5 Things Inspiring Me: December 2023

Holiday markets, crafting, and final year in review. 🥰

Author

Chie Tamada
December 29, 2023

Manhattan Beach, 12/29/23

Hey friend, happy holidays! It’s crazy to think that 2023 is already coming to an end. Hope you’re enjoying this time with your loved ones and finding opportunities to rest before ringing in the new year.

Before we dive in, just want to say thank you for supporting me and following my art journey. It’s been a wild year and I’m grateful that I get to make art and write these newsletters that pop up in your inbox every few weeks. 🙏

🙌 CHEERFUL NEWS

  1. I wrapped up my first holiday market tour! 🥳 Thank you to everyone who supported my shop at my in-person markets and my online store. It was my first real experience going through holiday season as a small business owner and it was thrilling, exhausting, and fulfilling. 🥰

  2. I hosted two ornament crafting sessions! 🎄 (with artist AND non-artist friends!) I designed a wooden gingerbread ornament that also works as a cute picture frame, and I had two fun opportunities to bring out my art supplies and share the joys of crafting with my friends. It also reminded me how much I love making things with my hands. 🙌

✍️ FROM THE BLOG

  • I’ve been writing a “Year in Review” since 2017. It’s an exercise I look forward to doing at the end of each year. I’ve adapted the format along the way, and this time I’m highlighting the my wins, lessons learned, and what I’m excited about for 2024. 🙂 
    → Read the story

✨ 5 THINGS INSPIRING ME

1. ARTIST: PIKARAR

Angela (aka Pikarar) is a Seattle based illustrator of corgis and cute things, who also lives a double life as a designer in tech. I love how we have similar crossovers in art and work, and how relatable her creations are. She did a ton of cool collabs this year including Gucci and a macaron store!

Check out her work here.

2. BOOK: Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns

All freelance designers should read this. I’ve made any of the mistakes she points out in my early days of freelancing - from underpricing, not outlining my process, and pitching too hard. She provides principles to help freelance designers develop a sustainable, strategic business practice.

Check out the book here.

3. PODCAST: Seth Myers on The Great Creators

Guy Raz from “How I Built This” launched a second pod called The Great Creators where he interviews creatives from all industries. Here, he interviewed Seth Myers on his experience doing improv and SNL, developing his voice, and learning to cherish spontaneity. I also enjoyed his interviews with Macklemore, Diplo, & Kelly Clarkson.

Check out the podcast here.

4. SMALL BUSINESS: Open Market

Open Market is a corner store located in LA’s Ktown that serves good sandwiches and coffee. Owned by a husband & wife duo (who are artists!) in partnership with two chefs (who are long-time friends from UCI!), together they’ve built a restaurant that supports artists, local businesses, and food lovers from all regions.

Check out the shop here.

5. VIDEOS: How to Get Your Ideas To Spread w/Seth Godin

Here’s a good video to get your creative juices flowing in 2024. Seth gave this keynote at the Nordic Business Forum in 2020 and his message is still relevant today. In a world with ever-growing competition and noise, he shares advice on how to stand out, be remarkable, and solve real problems for your customer.

Check out the video here.

🤭 JUST FOR FUN

This made me laugh.
(Credit: @designershumor)

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to support my art practice further you can...

  • Forward this email to a friend

  • Purchase art & gifts on my shop

  • Follow me on Instagram

Have a great day and take it easy. ✌️

Cheers,
Chie

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