Mayi Carles « oh my! handmade goodness

Mayi Carles

A Neat Freaks Illustrated Guide to Less Clutter

Friday, May 18, 2012

Organization is my special sauce.

I separate my closet hangers with a 2 finger distance apart from each other for my visual delight. I arrange my perfumes in alphabetical order, well, cuz I can’t help myself. I accommodate my book library by theme bundles + arrange it by size for kicks + spins. I color coordinate my supply closet because I think it looks oh so pretty. I keep my party props inside a vintage Pepsi box that’s precious to me because I secretly believe they (and by “they” I mean the party props of course) feel very very important inside. Hence, the neat freak title. I think it suits me well actually.

Now, I don’t intend to convert you to OCDism (Obsessive Compulsive Disorderism, this word doesn’t exist right?). What I would like to do is bring more harmony into your life. Would you like that? To have less noise + less chaos + less clutter + less fuzz + less additives + less preservatives. Would you like to have more space + more clarity + more wiggle room to, well, be YOU + your world domination contribution? I thought so too.

That’s why I whipped up this Neat Freaks Illustrated Guide to Less Clutter, which I’m sure is the world’s shortest (and cutest) shortcut to organizing your life + reclaiming your space, cuz seriously though, who has time for the Almanac version?

So here you go, the Speedy Gonzalez organizational manual:

By “eliminate” I not only mean getting rid of the trash, although that’s part of it, of course. Eliminating is about removing anything + everything that no longer serves you in order to make room for your splendid life + your brilliant ideas too. Throw away supplies you haven’t used for 5 years + return borrowed items + toss expired artifacts + recycle whenever possible + discard all that causes you discomfort + give away what you have to spare.

Taxonomies are the lifeblood of an organized system. Knowing at a glance what you’re dealing with gives you great understanding. With understanding comes power. In your kitchen, for example, you might chose to group all your spices alphabetically in the same cabinet for easy access. Your studio desk is no different. You can choose to sort your supplies into categories like height + type or color to streamline your workflow + save you time.

Organizing your categorized items so that your finished projects look oh so beautiful is the ultimate mission. An organized life will make you more productive + save time + give you back your space. With the congestion gone you can use your work surface to do just that, work. An organized life will increase your productivity. As clutter disappears you’ll find that you can think more clearly. Clutter has a type of noise to it, doesn’t it? And when that noise is silenced you are free to devote your energies to what you need to accomplish + what you were put on this world to achieve. An organized life will save money + resources + the trees of the world will be grateful. It’s a win-win-win for all.

1. 2. 3. Boom everything’s neat + you’re not a freak.

See? Anytime you’re confronted by dusty villains + chaotic gremlins just whip out these 3 step guide + you’ll be equipped to combat the messiest of monsters (wink).

xo,

Mayi Carles

The Clock is Ticking Oh So Sweet Checklist

Monday, February 13, 2012

I took a mini sabbatical from my Oh My! contributions to plan out my handmade wedding + create an organizational extravaganza for messy entrepreneurs called Life is Messy Bootcamp. But when I noticed I was beginning to experience shortness of kindness + an unbearable absence of sparkling dust in my life, I new I needed a non-stop ticket ride to Oh My! Handmade-ville, my happy place on the web.

Onto today’s business nugget.

On this occasion, I’ve prepared something extra special for those resolution troopers out there. It’s a printable The Clock is Ticking Checklist, hand-illustrated by my 10 little fingers of course, designed to help you break down your Mount Everest into manageable chunks you can actually check-off the list.

I’ve found that nothing works better than checklists to move from the “dream stage” into the “action workshop”. With checklists you can stay focused + set priorities + forget nothing + turbo charge your productivity. I’m a huge fan.

But there’s an art to list making. The key to getting stuff done is to focus on the 5 most important things you want to get done that day, as opposed to the 50 or more items I see most people attempting to tackle. Long lists can never be finished + there’s a huge negative psychological impact to not accomplishing what’s on your list. It leaves you drained + feeling like a total loser. I’ve been there too.

And even when you do check off items from your T-Rex size to-do list, it’s usually the easiest tasks first to trim some of the fat + shorten the list. But who are we kidding, right? We all know very well that the easiest items are rarely the most transcendental for your business. So, again, we are left feeling like a failure.

On the flip side, short lists are realistic + give you power + make you feel good, because you can actually cross your items off. There’s an enormous psychological boost in getting stuff done + cruising thought your to-do items, specially when you mark off the things that matters most to you + make the most difference for your business.

So, what on your short-list Pinky?

xo,

Mayi Carles

Editor’s note: PPSSTT! Don’t miss Mayi’s special Valentine’s Life is Messy Bootcamp promotion! Get a front row seat in her Life is Messy Bootcamp or her awesome Life is Messy Planners for yourself and a special friend!

Money Making Party Plan + FREE Planner

Thursday, January 19, 2012

I love money.

O0ps did I just say that out loud?

I think I did. Oh well. Enough of feeling guilty + a bit self-conscious about it. After all, I quit my day job to become a full time artist + I should be oh so proud that I get to do what I love AND bring peanut butter + jelly sandwiches to the table.

Gosh, why is that so hard for my heart to compute without feeling icky inside? Part of me blames all those years at an all-girls Catholic School. Another part of me accuses the starving artist syndrome trend. Neither are really at fault, but it takes some of the load off my shoulders.

But anyhoo, I didn’t come here to whine about my love/guilt relationship with money, pinky promise. As a matter of fact, I actually stopped by to chat about how I’ve managed to build a 5-figure business in spite of this internal struggle; a tension I couldn’t help to noticed many of my fellow creatives + handmade crusaders experience too.

So how do I cope? How do I transcend beyond the messy parts into forward momentum? How to a befriend money without contesting my most treasured forms of currency – friendship + love + trust?

(read more…)

It’s a Party + Hooray Gift Tags

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Did you hear? It’s Oh My Handmade Goodness birthday this month. Hip hip hooray!

And guess what else? It’s my blogasversary too.

So, bound by my blog birth sisterhood, I considered it my duty to create something very special for Jessika + the Oh My! community this time around.

These It’s A Party + Hooray Gift Tags seem to be up for the challenge.

Directions:
1. Download your free It’s a Party Gifts Tags + Hooray Gift Tags.

2. Print onto 8.5″ x 11″ heavy-weight paper. I love to print mine on heavy kraft paper, but feel free to play around with different card stocks. Prints 4 per page.

3. Trim along the outside edges using a guillotine or scalpel.

4. With a whole punch, cut a circle on top + attach a string or twine.

5. Attach to gifts + have fun celebrating.

If you’re feeling an overwhelming explosion of happiness or a sudden inexplicable desire to buy helium balloons. Don’t resist it. That was the desired intention.

In fact, I hope these tags give you a reason to hit pause + put the to-do list in time out + bring out the party bunting flags + whip out your fave cupcake recipes + party like it’s your birthday.

We all need a reason to celebrate. Don’t we?

A Maker’s Nightmare

Monday, June 20, 2011

by Mayi Carles of Heartmade

Holy cow, I can’t believe this is already my fourth contribution post for OMHG. It seems like yesterday when I first connected with Jessika. Surprisingly though, I also feel so comfy here, like visiting granny’s house, that I find it hard to believe it’s only been a few months. I’m sure it has all to do with Jessika being so out-of-this-world kind + making me feel like “Mi Casa es Tu Casa” (My Home is Your Home).

I’m sure you feel it too.

Anyhoo, today I’m popping in to talk about my life as a maker + your life as a maker too, well aware that this month is all about celebrating our precious gifts + talents + journeys + stories.

Oh boy, can I just stop there for just a moment to say how much I’ve loved reading your stories this month. They’ve transported me to a thousand aha moments + I feel so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you.

OK, now let me get back on track + talk to you about making.

I can find so many tales to share about my life as a maker.

I could talk about the time I was 2 years old + my parents framed my very first crayon doodle, which still hangs in my mom + dad’s bedroom in its shiny gold painted frame.

I could talk about 1986, the year I took up my version of “mural painting”, applied Mattel plaster + splattered tempera paint to wall surfaces.

I could talk about the first grade when, apparently inspired by the otherworldly works of Salvador Dali, I drew on my little brother Coco the first of many permanent mustaches.

But instead I’m gonna talk about resistance.

Sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin the party. I know it could have been a lot easier to distract you with delightful stories of glory, but instead I’m dedicating today’s attention to my (and every artist’s) worst nightmare: creative “blockage” (aka lack of inspiration), not because I’m sadistic, but because this is real.

Let me be the first to confess, sometimes I can’t make a thang’.

It’s true.

Resistance lives within us. It manifests itself as self-sabotage + self-denial + self-deception. Symptoms might include, but are not limited to ugly headaches + inspiration paralysis + absolute frustration + stock mania + overwhelm + cupcake binge.

It happens. A lot in fact. Do you remember it happening? Do you think you might be suffering from this condition right this second?

It’s alright. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, I’ve been blocked too. Way too many times before. My last dating not too long ago actually. It lasted 2 years. The painting rut, that is.

I couldn’t make.

I really don’t know what happened. Painting was my thing. My mojo. It came so easily, like second nature to me. But somewhere around the time I quit my job + decided to take my creative career seriously, the mental blockage surfaced. All of the sudden, this burden took over my whole entire body. I started doubting my work. Every time I attempted to tackle a new empty canvas, I felt pressured to make something ground breaking, something master-like. “I need to sell it”, “How else would I pay the bills?”, “This is no longer your hobby Mayi, this is your bread + butter”, I remember telling myself.

Painting stopped being fun. It became a chore, to the point of nausea. And on top of that I was constantly being asked by my family + friends + even strangers, “So, when is your next exhibition?”, “I bet now that you have all this time in your hands you’re painting like crazy” + things like that.

The mental games kicked in. The insecurities knocked all doors. It got so bad that I even had to confess what was happening to those very closest to me so they stopped saying the word “painting” or “exhibition” around me.

Absolute bummer.

And then, unexpectedly, on the eve of Easter Sunday, I felt a tickling sensation inside + the urge to grab a little canvas + make something. And so I did.

The result…

Little Miss Olive + Little Miss Tabatha, making a grand entrance + ready to melt more than a few hearts. Full of love + sweetness, these pieces represent an artist’s (that would be yours truly) quest from the obscure dungeons of stuck to the illuminating gates of inspiration.

Phew, just saying that makes me feel 5 pounds lighter + like I just returned from the Bahamas.

I guess it’s safe to say at this stage that I’ve officially won this battle.

Mayi 1, Resistance 0.

Nothing shiny. Nothing glamorous. Nothing to make a big fuzz about. Just so glad to be painting again. I missed it + hopefully others did too.

But guess what? I’m not gonna party like it’s my B-Day. I’m not going to celebrate, at least not Mardi Gras style, because I know this war isn’t over.

If I’ve learned something over the years battling resistance is that this abomination is a tough cookie, a little bit like cockroaches. It survives Big Bangs + Jedi mind tricks + it’s immune to Masters diplomas + mama’s cooking, so I’m taking extra precautions this time, not letting my guard down. I hope you aren’t either.

Why?

Creativity is your gift.

Yes, I’m talking to you superstar.

You have the ability to transform ideas + images + words into truth + beauty. True tale.

Don’t let resistance take that away from you.

Be ready for when your creative genius strikes out of the blue.

Be prepared for when your Muse comes whispering your next idea.

Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give the world all you’ve got.

I’m cheering for you all the way. I know Jessika is too + the entire cosmos.

xo,

Mayi Carles

Mayi Carles is a super passionate artist + eco-friendly designer + creative coach + editor of heartmade blog with big dreams + messy ideas + a severe cupcake addiction + a funny Panamanian accent. Mayi’s on a mission to empower creative hearts to dream bigger + imagine better + achieve more + embrace all the beautiful messiness in-between. To connect with Mayi, follow her tweets at @mayicarles.

The Power of Mamma’s Unconditional Love

Thursday, May 19, 2011

by Mayi Carles of Heartmade

Did your mom ever tell you…

“Do you think I was born yesterday?”

“You’d forget your head if it wasn’t screwed on.”

“Don’t make me stop this car”

“If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?”

“It’s all fun and games until someone pokes an eye out.”

“Money doesn’t grow on trees!”

“Don’t use that tone with me.”

“Don’t make me come in there.”

“Elbows off the table.”

“I don’t care what [name of best friend]’s parents say, in our house you follow our rules.”.

“We can talk about the rules when you start paying rent.”

“While you’re living under this roof…”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“Why? Because I said so, that’s why!”

“Clean up your room, missy.”

“Is that too much to ask?”

Ring a bell anyone?

Times have certainly changed. The absence of facebook + twitter in my teens sure saved my parents a ton of nightmares.

Our cultural differences sure play a big role. I’m sure my Sunday brunches with sangria + gazpacho might freak more than a handful of my non-hispanic friends.

But one thing seems to always be the same: moms will always be moms + they’ll always have their oh so famous quotable one-liner for every occasion to make us cringe + laugh at the same time. Wouldn’t you agree?

But one thing’s for sure universally + timelessly: mamma’s everywhere have a favorite line that beats all others, “No matter what you do, I’ll always love you.”.

There is much power in that 9-word phrase.

It gives us confidence to shine.

It gives us leverage to play (big).

It gives us the push we need to jump, no matter how scary + no matter how afraid we are.

Because no matter how miserably we fail, mamma will always be there.

Understanding that fact makes us invincible.

I hope the day I get to become a mommy I begin to sound more like my mom + use some of her phrases + even adopt some of her what-seem-like old fashion ideas (i.e. boyfriends can’t sleep in the house… oh gosh I really hate that one), in the hopes that I too get the chance to give my child(ren) the power to dream big + imagine better + achieve more.

xo,

Mayi Carles

{Image Credit}

Mamma Bear Painting

Copyright + Courtesy of Mayi Carles

Spring Cleaning Door Hanger Printable + Help Checklist

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

by Mayi Carles of Heartmade

Spring is here + with it splendid blooming flowers + joyful birds serenading + possibly a house that’s falling into pieces too. Thank goodness for Spring Cleaning tradition – a time to reflect + refresh + revamp our homes + hearts to start off the new season invigorated + ready to tackle the world.

I must confess, I’m a huge fan of organization (I’ve earned my Monica Geller reputation after years of practice), but even I need a little kick in the pants every now + then to get the dirty job done. So today, I’ve whipped out a super cute Spring Cleaning Door Hanger Printable to get you all excited about jumping on board into the Spring Cleaning overhaul wagon.

I know, I know. It takes more that a lovely printable to get in the mood to do piles of laundry + clean up dirty dishes + dust away the supply cabinet. So aside from today’s digital goodie, I’m also going to show you some easy to follow steps + techniques to help you organize your messy life.

Here’s my bullet proof Spring Cleaning checklist:

1. Soul searching. First thing I want you do do is grab a note pad + pencil + jot down every part of your home + heart that is making you feel uneasy. It can be an unattended inbox + an overcrowded website that’s scaring people away + a horrid cabinet drawer or even your overdue library books. Whatever it is that’s making your feel crappy inside, write it down.

2. Got to find the reasons. Now that you’ve confronted the main areas that need mayor work, sit down + analyze + write down the reasons why you want to get rid of them. It’s important to tie your dreams + wishes to strong + tangible sentiments that will get you from abstract mode to action gear. Figure out why the disorganization is happening, why it’s affecting you so much + why you can’t take it any longer. Do this process with each item of your list.

3. Get creative. Now you get to use your super creative right-brain to find clever solutions to fix your problems + old habits + messiness. Do you need shelves + hooks to unpile your shoes? Do you need to hire an assistant to help you manage your e-mail load? Do you have to pick a day each month to do your finances so the receipts don’t reach the sky? Do you need to call a friend for help? Use that brilliance of yours to find concrete solutions to your problems.

4. Schedule it. Rome was not created in a day. So leave aside the superwomen syndrome + be realistic about your expectations. With a calendar in hand + your Spring Cleaning to do list, assign a day for each item or even a weekend if there’s substantially more work involved. It’s important to do one task at a time to stay motivated + engaged.

5. Ready. Set. Go! When the time comes to put on your apron + get cleaning, make sure be there + on time + present + ready to roll. If you need tools or materials to get the job done, have them handy. If you need your umpa lumpa crew (aka your family + friends + etc.) on board for the project, be sure to remind them of the engagement. Be ready to undertake everything!

6. Reward yourself. A pat on the back is nice, but a cupcake + a massage session or a mojito is even better. Be gentle with yourself + celebrate each victory with little (or big) gifts. They will sure keep you going like the Energizer bunny + super excited to complete every task that you set out to accomplish.

I truly hope these manual was helpful for ya’. Be sure to add your Spring Cleaning success tip below to keep the conversation going.

xo,

Mayi Carles

Mayi Carles is a super passionate artist + avid eco-friendly designer + creative coach + editor of heartmade with big dreams + messy ideas + a severe cupcake addiction + a funny Panamanian accent. Mayi’s on a mission to empower creative hearts to dream bigger + imagine better + achieve more + embrace all the beautiful messiness in-between. To connect with Mayi, follow her tweets at @mayicarles.

All Oh My! Handmade Goodness printables and free downloads are for non-commercial, personal use only please. Copyright is owned by the designer unless otherwise stated. If you have a commercial inquiry please contact the designer or email the editor. Please don’t host the PDF on your own site, we love sharing but link to the original post for the download, thanks!

Taking the Icky Out of Image Sourcing

Thursday, March 31, 2011

by Mayi Carles from heartmade

I’m not the image police, nor do I intend to be. As a matter of fact, not so long ago I was convicted of a felony for mistakenly using an image. So there you have it, I’m not perfect! But due to my recent “shame” with image sourcing, man have I studied this case thoroughly. Because who likes tripping over the same stone twice, know what I mean? Plus, if I can save you the pain + embarrassment of going through it yourself, then I will have paid my dues to society + probably won a few steps to heaven too.

Let me start by saying I’m a very visually oriented person. So when conceiving my blog heartmade I knew I wanted to use lots + lots of images + well-designed layouts + beautiful collage + breath-taking graphics to tell my stories + share my ideas + celebrate creativity + post inspirations. So you can see why the issue of image sourcing, particularly when it comes to blogging, is so crucial for me to nail.

After months of research – asking around the blogosphere + inquiring artists in my community who I trust + making a few mistakes along the way too – I’ve come to accept that there is no such thing as a universal controversy-free image sourcing policy. But then again I’ve never appreciated fixed manuals of operation + stone-written dogmas, so you’ll soon find out today’s post is not about preaching or teaching; it’s about thinking + reflecting. I won’t tell you what to do, but I’ll sure make you ponder + revisit + if I’m successful even re-valuate your image sourcing etiquette.

let’s play a little jiminy cricket game

nuts + bolts of permission letters

When writing the permission note you should consider:

Making it personal.
Being specific.
Making it short + sweet.
Telling them a little bit about your blog.
Including a URL to your blog.
Telling them when the feature is scheduled to go up.
Giving thanks for their consideration.

It’s important because…

It shows you care.
It set’s you apart from other bloggers.
It helps spread the word about your blog + message.
It has the potential to make someone smile, because come on who doesn’t love a cool feature?
It invites people whom you admire to love your blog + join your tribe.
It creates the platform for a wonderful friendship.

wait! there’s more

Make an honest effort to create your own images.
When utilizing images from others, credit everything + everyone – the maker + the source + the moderator (in that order).

a. Use “by” when you are referencing who created the image. When you can’t find the photographer who created the image reference the publication + shop + blog who it was originally created for.

b. Use “via” when referencing where you got the image from (i.e blogs + magazines + personal websites). Ohh + please be aware Pinterest + Flickr + Etsy + We Love Indie + such sites are not sources.

c. Use “found” when acknowledging who guided you to a particular image (i.e a friend + a fellow blogger).

3. Go out of your way to track down all that you can about the image you’re utilizing. Use tineye.com to help you look up the source of the image you are using. I need to thank Jess from Epheriell Designs for this awesome tip.

4. If you can’t find much information about the image you want to use, don’t use it.

5. Your image credits should be active links, not just text.

6. Credits shouldn’t be displayed in size 2 font. Please make your credits visible + worth the effort.

7. The image itself should be an active link too. This will allow visitors to track the original source easily. This is especially awesome when utilizing product photos + people can actually buy the item at hand. Talk about good karma – to aid a sale instead of cutting corners, right?

8. It’s especially nice if you can also make mention of the images you are using in the post itself, so it doesn’t look like you just have it there to fill space.

9. Never use images from newspapers + publications + big companies + without written permission. You never know when legal restrictions apply + you can be placing yourself in a hot big mess.

10. Never ever remove a watermark from an image or modify an image without permission.

11. Only post singular images, never a collage + layout or an entire step by step DIY or recipe that has been made by another designer without written authorization.

12. Whenever in doubt, I always ask first.

It all boils down to giving people enough information for them to be able to go back + track all your steps. If you’re in the business of building communities + promoting originality + celebrating kindness, then you definitively want to take extra caution when sourcing.

yeah, so why should I care?

Aside from the obvious, because doing what’s right + ethical feel so darn good, proper image sourcing is important because one misstep could really hinder your reputation or even worse, you could be perceived as someone who steals other people’s work + that’s no fun! I know most people aren’t trying to be disrespectful, but not being aware just isn’t a good excuse in this day + age.

Today you can choose to be known as someone who generates unique + creative content that celebrates loves + kindness, or you can choose to promote a culture of laziness + mindless copy-pasting + careless free for all. The choice if yours. What will you choose?

Achieving excellence in image sourcing is certainly extra work, but it’s worth the effort. It certainly helps me sleep at night, which is all I want after a long day of work!

fantastic resources

Below is a list of some of the most amazing articles I’ve read while researching this topic.

Frolic: Blog Talk: Crediting Photos

Natalie Jost: A Word About Sourcing

Epheriell Designs: Taking it up a Notch: Image + Photograph + Source Credits

Design*Sponge: Copying + Stealing + Crediting

Design*Sponge: How to Credit

Jessika Hepburn: for inspiring me to put myself together + write this thing!

your turn please

Now, I would love to hear all you lovelies out there. What are your comments + ideas + tips about image sourcing? Anything you would like to add or suggest? Let’s continue this sensitive conversation in the comment section below, shall we?

xo,

Mayi Carles

Handmade Here: My Name is Panama

Friday, February 18, 2011

by Mayi Carles of Heartmade

When Jessika first announced the theme for this month, Handmade Here, I panicked. What was I going to talk about? My first thought. Panama has a nearly non-existent handmade scene. My second thought.

I turned to hubby for help with this one, as I was obviously feeling stuck. He quickly brought clarity to my crazy girl senses when he just said: “Talk about the mola”. Brilliant hubby thinking in action right there.

So this is exactly what I’m going to talk about today. To tell you the story of the mola.

Said to have originated about 200 years ago from body painting, the Kuna Indians of the San Blas Islands in Panama developed the mola, a textile artwork embroidery + applique that depicts tropical flora + fauna + ease of island living in the tropics. French missionaries in Panama imported fine cotton poplins for the Kunas to cover their bare bodies. Victorian properties aside, the Kunas maintains some of the last + most beautifully crafted remaining indigenous textile art forms in the world.

The artistry of a mola reflects a synthesis of traditional Kuna culture with the influences of the modern world. Mola designs are often inspired by modern graphics like political posters + labels + books + TV, as well as traditional themes from Kuna legends + culture. It’s a juxtaposition of the old with the new, beautifully executed.

Many many hours of careful sewing are required to create a fine mola. The ability to make an outstanding mola is a source of status among Kuna women.

If you ever find yourself down here you might be curious to know that the quality of a mola is determined by such factors as:
•   number of layers
•   fineness of stitching
•   evenness and width of cutouts
•   addition of details such as zigzag borders, lattice-work or embroidery
•   general artistic merit of the design and color combination.

But one of the most magical things I leaned about the molas growing up is that when the Kuna women get tired of a particular blouse, they actually disassemble it + sell it to collectors. Since mola panels have been worn as part of the traditional dress of a Kuna woman they often show signs of wear such as fading + stitch marks along the edges of the panels. And these “imperfections” indicate that the mola is authentic + not made solely to be sold to tourists.

This is why molas are often sold in pairs, the pair consisting of the back + front panels of a blouse. The two molas are usually two variations on a theme. Matched molas complement each other + should be displayed or used together for the greatest impact.

Mola panels have many uses. They can be framed as art or made into pillows, place mats or wall hangings. Some people even make them into bedspreads or incorporate them into quilting projects.

And today’s story doesn’t end there. I actually want to share with you some amazing ways crafters are using molas + incorporating them into their designs. The result is a beautifully orchestrated + exquisite mix of an ancient art form with the modern. Take a look at some of my favorites:

Each THRED pillow blends the mola with the subtle design + color of nature + the tropics. A portion of each sale goes to a foundation to sustain the culture + artwork + traditional lifestyle of the Kuna Indians.

The main material used in South Industry’s line of accessories is the mola.  The molas are reclaimed + reused to make accessories mixed with vibrant colors of leather creating a blend of the past tradition + a contemporary look + technique.

Mola Mama offers ultra high quality + hand stitched, reverse applique Kuna Indian mola fabric folk art with a New Mexico twist. The lively designs are all about the animals + bold + rich colors.

There you have it folks. You now comprehend how off I was in my initial assumptions about handmade culture Panama, don’t you?

A hope that this little glimpse into Panama’s most treasured art form was fun + inspiring + educational. I feel so blessed to have been able to share a tiny piece of who I am + where I come from with you.

xo,

Mayi Carles

Mayi Carles is a Panamanian multi-passionate artist + avid eco-friendly designer + heart behind heartmade blog + creative coach on a cupcake sugar rush. Mayi’s on a mission to build her very own creative empire + empower other creative hearts to build theirs too. To connect with Mayi, follow her tweets at @mayicarles.

Image Credits:

Image 1: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TradMola.jpg

Image 2: http://www.lolabeachpanama.com/attractions.php and http://www.news.com.au/travel/world/destination/panama

Image 4: http://www.thredpillows.com/

Image 5: http://www.etsy.com/shop/molamama

Image 6: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthIndustry

How to Keep Your Creative Space Inspiring

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

by Mayi Carles of Heartmade

Do you shove your supplies into a dusty corner? Do you pile your desk with crap, including yesterday’s meal? Do you throw away your receipts into that drawer you know looks like Bermuda’s Triangle? If so you might be creating the grounds to a real inspiration killer + as creatives we really can’t afford that.

Your creative space might not even be the dungeon I depicted below, but if it’s not making your heart sing, you’re still in deep trouble. Your workshop needs to be your sanctuary, where dreams get made + ideas get visualized + products get unraveled. And if your space is not doing just that, then you seriously need to rethink how you’re keeping your creative space.

But there’s no need to hit the panic button, I’m here to help. Today’s post is all about teaching you some simple + fun techniques to keep your spaces inspiring + empowering. And specially designed for creative types, this list includes some of my favorite tips for supporting + encouraging the right hemisphere of our brains as much as possible. Let’s begin!

1. Surround yourself with beautiful things. You are inspired by the things you have around you, so make sure to bring in lots of eye candy to your space – a beautiful art piece + a vintage object + a colorful wall + picture frames filled with pretty photographs + an inspirational board – these are all great ways to keep your space looking fabulous.

2. Keep it organized. Easier said than done, right? But there’s really no way around this one. You need to organize your space in a way that’s both appealing to your senses + practical. Appealing because a basket full of tangled threads kills all inspiration, while a color + shape coordinated thread cabinet is such a booster. And functional because you should easily be able to find everything you need in the quickest + most efficient way possible. For example if you are sewing a headband keep your needle + scissor at hand-grabbing distance. Whatever makes more sense for your creative process, that’s how you should organize your space.

3. Let there be light. No intent to offend darkness here, but don’t you think it’s a little depressing? Bring in some invigorating + clear natural daylight + when this runs out make space for plenty of white light bulbs, they will be your loyal companions + life-savers during those intricate projects + detailed masterpieces + long reading/writing sessions. Your straining eyes will be so thankful.

4. Get comfortable. Get yourself a nice comfortable chair that supports your back + accommodate it to the just the right height for your desk table. Keep the A/C at a soothing temperature or open the windows to let in a nice cool breeze. Wear supportive shoes + arrange your hair so that it doesn’t get in the way of things + get into comfortable clothes. And sure, if being in your pj’s all day does the trick then I say heck yeah, go for it!

5. Minimize distractions. Turn your cellphone off + shut your twitter + facebook windows + close the door + get the TV out + ask grandma to take care of the little ones. Do whatever you need to regain focus + minimize distractions + time wasters + procrastination catalyzers + productivity killers.

6. Remove unwanted clutter. Throw away anything that you find unappealing + bothersome + annoying. That ugly throw pillow that serves no purpose or your husband’s college poster you’re sick of seeing. If you are tired of it, take it out.

7. Keep it neat + clean. The best way I know to keep your studio looking impeccable + inviting is to clean up after every single project, no excuses. It’s like cleaning the dishes, if you leave it for later it will transform into a horrid task. I say, postpone present pleasure for future gain. You’ll be amazed by happiness that will consume you the next time you enter your craft room only to find it ready for action. It’s priceless.

8. Bring in some music. This might be my favorite inspiration fire-upper! There is nothing that uplifts the soul more than a jamming session to my favorite tunes. Make a couple a playlists for every occasion + mood + have your speakers always readily available to play some music.

9. Bring in some help. When you’re feeling overwhelmed + utterly uninspired + a little down, be prepared to take out your help kit. I know a cup of hot chocolate + an inspirational quote always does the trick for me. But what’s on your help kit? It can be a love song + a cup of hot chamomile tea + a post it note + your daughters Mother’s Day card + a book of poems. Whatever refreshes your spirit counts.

10. Store it nicely. The space of a creative is always bombarded with stuff. It seems we can never have too many supplies + books + tools + materials + more, so for us it’s key to keep everything properly stored, not only for organizational purposes but also for conservation ones. Humidity + dust + water are just some of the few menaces that can damage the life of our precious creative things. That’s why proper storage is fundamental. Think clear containers + cradles + cabinets + bulletin boards + folders + shelves – all properly labeled.

11. Stock up. Make sure to keep a well-stocked studio with plenty of supplies – pens + glue + scissors + needles + thread + paper + staples. It’s such a mood killer to be during the middle of a project + have to run to your local craft shop to get more or even worse having to order it online + wait days to get it. Talk about melting my fire. To prevent this from happening always keep at least 2 of your most used items in stock.

Now, with this list in hand, I invite you to take a look at your creative space again + evaluate it carefully. Is there anything that needs changing? Could you make small improvements that could really benefit your creative business? Take a look around + be the judge. Rethink anything that needs rethinking + rearrange anything that needs rearranging. A life of epic inspirations awaits you. Embrace it head on!

xo,

Mayi Carles

Mayi Carles is a Panamanian multi-passionate artist + avid eco-friendly designer + heart behind heartmade blog + creative coach. To connect with Mayi, follow her tweets at @mayicarles.

Image Credits:

1: via dottieangle + via myidealhome

2: via designspongeonline.com + via aubreyroad.blogspot.com

3: via objectsinspace + via weardesignbureau

4: via everyeskimo