It's A Fresh Start! Blank Notes and Templates For the New Year

Journal pages for inspiration and blank worksheets to print out and share ~ scribble down your ideas, use for party fun on New Year's Eve or pass out to your customers and invite them to join in the fun! I've gathered several templates I found online as well as including my own designs in the hope that you will enjoy writing down plans, goals and dreams for the coming months. Click on any image to open a larger version in a new window or visit my Facebook page to see more.

A Thoughtful Christmas: Mindful Spending & Meaningful Gift Ideas

A few years ago I made a suggestion to the family about the concept of purchasing gifts which offered tangible benefits or were of a more substantial quality. This didn't refer to higher price tags certainly; the ideas was more about a selective shopping process such as purchasing handmade products, merchandise which helps a cause, or items found in locally-owned businesses which support real people.

Supporting Local Artists, Makers & Craftspeople

Welcome to this collection of images and reminders, spotlighting the reasons for choosing handmade products AND helping to keep talented people in business. I've also included a couple of resource links and useful articles written for artists, covering topics of marketing and self-promotion, since as we all know, it's tough to juggle all the hats an independent business owner or artist wears! I hope you find this useful and that you are inspired to brainstorm your own thoughts to share with the world.

Seasonal Survival: Tips for Navigating the Holidays

We know the upcoming holidays are supposed to be a festive and joyful time of the year, however the reality is that many of us have a difficult time during these months. Family obligations, feelings of being overwhelmed and times of sadness are completely understandable - and affect many of us each December.

Visual Resources | My List of Quality Places To Find Clip Art Images

It's no secret that artwork and visuals help to liven up blogs and draw attention to your writing, but did you know posts with images are more likely to be shared? Today I'm sharing some of my favorite places with you; from simple clips to detailed artwork, vintage illustrations, cartoons and more.

We, the People, Have the Power to Make Our Local Economies Thrive....

Maybe this....maybe now. Maybe it's TIME to know the people who share our zipcode, do business with, shake the hand of a neighbor or friend or local resident at their establishment, shop or restaurant. Maybe we'll look back in a quarter of a century and say why ..... WHY did we think the big box stores were the greatest thing since sliced bread. Maybe we'll regret choices made out of greed because that's all we see from corporate marketing campaigns with bottomless advertising budgets, and we keep falling for the message over and over again that yes, we NEED more stuff to make our lives better and to be happier; healthier; satisfied.