Nothing like a dip in an ice cold lake to waken the mind.
Been out on Lake Windermere in a canoe.
The perfect thinking place, fog lifting off the hills beyond over a glassy lake reflecting the clouds.
Just couldn’t resist taking a dip…
do what you love Page 76 of 81
Gratitude
I have been completely blown away by the response to my new creative business venture, and am feeling slightly overwhelmed with gratitude.
My old blog had a healthy following of lovely souls, but I have had more visits here in 10 days than I had there in 10 months.
I have had a flood of emails containing both support for my dream, and shared stories of how this new site and Do What You Love philosophy has already inspired people to rethink what they are doing with their lives.
The first person signed up for the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat within the first hour of going live. We have have creative souls signed up to travel thousands of miles to join us here in England in May, and I am so happy that so many individuals recognise the importance of investing in ourselves.
It is one thing to dream, but another thing for people to share that dream – and make something really special happen – that ultimately benefits us all.
I believe we all need each other to help each other to make ourselves the best we can be.
I really believe that if we are doing what we love, we can make a more positive and meaningful contribution to the world, and be happier as a result. I have believed this for a long time, but I cannot tell you what it means to me to know that there are so many of you out there who believe it too.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Friday is the last day to take advantage of the £50 off Early Bird Discount for the retreat. What are you waiting for? Sign up and join us! It is going to be AWESOME (and it might just be the most important investment you ever make in yourself and your creative business).
Get a sneak peek of our gorgeous accommodation here.
Sew Somerset feature
Priscilla Jones, one of the incredibly talented artists who will be teaching at the Do What You Love art retreat in May, is featured on the front page of the latest edition of Stampington’s Sew Somerset.
Priscilla’s mixed media work is gorgeous – she fuses wax, wire, paper, canvas, paint and stitch to create delicate fun 3d sculptures and paintings. Priscilla will be teaching ‘structure and surface: creating 3D sculptures with wax, wire, fabric, paper and found materials’. A delicious, hands-on, dive-in workshop. Not to be missed!
You have until Friday to take advantage of the special £50 early bird discount when registering for the Do What You Love art retreat. It is going to be so special. Register here!
Get a sneak peek of our gorgeous accommodation here.
Sneak peek at our gorgeous retreat accommodation
Shhh… don’t tell everyone or they’ll all want to come…
Here is a sneak peek of our gorgeous cosy accommodation at the Do What You Love art retreat venue, situated in the stunning Yorkshire Dales, deep in the English countryside. Imagine yourself here with new friends, relaxing after three amazing days of creating, and processing your new-found inspiration and ideas to realise your creative business dreams.
And did I mention, this* is where we will meet, dine, laugh, learn and play:
*This is an example of the kind of Papakata tipi we will use, inspired by the Sami people of Lapland.
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Only one week left to benefit from the early bird discount – register by Friday (21 Jan) to save £50. Do what you love. Register now.
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Photo credits: top four photos – Natural Retreats, end photo – Papakata
Winning Marie Claire award…
A few months ago I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the UK’s 16 most exciting young female entrepreneurs, and awarded a place on glossy magazine Marie Claire’s groundbreaking Inspire & Mentor programme. Brainchild of Marie Claire UK’s editor Trish Halpin, the programme pairs participants with some of Britain’s most successful and influential businesswomen, including interior designer Kelly Hoppen, founder of ethical clothing company People Tree Safia Minney, and fragrance guru Jo Malone.
It felt like all my Christmasses had come at once when I was paired up with an incredible mentor – Kanya King, founder of the MOBO Awards. Kanya has been helping me strategise for my new business, and has been an incredible voice of support and constructive challenge.
My mentor Kanya King (Image courtesy of MOBO)
I met with Kanya for another session in London yesterday, and it made me realise the importance and value of having a mentor who has been there, done it, and come through shining. They can help you see the bigger picture, share industry knowledge, steer you away from or around obstacles, inject fresh ideas, give you a totally different perspective, and also, perhaps most importantly, remind you that you really are making great progress.
I came away from yesterday’s session energised and inspired. Thank you Kanya, thank you Marie Claire.
Everyone needs a mentor – have you found yours yet?
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Making time for coffee and cake
(Taken at Monmouth Coffee, Covent Garden, with hipstamatic on my new ipod touch)
One of the best things about not working a ‘normal 9-5 job’ is being able to sit and discuss life and art with friends over coffee and apple tarts*. The funny thing is, sometimes it is when you switch off from your work that you get the most inspiration for it.
Do you find that a-ha moments turn up in the strangest places?
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* Today’s lovely friend of choice was illustrator Tanja Wilmot
Welcome!
Welcome to my new home!
Do take some time to have a look around, pour yourself a cup of tea and stay for a chat – I’d love to know what you think of the new place. I hope you’ll come and visit me often!
After nearly a year at the old place, I decided it was time for a fresh start to coincide with the launch of the Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreats. Registration is now open for the first retreat, which will take place in a stunning countryside venue in Yorkshire, England in May. More about this very special event here.
Besides a new home for my blog, I wanted to create a space to share inspiration and tools to encourage more people to do what they love. This space will also play host to the first Do What You Love e-course (launching in early spring).
Thank you to all of you who have provided amazing encouragement and support along this road, including everyone who followed my old blog. It is wonderful to be able to share the experience with you and I hope you know how much your friendship is appreciated!
2011 is full of promise and opportunity – and I hope you will join me for the adventures along the way.
Beth
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Thank you to Jessica Swift for the logo and ‘look’, thanks to Christine Castro at darling for the website design, and to Brianna Privett at Utopian for building it
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New beginnings
2011 came a little early for me, and it showed in my first post of the year. I was expecting it, but not quite yet. Like when your dinner guests turn up while you’re still tidying up and peeling the potatoes, finding you with wet hair and no make up.
After a rollercoaster 2010 I had soaked deeply into the goodness of the festive bubble and slowed right down… So I was taken a little by surprise when it was suddenly January. I hadn’t captured my big vision on paper, unjumbled my ideas, worked through my planning, cleared out or organised. But now I have.
Now I am ready.
The dreaming is done.
The plans are laid.
The fire is stoked.
2011? Bring it on!
Don’t you just love new beginnings (when you’re ready for them)?
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By the way, I have been busy working with some talented folks on a shiny new website for the Do What You Love retreat, and my blog will be moving there shortly. So excited to share this with you – stay tuned for the new address – I hope you’ll join me there very soon.
What will you make of 2011?
It’s nearly 2am and I can’t sleep. Rain is pounding on the skylight and the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of camomile tea.
This isn’t how I planned to start my first post of 2011, but there is so much swirling round in my head it is hard to think straight. Ideas, plans, and a buzz of excitement about the possibilities. But also the shadowy doubts (are my dreams just too big?), endless to-do lists and looming deadlines (Already? It’s only January 5th!).
Running your own business tends to do that to you. I wrote on Facebook earlier today that I love not having a real job, in the 9-5 sense of the word. And I really do. But when it’s not 9-5, in your head it can end up being 24/7.
I have spent the past few days hidden away working on my plans to make 2011 a big year (of course those dreams aren’t too big!). It’s going to be a long and winding road but I just know the view from the top will be amazing, if I can just make it there (and enjoy each step along the way).
How about you?
- What kind of a year do you want 2011 to be?
- How are you going to make sure it turns out that way?
Wishing you a very special year filled with adventure and discovery!
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By the way, I have been busy working with some talented folks on a shiny new website for the Do What You Love retreat, and my blog will be moving there shortly. So excited to share this with you – stay tuned for the new address – I hope you’ll join me there very soon.
Do What You Love art and creative enterprise retreat
(Image courtesy of Natural Retreats)
Imagine a magical place in an area of outstanding natural beauty, deep in the ancient English countryside, where you can escape from everyday life, reconnect with the real you, and nurture your creative spirit.
Imagine a time when you are free to indulge your creativity. When you can step out of your creative comfort zone and take risks, supported by a warm community of like-minded souls, under the guidance of an outstanding teacher.
Imagine a space where you can explore the ideas you have been quietly sheltering for so long. Where they will be motivated by inspiring entrepreneurs and where, nurtured by your new community, your self-belief will soar. Where you can grow your creative business ideas, or simply plant the seed of belief that you really can find a way to do what you love, for life.
All this exists.
You can find it at the Do What You Love retreat in May 2011.
It will be an intimate gathering of creative souls, sharing a special journey of change.
Everything will be taken care of. You just have to take care of yourself.
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Take a look at the retreat brochure below, and see how this could be the most important investment you make in yourself and your creative business this year.
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Registration will be open here shortly. In the meantime, if you would like to be one of the first to hear more (including details of the early bird discount) sign up for the newsletter here.