I Just Might Explode

A Word From Our Sponsors: June.

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. Every month I ask my lovely sponsors random question for you to know their souls a little bit more. 

This month's question:

What is one detail in your life that you like to put extra attention to?

Melisa from Pienthesky:

Oh dear. I feel like the answer for me is everything! I am such a perfectionist and I love paying attention to the little details. Everything from special packaging to sweet reminders to the Mr of how much I like him, from extra time in photoshop editing to making sure every hair on my head is curled just right. ha. It might sound nuts, but I try and do everything with a spirit of excellence and though I'm far from perfect, I still try daily :)

Melisa is a full time college student and Etsy shop owner. I love to create and I long to bring beauty to this world. Melisa loves fancy, lovely, frilly things. Melisa likes to inspire and that's what I try to do through her little blog: Pie N' the Sky. Pie N' the Sky is a lifestyle blog focused on inspiration, handmade and lovely things! Melisa's blog is full of goals, daily inspirations, projects, her Mr, fashion, and lots of photos. You can follow Melisa on Twitter, Facebook, and Etsy. 

Moorea from Moorea Seal:

I am the sort of person that is obsessed with the little details, being a jewelry designer, blog designer, and illustrator, it's kind of my job to be that way! But when I am not working away from morning till night, I try my best to take care of myself with simple and sweet actions like painting my nails, eating healthy, and going rock climbing or running. Taking care of myself usually comes last after working hard and trying to care for those around me whom I love. But I have learned over time that I can work harder and can love others better when I have invested in myself daily and fully. Come join in my "Paint Your Love" project on my blog where, each week, I post about a new way we can love and invest in ourselves better. I encourage my readers to paint their nails a new color each week so they have a visual reminder of how they are learning to love themselves more, and I join in too of course!

Moorea is an artist, jewelry designer, blogger, illustrator, and blog designer based out of Seattle. You can follow Moorea on her blog, shop, and Twitter. 

Alycia from The Curious Pug:

One (big) detail in my life that I like to put extra attention into is my little family. Even though it's just the 3 of us (Monty is like our baby!), I still value our time together and would almost always choose a quiet night in over a night out.

 

Alycia lives in California with her husband and dog Monty. She enjoys being a book worm, crafter, and wannabe green thumb. When she's not crafting or blogging, she works as an x-ray tech when the economy allows!

Vicki from But It's a Good Place to Start:

Wow that is a HARD questions - just one??? My FRINGE. Yes it's a little sad, and maybe just a teeny bit vain but I have to get it trimmed every 4 weeks - otherwise it starts to look just a little odd. So there you have it; please don't judge me!!!! 

Vicki is the author of But It's A Good Place To Start, she is a wife and mummy and is currently studying for a BA in Design. She bakes wonderful cakes and loves to make random jam flavours. Vicki hopes to open an Etsy store one day and have a gorgeous design studio.

Krystal from Krystal Rose:

My planner is definitely something that receives extra attention. I spend so much time trying to find the *perfect* planner. Then, after I make a decision, I love to personalize it and make it my own! What can I say, I love to stay organized! It's something that I use daily & saves my life when I almost forget that really important project at work.

Krystal Rose is a blog that follows the life of a 25 year old photo taker & blog loving girl living in Northern California . Krystal just opened up her etsy shop where she sells pretty paper & little books. Krystal loves new friends, so stop by and say hi to her on her blog or Twitter.

Natalie from Awkward and Beautiful:

One detail that I would like to put extra attention into would be art journal demo videos. A lot of friends of mine say they're wonderful, but I just never have enough time or patience to make more, but gosh I have a lot of great ideas! I want to spend more time doing that then anything.

Natalie is a 22 year old Starbucks barista from Texas who crafts coffee by day, and paints journal pages by night. Natalie can also be found on Twitter, Flickr, and Tumblr when she's not flinging coffee around or playing with her cat.

Jada from Minestrone Soup for the Teenage Soul:

When I moved to Massachusetts for college, I left not only my family and friends, but my lovely Weber piano, Charlotte. Yes, I named my piano. This summer, I'm planning on practicing my piano more and writing music. Because I'm also taking a summer online course on classical music, I'm going to be teaching myself all of Frederich Chopin's compositions...well, some at least!

Minestrone Soup for the Teenage Soul is a blog about a girl, living in the big city of Boston. It first started as a food blog, but branched out into a more personal lifestyle blog. Jada shares her adventures as a student in the city.

Hope from Paper Relics:

Books. I am a book geek. I have so many books (paper and digital) across many subjects (art, craft, fiction, classics, philosophy, etc) and I love to incorporate them in the decorating of the rooms through out my house. 

Hope Wallace Karney is greeting card designer and freelance designer living in Maryland. She also creates e-courses for art journaling and can be found at her blog, Twitter, and Facebook. She is currently running a new online journaling class called Three Times The Charm.

If you're interested in promoting your business, indie band, or Etsy shop or just wanting some new faces to check out your blog, send me an email to karahaupt(@)gmail.com for stats and rates.  Read more and hear some past sponsor testimonials on my Sponsorship page. Thanks so much!

A Word From Our Sponsors: May

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. Every month I ask my lovely sponsors random question for you to know their souls a little bit more. 

This month's question:

What are you most looking forward to doing this summer?

Kelly Ann from Flowerchild Dwelling:

One of the things I'm most looking forward to are lazy days spent in the shade, drinking iced coffee and reading books galore! 

Kelly Ann blogs at Flowerchid Dwelling and is a designer for Freckled Nest Design. Kelly has an eye for gorgeous, delicate design and is an all around lovely lady. You can follow Kelly at Twitter and Tumblr. 

Mandi from Moxie Mandie:

I'm looking forward to a summer of  L O V E. My husband & I are busy and work different schedules, plus he's in school & I'm running a side business, but I want to make sure that we're still able to have fun when we can. I want to plan some surprise dates & mini photo-shoots & fill up our 'together time' with wonderful memories. :)

Mandie just opened her etsy shop, Moxie Mandie, full of the cutest stitched wares. She blogs regularly and is one of the sweetest online friends I know. Enter BRINGSPRING in the coupon code box for free shipping on every order in her shop. 

Victoria from Be One of a Kind:

This summer I can't wait to read something that isn't a textbook, paint because I now have free time, and travel to NYC for fashion seminars.

 Victoria is the whimsical shop owner and blogger of Garden of Eden Designs. You can follow Victoria for more loveliness on Twitter and Facebook. 

London from Such, Sweet Tierney:

This summer I'm looking forward to moving to (technically closer into) Seattle and exploring the lovely city!  All the live music, beaches, and farmers markets full of handmade treasure are some of my favorite parts of summer here!  On the rainy days I enjoy trips to the library or Elliot Bay books!  Seattle has amazing thrift stores, and a growing artisan community that I can't wait to be a part of.  I'm hoping that living in the city and being a constant explorer will help me build my blogging and photography skills so I can share the amazing adventure with all of you!

 London recently opened a full website with her darling paper crafting supplies. London also blogs and can be found on Twitter and Facebook. 

Samantha from Indie & Chic:

Starting my first real job. I graduate from college May 28th and I begin work June 22nd. I'm interested to see how I adjust to a work week of 70 hours, as well as being able to make a difference with the Gulf oil spill disaster. Most of all I'm looking forward to being home again and spending time in my mom's garden with the animals and watching the fireflies at night. I've missed home :) 

Samantha is a 22 year old college student from Alabama who spends her free time cooking up pretty accessories for her Indie & Chic Etsy shop. Samantha can also be found at her blog and Twitter. 

If you're interested in promoting your business, indie band, or Etsy shop or just wanting some new faces to check out your blog, send me an email to karahaupt(@)gmail.com for stats and rates.  Read more and hear some past sponsor testimonials on my Sponsorship page. Sponsors spots are open for The City and Cup of Joe feature  for June. Contact me for special pricing. Thanks so much!

A Word From Our Sponsors: April

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. Every month I ask my lovely sponsors random question for you to know their souls a little bit more. 

This month's question:

Is there a color combination/pattern/trend that has been inspiring you recently? What is it and why?

Samantha from Indie and Chic:

I am currently in love with this bright color scheme. I'm putting together Indie and Chic's summer line currently, and I have lots of these bright colors making their way into the shop. To me summer is about bright, warm colors and I am REALLY ready for summer to be here. Bright bold colors are great for summer accessories and I hope that others will feel the same way. 

Samantha is a 22 year old college student from Alabama who spends her free time cooking up pretty accessories for her Indie & Chic Etsy shop. Samantha can also be found at her blog and Twitter. 

Patty from Pattycakes Vintage:

For some reason, yellow and gray. I feel like it has been done already but in my world its the cream of the crop.  When it comes to yellow, I just feel you cannot go wrong. It adds a pop of color to any room.  I notice that my yellow items in my shop sell out real quick, there must be something about that yellow vintage item that must be had.  As for gray, well he just goes well with yellow and as a scrapbook/crafter I just love using the two together  in my projects.

(left image: design sponge. right image: pattycakes vintage)

Patty is rockin' scrapbooker, nanny, and a lady I'm proud to call my IRL friend. Patty runs a wonderful and well priced vintage Etsy store called Pattycakes Vintage.  You can follow Patty on her blog and Twitter. 

Shaina from 52 Weeks:

my current favorite color combo right now is the inspiration for my blog, my soon-to-be office (in our brand new house!!) and my favorite outfits.  grey, purple and a splash of yellow.  isn't it true that you decide you just love something and you start to see it everywhere??  like when you pick your dream car and then suddenly everyone in town seems to have one?  that feels a bit like what happened with my color combo.  i somehow stumbled onto in while doing a scrapbook layout, and then i designed my current blog around it.  and then it popped up everywhere!  lol.  but not in a bad way.  it has just added to my inspiration.  i feel like its just "me."  grey, purple and yellow together feel fresh, down to earth, bright with that pop of something just for fun.  i hope to exude that.  i want my life full of that.  and so im surrounding myself with that!  

Shaina is a 24 year old "wife, daughter, sister, and friend", not to mention, a wonderful photographer. Shaina just released a book about her journeys in self portraiture and poetry. You can follow Shaina at her blog and flickr. 

Kelly Ann from Flowerchild Dwelling:

I'm pretty much obsessed with navy, green, and yellow. They've always been my favourite colours - but this year, especially, I've loved seeing this colour trio pop up in fashion and interior design. I think it's fun and fresh, and I can tell that it's inspiring my work lately, most definitely!

Kelly Ann blogs at Flowerchid Dwelling and is a designer for Freckled Nest Design. Kelly has an eye for gorgeous, delicate design and is an all around lovely lady. You can follow Kelly at Twitter and Tumblr. 

If you're interested in promoting your business, indie band, or Etsy shop or just wanting some new faces to check out your blog, send me an email to karahaupt(@)gmail.com for stats and rates.  Read more and hear some past sponsor testimonials on my Sponsorship page. Sponsors spots are open for The City and Cup of Joe feature  for May. Contact me for special pricing. Thanks so much!

A Word From Our Sponsors: March

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. Every month I ask my lovely sponsors random question for you to know their souls a little bit more.

This month's question:

What a piece of wisdom has been most helpful to you in your creative process?

The gentleman of Apple Horse:

Probably when someone told us that if a practice wasn't going anywhere, we should put down our instruments and just hang out. If you're stressed or feeling negatively about your day, you never end up reacting as effectively throughout it.

(photograph by Kip Stutzman)

Apple Horse is an indie rock band from Boise, ID. Read more about Apple Horse in this post and check out their website and purevolume site for more. Apple Horse can also be found at Facebook and Twitter.

Samantha from Indie and Chic:

"Don't be afraid to put a piece of yourself into your work." I think sometimes it's really hard to try something new, especially if the idea comes straight from your heart and imagination. Because if it fails, it feels like your idea, your style or a piece of yourself wasn't good enough. However, I also think that it's important to create things that reflect who you are and what you love, no matter how many people feel the same way. Some artists go their whole entire life without being appreciated, but the artists that are themselves and produce from the heart don't do it for anyone else. In today's world it's hard to find that balance between being an artist and being business savvy. You are tempted as an artist to only create what you know will sell. I personally make many more things than I list in my etsy shop. I make them for myself in a process where I get to look inward and produce something tangible. I don't want to look back and only have mass produced jewelry, I want my pieces to tell a story of where I was at that point in my life and reflect the influences I had at the time To me, that is art.

Samantha is a 22 year old college student from Alabama who spends her free time cooking up pretty accessories for her Indie & Chic Etsy shop. Samantha can also be found at her blog and Twitter. Samantha was also this month's sponsor for The City and Cup of Joe feature. 

If you're interested in promoting your business, indie band, or Etsy shop or just wanting some new faces to check out your blog, send me an email to karahaupt(@)gmail.com for stats and rates.  Read more and hear some past sponsor testimonials on my Sponsorship page. Sponsors spots are open for The City and Cup of Joe feature  for May. Contact me for special pricing. Thanks so much!

A Word From Our Sponsors: February

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. Every month I ask my lovely sponsors random question for you to know their souls a little bit more. 

This month's question:

What is your favorite item in your shop right now and why?

Samantha from Indie & Chic:

Ooo my favorite item in the shop right now has to be the Honeysuckle Cocktail Headband. I love it because I got to be really creative making the piece in chosing which flowers, beads and colors I wanted to use. I'm trying to branch out the shop and these headbands are so much fun to work on. I really enjoy when customers give me a color palette and then I get to work from that, just a whole different process than the other items in my shop. I'm hoping to get more headbands in the shop by March.

 

Samantha is a 22 year old college student from Alabama who spends her free time cooking up pretty accessories for her Indie & Chic Etsy shop. Samantha can also be found at her blog and Twitter. Samantha is being super generous and offering her Cocktail headbands 10% off until 2/21/11 - use code KARAHB.

Liz from Srsly Liz:

The Pocket Full of Posies Jumper is my favourite shop item at the moment! It's super versatile, making it perfect for styling in any season. Spring is just around the corner and this floral little number would be a great addition to any closet.

Liz is a designer and blogger from Sacramento, California. Liz curates a fantastic vintage shop  called Little Gray Suitcase and designs gorgoeus blogs in her free time. Follow Liz at her Tumblr and Twitter.

If you're interested in promoting your business, indie band, or Etsy shop or just wanting some new faces to check out your blog, send me an email to karahaupt(@)gmail.com for stats and rates.  Read more and hear some past sponsor testimonials on my Sponsorship page. Sponsors spots are open for The City and Cup of Joe feature  for April and May. Contact me for special pricing. Thanks so much!

 

A Word From Our Sponsors: November

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. Every month I ask my lovely sponsors random question for you to know their souls a little bit more. 

This month's question:

What is one thing you're grateful for that years ago would have surprised you for being grateful for?

Mollie from Wild Olive:

I think I've always been grateful for my family, but these days, it's sort of different. A few years ago, I never would have thought that I would still be living at home, and I certainly wouldn't have thought that I would be grateful for it! Yes, having my own place might be good, and yes, I would love to meet someone and get married. But truly, I appreciate being a part of the family that I have, and I am grateful that I get to experience the every day (most days...) with my young brothers and sister. God has blessed me soooo much!

Mollie is a crafter, embroider, and blogger extraordinaire. Take a minute to check out her blog and Etsy shop. She has the cutest thanksgiving printable for all you procrastinators.

Elise Blaha Cripe from Elise Joy:

I am grateful for so much. Paul, of course, my parents, my home, my job. But something that surprises me today is how grateful I am for twitter. It's such a silly website, but it keeps me up to date on my college friends who are all over the country. Without it, I'd know the big stuff going on in their lives, but not the little stuff. And it's knowing the little stuff that makes it feel like we're still living next door.

You can follow Elise on Twitter right here. You probably want to read her blog and favorite her shop, while you're at it.

Mandie from Moxie Mandie:

I moved to New Mexico over 4 years ago from Michigan when I married my husband, & I hated it here SO much. I'm so grateful that I hung in there, though, because I'm now so happy to be here. I've had so many great opportunities that I would have never had if I was in Michigan, & it's here that I learned to sew, & have become part of a great community of crafters! Albuquerque has tons of beautiful hot air balloons, so much sunshine, & so many cultures that are proudly celebrated by it's people. It's been a great place to live!

Mandie just opened her etsy shop, Moxie Mandie, full of the cutest stitched wares. She blogs regularly and is one of the sweetest online friends I know.

If you're interested in promoting your business, indie band, or Etsy shop for the holiday season or just wanting some new faces to check out your blog, send me an email to karahaupt(@)gmail.com for stats and rates. Sponsors spots are open for The City and Cup of Joe feature. Contact me for special pricing. Thanks so much!

A Word From Our Sponsors: October

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. Every month I ask my lovely sponsors a completely random question for you to know their souls a little bit more.  

This month's question:

What is your favorite place in your home/room/studio/office?

Jessica from Wayside Violet:

A few months ago my husband, Joel, our fluffy pup, Cors, and I moved from the St. Louis area up to Chicago. We left behind this amazing/crazy little house that was built in the 40s and terrorized in the 70s. Seriously guys, whoever thought shag carpet and paneling was a good idea? We got it all fixed up and then we had to leave. Sad day.

But now that we're all settled into our new townhouse and I secretly LOVE our new office/studio! We've rearranged it so many times and each time I love it a little more. Right now we have two sections of thick twine strung across one wall with a ton of Polaroids, Instax photos, and our favorite Brian Manley prints clipped to them. It's so good to see the faces of friends up there!

 

Joel and I have each have our own workspaces, but I'm only going to talk about mine. I have this gorgeous oriental rug that I stole from my parents house before I left for college. It fits perfectly under my desk. I stained the chair myself and I think I need to make a pretty little cushion for it sometime soon. On my desk I have a cute blue lamp, a glass for paint brushes and knitting needles, and a ceramic pot I found in Mexico a few years ago that holds all kinds of things I use pretty much everyday.  On the wall I have my beloved Rosie Music print and gorgeous photo print from Anabela of Fieldguided.

Odds & ends and organization: There's of yarn storage all over the room: a basket under my desk, another basket on top of a book case, and a set of drawers filled to bursting. We have a shelf that we keep a mix of paintings and photos on. Our film camera still needs the perfect home. That's my next project, well that and finally making curtains!

I love this room because we all enjoy being in here and we spend lots of evenings being busy and making things: Joel working on website designs or on homework from his grad school program and me sketching, blogging, sometimes painting, pretty much always knitting and daydreaming. Cors likes to camp out in the middle of the room so he can beg for belly rubs anytime one of us walks by. Oh and there's always music coming from the record player!

 

Jessica is a blogger and curator of the coolest knitwares shop around. Stop by her blog for the cutest birthday giveaway and always lovely blog posts.

Ciera from Ciera Design:

I am really enjoying my new home office that I set up a month ago! It is a gallery space as well as an office so it is an inspiring place to work. The space has artwork from friends and family, a workspace and items from my childhood. My nightlight from when I was a kid is one of my favorite things. I drew the image and my dad sandblasted the abstract shaped glass for me. It is also one of the few things from my childhood that survived Katrina so it is even more special!

Ciera is a graphic designer,  photographer, and new Etsian from New Orleans. Read more about Ciera and some her guilty pleasures here.

Mollie from Wild Olive:

My space is small, but I have a lot squeezed into it. A LOT. Visually, it makes me crazy, but I can't seem to do anything about it. And so, my favorite place is my wall. There are a few pieces of art on it, but being able to look up from always-covered and spilling -over desk and see this order on my wall...well, it clears my mind. (And I really need another shelf, but I'm cringing at the thought of adding it to this wall...my open space!)

Mollie is a crafter, embroider, and blogger extraordinaire. Take a minute to check out her blog and Etsy shop.

Samantha from Indie & Chic: 

Well since 50% of my time is spent in my dorm room, I guess I'll choose a space in here. I spend the most time between my bed and my desk, and I honestly don't know which one I enjoy more, haha. I am productive at my desk. I pack orders, write papers and work from here. However, I am the most thoughtful and insightful while sitting in bed. I journal here, I reflect here and once in awhile I have a good cry here. So I guess my dorm room in general is my favorite place, it's my safe little cave... and don't we all need a safe little cave?

Samantha is a 22 year old college student from Alabama who spends her free time cooking up pretty accessories for her Indie & Chic Etsy shop. Samantha can also be found at her blog and Twitter. She just listed a bunch of cute new bobby pins in her shop.

Christina from Christina Alessi:

My home is my studio. My husband and I live in a 115 year old gate house with our two tiny dogs and one giant cat.

After looking at nearly 30 houses (our realtor probably wanted to kill us), we fell in love with this quirky little structure. I actually felt sparks when I walked through the door. It is a happy, cozy place with lots of charm and character. Though we're smack in the middle of a pretty urban area, I feel like we live in a little oasis surrounded by lots of old trees and shrubs with berries and flowers.

Here is a picture of my house from 1895!!!

I generally work on craft projects all over my house. There are balls of yarn pierced with knitting needles and crochet hooks in almost every room. Colored pencils and sketch books are stacked in my living room and I keep a spare set in my car. Our second bedroom is my official art/ craft space. That's where I keep my desk and all of my supplies. It's a great place to escape from the television!

Since my husband and I are both musicians, we have a designated music room, too. That being said, you'll often see a guitar or keyboard plopped in the kitchen or living room leftover from late-night inspiration.

I'm so thankful for our home and I'm proud of the way it's coming along. We'll be here two years at the end of this month and I am looking forward to living and creating here for many more to come.

Thanks for reading about my little creative corner of the world!

Christina is an Etsy shop owner, blogger, and musician. And totally, totally cool.

Tania from What'chu Talkin About Willis:

My studio, is my favorite room in the house because I feel like every single thought from my soul is creatively infused.  I's feel empty without the ability to create. It's the place that makes me feel safe & uninhibited.  Where there are no rules. Where I can walk away and leave it a mess and not feel guilty. HA! Where I realize the talent I have comes from a greater power.  Where I realize God uses it as a means for me to provide financially for my family.  It's the room where my girls sit by my side crafting with me, while thinking I'm the coolest thing since sliced bread.  Really, what can be better than that!?

Tania is a mama, blogger, and e-class creator. To know more about Tania's classes, read this lovely post.

If you're interested in promoting your business, indie band, or Etsy shop for the holiday season or just wanting some new faces to check out your blog, send me an email at karahaupt(@)gmail.com for stats and rates. Thanks so much!

 

A Word From Our Sponsors: September

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. I'm starting a new feature, once a month, called 'A Word From Our Sponsors'. I'll be asking them a completely random question for you to know their souls a little bit more.

This month's question:

What's your current favorite autumn thing?

Mollie from Wild Olive:

Autumn itself is probably my favorite thing, only because there are soooo many good parts! I love the cooler weather, and wearing sweaters, and crunching leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes, and my birthday, and Thanksgiving, and on, and on. I'm so happy that it's finally here!

Mollie is a crafter, embroider, and blogger extraordinaire. Take a minute to check out her blog and Etsy shop. She recently posted a darling tutorial for her awesome bacon fabric.

Samantha from Indie & Chic:

Autumn is my favorite season there are so many things I love about it like scarves, pumpkins, oh and the smell... weird I know. Something about the way it smells so crisp in the mornings and as the leaves start to break down. It just ties all the other pieces of autumn together :)

Samantha is a 22 year old college student from Alabama who spends her free time cooking up pretty accessories for her Indie & Chic Etsy shop. Samantha can also be found at her blog and Twitter. She just listed a bunch of cute new bobby pins in her shop.

Thanks, ladies! :)

If you're interested in promoting your business or Etsy shop for the holiday season or just wanting some new faces to check out your blog, send me an email at karahaupt(@)gmail.com for stats and rates. I Just Might Explode's page views are higher than ever and rates are affordable.  Plus you get that warm fuzzy feeling of feeding a college student!

I already have two new October sponsors that I am way excited about. Yay! Holla.

A Word From Our Sponsors: August

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. I'm starting a new feature, once a month, called 'A Word From Our Sponsors'. I'll be asking them a completely random question for you to know their souls a little bit more.

This month's question:

Who's your favorite artist and why?

First, we're hearing from Samantha and her cutie blog Indie & Chic:

I have so many favorite artists, but I guess I am most moved and touched by Brian Andreas of Story People. His art is something that is appreciated by most of my family, and we give each other prints often.

I love his words and I have found a several quotes that go along with his art that seem to have been written just for me, or so I'd like to think.

My most special Story People prints are ones my mom has given me, one for my 8th birthday and the other as she dropped me off at college. I still tear up some days when I read them.

"There has never been a day when I have not been proud of you, I said to my daughter, though some days I'm louder about other stuff so it's easy to miss that."

 

"I was waiting for such a long time, she said. I thought you forgot. It's hard to forget, I said, when there is such an empty space when you are gone. "

 

So yeah, check out Brian's work, I'm sure you will find a print or quote that speaks to you. I am constantly inspired by his and his wife's art.

 And here is my current desktop background... hehe.

Samantha is a 22 year old college student from Alabama who spends her free time cooking up pretty accessories for her Indie & Chic Etsy shop. Samantha can also be found at her blog and Twitter.

And now Mollie from Wild Olive:

Can you really choose one favorite artist? There are so many talented people out there creating truly inspirational work. But I keep going back to Ed Emberley. He has a timeless, graphic simplicity to his drawings, and I love that his work is geared towards children. Not only does he use his art to teach simple drawing, he gets you thinking about the shapes that things are made from. Creativity AND creative thinking!

Mollie is a crafter, embroider, and blogger extraordinaire. Take a minute to check out her blog and Etsy shop. 

Thanks again to Mollie and Samantha for sponsoring in August. 

I'm offering discounted sponsoring to the first three sponsors this September. So if you're interested or just want to know the discounted rates, drop me an email at karahaupt(@)gmail.com.

Love you! :)

A Word From Our Sponsors: July.

Every month I have the pleasure of having wonderful and independent artists, shops, and blogs sponsor this little place. I'm starting a new feature, once a month, called 'A Word From Our Sponsors'. I'll be asking them a completely random question for you to know their souls a little bit more.

July's question:

What inspires your creativity?

Hope from Paper Relics:

For me, as crazy as it sounds, the more full my mind is the more inspired I am to create. If I have 5 projects I am working on, I have inspiration aplenty - well enough to go around. If I am focusing on just one thing - that is when inspirations does not show up.

Hope Wallace Karney is greeting card designer and freelance designer living in Maryland. She also creates e-courses for art journaling and can be found at her blog, Twitter, and Facebook.

Samantha from Indie & Chic:

New supplies and organizing my supplies always gets me inspired to create. A lot of times I won't be in the mood to make anything so I'll just straighten up and then BAM! I've lost 2 hrs and have 4-5 new products. Also since my supplies take 3 weeks or so to arrive it's almost like a surprise to get them, and I won't even remember what I ordered, haha. So that also gets me inspired to create. The only other thing that gets me in a creative mood would be custom orders. People think of things I would never have thought of on my own, and that is so inspiring... it's almost like a collaboration. :) 

Samantha is a 22 year old college student from Alabama who spends her free time cooking up pretty accessories for her Indie & Chic Etsy shop. Samantha can also be found at her blog and Twitter.

Mollie from Wild Olive:

There are two parts to what gets me inspired to create. The first is when I go, "hmmm...I haven't created anything for a few days...I should do that!" What comes next is what really makes things happen: a blank page and a favorite pencil. In college when we had to draw ideas before hitting the computer, I hated it. Now, I see the value of simply doodling and jotting notes and getting ideas out on paper. This is where the good stuff comes from...

Mollie is a crafter, embroider, and blogger extraordinaire. Take a minute to check out her blog and Etsy shop.

Andrea from Knitty Bitties:

I think everything can inspire you IF you're looking for it. My world (and yours) is filled with color. Everyday we're bombarded with color and pattern, fonts and graphics ... usually it's sensory overload and my brain just shuts off all that 'noise.' But when I'm looking, when I'm feeling creative and wanting to create, I see things. It could be well designed signage, a sharply dressed person or even the way the dishes are stacked. The other day I was in the midst of one sewing project when I looked over and saw three spools of thread ... and there it was.  A color palette that grabbed me. I stopped what I was doing and ordered up new fabric for a new line of camera strap slipcovers. It wasn't anything big, but I noticed and I did something with it before it was forgotten. So if you want to be inspired ... just LOOK.

Andrea is a mama, wife, and the force behind the successful Knitty Bitties Etsy shop. You can find Andrea at her blog and Twitter.

Rachel from Rachie's Place:

What inspires my creativity may be surprising to some. While I may consider myself a creative person, I sometimes have trouble feeling inspired. I do find though, that if I create the ideal environment, that creativity will follow...

So what inspires me? A clean home, content pets, a happy husband. Combined with a clean workspace, a good movie (or my favorite music), a glass of water, and my mac, I am set. Without any worries and nothing that needs my immediate attention, I am then able to begin my personal creative process!

Rachel Mason is an aspiring photographer, wife, blogger, and doggie-mama. She has a beautiful vintage Etsy shop also named Rachie's Place. Don't forget to check out her rockin' blog.

Mandie from Sindisiwe Photography:

People. I know that probably sounds really cliché coming from a wedding photographer. But it’s true. My business was started (and runs today) because I love people. I believe that photography has the potential to change our perspectives of ourselves, others, and the world around us. Photography makes us more aware of the world around us. It can bring healing, restoration, + peace. Once I started seeing the world through a lens, it changed how I saw everything, especially people. Whether it be through wedding photography or travel + humanitarian photojournalism, I love being able to share that with others. I love that through this art, I have the opportunity to help people tell their story.

 

Mandie is photographer headquartered out of Seattle, Washington. She is soon to move off to the other Washington, of the D.C. kind. Follow Mandie on Twitter or Facebook if you're in the Seattle area looking for an amazing photographer. Mandie's beautiful blog and website. 

If you're interested in sponsoring I Just Might Explode for August or just want to inquire about the blog stats and rates, drop me an email at karahaupt(@)gmail.com

Thanks again to my amazing sponsors! :)