Behind the Scenes: Holiday Photo Card Challenge

Thought I would share a look into the holiday photo card challenge process. Doodles, paintings and sketches, oh my! Most of this was just experimentation, but there were a few things I used directly like for my Berry Wreath card, and some elements may work for future designs. For a look at some of the finished holiday designs, check them out here!

New logo project behind the scenes

It's been while since I've had a custom logo project. Honestly, I used to love logo design in school, but my 9 to 5 has managed to knock the wind out of my former-logo-loving-self. I've found I am so much less confident in my logo work in the last few years, and as a result, I'm often trying to avoid them altogether! Today, however, I want to share a logo I designed for a friend who has started a new blog for Christian women. The blog is called "Live in the Round," and it is a place to bring together many different women with different voices and experiences, but with one purpose, to glorify Christ.

Though I was hesitant to take on the project (because of my aforementioned lack of confidence), I think the project struck me as something important, special, and maybe something that I could design a logo to reflect. One of the hooks was my friend's creative inspiration from an annual show many of us venture to see each Christmas season called "Behold the Lamb of God." This tour has been going on for over ten years, and it was created by Andrew Peterson. He leads the show, but each year there are the same musicians who are a part of the show, and always a special guest. They each go around playing one or two personal songs from their latest albums, and then the second half of the show is the "Behold the Lamb of God" part. These musicians are singers, songwriters, parents, friends, Christians, and artists. They are all so talented individually, and even more so, collectively, that you can't help but be moved by it. As an artist, I leave each year so full of hope and emotion, but then reignited creatively too. That long explanation aside, Live in the Round is a project inspired by this collective purpose and individuality for an ultimate purpose as well. I love the tagline, which speaks so much to this goal, as well, "Different voices, one purpose."

With all of this in mind, I ended up with three logo concepts. The first being a more literal version with round shapes, text "in the round," and layers building up to the main form. This one wasn't my favorite, but it is clean, straightforward and modern. The second concept featured four handdrawn circles coming together to form a cross-like shape in the overlap. I liked the way the color revealed the cross, and it almost has a stained-glass feel. Conceptually, I think it makes sense, however, it's maybe a little more expected. The final concept, which was chosen, is based a lot on a key concept my friend shared with me. She said that the women are of all "seasons of life." I was sketching ideas and thought of leaves of different seasons, and I drew this little icon that I liked so much, I ended up using it as it was sketched! I thought of how leaves change through the different seasons, but how they have a purpose no matter what stage they are in. A warm, earthy color palette was chosen for this with some fresh colors and unexpected combinations. The typography is personal and has a handwritten feel, to help the logo be feminine, but approachable (and not too girly, which was a directive through all of this too, and I agree!) The hope is that Live in the Round will be a place that's fresh, diverse and beautiful, and I hope this logo will help my friend accomplish this through her site! All that said, I'm really proud of this logo, and hope you will check out the wonderful writers and amazing women writing about such important matters.

Cart before the horse ... It's time for a business plan

So I've been moving along with the cart before the horse, but at least I started moving, right? I knew (and read over and over again) that I really needed to put my business plan in writing before starting a new business venture. I even wanted to do develop one, but I think I haven't wanted to spend the time it takes to do it right...so I haven't done it much at all...until now. Maybe it's that it's the millionth-and-one thing I've read that reiterates this same point, or who knows what, but I'm making time to do this...even if it isn't totally perfect. Though striving for perfection can be great for quality, attention to detail and order, I've found for a lot of my life, it can also lead me to paralysis. That said, Keen Peachy has started without a plan, and even better, it's now getting a plan!

Currently, I'm in the analysis phase. I've loosely figured out my mission, vision and compentency statements, as well as core values. As you can see I made lists, then smaller and smaller lists until I came up with my values. Even harder for me is now defining my product(s), competition, and my own niche. Honestly, I'm really indecisive about what I want my business to be or what I'd most like to do or become, so this part is hard for me. I often see how saturated the handmade, paper goods and stationery markets are, and I feel defeated before I start. Honing in on my differentiation is the most challenging part. My hope has been that this will just magically fall into my lap or there will be a giant, lit up sign telling me what it is. This happens, right? Despite the odds of that happening, I still believe I'll be discovering a lot of this as I move forward, and for now I will possibly have to make some educated guesses. My next steps are to try to figure out what I am best at, what I enjoy most and is there a way it can be profitable too? No small task, but I know it will be such a useful plan to have as a foundation moving forward.

To name a few helpful resources, I'm currently reading Etsy-preneurship by Jason Malinak, which has been the lucky millionth-and-one resource to remind me of the importance of a business plan. I also check out Braid Creative, Etsy blogs, Design Sponge Biz Ladies series and have read a few other books which have been great resources too. Oh, and on Fridays, my husband and I watch Shark Tank. (How don't I have this business plan finished with reality television as a guide?!) More to come on this process!