Keri wrote a great article called Secrets of the Self-employed some time ago on her blog, and I think that it’s a must read for everyone — no matter what profession you’re in (she presented the list to her students in class).

My favorites? Point #1, #2, #9 and especially, #10 (see my take on that previously.)

London-based Alice Stevenson is a surface designer, illustrator and artist who has worked with a diverse range of clients including Volvo, Nokia, Faber and Faber, St Jude’s, Vodafone, Pan Macmillan and Random House in the USA. I’ve noticed her patterns before but had forgotten about them somewhere along the way, until I found her again on Etsy. I’m glad I did because I just realized there was a whole new dimension to her work besides patterns — her watercolors are gorgeous and so are her landscape drawings — and she’s also dabbling in hand-lettering.

You can read more about her on her blog and get yourself some fine prints over at her Etsy shop.

I’m not sure what it’s like where you live, but here, it’s the season for Andy Kehoe. We’ve had damp foggy mornings and most of the trees around here are becoming naked.

Oooo, that reminds me of Andy’s story on how he became an artist! You should read it. Anyway, whether it’s sunny and warm by you, please take a moment to rake up some Andy Kehoe or store him on your wall year round with a giclee from his Etsy!