Inspirations

Top: Amy Gross’ space, Bottom: Sandra Juto’s space

As a continuation from my previous post, here’s Erin’s Inspiration E-zine issue number three for everyone who needs a little lift. This issue is about inspiring nooks and crannies, and features plenty of favorite little spaces from bloggers, writers, designers and artists. Of course, my favorites are the ones with lots of action on the walls!

I’m poring over it right now, and I especially like Sandra’s little nook. 🙂

Hope on over here to download one for yourself.

Paths

Inspiring words from Break the Routine print by Dazeychic

“If you are not prepared to be wrong you will never create anything original.” ~ Ken Robinson

I find myself returning to this video by Ken Robinson, whenever I feel that pang of worry about whether I’m doing the “right” thing.

You might have also read the post on decor8’s blog about what to do when you don’t know what to do. I take it especially to heart, because I was in Nathalie’s situation once, a long time ago. I hadn’t really thought about who or what I’d like to be, only I knew that I want my life to be extraordinary and fun. And a big helping of happiness on the side, please thank you.

I always wondered about how it would feel to take away the mask of being safe and normal, and to pursue whatever it is in your heart. Problem is, how do I pursue when I don’t know what I’m good at (subjectively speaking, of course)? Well, I tried out many, many things, and the paths lead me to where I was at the beginning — only I didn’t know it then.

I have to admit, I’m still exploring illustrations and figuring out the medium which suits me best (right now, it’s charcoal and ink). I’m still learning about color, which I think needs a lot of brushing up on. But then again, that’s part of the fun — exploring and stumbling upon things by accident. And I too remember, after all this time, one of my biggest wish was that I wanted to help out the community which I have a fondness for — in my own way.

The course of my journeys are merely paths that I must walk — there are no shortcuts. I recently read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and the moral of the story resonated very strongly with me, because I believe the continuous exploration of careers (and life) is sometimes a journey without a clear destination.

A daily dose of Marisa’s podcasts helps me a alot too, as does Keri Smith’s Wish Jar journal and Penelope’s journey.

What about you? Was it difficult to forge your own path?

(Dazeychic’s Break the Routine print can be found here)

Pikapackage: FAQ

1. I’m still confused. What’s a PikaPackage, exactly?
A PikaPackage is a monthly promo and marketing tool for illustrators and artists who are selling online. This package will be as ONE free giveaway, and the rest will be sold to adoring fans and readers. (The proceeds from the sale of PikaPackages will fund Pikaland.)

The giveaway package will hold one item each from every participant, while the rest of the PikaPackage to be sold will hold selected items from the participants (with a minimum amount spread all around) + a specially produced zine by Pikaland!

2. And who are the participants of PikaPackage?
PikaPackage holds stuff from illustrators and artists who sells their wares online (via their own shops, on Etsy, DaWanda, etc).

3. And what’s in it?
Prints, buttons, coasters, notepads, postcards, zines, comics, etc — as long as you had a hand in illustrating it. Pikaland will also be producing a special zine to be included with each package.

4. Why should I contribute to PikaPackage?
Previously, to get on the Galleria (the rotating banner on the right of the blog), you’d have to pay to be on it, much like an advertisement space. But then we thought that it should be more community driven, and instead of asking you to cough up moolah for the spot (which we know is hard to come by!), we thought of bartering the space for some of your goods, so that we could put together a promo package for fans of illustrations + art. Plus, you get a PikaPackage of your own too!

5. And what will I get?
You will get one pikapackage in the mail for participating (shipping included); and one month of free banner display on our galleria that links back to your store.

6. And how will Pikaland help me?
Pikaland celebrates illustrators and artists who are selling their wares and brings them to the masses. And since we’ve narrowed down the audience to those who love illustrations + art, you’ve got a receptive crowd right here!

7. How many items should I donate?
A minimum of 8 items will suffice for now, but if you want to donate more, please feel free to do so!
Oh, and remember to include your business card, or your promo material with your wares to show a link back to your site — I’ll provide the information in the zine, but just a heads up in case you’d like to include some (some may not have any done up, and that’s okay too).

8. And why should I contribute more?
Well, since the contributions will be divided equally between each package with a minimum quantity of products each, contributing more will result in more of your items to go around — and will reach a wider audience.

9. This sounds fun! Could you tell me when is the cut off date for participants?
Our first PikaPackage will be sent out by end of April/early May 2008, so it’s best to have all your stuff in as soon as you can manage. It should be in the mail on its way to me by early April to guarantee inclusion in the package!

10. And where do I send my contribution to?
Send me an email about your interest in participating, and I’ll let you know!

11. I need visuals! Can you illustrate the idea and tell me how it will actually work?
We sure did! See the illustration of the whole shebang right here.

Need more answers? Email me here.