Widget Me This!
January 3rd, 2008
So, my creative activity today involved creating an Amazon widget and store. You can see the new widget which links to the store over to the right. The widget will show a random selection of books that I hand-picked. Each of these books has provided me with inspiration along the way. Since I love to read, this is a fun way to share the books I love and potentially make some money from the referrals. I added a column where I've now got this new Amazon widget, along with information about the Creative Every Day challenge and participants.
It was fun to make the store, using some of my art as a banner and thinking about some of my favorite inspirational books. I'll be adding categories soon too, so let me know if you'd like book advice on any particular subject.
I currently work for myself as a full-time artist and writer. Finding ways (small and large) to supplement my income is a wonderful thing, but don't worry, it won't become ad central around here! I never want to lose the integrity of this blog. I do want to try some of the new options out there for making money, so bear with me while I do a little experimenting in the next few months.
Money can be such an uncomfortable topic. I have never enjoyed making decisions on pricing, asking for money, or just about any of the business aspects of selling or marketing myself. But it's necessary for me to learn how to do it with confidence and grace. Even if it's just 5% more confidence and grace. In that spirit, I'm going to put up a paypal link soon that will allow anyone who reads and enjoys this blog, to make a donation and help support my creating. I never want anyone to feel pressured to donate here (it is not required!), but I want to put it out there as an option. Of course, feel free to check out my art website as well, where I sell original art and prints and stay tuned for new artwork and products to come this winter!
I'm going to be away this weekend with little time to be online, so it might take me a bit longer to get back to you if you email or want to be added to the list of CED participants. The list has grown quite big and I've loved being introduced to so many new creative people. So, welcome and happy creating!
18 Responses
My creative thing today was to take one of my flower designs and create postage stamps at Zazzle.com–to see the stamps and find out more visit my blog: http://foxyartstudio.blogspot.com
hey! this is fun!
Posted by: aurora fox | Jan 4, 2008 at 5:15 am |
Hello and Happy New Year!
I just spotted you are doing this and it fits right in with my plans for 2008 – what a perfect idea for a blog!
Please add me
Posted by: Taexalia | Jan 4, 2008 at 7:21 am |
Congratulations on this new venture. You’ve selected many of my favorite books so visiting your store felt like entering a very familiar place
I too intend to open a similar store very shortly.
I wish you a most abundant year.
Blessings,
Posted by: Chantal | Jan 4, 2008 at 8:27 am |
Check out this artist’s creed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LZp9rQiibQ
Posted by: Rebecca | Jan 4, 2008 at 9:08 am |
happy 2008!
Today I am creatively re-arranging furniture in my apartment. Moving my desk to the bay windows, and setting up a cozy reading corner.
xo
Posted by: Bohemian mom | Jan 4, 2008 at 9:24 am |
Neat widget. I adore Pronoia – I’ve recommended it to so many friends! And Bird by Bird, of course. Have you read “The Gift”, the Hafiz translation by Daniel Ladinsky? Excellent stuff.
Posted by: Julie K. Rose | Jan 4, 2008 at 9:33 am |
What a neat idea–I just ordered a used copy of the Nina Wise book!
Posted by: Karen | Jan 4, 2008 at 10:23 am |
Great idea! I am going to create everyday too! I’ll keep you posted. Please add me in.
Posted by: Betty | Jan 4, 2008 at 11:15 am |
Wonderful! sign me up…:) Thanks!
Posted by: Sarita | Jan 4, 2008 at 11:46 am |
I love and have used so many of your recommended books on your list. Thanks you for the inspiration and motivation to remain and practice creativity everyday. It is in all of us-no denying.
Will be blogging and keeping creative posts,too.
Thanks-
ckw
Posted by: ckw | Jan 4, 2008 at 1:03 pm |
oh my!! what a wonderful place! I found the link through Celestine Musings & I am so excited to be here surrounded with like minded souls!
looking forward to being creative everyday
xo ~Izabella
Posted by: Izabella~ | Jan 4, 2008 at 2:09 pm |
I’d love to be added to the creative every day challenge!
Posted by: Molly | Jan 4, 2008 at 3:51 pm |
I hope you’ll post some about how the Amazon widget works. I’ve thought about it, but never got around to doing more than adding the book I quote from for the daily thought. I, too, would like to monetize the blog a bit given the time I spend on it – but not get crazy about it. Good luck! Have a great weekend.
Posted by: tammy vitale | Jan 4, 2008 at 5:46 pm |
this is such a wonderful idea! i would love to join in!
Posted by: nancy | Jan 4, 2008 at 7:23 pm |
Oh I would love to join in!! I also found my way here via Chantal…
Posted by: patricia J mosca | Jan 4, 2008 at 9:39 pm |
Thanks for the comment Leah, I am loving the challenge.
Posted by: pat | Jan 5, 2008 at 2:18 am |
creative everyday…love that!!
today I added new music to my playlist, rearranged my sidebar on my blog & created a new art piece~ Going to be creative today in cleaning my house & making a healthy dinner for my family
xo ~Izabella
http://izabella.typepad.com
Posted by: Izabella~ | Jan 6, 2008 at 12:54 pm |
And thank you for having such integrity in the way you are integrating your for-profit enterprises into the blog – something that I think can be done gracefully, but so often isn’t . . . I, too, have been wanting to share a reading list, and love this way of doing it . . . many of the books you recommended are familiar, but not all of them! And I have a LOT of art books!
As for my CED challenge, during Jan, I’m posting a drawing a day on my blog . . . Being a mixed media artist, I tend to get pretty lazy about my drawing, and it’s a muscle I’ve been wanting to exercise . . . and I liked doing NaBloPoMo, so I’ve been wanting to challenge myself to keep posting every day – it seems to keep me, well, creatively accountable, if you will. And it seems less daunting than most of the other “5%” type challenges I’ve thought of . . . thanks again for the inspiration and the graceful example . . .
Posted by: bansheegrrll | Jan 6, 2008 at 7:21 pm |