My brain is jam packed with projects. Here’s a peek.
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A little peek behind the scenes and into my creative process … just about every week I sit down with a stack of magazines, catalogs, flyers, brochures and ephemera and update my journal/scrapbook/inspiration book. I use it to keep track of color stories I’m digging, track trends, sketch new designs, write lists and doodle. Any time I’m feeling stuck on a project I go back to “the book” for inspiration. This method for overcoming creative block has yet to fail me (knock knock knock on wood).
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For me, there are 6 essential ingredients for maximum creativity: ///1///Good tunes (right now I’m listening to Beastie Boys and R.E.M. constantly) ///2/// Pinterest. How I ever survived without it I have no idea ///3/// My stack of notebooks, filled with doodles, notes, inspiration and lots of color ///4/// Magazines & any printed material ///5/// Ruby red grapefruit. Mmmm. ///6/// Iced coffee to stave off caffeine headaches.
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I feel like the entire week flew by, and all I did was things that people told me will “just take five minutes.” Nothing takes just five minutes when done properly. There is no magic “design” button on my computer. It takes time to nudge a word a little to the left, a little larger, and then smaller, and then larger again. I’m not complaining. I don’t mind, really. I’m just saying nothing takes just five minutes, especially in the world of graphic design.
Have a lovely weekend, everyone! Hope you get some time to do something fun.
I’ve been busy, busy, busy clearing unwanted supplies and furniture out of our studio for our upcoming Warehouse Sale. Which has me thinking about what my dream studio would be like:
:: 1 :: I would have this darling letter “e” necklace (ariel gordon) around my neck, for starters. Diamond optional. I’m not picky. Really. :: 2 :: My boring packaging supplies would be neatly stowed in an industrial rolly cabinet of awesomeness (urban remains) for most supreme organizational bliss :: 3 :: The world would smell deliciously fresh, like Hamarikyu Gardens by Marypierre (anthropologie) fragrance (and everything I design would be as restrained as its perfect packaging) :: 4 :: DELPHINE would be spelled out in real vintage enamel letters (urban remains) — and the paper lovers would flock for letterpress delights designed by Delphine — and they would not complain about budgetary restraints :: 5:: There would be an endless supply of gluten and dairy free chocolate chunk cookies (abe’s market) for me to munch on :: 6 :: I would rest a single cheek on a perfectly patinaedvintage stool (urban remains), so as not to cover up said perfect patina whilst working playing on my :: 7 :: fabulous brand new (or refurbished … I’m not picky. Really.) iPad.
Sigh.
Sigh.
Le siiiiiiggghhhhhh.
Have you seen Ez’s new column on Creature Comforts, “How Do I Wear…”? I have a sequins top hanging patiently in my closet, but was completely stumped for new ideas on how to wear it. Inspired by her “chic for cheap” column, I emailed Ez for suggestions and voila, a new column was born. Many thanks to Ez for giving me two new outfit ideas! I’ll be wearing one of them this weekend at my first holiday party of the season.
Oh, and if you haven’t already visited, check out her fabulous new magazine, Gifted, for lots of great gift (and packaging) ideas. I promise it will help you finish up your holiday shopping in no time.
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Many thanks to Abby and the Style Me Pretty team for posting our vintage tailgate reception inspiration shoot today. Seeing the photos brought back a ton of fun memories. To see more photos and read all about the inspiration behind the photos, please visit Style Me Pretty.
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I had a blast working with Adrianne and Jen on this. Special props to darling Julie, who was extraordinarily patient and kind while we dressed her up and had her running all over the yard in a pink crinoline and heels! The super fun vintage lawn games and most of the “furniture” is courtesy of Jennifer at SoLo. The very best part of this shoot: sipping the champagne and devouring delicous Cupcake Love “props” with the team after the wrap!
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Delphine’s Anemone invitation, in anemone pink and black.
Credits: EVENT DESIGN and STYLING: Adrianne Smith and Erika Firm PHOTOGRAPHY: Jennifer Dery, CUPCAKES: Cupcake Love, FLOWERS: Adrianne Smith Floral Design, INVITATIONS and PARTY FAVORS: Delphine, MODEL: Julie Rais, VINTAGE FURNITURE, GAMES and TOYS: Jennifer Price at SoLo.
Yesterday I shared behind the scenes shots from the “pretty in pink” bridal tea shower. Today: a Rockabilly Tailgate Wedding Reception. Some of my favorite props (besides the incredible vintage pickup) were the numbered glasses (vintage, of course, from Jennifer Price of SoLo) and my kitty, Ajax. Cannot wait to share the “real” photos from Jennifer Dery and the complete set that Adrianne Smith and I put together (… oh, and some super fun paper goods to go along with, naturally.
Looking for some help with your business or your blog … or your blogging business? Check out these three blogs by three inspiring women.
First up: Edit and Post, by Ami Price of Elizabeth Anne Designs, covers the business and blogging. Ami has an MBA and delves into the nitty gritty with topics like “debits are not additions and credits are not subtractions.” The clean and clear look of this site is echoed in her straighforward writing style, which makes even difficult subject like accounting seem simple.
Second: Creature Comfots Guide for Better Blogging, by Ez of Creature Comforts. The name says it all. This series of informative posts is for the beginning blogger, advertiser, professional blogger, and everyone in between. Ez has also set up a forum, where readers can ask questions and interact. I highly recommend making a pot of tea, grabbing a snack, and finding a cozy seat before sitting down to this one.
Third: The fabulous Biz Ladies series, gathered by Grace of Design Sponge. This series of posts is invaluable to anyone starting out in business. In fact, whenever someone emails me for business advice I point them to this series and to the book Craft, Inc. and tell them to come back to me after studying them if they still have questions! Topics range from tips on writing a business plan, to tax info for small business, to social media tips, to how to shoot product photography. Even if you already have a successful business, the tips in this series have a lot to offer and can inspire you to grow.
Fourth (not shown): Back Stage by Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty. It’s a place to “talk shop.” Although Abby doesn’t update it very often (she is busy with a toddler and a huge business to tend, after all), the posts that do go up are thought provoking and inspire great conversations. On this blog be sure to read all the comments. It’s a great read!
Just imagine if you took one hour out of your work week every week to focus on building your business via education? I often get caught up in the daily grind of running a business: preparing quotes, updating proofs, running errands, answering emails, returning phone calls, sketching new logos … that I don’t leave time to challenge my brain, learn and grow. Today I’m taking an hour to catch up on the latest posts on these blogs.
Let me know if you recommend other blogs about the business of being creative. I’d love to hear from you.
Happy weekend, everyone!
Yesterday I was riding the subway from Brooklyn to Manhattan and noticed that I was the only person on the entire train wearing a colorful jacket (bright yellow, no less). But I was able to spot some color on the streets, which soothed my senses.
Nike CEO Matt Parker discusses the importance of design and innovation to the success of his company. (via Fast Company).
This is just part of my to do list today. I’m feeling a little anxious. The light is just about ready in the sunniest room of the house, so I’m off to shoot the new greeting card collection. Here are some of the props I’ll be using:
photo: Delphine
Please take a moment to visit Decor8 and read my thoughts about this topic. Holly and I welcome your comments (please comment on Decor8 so the dialogue is all in one spot).
Yesterday I stumbled upon a lovely blog, For The Love of Type. Oh, my, WORD. Wonderful! Why yes, that is Mr Eaves XL Sans Ultra Italic on the cupcakes. The blogess (she calls herself Mrs. Eaves, which, if you’re a nerd like me, you’ll find funny). Her real name is Gemma O’Brien, and she is an Australian designer. I especially like the “typespotting” posts — sort of a spotted in the wild sort of column. If you love type, this blog is a must read. There’s a great video of Mrs. Eaves “tattooing” herself with a Sharpie on the streets of Berlin (? at least it looks like Berlin to me) on the blog. I’ve seen the whole type all over the body thing before (mens magazines seem to love this concept), and of course Stephen Sagmeister’s famous razored type poster, but seeing Mrs. Eaves write all over herself brings it to a whole new level. Pretty amazing. I’m seriously blown away. Am I gushing too much? Take a look at the site and you’ll understand why.
left + center photo ©Peden+Munk; right photo ©delphine
Yes, that’s right. Ask me anything. I signed up with Formspring quietly last week. Almost daily I get emails asking for advice or my thoughts or my suggestions on lots of stuff (mostly about running a design-centric business). Now I can answer questions in a public forum. It’s like a public FAQ. Awesome.
So go ahead … ask me anything. (Well, not anything. I mean, lets keep it decent, okay).
I’m often asked “what inspires your designs?” That is such a difficult question to answer since anything and everything inspires me. Fabulous window displays, swoon-worthy place settings, adorable kids clothes, spectacular art exhibits … and mundane things like tree branches, sugar packets, rain boots all inspire me.
I do enjoy seeing what inspires other people and reading how they answer that age old question. Anthropologie has devoted an entire new(ish) website to inspiration. Kate Spade has a cool “behind the curtain” section on their site. Dwell Studio allows their visitors to take a peek at what inspires them with a special section, too. Our inspiration section on the Delphine site has photos of “stuff we love, admire and treasure.” I haven’t updated it in a while, mostly because I put a lot of what inspires me here on this blog. I also keep a giant sketchbook/journal, where I paste in bits of inspirational ephemera (like cool hang tags, interesting receipts, tear sheets from magazines and ads).
Just because “everything” inspires me, that does not mean that I never suffer from creative block. Having this blog and my sketchbook/journal is invaluable! Whenever I feel stuck I often take a break, go for a walk or a drive, run errands. And when I get back if I’m still stuck I peek through old sketchbooks … and soon I’m sketching new ideas. On my recent trip to New York I accidentally left my book behind and I felt completely lost! What works for you?
