Creative Business Cards

Business cards. A business card can say so much about you and your business without even saying that much. What I mean by this is that a simple card with even just a number on it, a name or a website can grab the attention of a potential client. Its all in the design and presentation of that card that really captures the imagination and draws curiosity.

In my case and my peers, we are all artists in one shape of form or another, so our artistic side tends to peek its head out and wants to play :)   No one wants a boring business card. I certainly dont. I want to give a card that people want to remember, that they hold onto it and make sure it never gets thrown away or that is destined to hide in the bottom of some purse.

For the past few weeks, I have been doing ALOT of online research, trying to find a design I want to use for my business cards. I had my first batch of cards that came and went and now that I have been doing shoots, shows and other fun stuff, I really wanna UP my game.

Here is part of the design for my first set of cards
It is a bit plain, but it got my point across. I have some great ideas for my next set of cards, I got alot of inspiration from a few of these photos I found of some pretty cool cards. Check these out













I never knew that business cards could be so different and in so many of these cases, the are not cards at all but actual items- coins, puzzles, games, and so much more. They can be made of metal, plastic, rubber, water, leaves or even a stamp and a napkin.

It definetly has the wheels in my head turning along with my photography team. We are planning on designing something awesome to catch the attention of our clients and offer them something truly different- what better to start with that with our cards.

I hope this inspired you to rethink what Your Business card says about you and your business.



Thanks for stopping by and dont forget to subscribe to my page!


Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Let Haters be your Motivators

I wanted to just write a quick post that I have been wanting to do for about a week now, and I am finally having time to get to it. I have noticed lately the importance of professionalism. I have always strived to maintain a professional image before, but now that I am venturing into my own business and becoming a freelance artist, I have been paying more attention that usual.  These are just some tips I learned and apply to business.


Dress the part- you attract people based on your look, your attitude and how you carry yourself. I am not saying you have to care what everyone thinks of you on a personal level, but when you are in business for yourself, you do want to care how your CLIENTS think of you. Confidence and Self Esteem go hand in hand here.




 Being professional doesnt mean you have to be boring, or become a corporate suit. You can still be "YOU" and maintain a pro image. When youre freelance, there is no company name to back you up besides the one you are building yourself. Its not like a modeling agency, or a salon or department store where they have a reputation, and you are one of the countless employees on their payroll.





BE SOCIAL but be careful of what you are posting and how your clients may view you and what you stand for. Language and grammar can send the right or wrong message. If you are trying to target a certain group, pay close attention to trends and what they see if they are on your network or page. Although social networks are a great marketing and advertising tool, the best and fastest type of advertisement is WORD OF MOUTH. Good News travels but Bad news travels faster.



NO GOSSIPING ABOUT OTHER ARTISTS/BUSINESSES
Even if you had a bad experience with a person or business, be careful of whom you speak with about it. You never know if the person you are talking to is close to that other person and what you say could be really hurtful or damaging. Word travels and things also are exaggerated. Word can get back to the other person and overall gossiping just makes you look uneducated and ignorant.  Its just not good business.



DONT GET TOO COMFORTABLE
Dont be that artist that does the same things. As an artist, you have to constantly grow, change, adapt and overcome to new things and new opportunities. Strive to complete your goals and go beyond it to the next thing. We are always learning, always changing, dont be afraid of it. Dont worry about what other people will do or say- do what inspires you!

IGNORE THE NAY-SAYERS AND HATERS
No matter what you are doing or what you have done in the past or present, someone is always going to be the negative hater and try to bring you down either by gossiping about you to others, straight to your face or go out of their way to make you miserable. IGNORE THEM. I know that can be hard when what they say or do really hurts your feelings.


Haters will say you cant do it, or thats impossible, or You suck at life, or even call you everyname in the book, or use your past or mistakes against you and judge you upon nothing they know about. And I say this because I know what thats like for people to talk about me. Although it does affect me on a personal and emotional level, I wont let it get to me. I let those haters be my motivators.


I was told that I will never be successful. I will never have a second chance. I will never be able to have a job doing what I love. I will never have a normal life. I will never be happy. I have already proved that I am successful, I am loved, I have an amazing family and support system, I do exactly what I love-and I have more of a normal life than anyone I know  and I am SOOOOO HAPPY with my life and good things have been happening because I do not let anything get me down.


These are just things I wanted to share. I hope it helped you reading this to have confidence in yourself and what you are trying to accomplish.





Surrender to Your Inner Artist

XOTIC Eyes



www.xoticeyes.com
So, what is Xotic Eyes? This company was created by the artist Shannon Maxey, who created line of wearable art. You may have seen these products in Halloween Stores, Spencers and other creative stores. What makes this product different from others is that it has a strong bond that allows for it to stick to the skin and also allows for it to be waterproof and sweatproof.

www.xoticeyes.com
Many businesses has ordered these for clients, dance and cheer teams, party stores and many more to follow soon as this trend is catching on with each passing minute! They are also hoping to go bigger with selling to bigger franchises.

www.xoticeyes.com
I had an interview with this fabulous company earlier this week and I am hoping that I will be able to join this awesome family soon after I graduate from Rudy & Kelly Paul Mitchell Academy. I was so inspired while sitting in a room full of glitter, makeup, accessories, blinged out bras and sky high boots, wigs, headpeices, I just knew that I had to share this with my readers and how awesome this is.

www.xoticeyes.com
Many celebrities have been rockin Xotic Eyes, and it is spreading like wild fire across the nation and even internationally and it is all coming to you from my home town, good ol' Virginia Beach.

This goes out to all the artists, MUA's, hairstylists, and anyone crazy or creative who want to add some sprakle and drama, check out Xotic Eyes! You wont be dispappointed.





I am not being paid or sponsored to tell you about this- I just think this company is amazing and I had to share- plus since my interview with them, I have received many questions like "What is Xotic Eyes?", so this post is for you- you can check out more on there website at www.xoticeyes.com

Thanks for stopping by and see you in the next post!

"Never give up. There is no such thing as an ending, just a new beginning."


Surrender to Your Inner Artist

Lawrence Brothers Hair Battle

A few weeks ago, I was invited to work with Yalonda Billings, an amazing stylist from Shadez of Beauty Hair Salon, ( Follow their Facebook) thanks to a friend who recommended me, for the Lawrence Brothers Hair Battle.

She had a Geisha theme, and wanted to have two models body painted to match her theme. I sat down and desigend a few ideas. Here is what I came up with:



Yalonda confirmed the designs, and I got all my supplies needed. I ordered the Best Body Paint, Ben Nye Magicolor Body Paint, ( you see more on that here) and got it two days before the show due to shipping delays because they were waiting on two more colors. 

I had asked a few people to be my assistant, but none of them could make it, so I went solo. Sunday morning, I met at the salon and they treated the crew and models with breakfast complete with eggs, pancakes, sausages, bacon and grits. A perfect start to my day! That was pretty much ALL I ate that day too!

We got to the Hampton Convention Center right before noon and got set up. With all kits in hand, strapped with my makeup bag and painting supplies, I managed to get everything in with one trip also thanks to a few models that helped me carry! Everyone was so nice and really enjoyed meeting everyone!



The set up was really nice for the audience. Although I wish I could say the same thing for the backstage area, we had a section for us that was the size of my bedroom, which is about 11ft by 15 ft and there was what seemed like thirty of us crammed in there!

There was only one outlet too, which made me grateful that I packed a surge protector cord with me with 10 extra outlets which I am sure the stylists were happy about too so everyone could plug in their tools and cell phone chargers! My phone ended up dying and I just tossed it in a bag. hahahaha!

I got to work right away painting my first model, there wasnt alot of space- but we made it work. My airbrush was clogged and I simply didnt even have enough time to switch nozzles or hoses because I had to get the first model done by 4pm for prejudging!



Here is the finished look of the first Geisha- She is wearing underwear but she opted to go topless and we used tape for the top which I painted over. I added more details than my sketch, mainly because the mody is a bigger canvas than my small sketch.


My second model came just after prejudging, so, I got to work on her right away so that we would be done by the time the show started and we were meant to go on. It took about 3 hours- it took me a while mainly because I had to stop and keep mixing colors. But she turned out amazing- she had on underwear and a bra, it was a bit of a challenge to paint over the material of the undergarments, but I got it to work.



Models with Angela Stuckey-winner of the Bronner Brothers Hairshow in Atlanta
The day went by so fast, and by the end of the day , I was exhausted, but still very energized, the atmosphere of the show was just amazing. Once I was done painting and did the neccessary touchups, I went out into the audience to get a quick look around and check out the vendors (which I bought some awesome earrings...Ill save that for the next post)

I ran into some friends from school! Here some photos of me, friends and models of Shadez of Beauty and just pictures of backstage.

Bryant Murphy and I

Rock Mims and I




















The performances were simply breathtaking! I loved the whole atmosphere of the show. I was able to watch all 4 top competitors and I was impressed with it all. The costumes, the choreography, THE HAIR, the stage presense......It was sooo exciting. The fashion of all the viewers in the audience too, I was really inspired by all the fashion I saw in the crowds. I saw more people too that I knew in the audience from school.

After the performances, we all waited IMPATIENTLY for them to announce the winners- and Guess What???? The Stylist I worked for, Yalonda from SHADEZ of BEAUTY WON!!!!! We all jumped and screamed and ran on stage- It was soooooooo amazing that all that hard work paid off. I am so happy that I was apart of this team and was able to experience a hair show in my local area.


Yalonda Billups in the middle holding her Prize Check for $10,000



I got a chance to hold the trophy :)

That was my day Sunday, I hope you enjoyed your trip with me! See you in the next post and thanks for stopping by as always!


Surrender to Your Inner Artist