Thank you for visiting my blog. I am a designer | artist in Southern California. My specialties are residential and commercial interior design. I have also ventured into graphic arts. This blog is where I share my personal experience and opinions on topics related to art and design. Please make yourself comfortable. Feel free to leave a comment or send me a message. Thank you!
(update: May 18, 2021)
There are many design aspects to consider when planning a home remodeling project.
It’s the time of the year to express our gratitude and good wishes with gifts to people around us! Here are some gift suggestions for art and design lovers.
It is so joyful to receive a card with a personal message. For those of us who can’t quite make our own cards, there are wonderful artisans who help us to say what we want to say.
Handcrafted paper goods. All cards include postage.
Curated greeting cards for snail mail lovers available as single collections or subscription.
FREE digital cards designed by Michelle Chiang.
Whether you are creating unique gifts or finding gifts for crafters, here are some resources that will motivate creativity!
Create your own print-on-demand books.
Removable wallpaper sheets that can also be used for decor projects..
Online stationery store with pens, paper, and art supplies from Japan and beyond.
Cute Japanese stationery.
Cute and functional stationary and accessories.
Print-on-Demand fabric, home decor, and wallpaper. Choose designs from artists or use your own.
Many artists and artisans have wonderful gifts for sale.
Andres Palos is a Los Angeles based digital and film photographer. Prints are available in different sizes and frame options on this website.
Ira Meyer photographs the amazing sceneries and animals of Antarctica and the Arctic.
Hand poured soy wax candles, melts, handmade soaps, and more.
100% handcrafted leather hair accessory & jewelry.
Matt Spangler is an artist who draws robots. His website has prints, original arts, and merchandise available.
Books are the most versatile gifts. Instead of ordering online, visiting a physical bookstore offers a sense of adventure. You may find things unexpected.
302 W. Matilija Street, Ojai, CA 93023
Online bookstore with print-on-demand books.
300 S. Santa Fe Ave. M, Los Angeles, CA 90013
453 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Museums and galleries often have online stores that cater to art lovers.
1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Los Angeles Public Library Store
2222 E Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93010
4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena, CA 91108
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, CA 91108
221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Many retailers offer recycling services and/or accept donations.
Best Buy
“At most Best Buy stores, you can recycle up to three items per household per day (see categories below for state-specific info, and different limitations on TVs, computer monitors and laptops). Plus, haul-away options are available for larger items in your home.”
“Making the most of your old tech is easy. Check our trade-in estimator below to see what your item is worth, then trade it in for a Best Buy Gift Card you can use to upgrade to the latest tech.”
DSW
H&M
Nordstrom
“We accept a wide variety of empty containers that will be recycled for eventual reuse. Find collection bins in the beauty department at a Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom Local near you.”
Staples
Target
“Since 2010, we have offered front-of-store recycling kiosks that give guests an easy way to recycle cans, glass, plastic bottles, plastic bags, MP3 players, ink cartridges and cell phones right in their local store. “
Additional Resources
TerraCycle
This was not planned.
When I got laid off from my full-time job in January 2020, I figured I would take a little break and learn Photoshop as I have been wanting to but couldn’t fit into my work schedule.
COVID-19 changed everything. I began helping a local bakery café with graphic work and online presence. Since I needed to develop some new skills quickly and there were no potential interior design projects in sight, I kept on taking classes that interested me.
I never thought I had it in me to be a graphic designer. My focus was to know enough to do my job with the bakery café. I was doing store signage and menu design, photography, photoshoot styling, and content creation. Everything was new to me. I got a lot of support and help from my professors and my classmates. I was having a great time even though we had to be remote and deal with COVID-19 restrictions.
A few semesters passed; my classmates reminded me to check my progress. Combining with the classes I had taken for my bachelor’s degree, I was eligible for an A.A. degree in Art, Gallery, and Museum Studies. And I was two classes away from completing the Multimedia – Graphic and Web Design program.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the remaining classes. (They were photography and web design.) I had started getting busy with work. And I was planning to visit my family in Taiwan more regularly. Somehow, I couldn’t pass up getting another degree. I made it work, and I am glad I did. I enjoyed the last two classes as much as all the other classes I had taken.
This wasn’t planned, and I couldn’t have planned it better.
Now I can declare confidently that I am a Graphic Designer!
As a creator, you have unique power at your fingertips – the ability to make something new and to be noticed. But creating something eye-catching alone won’t cut it. You must also focus on making sure it reaches the public. With the right strategies in place, anyone can transform their ideas into reality and enjoy the rewards that come with having an impact. Here are some tips and tricks for getting your work on the map, shared by Alice Robertson of Tidyhome.info.
What’s a BHAG? It’s a big, hairy, audacious goal! And your professional goals may feel this way. The good news is that having a BHAG is a great thing. You just have to know how to tackle it and trust yourself to do it successfully! To get started, you can try this. Come up with that 10+ year goal that seems too big to accomplish and use it to motivate you as you put smaller goals in place to get yourself to that amazing end goal. Perhaps the first step is to establish yourself as a business entity, so get started!
Having a detailed business plan is an essential part of getting your work noticed. It should include what you create, how you will market it, who will help with production and promotion, what materials or services are needed, and how you will fund the project. Once you know where you want to go with your work, it’s easier to determine what steps need to be taken to make it successful.
Forming an LLC (limited liability company) is a great way to protect your artwork and yourself from potential legal issues. An LLC offers protection against personal liability, as well as freedom in making decisions such as pricing without fear of repercussions. It’s a wise investment for creators that want to ensure the success of their business.
Finding investors can be tough, but it’s not impossible. Creators can find potential investors by connecting with people they know, attending events, researching online, or reaching out via email/social media. To get taken seriously, creators must present a comprehensive business plan complete with financial projections and expected ROI.
Creating and organizing a portfolio is an essential step for artists to get noticed by potential buyers or investors. Quality images, organized projects, and descriptive pieces all work together to show what kind of work you have done in the past. Additionally, having a clear understanding between all parties involved before any money changes hands helps ensure that expectations are met from start to finish.
Getting artwork out into the world is a great way to get noticed and make an impact. Local galleries, art fairs, and online contests are all great places to showcase work and gain recognition. Additionally, staying up-to-date on current trends can help inform ideas for upcoming projects, as well as provide insight into what viewers may be interested in. Taking advantage of these platforms is an ideal way to get artwork out into the public eye and start making a name for oneself.
Flyers are a great way to advertise and make people aware of your work. They are simple and cost-effective, with no setup required and easy distribution. By hanging flyers in strategic areas, you can capture an audience who may not be seeking art pieces online. Flyers give them the opportunity to view your artwork up close, letting them decide for themselves if it’s something they want to learn more about.
Marketing yourself as an artist is no easy task. It requires a variety of different elements – from setting up an LLC to finding potential investors and building portfolios across several platforms. Doing all this correctly gives creators the tools they need to get their artwork seen by as many people as possible, while also keeping it unique and ensuring success in whichever direction they decide to go.
Alice Robertson first stepped into the home organization industry as a seasoned house cleaner. After years of bringing order and cleanliness to her clients’ homes, she felt inspired to launch her own business. Over time, she has curated an extensive portfolio of clients, transforming their residential and commercial spaces into more efficient areas. She eventually established Tidy Home, a platform designed to share her wealth of cleaning and organizing wisdom gathered over her career.
MICHELLE CHIANG