Looking for a simple and fun earring project to get you started working with metal? I have one in Making Metal Jewelry and the North Light Books folks have published online to whet your whistle. Take a look at CreateMixedMedia for the instructions.
Chased earrings by Jen Cushman
This month’s column for CreateMixedMedia.com I’m talking about fear, well more about handling fear by gathering the courage to take a giant leap in your creative journey as an artist.
I share a story in the column about my recent experience of writing a book. Since I don’t want to give it away, you’re going to have to head on over to the website to read more. But I can tell you this, now that my manuscript and images are turned in, I’m breathing a HUGE sigh of relief. It really is a labor of love. So much introspection comes up during the process that there is no way to write a book and not be forever changed by the experience.
Thanks for stopping by today. I truly wish you an Artful day!
This month’s column for CreateMixedMedia.com is still up on the homepage for a few more days, if you haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I talked about my new Toms Shoes (pic above, aren’t they cute?), a gift from my sister and then worked my way into giving away your art to charity and how it’s really a wonderful marketing opportunity if done properly. I know it seems like a stretch, but I somehow made it work. You can find a direct link to it here.
In other news, I am working hard on my manuscript and there just doesn’t seem to be enough writing/working hours in the day. I’m sorry to have to say this, but my blog is going to start getting a bit neglected again. It’s going to be worth it though, in the end, because I’m SOOOO dang excited with how my book is coming together so far.
The pieces are made, I’ve taken the photos of projects (called Beauty Shots) and worked through some cover image options with my wonderful editor. Now, I have to write, write, write.
Please bear with me over the next few weeks. I haven’t left. I’m just taking a “strategic break” from social media. Wink to my friend Laura Fraderich, who taught be this very useful term and life lesson last month!
Here’s wishing you a truly Artful week!
My January column is now up on CreateMixedMedia.com. This month, I’m talking about something rather serious, such as what happens when you find yourself either stuck in a non-creative job, or worse, laid off from a job you may or may not love. It’s not so much that have a ton of answers with this column, but I am asking some questions that might help someone in this type of situation gain a new perspective.
I got the idea from my Facebook friend Laura Fraderich, who found herself in exactly this kind of situation. How she overcame her experience and what happened to change her life in a new, positive way is such an inspiration to me that I had to share with others. Since, it’s Laura’s story to tell and not mine, here’s a link to her blog post on the subject.
If you have some time, please check out my column and also Laura’s post. As always, I hope you find something in my words that you can relate to. The column stays up for a week. I’d love if you share the link with other people whom you think might enjoy it.
Thanks and have a truly Artful day!
The best part about teaching is seeing students get in the new techniques. Here is my fellow instructor Liz Hicks and the so talented Camille McClelland, ask Wonder Cam
My December column is live as of today on CreateMixedMedia.com. Since I’ve just returned from the most amazing time being one of 3 instructors at Seaside Soiree, I thought I would tackle the topic of teaching. It’s a subject I know many people are interested it, so I give some insight as to how I began my journey as a mixed-media educator, along with some helpful hints on terminology and getting started.
I hope you get a moment to check it out. There are four contributing editors and each of us writes a column that stays up for a week at a time.
Speaking of Seaside, here are some pics of me and my incredible students creating wondrous goodies with ICE Resin and SLK handcrafted bezels.
Another quick note today to let you know my monthly column at CreateMixedMedia.com is up as of this morning. It’s not a typical marketing column for me, rather a kind of introspective post reflecting on a recent book I’ve read called The Noticer by Andy Andrews.
If you have 10 minutes or so to spare, click on over the CMM and take a read.
Back to work. I have a designing deadline for my Industrial Chic samples and the creative mojo is flowing. I don’t want to interrupt the groove with too much time on the computer. (LOL)
Normally, I don't stick my bio photo on my blog, but this image is a hint to the topic of this month's Art Choose you column at Create Mixed Media. Can you guess the topic? Look at my necklace!
I realized it’s been a while since I’ve talked about Create Mixed Media on my blog. Since I was recently required to review my website stats for an upcoming project, I now know that some of you are finding me from this amazing website. I figured it was a moot point to tell you about it if you’ve already been there and done that, but a closer look shows that some of you are finding me through google and bing searches. This makes me want to take a quick moment to tell you about CMM.
Create Mixed Media is a community portal website that opened last year. It belongs to, and is run by, F&W Publications, which has the imprint of North Light Books, a large and important publisher in our industry.
The editors debuted CMM right before CHA Winter this year. I remember it being an awesome moment when Editors/Executives Nancy Sorieno and Christine Doyle came to the Susan Lenart Kazmer ICE Resin booth to let me know the website was live. I proudly wore my Create Mixed Media button the entire 4 days of the trade show, even though it really didn’t go with any of the outfits and jewelry I brought along.
I’ve been continuing to write a monthly blog column for CMM, along with some awesome people who are also contributing editors for the website; Lesley Riley, Quinn McDonald and Karen Wallace. Each week, we take a turn writing about various topics. Lesley talks about making art every day, Quinn is the creativity coach and gives great advice and Karen writes about art’s restorative and healing attributes. We all write under the title of Creative Insights. My topic is public relations and marketing your art.
So far, I’ve written about QR codes and MOO cards and Summer CHA (Craft and Hobby Association). This month’s blog post is on one of the easiest and most affordable marketing things you can do to get your art noticed.
I’m always keeping my eye for ideas of what I think might make good topic of conversation. If you have an idea of things you might like to hear more about when it comes to pr and marketing, please comment here or drop me an email at jencushman@ymail.com, I’d really love the feedback.
In addition to Karen, Quinn, Lesley and my blogs, there are all kinds of giveaways and book reviews and free e-book downloads, as well as Podcasts by Ricë Freeman Zachary and artist profiles. Good stuff.
My October blog column is up now, if you’d like to take a look. Also, check out the great week in art visualized this week by Patricia Seggebrush, who does the coolest paintings with encaustic and has written a great book on the subject.
