Hi Creatives! I think one of the hardest things about having a business is trying to figure out your groove. For me, mixed media, art, crafting DIY have all been intertwined into one business umbrella. Where should you be spending your time? What should you concentrate on first? Social media, should you do it and how does it fit into your business? After many years I have to admit I still don’t have this down. There have been ups and downs that cause you to re-evaluate your situation and what is going on. Sometimes it’s not even your business, it can be a personal or family matter that can cause you re-evaluate your situation.  Are you being effective? Is this the most value for your time? Re-evaluation is important in any business and even life, don’t you think?

(Winter fairy in Jar from Mixed Media Monday)

Some platforms are easier than others to post in and I find it is easier to go there and do something (ahem Facebook Live). The problem with just going with one platform though is at any time things could change, who remembers “My Space”? They say newsletters/email is the way to go. To be honest – I have always struggled with what to put in my newsletter, what do you want to see? Is this important enough to invade your email and take time out of your day? Is this fun?

(Autumn fairy in a jar from Mixed Media Monday)

The only thing that is guaranteed not to disappear (or to have crazy rules to break or change) and get info out to you is email. I will be concentrating on sending you these newsletters.  I will still have blog posts – between me and my team, there will be lots creative projects so keep checking in.

Thank you to those who have taken this artsy journey with me so far, I know the best has yet to come!

(Spring Fairy in a jar from Mixed Media Monday)

What is new: If you haven’t been to the website recently it has gotten a whole new facelift! Take a look around!  I am super pleased how it came out and had indispensable help from Lisa Jimenez if you ever need to hire somebody that can really help you a website contact her she is amazing! I would love your feedback – if there is something that I should have on the site that you don’t see please contact me rbarakaat@ritabarakat.com and let me know!

Magical Theatre: My design team has done an amazing job the month with the launch of my book Magical Theatre! If you have purchased the book and want some creative ideas to go with it check out the latest blog posts on the site!

Mixed Media Mondays – if you haven’t been live on Facebook on Mondays you should come! Every Monday I do video live on FB, all you have to do is go to FB  ritabarakat1 and at 8 pm CST it will show up. I do something with mixed media  –  a project, or techniques, new products in the industry…anything related to mixed media. Whats fun about watching live? You can ask a question and I can answer and or demonstrate it in real time.  Sometimes I ask you to tell me which way to go on a project or what products to use. This is essentially a free class! I would love for you to join me! After the class, you can go to my website and find the products I used and the links!

Classes – I will be teaching at Creativation! (This is a trade show.) If you are going I would love for you to take my class
Mixed Media boot camp!  
Class Description: Looking for a way to introduce your customers to mixed media and get them hooked? Midori’s, traveler’s journals and planners are all the rage! Create a visual journal that you can share, teach and have customers walk away feeling confident and excited about mixed media! This is a technique-based workshop using the latest hottest products from Plaid and Eileen Hull of Sizzix!

This is going to be such a fun class! And no worries if cannot go – I will be tailoring this class after Creativation for those who can not go (and are not retailers) to launch my new ONLINE CLASSES!!! Coming January 2018!!!

That’s about it, for now, I hope you will join me on Mondays!
Blessings peeps!
Rita

Products from the last Mixed Media Monday video:

  

The Faires are in my Etsy shop
The jars were sealed with ColoriQue

 

Don't forget to join us for Mixed Media Monday! Each Monday a new live episode of artsy tips, project, and products! Blessings! Rita