Good Stella

Heather Anderson Post Road Vintage, Enthusiastic * Creative * Generous

I'm once again so very happy to introduce you to an incredible lady that has taken her passion for creative living and is following her dreams. Heather Anderson is a young wife and mother of four, who is obviously busy but finds the time to showcase her talents through blogging and running a small business. Let's get to know Heather a little more;

 

Heather Anderson  Enthusiastic * Creative * Generous

 

Hello! I'm Heather Anderson from Post Road Vintage. Http://www.postroadvintage.com 

 

What are some of your CREATIVE DREAMS?

My dream is to reach more people who have similar taste to mine.. and help them create the home of their dreams. I believe your home should be a reflection of you. beautiful, original, and unique. I am so passionate about sharing my ideas and handmade products. I would love to be able to support my family in the process.

 

What roadblocks do you feel are standing in the way of obtaining your CREATIVE DREAMS?

Mostly time (I have 4 kids), also confidence. It is really awesome to work from the computer but it can be hard to 'get out from behind it'. I would love to meet other women equally passionate about pursuing their dreams and figure out how to collaborate and help each other. I feel like this is what I need to do next to not only bring my business to the next level, but to also have someone to talk to. (My husband is awesome, but I think he gets tired of my chatter!) ;)

 

What steps (if any) have you taken on the path to realizing those DREAMS?

I opened up my Etsy shop 3 years ago and that is by far the best thing I could have done. It is the perfect way to experiment with what you like to do and start building a community. My blog has also been so helpful and provided me with opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise.

 

Is there specific information you need to help achieve your CREATIVE DREAM GOALS?

Yes. How do I make friends? LOL, ok.. I'm kidding.. sort of ;) I have really awesome friends but none of them are into this crazy, creative, biz world. It would be SO fun to have people to bounce ideas off, vent with, and share.. just help each other.

Heather is AMAZING don't you think? Such a great role model to all stay at home Mom's who are listening to their own creative visions and making them happen!  I have a few suggestions for Heather and Please offer yours as well so our community can thrive:)

 

1. Build up a circle of friends that are like minded and closely share what you are passionate about. I have a group of individuals that I call my "creative bouncer" group. We meet and have lunch every so often to have a brainstorming session and talk about our personal goals. To find these kindred spirited folks, why not do a "shout out" on your Blog, Facebook or Twitter asking for locals to contact you if they are interested in meeting up.  You might even try the etsy community board too. There really is nothing like a face to face session with a friend that "gets you" to elevate that creative fire. 

2. Attend a creative event or take a class where you can increase your chances of meeting new friends. For several years I attended the Silver Bella Paper Arts Event in Omaha, Nebraska and met a large amount of talented Women, many of whom I am still friends with today. Even though it was 3 hours from my own home, I did manage to meet people that lived close to me.  

3. Organize your own creative event. Over the years, I have either done my own "pop up" event or taught at a friends. Basically the same philosophy as if you "build it" they will come. Start small but make it memorable!

Any other ideas for Heather? Hit the comment section below and leave your suggestion.

I want to Thank all of you that responded back to my "test" email for the goodstellashine.gmail.com. Chat soon!

 

Facebook Help Links

Hello Good Stella Community! Sending you some Fall flowers:)

Phtography by Carol Spinski

 

I know it is easy for me to say "Start a Blog, get a Facebook page, try Twitter" when many of you are still struggling about how to do all of the tech steps. I grew up in the 70's and 80's which I commonly refer to as BC-Before Computers so I really do understand what many of you are going through with all this tech lingo.  I am basically self taught and if anyone would have told me years ago that I would be running a business, editing my photos and 3 blogs that rely greatly on the computer, I would have thought they were NUTS! I couldn't even turn a computer on and the World Wide Web? What the heck was THAT all about? But, I trotted myself up to my local High School and took a basic computer 101 class which opened all the doors for me. The more I learned about the computer, the more I wanted to try. When I found I could search and find answers about anything in the WORLD, I was HOOKED.  Not to mention the AMAZING people I connected with. So I want you all to get the MOST out of that little machine that is stairing at you and will do what I can to help you navigate the tech road. 

I want to give you more info on learning Facebook including some links~

Facebook~

This is just a website that is a HUGE social networking site where people gather to share what is important (or sometimes not) to them. Signing up is easy and FREE. Go to the login page and create your own account. Check this Facebook basic link that explains everything. And this link on how to sign up to Facebook. 

How to import your blog posts into your Facebook page:

Facebook allows you to quickly and easily import an external blog from another website.

1. Go to the main Notes application page by typing "Notes" into the search box at the top of the screen.
2. Click the Import a blog link on the right side of the page.
3. Enter the URL (web address) of your blog into the text box, and check the box underneath that states that you agree to our Terms of Use.
4. To complete the process, click on "Save Settings." Once you do this, your previous posts will appear as notes and any new posts you make will automatically display.

I have two pages on Facebook, one under my name and one for Raised In Cotton. 

1. Carol Smith Spinski Facebook Page 

2. Raised In Cotton Facebook Page This is for my business.

So why do I think Facebook is so important? Because there are many people in our creative niche that don't necessarily have a Blog or keep up with a Blog but they have a FB page. Blogging does take time but Facebook is EASY and QUICK to use.  Just another way to CONNECT:)

If you're on Facebook, do you mind leaving me your FB link so everyone can "Friend" you? Down the road I will give you ideas on using Twitter. 

I'm busy getting all the feature interviews together and up next is sweet Heather of Postroad Vintage:) 

Teddee Grace Imaginative, Creative, Resourceful

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a little cabin in the woods where you could create til your hearts content? Let me introduce you to our next feature interview Teddee Grace who just happens to live in a snowy little cabin with a breath taking view. Teddee's accomplishments are numerous and I think you will enjoy just as I did reading about her life;

Teddee Grace

Imaginative * Creative * Resourceful

 

My name is Theodora Elizabeth Grace, but I go by Teddee.  I’m divorced and living in a one-room cabin in the Colorado Rockies that my father built in 1939.  Welcome to retirement!  I have a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, but my work experience ranges from stints in corporate and non-profit communications and public relations in Chicago to most recently serving as the on-site property manager for a large up-scale homeowners association in Scottsdale, Arizona.  I had my own small public relations firm for several years in Chicago where I specialized in publicizing Midwestern ski areas and other tourist attractions and was executive director of a professional association of independent sales representatives specializing in the sale of boats and boating accessories for almost 20 years.  I also was a freelance writer who contributed articles to both the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times and edited proceedings of university conferences.

I love to junk and want more than anything to have my own shop or space where I can display my finds in creative vignettes that will make customers not only buy, but leave with their minds reeling with creative ideas!  I love designing with silk flowers and would like to tie that interest and ability into my store or space displays.  I also believe I would enjoy blogging about my current primitive lifestyle and sharing photos of the lovely Rocky Mountain environment in which I’m living.  I’ve also started self-educating myself about stamping and designing Artist Trading Cards in the last year since I’ve been retired and am finding that very interesting, but have a long way to go.  I do think this first series I’m working on is based on an unusual and innovative concept unlike anything I’ve read about.

Financing my dreams is my biggest roadblock.  Being retired and living on Social Security does not leave much left over for even renting a space in an antique mall knowing that that one would need to be prepared to lose that rent money if sales were not what one expected.  I had a mall booth in Phoenix, Arizona, and opened the Saturday after 9/11 when potential customers were still staying home for fear another suicide plane would hit.  That booth did not flourish during the entire six months I rented the space.  I briefly tried selling on e-Bay last year without luck, but I was not drawn to the concept because I felt unable to display my items in a way that would have encouraged their sale.   I think selling through a web site would be my best bet, but I’m not sure how to go about setting up a web site that would meet my standards.  There’s a French web site called Le Grand Magasin, complete with sound effects, that I just love.

I keep on junking and thrifting, but have really curtailed my activities because I am paying more than $300 a month in storage rental fees on units in Missouri, Arizona and Colorado.  If I can’t figure out how to sell my finds, it makes no sense to continue accumulating.

Although I listed resourcefulness as one of my personality traits, and I feel I am when it comes to making lemonade out of lemons where I’m living right now, I just feel like a rat in a maze when it comes to this particular business idea.  I’m stymied at every turn and totally stuck.  Getting some recommendations for top-flight web site and blog site designers would be a big step in the right direction, I think, unless they are very expensive.

Don't you think Teddee's life sounds amazing not to mention her cool name!  Here are my ideas for Teddee; 

1. Start a BLOG and write about your unique primitive cabin! I know you want a top-flight site BUT why not try one of the free blog platforms (Blogger, Wordpress) to get you going? With your fabulous writing background combined with cabin living, I am sure your blog would be a sure hit! 

2. Speaking of your journalism background, how about offering a copywriting type of service to bring some income in? Advertise on your Blog, Facebook and Twitter to help get the word out about your writing services. All this could be done easily from your cabin AND you would not be out any extra money.

3. Ok, I probably don't have to tell you this but, get rid of those rental units! Or, condense down to one and only keep the stuff you can fit into a single unit. The rental units are really stressing you out not to mention the cost so I would change that as soon as you can.

4. It sounds like you really want to have a creative outlet and sell your junk finds. I have a few ideas on how to make this happen;

How about finding a group of like minded creatives in your area and do a pop up event or sale locally? Try doing something once or twice a year at first. If done right, these type of events can really be successful and fun to boot. Have you thought about doing a home show and decorating that sweet cabin you own to sell your finds? I think there are lots of great possibilities for you!

      

           

 

   

Please leave your ideas and suggestions for Teddee so we can help her SHINE:)

 

Featuring Karon Grieve of So Easy Life, Caring, Creative and Passionate

It is my plesure to introduce you to Karon Grieve of So Easy Life: Karon's Cottage~Gorgeous! A few words from Karon;    Hi, I'm Karon Grieve and  my blog site is www.soeasylife.com. I live out in the countryside on the west coast of Scotland, in a 200 year old cottage on top of a hill. I often refer to it as Walton's Mountain as we are in our own world when it snows in winter.  I live with my gorgeous daughter Imogen (Idgy) our two cats Hank and Berti and a mad ferret called Harry. I am a writer and have two books published, So Easy Herbal and So Easy Christmas, I also write for magazines and am a TV expert in the field of herbs and the natural home.            I used to make lots of little herb filled scenters and sell them online and through shops and at big fairs but nowadays I prefer to write about doing things rather than actually making and selling.   I love photography and take photos every day for my blog, I'm one of those people who can lose hours just looking at a flower and taking a photo. I enjoy running and competed in my first charity 10k this summer. What are some of your CREATIVE DREAMS~No matter how big or small!  My dream is "So Easy Life", this is the book i am presently writing. It's a self help book for women that shows you the baby steps, the everyday shuffle along and get through the day steps that can help you reach the good feeling life. But it is also a book that shows you the bigger picture, lets readers have a looksee at different forms of help and assistance that are out there for the taking. So many people want guidance but have no idea where to look. They don't feel ready to hit the bookstore and the acres of ernest titles that lie before them. All those scary words, great tombs full of wisdom on this technique or that. Experts seem like higher beings, unapproachable and 'Up there', you can end up with a 'Why bother, it's all out of my reach' attitude, and that is so sad. The experts are human and they are there to help. My book takes some of these fabulous experts (including the amazing Bob Doyle bestselling author and one of the stars of the film The Secret, Marci Shimoff who wrote 'Happy for no reason' and 'Love for no reason', Suzy Greaves founder of The Big Leap, Michael Neill super coach and life coach to many celebrities worldwide, Sandy Newbigging who created the Mind Detox system and is a world expert on assention meditation, and a host of others, and shows readers a glimpse of their ideas and systems for helping you reach this easy life we all long for. Readers will then be able to feel their own responses and wherer one technique or another resonates with them and draws them to want to find out more about that expert and their field of practice. The book is also about real women and has their contibutions too. I have started a mission on my blog, The Easy Life Mission, where women from all walks of life and from all parts of the world can leave their one tip for what makes their life easier. Whether this is patting the cat, taking hikes in the mountains, baking, doing meditation, drawing, writing in their journal, skipping, baking pies for family and friends, soaking in a hot tub. Whatever it is. My aim is to get 1000 tips and then have an online pole to find the top 101 tips for an easy life. These will then be scattered throughout my book and each credited by the lady herself. I want real women to be part of this entire book and project. There will also be tips from celebrity ladies and those gurus too. But there is more. I want to make this book visual and eye catching. I am sick of self help books that are wordy. Okay the words are the matter that helps, but I want So Easy Life to be beautiful. It will be a mini coffee table book, something that is as good to look at as it is to read. It will be set out along the lines of my other two books, approx 7 1/2" square hardcover with images on almost every second page. It is colourful and pretty. It is something you want to dip in and out of and be inspired by. This is not a paperback self help book that you are embarrassed to own that lurks on the shelf with a 'oh no that old thing, not mine' type attitude. Aint noone going to put So Easy Life in a corner! So here's the thing. I want to get artists, and I mean real women here who make art in the form of photos, paintings, drawings, journalling sheets,  collage, mixed media, quilting or WHATEVER  to submit an image for the book. I want to have artwork that is inspiring and inspirational throughout the pages. This is art that speaks from the heart, it is feelings and emotions, it is REAL. Each artist will have their photo and bio and credits and contact details in a special directory within the book. This is a way to reach an audience that will be worldwide and somewhat unexpected. Not nesseserily people who would normally be looking for arty stuff, what they are looking for is help and inspiration, and in so doing they will find a multitude of other women who are out there inspiring and being inspired. They will realise that there is one huge and enormous word out there that they have lost sight of    HOPE.  Is there specific information you need to help achieve your CREATIVE DREAM GOALS?  In my dream I am asking all of you to help me, and in so doing help thousands, no, millions of other women out there all over the world. From leaving those 'my tip for an easy life' on my blog at www.soeasylife.com  to actually taking part by submitting an image,, this whole project needs you and your caring and compassion to help others. If you have a story about how your life has changed for the better and how it happened than I would be thrilled to hear about it. I would so love to have real women be a part of this project and it is all about sharing. so let me know your stories too. Do you have any special talents that you’re especially proud of? So what about me; Well my talent, my creativity is in writing, it's in show and tell and sharing. I love to help people by showing them in words and actions how to make things better. Be that in creating herb crafts, coping with Christmas (both books I've written) presenting these things on TV or writing articles in magazines. I wrote my first book last Spring. I published it myself and promoted it as best I could. I got myself on television as a herb expert due to the book and through that gained a book contract and a publisher who took over. Then I wrote another book through them. But the big one and my real passion is my new book, "So Easy Life", this is my passion and this makes me come alive. What roadblocks do you feel are standing in the way of obtaining your CREATIVE DREAMS? I am hopeless with the computer. Glad I am not the only one on this. I find technology frightening and have little or no patience for it. Not a good combo I know! Yes. I need the help of other people for this book, as I have said I want women out there to give me their tips for an easier life and I want artists to contributre their images for inclusion within the book as well.  How amazing does Karon's book concept sound? By reaching out to the very Women she hopes to help, Karon has clearly identified what she needs to make the book special.  Here are a few ideas that I thought of to hopefully help Karon further: 1. Like Brenda before, I would suggest taking some basic computer classes. Since the computer is so important to your work, this would be a great first step to reduce fears.  2. Keep getting the "word out" about the book. Try to contact some major bloggers in your niche to see if you can do a guest blog post explaining your book. 3. If you haven't already done so, I would do a Facebook and Twitter campaign to try and get more tips for your book.  What other suggestions do you have for Karon? Please add them in the comment section below to help. Thank You for continuing to spread the word about the Good Stella Community! Keep Shining:) Carol

 

Wonderful tips!

Rebecca~ Great advice on setting up a free account~I forgot to mention that! Wordpress has some cool plugins to use for blogging and super easy to figure out. So glad you're blogging for yourself~ Thank You! Check out Rebecca's blog
http://lovelinest.org !

Summer~ AMEN Girlfriend! A few years ago I wrote an article for Artful Blogging Magazine about treating your blog as a mini publication. You are so right about how blogging has opened up a whole new (me included) world for many Women that otherwise would not have had the chance to showcase talents. As far as original content, I have always tried to do that mainly because I love to photograph and share my vision. I LOVE the word PRAISE and everything that it means! Thank You so much for the support and tips:)

Mimi~http://www.copyblogger.com is another great blogging resource~Thank You! Try contacting Sara at Sadie Olive for help with a custom banner. Keep Shining:) Carol

My Top Ten Blogging Tips For Creative Women

"Blogging changed my life!" That announcement might sound a bit ridiculous to some, but let me share my blogging story to further explain what I'm talking about.

Back in 2005 when we opened Raised In Cotton, I knew I needed to get the word out about the new venture for it to succeed.  Over the years we had built up a pretty good customer following from doing Antique Shows but that was about the extent of our contacts. Then one day I was surfing the internet  and came across the most gorgeous page. It was filled with incredible colors, lovely fonts and had amazing photographs. But the best part was the author was actually a REAL PERSON and someone that I could relate to.

 Amy Powers of Inspire Co. was the blogger I stumbled upon that day and forever changed my life. Amy shared her inspirational and warm voice by blogging about her creative business. I could not believe that this new format called a "Blog" was exactly what I had been looking for to market the new business. So I took the leap and wrote my first Raised In Cotton post in conjunction with the opening of the shop. Then I waited, and waited (I think a few weeks) for someone to leave me a comment. You see back in 2005 there were very few blogs in the creative, decorating, vintage niche that I craved and needed to market the shop. Hence not much blog traffic to see what our business was all about. But, I persevered and slowly started getting more visitors to my blog. I even started meeting some of my local blogging friends which was so much fun. And finally, more and more shop customers would stop in because they had read my blog.

 In the early days of the blog, I was never satisfied with the photographs I posted. They lacked personality and did not convey the creative vision that our business (and myself) was all about.  So I upgraded my point and shoot to a Big Girl Camera and taught myself as much as I could about photography. I was completely obsessed and passionate about capturing the best image that I could to post on the blog.With lots of practicing and hitting the delete button, imagine my surprise when I was contacted by an editor who wanted to use one of my photos for her magazine. Huh? Me published? Over the years my self- taught photography and styling skills, has morphed into a wonderful career.

I've worked with some extremely talented creatives who I probably would have never even met if I had not started blogging. And a few years ago, I did finally get to meet Amy Powers in person to Thank her for inspiring my start:) Now I consider Amy a sweet friend, all because of blogging:)

Amy Powers of Inspire Co.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because Blogging can impact your life too! There are mega millions of blogs BUT there is only ONE YOU with ONE VISION and ONE CREATIVE VOICE.  So why not share some inspiration, market your business, make some new friends or find opportunities that you may not know about? I've compiled a few blogging tips that have helped me in the past and hopefully you will find them beneficial as well:

My Top Ten Blogging Tips For Creative Women 

1. Don't compare your blog with the BIG Blogging King and Queens that have a zillion subscriber's and post the perfect everything. They all started small too. You're just as CREATIVE!

2. Blog in your own authentic voice and most importantly for yourself. 

3. Try to get on a posting schedule so readers can anticipate a post. 

4. Decide what the purpose of your blog post is before you start writing. Informative, inspirational, entertainment or offering a product for sale are usually the popular reasons of doing blog postings. 

5. Even though you may not get tons of comments on a post, you never know how many people are actually reading your blog. Google Reader (and other Readers) provide a wonderful service, you subscribe to your favorite websites so new content comes to you when it's posted. But those same Readers while wonderful do not make it easy to leave a blog comment. Essentially you have to leave the Reader site to go to the actual blog to interact.  Don't sweat the blog stats!

6.  If you're serious about marketing a  creative business, get a Facebook and Twitter account. When I started in 2005, blogging was the only social media that reached a widespread audience. When Facebook and Twitter came upon the market, it added a whole new aspect to social interaction. Both of those platforms are easy (well until yesterday when Facebook decided to change a few things) fast and furious ways of spreading your voice. It also hits those folks that don't necessarily blog but do Facebook and Tweet. Be sure and cross connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts to your blog postings. I can't begin to tell you how much of my blog traffic is from Facebook and Twitter readers. 

7. Make your blog design CLEAR and EASY to read. I found this out the hard way a few years ago when one of my designs which I thought was really cool on my screen turned out to be horrible when I viewed it on my friends computer. Have someone else tell you the truth about your site. Dark backgrounds are really difficult to read text. Try to keep your backgrounds lighter so your text is easier to read. Decrease clutter on your sidebars. Too much information can be confusing and overwhelming to your blog visitors. 

8. REALLY IMPORTANT! Please make sure you have your contact email on the front of your blog. So simple but so many blog author's forget to do this. Make it easy to find you!

9. Add the best possible photos that you can to your blog postings. There are some wonderful point and shoots and even cell phones (Hello iPhones) that produce magnificent images. Also, there are free online photo editing software programs you can use to tweak your images. I promise to do more on photography in the future! Also, don't forget to give photo credit to images that you use on your blog. There is nothing more frustrating then finding out that someone is passing off your hardword as their own.

10. Finally, don't get frustrated and give up on blogging too soon~I promise it will change your life but you need to give it a chance and work at it:)

Do you have any blogging tips you could add? 

Resource Links

Facebook

Twitter

Google Reader

Picnik-Free photo editing software

Blogger, Typepad, Wordpress-Popular blogging platforms

Sadie Olive- Blog designer~Talented Sara is super sweet and easy to work with!

Blogs By Heather~Incredible Blogging Tutorials and Information

 

Our next feature interview will be up soon!

Keep Shining, Carol

Visit me here as well~

www.RaisedInCottonVintageRentals.com

www.CarolSpinski.com

Raised In Cotton Blog

 

Featuring Brenda Harris, Inspired, Faithful and Loyal

I am so proud to introduce to you our first Good Stella feature interview!

Brenda Harris

Inspired*Faithful*Loyal

 

Love that sign Brenda!

White and Rusty Vintage Treasures Blog

Please introduce yourself to the Good Stella Community:

“Hello, I am Brenda Harris and I live in Oklahoma with 5 of our children. I was born and raised in California. In 2002, two years after getting married to Steven we moved to North Dakota where we lived for 8 years. Steven and I will be married 12 years in 2012.  Steven is my soul mate and my partner in crime. We have a lot of fun treasure hunting together.Steve and I have 8 children between us. Lori, Evan and RJ are grown. Brittany, Caitlynd, Sara, Kimmie and Jacob range in age from 2 -15. Lori is married with 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Evan is married with 4 children and RJ is going to school. I have been a domestic engineer for the last 11 years with a couple of shops here and there of my own. 3 in CA and 2 in ND. My Dad was a really big part of each adventure.

“My heart has always belonged to discarded items,  yard sales and the thrift shops. I like being creative, marrying items together, power tools are another love. This summer I bought a Nikon D3100 and have had a ball with it but I haven't read the manuel, much to Steven's dismay.  I have so much to learn. Blogging is another fun way to connect with like minds. Steve set me up and away I went.”

Explain your CREATIVE DREAMS, no matter how big or small?

“Personally, having the Lord always comes first in my life, to be a good wife and a good mom.  Professionally, I would love to have a blog/business that would inspire people to step outside of their comfort zone. That sharing my story of having my own shops would inspire them to open their own , or to follow their own dreams.”

What would you consider to be some of your best creative talents?

“My talents? I can talk to anyone anywhere, I love people!! I can also take just about anything and make something new out of it."

What roadblocks do you feel are standing in the way of achieving your CREATIVE DREAMS? 

 “No computer skills. This might be my biggest fear. I would love to have an ETSY shop but have no clue how to even begin. I have a new camera and still have no idea of it's potential.”

What steps (if any) have you taken on the path to realizing your CREATIVE DREAMS?

 “With Stevens help I started my blog "white and rusty vintage treasures" (I do not know how to make this a link to my blog). I have emailed thru blogs that have inspired me and also gone to shop in Texas and made some acquaintances.” 

Is there specific information you need to help achieve your CREATIVE DREAM GOALS?

 I am open to any and all advice, information and critique with gratitude.

After you have accomplished your CREATIVE DREAMS, how will your life be different?

 “I have a following on my blog that allows me to share my faith and desire to help create, decorate and design all things vintage.”

 “I think answering these questions about myself was harder to do than deciding to open any of my retail shops. Thank you for helping me to step out of my comfort zone.”

God bless,

Bren

 

Dosen't Brenda sound like the sweetest person? And you've got to ADORE a gal that LOVES power tools! Brenda's goal to have a blog or website that offers inspiration is one that many of us desire. Basically we all want to share our creative vision in some way. Simply a wonderful blessing and gift!

The following are some suggestions I have for Brenda to help her start sparkling that Business, Blog or Website:

1. Sign up and take a basic computer class at your local Community College, High School or Public Library. Or even check out some online classes here or here. You Tube is another place to look for free tutorials, just type in something like "Free Online Computer Tutorials" in the search box. I think once you address your fear of the computer, you will 

be able to go to the next level with your Business, Blog and Website.

2. Once you feel more comfortable with the computer, start connecting (like on Good Stella) or other blogs with more kindred spirited creatives.  Sign up for Facebook and Twitter accounts if you don't already participate. I can't begin to tell you how great (especially Facebook) both of those sites are to get your Business, Blog or Website word out. 

3. The Nikon D3100 is an awesome camera! But to get the fullest potential you MUST read and reread the manual that came with your camera. Just as above with the computer skills, try taking a basic photography class. Also, and I can't stress this enough, LEARN to shoot in Manual Mode and not Auto Mode~This is probably the best self teaching method you can do to learn photography. The great thing about digital DSLR's is the DELETE button on them! In the future I will do more on photography:)

4. Etsy would be a WONDERFUL place for you to sell all of your creative goods.  The site is acutally easy to navigate both for buyers and sellers. Here is a link to Etsy that may help to answer some of the questions you have about setting up a shop. 

GOOD STELLA COMMUNITY

 Here is the important part of GOOD STELLA~ Please leave comments for Brenda at the bottom of this post with any helpful ideas you have for her. Not only will Brenda benefit but hopefully all of us as well:) 

Keep Shining,

Carol

Please keep spreading the word about Good Stella

 

First Step: Take Better Care Of Yourself

To take full advantage of the benefits that I hope you gain from Good Stella, I want you to do one very important first step for me. That very important step would be to start taking BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF. 

As Women we are excellent at caring for everyone and everything in our daily lives but seldom leave time for ourselves. Our overwhelming responsibilities can leave us exhausted. We are left at the end of the day with trying to pick up the tiny leftover emotional pieces of our bodies. That dominos into feelings of frustration when we realize those awesome DREAMS we have must wait.

  Women are incredible organizers, problem solvers and I'm sure some of us could run a fortune 500 Company with our eyes closed. But the basic concept of self nuturing seems to allude most of us.

Taking BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF does not mean you have to forget your life roles. On the contrary, it means you deserve to pay attention to your needs in order to be the BEST YOU. Being the BEST YOU means that your brain will feel refreshed and you will be emotionally and physically ready to start achieving those DREAMS.

Here are few changes I want you to start trying. Trust me, the world will still be standing:)

*REST~Not just 7-8 hours a night, I mean take time to sit down during the day (don't laugh) for even a few minutes and put your feet up. 

*BREATHE~Have you ever paid attention to how you breathe? Take your hand and place it over your abdomen. Deeply breathe in through your nose and exhale out through your mouth a few times. Be more conscious during the day of taking deeper breaths to help reduce stress.

*WALK~Outside preferably and not just across the grocery store parking lot. A small change of scenery does incredible things for the body and mind.

*"No I Can't"~ Ah what wonderful three words! Try saying them more without defining WHY you can't. In other words, it's ok to say "No" without fear of rejection. 

I would LOVE if you could share an example of how you are going to start taking BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF! 

Be sure and read all the comments for all the SHINING ideas!

Next week, I will do the first reader feature post~Blessings~Carol

Presenting Good Stella

 

This blog is dedicated to all the gifted Good Stella's who by following their bliss will forever SHINE.

Hello and Welcome to our new blog! Yes you heard me correctly, I did say "our" because this little blog is all about paying it forward. A virtual sisterhood of caring, inspiration and support for anyone with a dream, desire or need. Each of you are already SO talented and DESERVE to live your life to the fullest. I think with a circle of friendship we can help each other to reach for the STARS and add more sparkle to our lives. I really, really want this to be an interactive blog because I can't do it all by myself. It takes a village right?

Every few days I will be doing a feature interview with each of you who contacted me about needing Coaching help. I will be sending you a few simple questions and all you have to do is answer and email them back to me. So along with my suggestions, I hope to get many of you to offer your ideas and support as well. In the future, I will have feature guest bloggers related to the popular topics of Blogging, Business, Crafting, Decorating, Styling and Photography just to name a few. 

If you could start spreading the word with a link about Good Stella on your own blogs I would be so appreciative. I'm going to do an email and subscribe link too:)

 

Leaving you with my Sweet Mama the original Good Stella who always told me, "Keep Shining"