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 Written by a lovely human -  Julieanne Steedman (no AI over here!) from The School for Modern Makers. Field Guide for the Modern Maker is a weekly dose of inspiration, joy, and business tips for creative entrepreneurs. 
VOL.14
BUILDING A JOY-FILLED CREATIVE BUSINESS
 
My living room is currently set up like a craft show and and the funny thing is that my family doesn't think this is strange AT ALL. I decided to freshen up my display this year - so I shoved the dining room furniture into the living room, set my display up, and am now adding signage and shelves and all the lovely bits to seriously make it look like my own lovely little store (I also stole the curtains from my living room and dining room - but don't tell anyone ok?). 
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Curtain stealing aside, your display essentially is…a mini-store and the more you think about it like this, the easier it is to create something fabulous that will draw your ideal customers to it from across the room at a busy craft show. 
 
I share more about this in my newly released book - Craft Shows: The Ultimate Success Strategy (it was released on Wednesday and I'm so thrilled to already be hearing feedback like this:
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HELPFUL TIP
💃🏻💃🏻 WE ALL START SOMEWHERE 💃🏻💃🏻
 
If you find yourself falling into the ‘comparisonitis’ trap (where you constantly compare yourself to others) try instead to compare yourself to YOU - but one, three, or five, years ago. 
 
I'm not going to lie, we all do this sometimes - comparing ourselves to others. The trick is to recognize when you're doing it and snap out of it. Instead, think back or look back (use the photos on your phone) at where you were a year ago (or three, or five years ago) and at what you were doing with your art or your small business. Think about:
 
How have you grown?
How did you feel then versus now?
What have you learned?
 
When you do this you can see how much you've grown, everything you've learned, and all the steps you've taken to move forward. 
 
Feel proud of all this. And then take the next step forward, on your journey, not someone else's. ✨
CURRENTLY LOVING 
 
When it's time for relaxing or time to sleep, I am the queen of comfort (that sounds nicer that saying I am extremely picky, right?!). I have found some pyjamas from Love & Lore that are seriously what I will wear to bed from now until forever. 
 
I bought a cotton set before summer and I felt like an excited kid getting ready for a fun sleepover with friends every evening when I put them on (but frustratingly I can't find another set the same anywhere!). However, earlier this week when I was in Chapters (book shopping obviously) and I picked up a pair that I had looked at a couple of times the last few months (they are a different material and I was dubious as to whether they'd be as great as the cotton ones). Turns out, they might be better!
 
I bought them in the cute celestial pattern ( the pattern hides ‘things’ when it's chilly😂) and the softness and comfort level is seriously 10/10. 
 
 
quote of the week
 
 
I hope you have enjoyed this issue of Field Guide for the Modern Maker.
 
 Wishing you a joy-filled, creative Friday!
 
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HOW CAN I HELP YOU? 👇🏼
 
  1. 💻 (FREE) Download my newly updated Handmade Business Guide.
  2. 🗓 (SHOP) Make your creative business life easier by using our much-loved Modern Maker Planner.
  3. 🎟 (WAITLIST) Join the waitlist and work with me in a small group of students inside the Modern Maker Method, my 1x year LIVE signature program!
 
P.S. If you have ‘grow my email newsletter list’ on your to-do list for 2024, I highly recommend giving Flodesk a go. It's intuitive, beautiful, and easy-to-use (I love things that are simple!). 
 
At times, I collaborate with affiliate programs that may generate commissions from clicks and/or purchases. These affiliate links support all the free content I offer, and I only endorse products that I genuinely use and appreciate. Thank you for your support!
 
© 2024 Julieanne Steedman, All rights reserved. 
 
Unit 2 Box 1
Nairn Centre, ONT P0M2L0, Canada