Thanks so much to everyone who has downloaded the Get Your Creative Groove on eBook in the last few weeks. It means more to me than I can really express to see people from literally all over the world downloading it. You guys are amazing, and I feel so grateful for you. Can I ask just one favor, though? If you downloaded the eBook, I would love to hear from you! Would you mind sending me your feedback? I’m preparing an “in print” version, and I would love to hear your thoughts on the digital version. The hardcopy will include …

I apologize that this post is coming to you on a Monday rather than a Sunday. I use WordPress as my blog engine, and it has been incredibly slow and finicky for the last few days. So sorry about that! I’m just glad it’s working well enough now that I can share a little bit of inspiration with you! 1. Fingerprint Call for Submissions I was so excited to learn about this follow up project to the best-selling book Fingerprint: The Art of Using Handmade Elements in Graphic Design. HOW Books and Chen Design Associates are partnering on this project …

Many times when I’m working on a post for Creative Perch, I have to mentally go back to the things that are inspiring me and keeping me fresh, and that’s the well I draw on to share with you. Several of my friends do list posts for their blogs each week – things they love, things they’re thinking about. The things that inspire me vary quite a bit, so I thought I’d take some time each weekend to share them with you. Listing out five things this week was a bit challenging, so some weeks it might be three things, …

Wow, I can hardly believe we’re here – the end of the the Get Your Creative Groove On series. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have. And while it feels fantastic to finish this series, I promise to have more creative research posts coming your way each week. GYCGO might be over, but creativity is a never-ending journey. (Be sure to read to the very end of this post for news about the eBook release!) Week 30: Be Creative Everyday There are times I feel burnt out with what I’m working on, and I am tempted to …

Every Monday is Tip Day! Grab a cup of coffee and get over the Monday morning bump with tips, tools, and inspiration from Perch. This Week: Read for Inspiration As we’ve previously discussed, inspiration isn’t necessary to get down to creative work, but it can help the process… and motivation can help even more. One of the best ways to stay motivated is to stay sharp creatively through reading or listening to audiobooks. There are several fantastic writers out there who are sharing their creative journeys with us, and others who are passionate about coaching fellow creatives along he way. Here’s …

The other morning I read a post by Andy Rutledge on his blog Design View titled, “On Inspiration.” Since the tagline of Creative Perch is “Inspiring Creativity and Encouraging Innovation,” I thought I’d read up. Let me first say this. Andy doesn’t post every day, but when he does post, it’s full of meat. His Gestalt Principles series is something I have to work through bite by bite. On Inspiration was no different, except that I found it incredibly engaging and couldn’t stop reading. I did pause frequently with the words, “Now, wait a minute…” on the tip of my …

Every Monday is Tip Day! Grab a cup of coffee and get over the Monday morning bump with tips, tools, and inspiration from Perch. This Week: Go Picture Hunting I’m on vacation these week in Madeira Beach, FL, and I have to admit: I am about as creatively sapped as the least creative person out there. I am completely fried; my last bit of inspiration has crisped up and crumbled like burnt toast. And worst of all, I feel like the least qualified person to offer today’s creative inspiration. So, I’ve been going through my arsenal of creativity pick-me-ups to see …

How to Get Your Creative Groove On is an original series by Perch. This week learn how music can help you tap your creativity and get your creative groove on. Week 25: Listen to the Music Today the world observed and participated in the celebratory and music-packed memorial service for Michael Jackson. He was described as a rising stare, a beautiful light, come from the Creator and trailing creativity after him. The poem by Maya Angelou and read by Queen Latifah was very moving, and the music that filled the ceremony made me think of all of the many incredible …

Every Monday is Tip Day! Grab a cup of coffee and get over the Monday morning bump with tips, tools, and inspiration from Perch. This Week: Keep Your Ideas in Front of You I’ve been reading the blogs by the fabulous girls over at Red Velvet Art a lot lately. Their artwork and vintagey style is adorable. I especially love the photos of Elsie’s studio and comic art, and Rachel’s adventures in parenting and crafting make me smile. Their shop happens to be in the same town where my mom and sister live, but I just haven’t made it over there …

Every Monday is Tip Day! Grab a cup of coffee and get over the Monday morning bump with tips, tools, and inspiration from Perch. This Week: Get Out in the World Lately I’ve been stuck at home more than I’d like for various reasons out of my control, and last week I began to notice my creative energy almost visibly drain away. The first thing I did was leave the house. Feeling well enough or not, drastic measures were required. Now, given that I wasn’t feeling well, I didn’t travel far and in fact just made two stops – Starbucks and …