing for a Nestle and Soar Magnet Set. Please watch the comment thread to see if you're the winner!

Best wishes 2011 -- Happy New Fortune 2012!

Folk Art Flag, 48"x27", in process, 2011 Georgianne Holland

We are in the midst of many "Lowlights of 2011" news reels in the media. In seeing these, do you feel like I do that 2011 was a very sobering, "knock-the-wind out of you" kind of year? I'm speaking on a global scale here, which of course is where we all live. With this in mind, for my last post of the year, I'd like to wish 2011 all my best.

I am a natural-born optimist, and because of this, I am looking forward to 2012!

I know that there will be a lot of news coverage from Iowa next week, where grown men will argue and degrade one another, and call it a job interview. I'm going to keep my optimism anyway.

I know that as an American living in the beautiful state of Colorado, I am extremely fortunate each time I lay my head on my pillow and kiss my husband good night -- and then again when we both wake up in a warm, peaceful home -- we are truly blessed. I am going to be optimistic about our situation and lift up others in their daily life. I'm going to wish happy good fortune to families around their world in their daily lives in 2012.

Peace on Earth -- Goodwill toward All

I am also an optimist as an artist, knowing that I am making my living in a field that is often populated with those who call themselves "starving" artists. I am going to continue pursuing my best work, learning new techniques, elevating the quality of my craftsmanship and design, as I also look to forge new friendships with my clients and collectors. I've never done well with the starving-thing anyway.

I send my best wishes to you, oh historic 2011! It is time for you to come to a close. I choose to think about all the positive happenings of the year, at least as much as I think about natural disasters and bad decisions. I will put my focus on what went right with the belief that we get more of what we think about. And I think about chocolate, a lot.

As Will Rogers said, "Don't let yesterday use up too much of today." Amen

Happy New Year to each of you and thank you for your support of Nestle and Soar Studio. I know myself to be truly blessed.

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Embroidered Pillows at Nestle and Soar Studio

Folk Art Flower Pillow on linen, Georgianne Holland ©2011

When I was a young woman setting up my first home, I didn't really know what I was doing, but I did know what I wanted: a superior home with elegant decor.

This was a tall order for a time in my life when my furnishings consisted of hand-me-downs and cinder block/pine board bookshelves!

The dreams of youth are a great way to start building a life, and over the years, I have learned to make home decor as well as learned how to earn money to buy the wonderful decorative elements that grace my home. One good example of this is the hand embroidered pillows I make at Nestle and Soar, like this Folk Art Flower Pillow. My taste in home decor now leans more toward finely crafted fiber folk art than it does anything gilded or elegant, and in my way of thinking, this is superior in every way!

The wool felt circles used in this decorative pillow design are stacked and hand-embroidered. The bright colors are very popular in home decor today. This design is my fun take on the ever-popular Penny Rug design in folk art, where concentric circles are hand embroidered into delightful designs. I've added bead work and buttons to some of the hand embroidered pillows I sell in limited edition at www.nestleandsoar.com. Each month I offer a unique assortment of colors, types, and sizes of decorative pillows. 

Spring Tree Needle Felt Pillow, © 2010

Do you also dream of decorating a first home or redecorating your long-loved home for the new year? My clients are stocking up on decorative pillows and pillow covers that reflect their love of nature. I've seen this same trend everywhere! What isn't everywhere are handmade bird pillows and tree pillows that are handmade in America in limited editions. Making special home decor using time-honored needle art skills is the joy of my professional life as a fiber artist! That is also one of my favorite ways to focus my Needle Felting fine craft at Nestle and Soar. The handmade bird pillows and tree pillows I create come in ever-changing designs and are an absolute thrill for me to create!

Setting up a home is not new to me, and perhaps it is not new to you, either. Do you agree that sometimes, it is not the big-ticket item that makes a home cozy and special, but instead, it is the little things that make home comfortable...and that works whether you are making your home feel superior for the first time or the 100th time!

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne 

Releasing clutter from our home and our mind

As I will be spending more time today decorating our home for the holidays, the topic of clutter of the home and the mind is a bit comical. This time of year, it seems that life is cluttered with things, obligations, and if you are like me, a half-finished project in almost every room!

This is also the time of year when I begin thinking about what I'd like to do better (or perhaps stop doing) in the year ahead. Making resolutions has not worked well for me, but thinking through my situation always seems to have rewards.

The clutter in my mind is actually more of a problem than the pile of unwrapped gifts or mismatched socks. When do thoughts tip the balance and become clutter?

• We've always done it this way!
• I dread doing this, but I said I would, so I will.
• Who would I be without "my story"?
• I couldn't live without [fill in the blank] in my life!
• Some force on my part is necessary to speed up the process.
• I'm not sure God can handle this...It is time for some supportive worrying.
• If I could just fix this one thing about myself,  life would be perfect.
• If I could just fix this one thing about [fill in the blank], life would be perfect.

It is important to me that the creative process of my Nestle and Soar studio be safeguarded, and perhaps you, too, have a creative life that can become bound-up with physical and mental clutter. As I make my plans for a prosperous, healthy, and joy-filled 2012, here are my clutter-busters for the new year:

• Try a new technique or use a new material in my folk art every month.
• Say yes with enthusiasm to only the projects that are exciting to me.
• Take time every day to listen to the hopes and dreams of other creative people.
• Give away art supplies and materials I do not use.
• Trust in the creative process and when I feel rushed, take a walk around the block.
•  Notice moments of supportive worrying and call a friend to chat (or roll over and whisper in husband's ear). Create a quiet corner in my studio for reflection and meditation.
• There is nothing that needs to be fixed, as nothing is broken. Trust the creative process.
• People are not gracing my life as projects I'm supposed to organize. Write down three things I am grateful for about each person I decide to judge. When I feel judgmental about a fiber folk art project I am working on, set it aside for 48 hours. Laugh.

I hope that the next two weeks of your life are cluttered in just the right ways! I'm proud of the mess I'm making all around my home and folk art studio, for as my son use to say, this mess is a Sign of Life!

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne