That Feeling of Uniquity!

Today I am taking part in a wonderful blog series & I will be writing about the the topic of 'Uniquity'. This is an amazing opportunity to be part of a huge creative community of artists & designers all ready to share their thoughts on so many interesting subjects!

'The Declaration of You' will be published by North Light Craft Books this summer, with readers getting all the permission they've craved to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique and uncover what they are meant to do! This post is part of 'The Declaration of You's BlogLovin' Tour', which I'm thrilled to participate in alongside over 100 other creative bloggers. Learn more and join us! by clicking here.

There are several definitions to the word 'unique' my favourite being 'not typical; unusual'. These are terms that have often been used to describe my design work & my design work is what I believe to be one of the most unique aspects of me & what gives me that feeling of uniquity!

Early on in my design career, working as an in-house designer I felt like I wanted to be more of an individual & to be able to express myself & my uniqueness & it was only when I achieved this that I really began to enjoy my creative work. I always knew I was meant to do something else. I just needed to figure out what that was. I longed to be unrestricted & free within my work, I dreamt of being left to do my own things. I wanted to design & create art based on my personality, my instincts & how I felt rather than creating designs that would tick a particular box or area of the marketplace. I love spontaneity & I longed to apply this to more lifestyle and design work. I always say my ‘inner doodle’ was set free once I decided to go it alone & be an individual.

After freelancing for a while (as an unnamed artist) I dreamed of putting my own stamp on products & being able to add my name to collections sold in the marketplace. I never assumed I’d become an international brand, I just wanted to be recognised as an independent artist but before I knew it I had built a design label! I think being true to myself & injecting my own uniqueness & personality into my work & website created a look that defined my signature style. It felt like an organic & laid back process rather than being contrived.

I now have my very own, very unique online shop & there are lots more interesting & special projects in the pipeline! I run an e-course on surface pattern design with my fabulous business partner Beth Kempton of 'Do What You Love' as well as 'MOYO' a free online magazine, dedicated to the world of surface pattern design! Also check out makeitindesign.com & watch this space!

Other things that give me that feeling of uniquity:

• Designing to different types of music
• Celebrating the highs & making the most of the lows
• My LOVE of colour!
• Travelling & seeing the world
• Living spontaneously
• Celebrating the highs & making the most of the lows
• Working hard but having lots of fun!

What things give you a feeling of uniquity? Feel free to leave a comment! Or you can comment on our Facebook page or send us a Tweet: @rachael_taylor_

I can’t wait to be a part of The Declaration of You’s Facebook party Friday 14th June at 9-9:30a PST/11-11:30a CST/12-12:30p EST. We’ll be chatting in real time about Uniquity over at facebook.com/TheDeclarationOfYou. Hope you can join us!

Leah Flores

Happy Typography Friday!

We have a beautiful mix of photography & typography to share today from the talented Leah Flores which will fill you with a need for adventure! We love the adventurous attitude that Leah's work inspires & the photography styling is stunning. The typography style is simple but gorgeous with it's hand drawn quality.
You can visit Leah on her website, follow her blog or shop online on Society6 or DENY Designs.

Monica Lee - Smart Creative Women

Monica Lee is an artist & textile designer who runs a web show in which she interviews creative women to find out more about how they keep their business successful yet creative. She likes to "hear stories" & "spread stories". Her hope "is for you to be able to hear how women today are carving our a place for themselves using their very best resource, their creativity and realise that you can do it aswell!" Monica also recently interviewed Rachael & Beth (who work together on the e-course) & you can read their interviews by clicking on the links.

Monica is now a member of our fantastic 'MOYO' team & you can read her fantastic 'Selling Salon' article which gives you advice on how to sell your work. 

You can visit Monica on her website, blog or on the Smart Creative Women website. Enjoy, love Kelly.

Creative Sketchbook Blog

I am excited to share with you a fantastic blog run by a lovely friend of mine called Creative Sketchbook. The blog is run by Gemma Robinson & is 'dedicated to share art & design from the past & present along with new emerging talent to provide a source of inspiration & pleasure'. As well as having featured my own work, Gemma focuses on showing 'emerging talent' such as the up & coming students of the e-course! She also features, books on her 'bookshelf' posts as well cities, art, illustration, sculpture & photography. 
You can also read our previous post about Creative Sketchbook here!
If you would like Gemma to feature you on her blog you can email her at: creativesketchbook@hotmail.com

'Passion 4 Pattern Blog Hop'

More exciting news about our surface pattern e-course students! 

On Sunday the 3rd June, over 20 of 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design (the E-course)' students have grouped together to create the 'Passion 4 Pattern Blog Hop' to celebrate the end of Module 3 'Monetising Your Designs'. The Blog Hop will start here! 

Spread the word pattern lovers!

Progressive Greetings

Some exciting things happening today! I am attending the fourth Progressive Greetings Live show with over 285 exhibitors, including my lovely & talented friend Libby McMullin! Find libby in stand 700 in the springboard hall. The show takes place at the wonderful Business Design Centre in Islington, London & will be open for just two days. Click here to see the exhibition preview! I will be doing a follow up post on all the exciting happenings at the exhibition, keep checking back for more!

I will also be meeting up with some of my wonderful 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design' (the c-course) students!

Below are selected images of Libby's beautiful work. Go Libby! You can also read a previous post from this blog on the lovely Libby here.

Lovely words

Good morning everyone!

Just some nice, simple and lovely words for you today to brighten up your Monday morning!

All images are from Pinterest but I have credited the designers below. Have a great day!

Enjoy! Kelly :)



Kaven & Co

Charlotte Trounce



Steve St Pierre



Baubauhaus



Best List Ever!

Hello! It's Moni here!  I will be looking after the blog for the rest of the week and all of next.  I have a lot of exciting and inspiring things in store, so I hope you enjoy them.
Today I leave you with this creative to-do list I came across, I think we should all have one of these at home! Love, Moni!

Elsita!

If there is something nice about the internet, it is to stumble upon interesting artists and even better, interesting people who make art.
I came across Elsa Mora's Papercuts while just browsing for inspiration.  As I went into her blog, I found a fantastic story and a very fun story teller.
In a few words, Elsa or Elsita is a Cuban artist based in Los Angeles.  She's had an interesting life and has a lovely outlook on life.  I would rather she would tell you herself, so visit her blog and have a look at some of her other creations, make sure you check out her flower people.
I love the detail and originality of every piece.  I hope you like it! Love Moni!

Recycled Teabags

Happy Thursday!

Have you ever wondered how many teabags you use a day, week, month? All that binned into oblivion!  This tablecloth is a beautiful idea created by designer Ximena Escobar.  Made out of recycled teabags of all sorts and flavours they blend together beautifully.  Finished with a screen printed decoration it supplies a new idea to embellish your table and be kind to the environment.  This wonderful piece was named one of the winners in a environmentally friendly competition.

If you would like to see more of  Ximena visit her website.

Great idea right? See you tomorrow,  Love Moni!

Wallypocket

Hello Everyone! It's Moni here, I will be taking over the blogposts this week and will try to bring you some fun and interesting bits to inspire you.

Today I want to show you Wallypockets, the prettiest and greatest idea I've seen in a while for all of us out there with no garden space and no evident green fingers.
I like these for a number of reasons, first of all the modular living wall system is made of 100% recycled water bottles, second you can put them in any environment and they will be al right (see how they work here).  I also love the fact that the pockets can go on the wall, so you can create a living piece of art which is a different and lovely idea.
There are several indoor and outdoor, vertical or horizontal options, any way they are beautiful, fun and kind to the environment.
Take a look at their website  and get inspired. Love Moni