do what you love Page 42 of 82

Love is in the air! Time out for good reason

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Love is in the air! Time out for good reason dwylhq1

There are some times in life that are so precious they just have to be savoured, for as long as possible. Getting married is one of them, which is why I have decided to take five weeks off work to enjoy every moment of my upcoming wedding and honeymoon.

Wedding dresses

“What will she be wearing?” they all asked

I am so grateful that Do What You Love gives me the flexibility to do this. Please know that the team is still here to support everyone involved in our courses, and we will still be blogging over the next few weeks (if a little less regularly) – and then I will be back with photos of hand made loveliness, tales of romantic adventures and a brand new name! (Along with a LOT of exciting changes and new things to share with you…)

Celebrating women

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Celebrating women DWYL BLOG SHIFT 650X250PX LR

As I am sure you know, today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate what women bring to the world, and highlight the challenges faced by women in all walks of life.

When I worked at UNICEF this was a day to bring attention to the important role of women in society, and to highlight the fact that women all over the world are still abused, denied education and other human rights, and held back from their true potential.

Young girls Beth met on a UNICEF field visit to Azerbaijan back in 2007

Young girls I met on a UNICEF field visit to Azerbaijan back in 2007. By now they may be mothers themselves, or have left school to work. I wonder what their lives are like these days?

 

It is often said in the developing world that “If you educate a man you educate a man. If you educate a woman, you educate a family.” I love men, but women definitely do have a very special way to form bonds with others, nurture those around them and to tap into their intuition and use it as a tool for good. At UNICEF, and in many other organisations and communities all over the world, women are helping women build (or rebuild) lives, families and societies. And that is something to celebrate.

Today I also want to take a moment to celebrate YOU – each one of you…

… who plays so many roles in so many people’s lives

… who loves and nutures those around you

…who offers a shoulder to cry on, or a warm hug just when it is needed

…who encourages others to dream by chasing your own dreams

…who digs deep and shows courage, bravely carving new paths

…who recognises that IT IS UP TO EACH OF US

…who shows your daughters, granddaughters, mothers, sisters, friends that it is OK to create the life you want

…who chooses, every day, how to be in this world, with kindness, laughter and light

Why not reach out to a special woman in your life and tell her what she means to you today?

Sonam Sapra speaks truthfully about doing what you love

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Sonam Sapra speaks truthfully about doing what you love DWYL BLOG SHAREDSTORIES 650X250PX LR

Today’s shared story comes from Sonam Sapra, a textile designer based in Fiji, who shares the truth about doing what you love can sometimes be hard work (but never hard).

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Winner of Print & Pattern Design Scholarship announced

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Winner of Print & Pattern Design Scholarship announced MOYO LOGO small1

The standard of entries for our second Print & Pattern Design Scholarship was so high that we decided to give away TWO full scholarships, each worth nearly $1000. And the winners are…

GAVIN RUTHERFORD and GENINE DELAHAYE (Check out their work in Issue 3 of MOYO!)

Congratulations both of you! We will be in touch with details of your prize – a place on all three modules of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design. We cannot wait to see what you create, and watch how the course helps you take your careers to the next level.

Huge thanks to Marie Perkins of Print & Pattern for supporting this scholarship and finalising our winners!

Issue 3 of MOYO Magazine is here! Get your FREE copy of ‘The Fabric Issue’

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MOYO Issue 3

Our third (and biggest ever) issue of MOYO Magazine. Issue 3 is out now! You can see it here. It includes:

  • Amy Butler on the business of design
  • Talking fashion and fabric with Josephine Kimberling
  • Behind the scenes at the Home Show
  • A new DIY column from Lil Blue Boo
  • Announcement of the winner of our Print & Pattern Scholarship
  • …and much more!

Talking fashion and fabric with Josephine Kimberling - MOYO Issue 3

Issue 3 of MOYO Magazine is here! Get your FREE copy of 'The Fabric Issue' Amy 550PX double page

Issue 3 of MOYO Magazine is here! Get your FREE copy of 'The Fabric Issue' DIY feature 550PX double page

Shopping Heaven - MOYO Issue 3

Please help us spread the word about this free magzine by sharing it on Facebook and Tweeting about it (@surfacepatternd #moyomagazine). Please also feel free to blog about it or share it in your newsletter and inspire even more people to dive into the exciting world of surface pattern design!
Get your free copy HERE!

Honoured to be awarded a place in the ‘Top 42 under 42’ entrepreneurs in Yorkshire!

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'Top 42 under 42' entrepreneurs in Yorkshire

Just found out I have been awarded a place in the ‘Top 42 under 42′ entrepreneurs in Yorkshire! This is a real honour in a region buzzing with start ups and exciting new businesses. These awards recognise ‘rising stars of business’ in the region, so I am looking forward to meeting all the other winners soon!

Thanks to my awesome collaborators Kelly Rae Roberts, Rachael Taylor and Lilla Rogers for their part in Do What You Love’s explosive growth, which has allowed us to help thousands of women all over the world to do what they love!

Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers)

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Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers) dwylhq1

This brand new course is particularly exciting for us because we get to work with industry veteran Lilla Rogers, who is sharing what she has learnt over three decades as an illustrator and top agent. Lilla is an incredible woman – so knowledgeable and savvy, yet so philosophical and kind. She cares for her own artists like a mother hen, and I am thrilled that we get to expand her virtual nest through Make Art That Sells!

Behind the scenes with Lilla Rogers

Filming Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers

There are more and more e-courses popping up all over the internet and some are better quality than others but generally I think this democratisation of education is fundamentally a really good thing. Gooodbye restrictions of location, timing, access etc, hello flexibility, anytime/anywhere availability, and international connections. Do What You Love has come a long way since we launched our first e-course two years ago, and we make it a priority to keep learning, researching, trying new things. When you have delivered courses to thousands of people in more than 50 countries, you soon realise that technology can be scary, but it is also fascinating, and is absolutely your friend if you can take the time to understand it, or find someone else who can!

We are often asked for hints and tips on developing e-courses, so I thought I’d share some behind-the-scenes images from the filming of Make Art That Sells with top artist agent Lilla Rogers, which opens for registration next week (we already have a massive waiting list to get on it if you are interested!)

Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers) IMG 2571

I travelled to Boston last month to film with Lilla and our professional cameraman Kevin Balmer, who joined us from Portland. Prior to the trip we had spent hundreds of hours developing the curriculum, drafting the content, selecting images, building the virtual classroom, planning the production schedule etc all via the miracles of email and Skype. By the time we all got together at Lilla’s studio for four full-on intensive days of taping, we were so excited to get going with the filming piece. Fortunately Lilla is a natural in front of the camera, and was able to share her insights and knowledge eloquently, generously and often humorously on film. Her studio is a colourful, visual feast, full of real products that feature her artists’ licensed work, and we can’t wait to share the videos with participants when the course launches.

Here is a sneak peek of us at work!

Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers) IMG 2308

Make up (always worth getting a professional on the case when you are filming in HD – thanks Maura) 

Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers) IMG 2232

Getting the mic on

 Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers) IMG 2524

Talking through the talking points!

Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers) IMG 2541

Lights, camera, action!

Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers) IMG 2328

Me in Producer Mode

Behind the scenes of the making of an e-course (Make Art That Sells with Lilla Rogers) IMG 26651

Always time for some art from the illustrator in Lilla!

I hope you enjoyed that little behind-the-scenes tour! If you have ever wanted to learn how to make art that sells, directly from someone who has sold art for products worth over $100 million, then check out Make Art That Sells.