This blog is a place for encouragement, color + design inspiration, tips for creative entrepreneurs and small business owners, and general creative musings.
Creative people need to be around creative people to thrive. When life is busy, it can be hard to make those connections, so the Art is a Record Creatives Community was born. Join our private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, share what you're working on, and be inspired. It is a place where we can share with confidence and encourage each other to grow. I hope you’ll join us!
As a creative child of the 90’s there was no gift more coveted than a Klutz Craft Kit. I grew up with Klutz friendship bracelet kits, cat’s cradle, hair wrap kits, beading kits, endless fun! Now, I’m a mom to two crafty kids and let me tell you… they’re even better now!
Read MoreOnce again, nature is the greatest place to look for color inspiration! Does anything make you long for warmer sunny days more than gorgeous flowers? All of the following images were taken by my sister in art, Natalie Lodicobond of photolodico, in Midland, Michigan.
Read MoreSo, you have a great branding package all ready to go and your graphic designer sends all your files for use… but there are so many different things… Why can’t I open this EPS file? What IS an EPS file? Why do I need this?
Read MoreIf you’ve visited the blog before, you know nature is my favorite place to look for color inspiration. This time I got to do a fun collaboration with my mom! In my opinion she takes portraits of birds…
Read MoreFour years ago, I was a stay at home mom with my DBA getting dusty on the shelf for Paper Heart Design. My girls were 2 and 5, so I was deep in the throes of young motherhood. I love my children so deeply, but there was something missing at that time in my life. There was a hole in my heart where I used to live.
Read MoreNature is always my favorite place to look for color inspiration. It’s time to crank up the AC/DC, because you’re about to be Thunderstruck.
Read MoreHi there, fellow business owner! There are a million things to juggle when you own a business. I know you know your products and services like the back of your hand, which is an awesome start. But how does your business present itself? Have you given thought to how you are being perceived by potential customers?
Read MoreFlowers are the best. It’s been a gray, cold, and rainy week, so I decided it was time to make some more beautiful flower inspired color palettes. I hope they brighten your week.
Read MoreHaving two kids who love to create as much as I do is such a blessing. Any time we have down time, they’re asking to do crafts! I try my best to come up with low cost things to do, because we are endlessly creating!
Read MoreAs a design nerd, at the end of each year I anxiously wait for Pantone to announce their color of the year. I was pretty excited yesterday to hear they selected Classic Blue for 2020’s Pantone Color of the Year. I mean it’s almost my branding color blue!
Read MoreWhen you’re a creative person you go through mountains and valleys. There are some days where you don’t have enough hands or time to get everything that is in your brain out into the world.
Read MoreMy six year old is in love with color palettes and has been begging me to let her help create some. She has a beautifully creative mind and I was very happy to oblige her sweet request.
Read MoreHave you ever felt like you didn’t fit in? Like everyone in the world exists at a 90° angle and you’re living at 45°? Did it make you feel insecure? Like no one could ever truly understand you?
Read MoreHave you ever seen a sunset that made the earth glow? There’s something magical about the sunrise and the sunset. Light can change the feel of everything. Light can make a weed look like a masterpiece. I felt like this was the perfect next inspiration for color palettes.
Read MoreWhy do we create art? For the joy of creating, for beauty, for self expression, for an outlet, for any number of reasons. No matter the initial inspiration, what does art always become? Our history. Once a piece of art or design exists in the world it is part of our history.
Read MoreWe had a pretty significant snow fall this week in mid-Michigan. I am not ready for winter, to be perfectly honest, but it was so beautiful!
Read MoreHave you read Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert yet? The full title is Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. It’s fantastic and it’s not just for artists.
Read MoreColor inspiration strikes again from a maybe unexpected place.. rocks. Yes, you read that right rocks. I have always loved looking for pretty rocks on Michigan beaches, and now my daughters love that too.
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