Friday, November 25, 2011

Important! Holiday Season Info. {discount}

Hi Guys!

Sorry I haven't been posting and replying to e-mails much lately.

I have a lot on my plate at the moment and it's all a bit overwhelming.

I have lots of tests, exams and hand-ins to do at school and I'm working hard towards the Christmas Fair next weekend.



There was also an overwhelming response to the option of being interviewed by me. I have posted a few of them so far, (read them here) but the ones I haven't posted yet will be up after 8th December. (Be sure to read them for lots of business tips!)

Hopefully my work load will be smaller by then :) I most likely won't be posting too much before then either. I hope you understand. However, you can follow us on Facebook and on twitter for daily updates.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and please use coupon code BLACK at checkout in the shop for a 20% off discount!

I've also updated the shop with some new goodies and some info. about holiday shopping -->

HOLIDAY SEASON OFFERS! 
I will wrap your presents in for FREE, let me know in the note to seller. I can also ship the present directly to it's recipient if you let me know in the note to seller (include their address). 
In order to be sure that you'll receive your Christmas orders in time for Christmas, be sure to order by December 5th. It will take at least 2 weeks for it to arrive (if shipped outside of Norway). 
For orders over $40, you will receive a little present.


I'm working so hard towards the Christmas Fair and there are sooo many goodies that will be be up for sale!! I can't wait! :D

I really hope to see you there if you're in the area, and if not, I'll be sure to post pictures and put the remaining products that don't get sold up for sale in the shop! :)

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Interview with Matt Tolk Photography


Yellow Beach Flower

I've had the honor of interviewing a truly talented photographer; Matthew Tolk. Matt has the most beautiful photographs up for sale in his shop; Matt Tolk Photography! I'm intrigued  by his amazing photos and by what he has to say about his business. 

1. Name: Matthew Tolk
Age: 29 years old
Where are you from? Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop/ business.
I now live with my beautiful fiancée here in sunny San Diego, California. In 2004, I graduated from a small state school in western Pennsylvania, with a degree in Communications Media, and soon after that I started working as a Photojournalist. After my last job in Washington, DC working for a Russian news station, my fiancée and I decided to move back to San Diego, where we had lived for two years before back in 2008-2010. I'm working full time as a videographer / editor for a publishing company now. We are both so happy to be back in a city where each sunset looks better then the night before. I truly now believe that there is more to life then just trying to climb up the ladder at your job and enjoying the simpler things all around us. 


I try to capture and make peoples eyes draw to the simpler things in my photos. Whether that is a bird standing in water, both the water and bird so still and calm that its reflection almost looks like a mirror image. Or a chair that has almost been forgotten about. Sitting so long in one place, on a back porch that a plant growing from underneath the floor boards is wrapping itself around the worn wicker.

3. When did you open your shop? Why did you decide to start your shop?
I opened my shop in late June of this year. It has been a dream of mine for some time now just to try and see what would happen if I tested the waters and put my pictures out there, and I guess myself, to be criticized. So far I have been blown away from all the kind words and "likes" and views.

4. How do you promote/ market your business? What works best?
I haven't really had the chance to do much promotion yet. I'm hoping I can at least get a Facebook page up for my shop sometime soon. I know I'm way behind on the times. 


Sunset at Sunset Cliffs


5. What’s your favourite item from your shop and why?
My favorite photo from my shop.... I'd have to say Sunset at Sunset cliffs. It is my first photograph that I've ever sold. That's something I'll never forget.

6. Do you also do business offline? If yes, what do you prefer and what works best?
I'm just now getting the itch to pursue trying to sell my prints in a actual store. Have been putting it off but I need to just stop thinking about it and just try and do it.

7. Where do you get inspiration?
I'm not really sure where or what I get inspired from, I guess as corny as it sounds, the world does. If you can just slow your life down and look around, how could you not be inspired.

8. Who is your target audience? Who would typically buy an item from you?
I don't or haven't yet really tried for a target market, Ha might be why I just have one sale! Any advice from your readers is much appreciated!



Sea of Red in a Field of Gold


9. Do you ship internationally?
I hope and would love to ship internationally.

10. What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your own business?
Probably the most challenging thing about starting to sell pictures is just getting them seen. Etsy has become a very, very addictive thing (in a very fun way).

11. What has been the best part of starting and running your own business?
The best part of doing this is that its given me more of a drive to do something that I love. 

12. Do you have any business tips you’d like to share with us?
As for business tips, not sure if it's a business tip but I'd just say, if you're doing something that puts a smile on your face, I'm willing to bet that it will put a smile on someone else’s too. As long as you're doing what you love, you're being successful in a way, right?


Hot Coals Only


13. If there were anything you could change about your business, right now, what would it be?
The only thing that I would like to change is just be able to find more time to scan pictures, my least favorite part of selling pictures online.


14. What are your goals and dreams for your business for the future? Where do you hope your shop will take you?
My goals for selling my pictures is just to be able to keep doing this for as long as I live. I hope to retire and keep doing this as my past-time and hobby.

15. What’s next now? Could we get a sneak peak of what you’ll be doing and sharing next? 
What's coming up in the near future for my shop? Well, some of my family was in town this past week. We went up to Venice Beach and LA, I tried to take some photos but mostly spent time visiting. ummm I have some ideas in my head for some new prints, just have to check back at the shop and see. (hooked haha)

16. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I'd just like to thank you, Katrine. Thanks for just showing an interest in my photos and for really thinking they are interesting enough for your blog. Much appreciation to you and your readers.


Yellow Sunset


Isn't he talented!? I absolutely LOVE all his photos and I love how he says where each photo was taken. It makes me want to visit that exact place so that I can experience the beauty that he so wonderfully portrays in his photos. 
I can't wait to see what's next, because Matt is surely going places!

Please show Matt some love by visiting his shop (please heart him) and e-mail him if you have any questions or requests. Also, be sure to be on the look out for his Facebook page.

Be sure to leave Matt a lovely comment below with feedback, tips, your thoughts, questions, etc.




Saturday, November 12, 2011

Like us on Facebook




The Gentle Flower is now on Facebook!

Like our page to get exclusive updates, info. and discount codes :D 


Other than that, I've been working on lots of new products today :D
Be sure to check back ;)

Interview with Emma's Earrings


Daisy Earrings


I've had the pleasure of interviewing Emma, the creative lady behind Emma's Earrings!
Keep reading to find out more about her and her business

1. Name: My name is Emma. 
Where are you from? I am from Massachusetts. 


2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop/ business.
I sell jewelry (mostly earrings, but do make other pieces). 


3. When did you open your shop?
I opened my shop this September. 


4. Why did you decide to start your shop?
I decided to open my shop because I had only sold at one event and wanted to expand. 


5. How do you promote/ market your business? What works best?
I started joining teams and spreading the word about my shop. 


Olive Green Earrings


6. What’s your favourite item from your shop and why?
My favorite item in my shop are the olive green earrings


7. Do you also do business offline? If yes, what do you prefer and what works best?
I do sell to friends and family, but rather if people do the transaction online. I have always wanted to run a business. 


8. Where do you get inspiration?
I had taken a jewelry class over the summer and decided to stick with it. 


9. Who is your target audience? Who would typically buy an item from you?
I make items for girls, some for children, some for adults. 


10. Do you ship internationally?
I currently only ship in the US and to Canada. If other places are requested, I will add them to the list. 


Green and Pink Earrings


11. What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your own business?
The most challenging and most frustrating part was trying to add all the listings. I wanted to just put them all on quickly, but it was time-consuming. 


12. What has been the best part of starting and running your own business?
The best part is learning tips from numerous sellers about starting a successful business. 


13. Do you have any business tips you’d like to share with us?
Be patient!! It takes time to get up and running! 


14. If there were anything you could change about your business, right now, what would it be?
I would want to put more listings up, which I am currently working on. 


15. What are your goals and dreams for your business for the future?
My dream is to have lots of sales, and to have a successful business. 


16. Where do you hope your shop will take you?
I hope this will help me in life and to also give me something to do as a hobby. 


17. What’s next now? Could we get a sneak peak of what you’ll be doing and sharing next? 
I am going to start making more necklaces and bracelets and may be starting a line of greeting cards. 


18. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Use SNSEARRING for 15% off your purchase.


Blue Clay Earrings

Thanks so much to Emma for letting me interview you!
Your items are lovely and we wish you all the best.

Please show Emma some love by visiting the following links below: 



And be sure to leave a lovely comment for Emma below :)

Friday, November 11, 2011

Why Music Makes Us Happy - Happiness Series




How much do we actually depend on the things we take for granted? In “Bee Movie” we saw how much the whole world changed just because the bees no longer pollinated the flowers. We may believe that it is the greater things we depend on to survive, but actually, small things disappearing from our lives have great consequences.

I am going to take a look at why we need these things and how they affect us. We need to understand how and why we are affected by these things in order to live a better life. We also need to learn how to take advantage of what makes us feel good so that we have a method for making a gloomy day bright in order to feel even better!

I will be writing a series of posts about just this. Once in a while I will post a different article concerning things that we depend on for happiness, why we need it and how to get even happier!

source

Why MUSIC makes us happy
Music is something that we can live without, but many people say they can’t imagine a day without it. Music has an affect on all of us. Music doesn’t even necessarily have to be a song, but can also be sounds in the environment around us, or someone’s voice. Music certainly affects us, but why and how?

First of all, all of us associate something with the sounds we hear, which may cause us to feel sad or happy. Here, the music is connected to a memory.

Let’s look at listening to music from a biological perspective. We depend on food, sleep and reproduction to survive, and music is not something we necessarily depend on. When we eat, sleep or reproduce our brain releases the “feel good” neurochemical dopamine, which we trigger when experiencing pleasure and reward.

The same chemical is actually released when listening to music as well.

A study was conducted by researchers at McGill University in Canada where they started with 217 participants, and narrowed it down to 8 who kept responding the same way when they listened to music regardless of the listening environment.
      
For the study, the researchers combined different techniques to scan the brains of the 8 participants whilst they listened to music. The participants also completed a questionnaire where they stated how pleasurable they found the music.
         
The results showed that when we first anticipate and then experience a pleasurable response while listening to music, our brain reacts in specific ways to release dopamine.
         
This study is very fascinating because it may be the first study to show that an abstract reward, listening to music, as apposed to a tangible reward, for example eating and sleeping, releases dopamine. Abstract rewards have been considered to be processed on a more cognitive level; however, this study shows that our ancient reward circuits may be involved.
         
The study also shows us that we have a shared neural network involving tangible and abstract rewards.
         
Note that this will not affect your day-to-day listening on average. However, when you experience an emotion while listening to music, ancient reward circuits are flooding your brain with dopamine, the “feel good” chemical.

source

Here are five ways to change, validate and challenge music’s role as “therapy”-->

1.   Listen to music that enhances your current mood. Meaning that if you’re sad listen to sad music, etc. This will enhance how you feel.
2.   Listen to music that changes your current mood. This will change your mood and maybe brighten your day if you’re down.
3.   Be aware of what you listen to. Don’t put yourself in an environment surrounded by sounds that are too harsh and affect your emotional state.
4.   Listen to music actively. Pay attention and actually listen to the lyrics, melody or beat. Also stop and listen to yourself, and how you feel when you pay attention to the different aspects of the music.
5.   Listen to music outside your comfort zone. If you challenge yourself you may attract some surprising benefits!



Sources
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-musical-self/201101/why-music-listening-makes-us-feel-good
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-musical-self/201101/5-easy-ways-make-music-therapy-work-you
http://www.musictherapymaven.com/
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/music-therapy-let-the-music-heal-you-by-medimanagecom-2462751.html



What makes you happy?
What music gets you in a good mood?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Interview with Sigi


Coral Sweetheart Dress


Sigrid Meleane, the talented designer and creator of the beautiful clothes to be found in her shop Sigi, has let me interview her. 
It's been a pleasure getting to know her talented self, so please take the time to read about this creative entrepreneur, her business tips and her creative process.


1. Name: Sigrid Meleane
Where are you from? 
I am from sunny Australia

2. Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop/ business.
The design process through to production and everything in between is made by my two hands. I am a fashion designer who wanted to do something more personal and something that was my own. With handmade, you put a little piece of yourself into everything you make. 

I have always loved the notion of handmade compared to mass production. I like knowing something I own (and made) has been carefully tended to by someone’s own two hands. I think people appreciate the work, intention and story behind something handmade. This is also why I like to make small runs and one-off items.

I choose to focus mainly on dresses as to me; they are the epitome of femininity. I think every woman looks beautiful in a great dress. I like to add features/details that are a little quirky and whimsical, such as big, bulbous buttons. I also love frills, ruffles and embellishments - things that, to me, are utterly feminine and gorgeous.

3. When did you open your shop?
I opened my shop in June of this year.

4. Why did you decide to start your shop?
After much procrastination, I finally decided to open a shop. I think the fear of failure is what held me off for so long but, I have started my little journey now and I don’t intend to turn back! 

5. How do you promote/ market your business? What works best?
I am not someone who is very tech savvy so, the benefit and exposure of online social networking sites is really becoming evident to me now. At the moment I’m promoting by word of mouth and just getting involved in my Etsy teams but, there is a Facebook page and blog coming soon! I am also hoping to get into selling at markets next year.



Cream Floral Maxi Dress

6. What’s your favourite item from your shop and why?
Probably my Cream Floral Maxi Dress. It’s a dreamy and gorgeous summer dress. It’s feminine and the sort of dress I could wear everyday. 

7. Do you also do business offline? If yes, what do you prefer and what works best?
Sometimes I will get a private client but, I’m hoping with increased exposure I will be able to get a few in-store stockists.

Working with a private client is great but, when you are used to working by yourself, finding a balance between two ideas can take some time till I am happy with it.

8. Where do you get inspiration?
Colour, texture and fabric are what I mostly work from and I build up my designs around these. I can pull these from a flower, a photograph, a beautiful landscape, art or anything that holds beauty for me. Colour contrast; texture contrast; fitted with flowing are great elements I like to play with also. 

My usual style is more detailed and tactile, often using fabric itself as an embellishment, which are elements I would love to bring more of back to my designs.

9. Who is your target audience? Who would typically buy an item from you?
Without being too broad, I would like to think my designs appeal to young women and women alike. For example; my niece is a teen, I am 10 years older and my sister and I are 10 years apart. We are of different ages and we have all worn my designs.

I try to make my designs flattering and not so trend-driven so that they are appealing to a broader range of ages. I like buying something and knowing I can wear it in 5 years’ time without any less impact. This is also why I love vintage, it’s timeless.


Navy Sunny Girl Dress

10. Do you ship internationally?
I sure do!

11. What has been the most challenging part of starting and running your own business?
Trying to turn into an actual business! Time wise, I am a mother and I work part-time so scheduling in designs and production is precious.

12. What has been the best part of starting and running your own business?
Knowing this is something I started on my own and off my own back. My passion and the excitement of what might be is what keeps me wanting to move forward with it.

13. Do you have any business tips you’d like to share with us?
I am only new to this but, I would have to say - be open to new ideas and keep learning.

14. If there were anything you could change about your business, right now, what would it be?
More time and more money! It is a huge learning curve so I am happy, for now, to slowly keep learning and improving. I believe making mistakes is not always a bad thing.

15. What are your goals and dreams for your business for the future?
I hope to make something of my little label and turn it into a little business. Financially, I would love it to be a viable business that makes profit so I can continue doing what I love. When people ask me what I do for work I have always wanted to say, “I run my own business….”

I hope I don’t let my fear of failure stop me from putting myself out there, even though I know it won’t be to everyone’s liking. Even more so, I hope to design and make beautiful pieces that women will love to wear and cherish.


Lime Doily Print Skirt


16. Where do you hope your shop will take you?
I have always wanted to run my own business. I hope my shop goes some way to making that happen and I hope to one day soon be a Featured Seller on Etsy! 

17. What’s next now? Could we get a sneak peak of what you’ll be doing and sharing next?
I plan on setting up a Facebook page and blog. I like the idea of keeping a journal so, starting a blog is the perfect way I can do this and share it with everyone.

I am working on new designs that are using more of the techniques and embellishments I typically love to use. I will also be selling my ruffle tops which I have not made in a while but, are a personal favourite. (The photo below is a sneak peak of one of my ruffle tops).

18. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Come back and visit my shop for new items coming soon!



New Ruffle Top!


We can't wait to see your new designs and blog! It's been a pleasure getting to know you and I hope that you never give up, as your work is amazing!


Please Sigrid some love by visiting her shop and please heart it and add her to your circle!!

Also, please comment below letting Sigrid know what you think of her work and if you'd like to ask her any questions!
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