It's Chat #11 and I'm welcoming to the blog today Lisa Palmer, a Brave Sister who is really do some amazing stuff ya'll!
Lisa is an artist and an architect and lives on a ranch in Northern California. She loves to tend to her family and her animals. Recently her husband remodeled an old sheep barn on the ranch for Lisa. It is an art studio and gathering space where she is going to hold classes and retreats. Lisa is a certified Soul Restoration teacher and an avid member of the Brave Girls Club. She teaches Soul Restoration at homeless shelters and is an advocate for homeless people.
Lisa - Thanks for joining me and chatting about the Power of Words!! And thank you for all you do shining a light on the homeless and what we can do to help.
Hugs,
Rachel ************************************************************************** **Shop for a Special Heart Word Cuff over at the Shop HERE! The Power of Words Companion Course is coming SOON! Keep an EYE out here!
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Welcome to our first Power of Words conversation, our new Handmade U Conversation series for October!
I found my first guest on Instagram and instantly fell in love with her inspirational, beautiful hand-knitted, hand-stamped cuffs . I ordered one on the spot and have followed her since.
Tracy Patterson lives in West Tennessee with her family. She is a preacher's wife and has 3 children. She works by day as a dental assistant, and a Knitter and Maker by night. Tracy enjoys knitting and hand stamping encouraging bracelets and accessories in her shop Handmade Knits by Tracy. Follow her on IG @handmade_knits_by_tracy and find her etsy shop HERE.
Listen to our chat below:
Power of Words with Tracy Patterson from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.
We had a great conversation and my highlight from our chat is that Words can build you up, or tear you down. Having positive words in front of you daily can be incredibly encouraging.
Tracy's favorite Words - "Blessed", "Child of the King"
Have you thought about your favorite Words? Start making your list, the Companion Course for this month is coming soon! Are your fingers itching to get stitching??
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and have a great week!
xo
Rachel
*************************************************************************** The Power of Words Companion Course is coming SOON! Keep an EYE out here!
The Putting Yourself Out There Companion Course is now OPEN! If you want to watch the August Topic and put all of it into practice for yourself - you will have a fun project and journaling prompts to help! HERE is the link to join!
Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? - Join HERE! to take my Special Word Cuff course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member, join for one month or more!
I'm excited to share our last Putting Yourself Out There Conversation today.
Melody Ross has been putting herself out there for years. She has used her life experiences to develop tools and courses that have been life changing for her, and thousand of other women. Melody is co-founder of Brave Girls Club. She has some exciting new things happening over there at BGC. Soul Restoration, their flagship class is being rebooted and begins Sept 7th. It is going to be so good, this is soul work, it's been so life-changing for me, and thousands of others. If you are feeling called to take it, it will be available on Brave Girls' University, you can sign up through my link below! You won't regret it, I promise you if you put in the effort you'll find amazing things on the other side.
So there were so many things to take to heart! Consider how much you care about what people think of you, and how is that affecting the way you put yourself out there? How can this not be a blocker to you being you? As Melody said, it's an evolution and over time that feeling of caring too much can change. Think about small steps you can make to let some of that go.
Think about your why, why do you want to put yourself out there, what do you have to share and is it worth doing?
It's ok if people don't like what you are doing, or even don't like you. As Melody reminded us, there are 3 billion women in the world!! If a few aren't your Cup of Tea find a few others! Thanks Melody, that is a great reminder and helps put things in perspective.
We talked a lot about the mean people, the haters, and I think this is a great conversation to end on wrapping up what to do about those people, and the fears of this happening to you. We've said it before and Melody confirms, expect these things to happen in some way or another. It will help you not be blindsided, and you can remember why you are doing what you are, and who is always supporting you no matter what.
I can't wait for Melody to create the When in Doubt class - what a great idea to have a whole book of those reminders. In the meantime a few of those ideas will be included in the companion course for these conversations. Who are those that support you most? Why do you want to put yourself out there, and what goals are you heading towards? Remembering those things will keep you going when you stumble or run into one of those mean people.
As Melody said, we are REAL People, we ALL have feelings. Let's be KIND to each other as we all navigate how we are putting ourselves out there. When we run across someone that isn't our cup of tea, just move on, when we see someone we care about needing support or constructive criticism, let's do it lovingly.
And I'll leave you with what Melody suggests. You have the medicine that someone else needs. You do.
Now go be creative!
Rachel
*************************************************************************** The Putting Yourself Out There Online course is now LIVE. If you are watching these conversations and wondering how to put all of this into practice for yourself - you will have a fun project and journaling prompts to help! HERE is the link to join!
Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? - Join HERE! to take my course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member.
What a beautiful Saturday here in Nebraska! Cool today, fingers crossed it sticks around!
I want to welcome back Branda Schrader to the blog for today's conversation on Putting Yourself Out There! Branda is a personal trainer and confidence consultant who loves fashion and fitness. A lady BOSS that owns her own clothing boutique and coaches and trains other women to live their dreams and love their bodies. She lives in a house full of boys, her hubby Blaise, son Jude, and dog Roger. You can find Branda on IG @bodybyBranda and on FB @LulaRoeBranda.
Do you have a weird self? One that you aren't fully sharing just as you are? Are you afraid of what others will think? Consider what they will feel and think when you start sharing your stories, your authentic self, which will encourage them to do the same! What if one of your stories resonates with someone and it turns their life around?! It happens all the time, why not let it be one of your stories to do it?
Lead with Kindness, you never know what others are going through. What a great reminder Branda gives us, this is so true. Even though on social media someone's life looks amazing and not a reason to be sad, don't let that be the true guide to a person's heart and soul. You know yourself there are probably things others don't know about you right?
Don't rob others of the gift of your story that you can give, the gift of your authentic self!!
Thanks Branda for being your authentic self! Your HAPPY does draw people into find what you GOT GOING ON!
Now go be creative!!
Rachel *************************************************************************** The Putting Yourself Out There Online course is now LIVE. If you are watching these conversations and wondering how to put all of this into practice for yourself - you will have a fun project and journaling prompts to help! HERE is the link to join!
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Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? I think you'll love it. - Join HERE! to take my course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member.
*Products may include Affiliate Links which would provide me compensation if you were to purchase. Your cost is the same with or without the links! Thanks!
Hoping you all had a great week and are ready for a fantastic weekend. We are gearing up for an early morning to head to Omaha for the JDRF walk for our friends' son. It should be a great morning for it so we are excited to enjoy the outdoors and support the cause!
I am furiously working away on the Putting Yourself Out There Companion online course. It is really starting to take shape and I'm so excited to share it with you all! If you think you might be interested and want to stay in the loop - be sure to sign up for the HU newsletter below to be the first to know and receive a special discount!
Today's special guest is Pamela Huntington. Pamela has been teaching at art retreats for about 15 years, including mixed media, book making, fiber arts and her biggest passion for about the last 6 years has been Photoshop and digital art. This past year she has solely focused on on-line Photoshop classes and graphic design work.
Like so many of us Pamela describes putting yourself out there as getting over your fear and getting over the thinking that you can't do it. You just have to bring your best self forth. When you can focus on others and how putting yourself out there can help them, that can help get you out of your own head!
It is such a good reminder to think that everyone has bad moments, or days, but you can't give up, you just have to keep going. You may stumble, but get back up and try again. Also don't give up on other people. Be that one to keep asking, keep nudging, keep encouraging your friends and family to put their best selves out there. You never know if you could nudge them into the best decision of their lives!
Keep in mind these wise words Pamela shares with us..."Always know in your heart where you want to go."
Good thought to ponder over the weekend....we'll be digging more into that thought in the Companion course :)
Happy Weekend!
Now go be creative!!
Rachel *************************************************************************** The Putting Yourself Out There Online course is now LIVE. If you are watching these conversations and wondering how to put all of this into practice for yourself - you will have a fun project and journaling prompts to help! HERE is the link to join!
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Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? I think you'll love it. - Join HERE! to take my course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member.
*Products may include Affiliate Links which would provide me compensation if you were to purchase. Your cost is the same with or without the links! Thanks!
Hope your weekend is going great! It's a sunny day out on the Homestead, I'm chipping away at the weeds that have gotten out of hand!!! For a little treat after our yard work, I'm baking some banana bread, hoping that helps us forget about a few achey bones later!
Today's conversation comes from our favorite Miamian, Sandy Glass once again. Sandy is the brain behind Crafty Brains, living in Miami with her husband and two kiddos. Sandy teaches classes in English and Spanish in her home, and has a new class on Brave Girl University. Sandy is also a Certified Soul Restoration instructor for Brave Girls Club. You can find her on IG @craftybrains.
Sandy's class on Brave Girls University is a fun and simple to make project to personalize your sun hat! Super cute! I can't wait to see what people make! I could really have used one this morning while weeding! I think I'll order one and add some personalization, now to think what I should say on the brim!
I think we can all relate to Sandy when she shared that in the beginning before she put herself out there she was being creative for herself, to decorate her home for her family, and wasn't thinking that anyone else would be interested in what she was making. Luckily for us, a friend encouraged her to share what she was doing, and thus sent her down a road of creating, sharing, inspiring and teaching.
We really do share a glimpse into our lives and who we are if we are sharing what we are doing in a honest and authentic way on the internet. We can build meaningful connections when we do this and create a community of like-minded peeps.
So don't be afraid of failing, what is the worst that can happen? Move through your insecurities and FACE THE WORLD! You never know what wonderful things wait on the other side!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
Now Go Be Creative....
Hugs,
Rachel
The Putting Yourself Out There Online course is now LIVE. If you are watching these conversations and wondering how to put all of this into practice for yourself - you will have a fun project and journaling prompts to help! HERE is the link to join!
TWO DAYS LEFT TO SIGN UP FOR our Fall semester!! I'm finishing up name tags this weekend, shall I make you one??
Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U! Details and Sign up HERE. (Sign up ends August 15th)
Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? Take Sandy's new class! I think you'll love it. - Join HERE! to take my course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member.
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I am excited to share with you our next Handmade U conversation with special guest Robin Dudley-Howes.
Nationally known mixed media instructor, designer and published artist, Robin Dudley-Howes was recently described by the creator of Glitterfest Los Angeles, Sheryl Simpson, as “The little lady with a gypsy heart and skills of a ninja master”.
Robin is owner and operator of Dudley-Howes Designs and runs an online store shadesofakasha.etsy.com. Her inquisitive creative side came out around the age of 5 and continues to be the passion and driving force for all things artful which currently extends to teaching and creating mixed media jewelry, art dolls, assemblages, painting and creativity in general. You’ve probably seen her work in magazine publications such as Somerset Studio, Jewelry Affaire and Somerset Studio Gallery along with recent articles in Art Doll Quarterly and a feature how-to of her Santos Cage Doll on the cover of Cloth, Paper, Scissors.
Fly on over to her nest for exciting updates on her latest adventures, class schedule and future online classes!
What a great chance to hear about Robin's journey in putting herself out there! To think just starting by enjoying card-making and giving those to friends and family lead her to all the things she is doing now. With hard work and challenging yourself you can take it to another level and beyond.
Feeling the desire to share and teach can take you far, and give so much to others who will be inspired by your work! Your students will become friends and can help gather more of your tribe together.
Be sure you don't compare your journey to others', we each have our own journey and timetable for progress. Be inspired, then go do your own work!
And as Robin said so wisely - It would be selfish for you not to put yourself out there! You have so much to share!!
Now go be creative,
xox
Rachel
The Putting Yourself Out There Online course is now LIVE. If you are watching these conversations and wondering how to put all of this into practice for yourself - you will have a fun project and journaling prompts to help! HERE is the link to join!
Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U! Details and Sign up HERE. (Sign up ends August 15th)
Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? - Join HERE! to take my course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member.
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*Products may include Affiliate Links which would provide me compensation if you were to purchase. Your cost is the same with or without the links! Thanks!
Putting Yourself Out There with Dianne West from Rachel McGough on Vimeo.
Thanks Dianne for sharing your story. Even as an introvert she knew she needed to find her tribe, she searched and searched to find the right ones even when some doors didn't open. She kept looking and found groups that were the perfect fit.
I love that at 65 Dianne is living her dream of becoming a teacher for her Soul Restoration Retreat next March!
She has done things she didn't think she could do, she has quieted her junior high voice and done amazing things after being in retreat mode.
Remember even when someone might look like they are doing great and having the time of their lives they may be facing challenges and issues we just don't know. So never assume and always support!
Thanks Dianne!
Now go be creative,
xox
Rachel
The Putting Yourself Out There Online course is now LIVE. If you are watching these conversations and wondering how to put all of this into practice for yourself - you will have a fun project and journaling prompts to help! HERE is the link to join!
Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U! Details and Sign up HERE. (Sign up ends August 15th)
Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? - Join HERE! to take my course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member.
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*Products may include Affiliate Links which would provide me compensation if you were to purchase. Your cost is the same with or without the links! Thanks!
I am happy to kick off the Putting Yourself Out There conversations with a women who I met earlier this year.
Susan is a professional visual artist and designer as well as a trained expressive arts facilitator, space holder, and life coach.
She creates artul soulful events, programs, and courses for the healing and empowerment of women and girls as well as lush artwork, designs, and handmade items that are a reflection of her soul work.
In her spare time you can find her on the beach walking her dog Roxy or hunting for vintage vinyl with her husband and two daughters near their home in Pacifica, California.
Susan is also a Brave Girls University instructor with me and is just releasing her class on the site any day now! She also has just released a free workbook if you join her newsletter, see her website below!
Find her over on her website HERE
On IG @susansanellihammack
Susan is a lot of fun and easy to talk with, which I appreciate oh so much. Come take a listen, this is a fun and inspiring chat!
I took a whole page of notes after I listened to our chat again. My highlights from Susan's words were as follows:
1. Be Vulnerable!
2. Risk Rejection!
3. Open ourselves up to the possibility of connection!
4. The more you do it, the more you realize you are CAPABLE!
5. Surround yourself with positive people!
6. Your efforts never go to waste!
7. You only fail if you do not TRY!
There is a ton more I took from our chat, but those are the '!' points in my mind. You really only fail if you do not try - so yesterday I took that to heart.... I have been wanting to create some fun polymer clay planner clips for some time now. I didn't know how to make them, I thought maybe it was more complicated than it was, I didn't think I'd be able to get mine to look like those I had admired on some fun etsy shops, so I hadn't made any.
Since I plan on teaching a number of different planner clip techniques at Handmade U next month, I really wanted to be able to share the polymer clay technique with the ladies. So yesterday I just did it. I just started, I risked complete failure, I figured my first efforts wouldn't go to waste, they'd be a foundation to learning more and improving. And you know what happened? I made a few cute clips! I posted them on my Instagram and everything ;) I have since picked up a few more tips on polishing it up a bit and will add the new tricks to my next round! But I didn't fail because I tried.
A few of the books that Susan referenced are below. I have had The Artist's Way sitting here staring at me for awhile now. I think it is time to start it. Anyone else want to read it with me??
And of course we all love Dr. Seuss, I'm think this would be a nice little reminder for my wall!
Be YOU!
Thanks so much to Susan for being our guest chatter today! I always enjoy a good talk with her!
Now go be creative!!
Rachel The Putting Yourself Out There Online course is now LIVE. If you are watching these conversations and wondering how to put all of this into practice for yourself - you will have a fun project and journaling prompts to help! HERE is the link to join!
Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U! Details and Sign up HERE.
Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? - Join HERE! to take my course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member.
Subscribe to our mailing list
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*Products may include Affiliate Links which would provide me compensation if you were to purchase. Your cost is the same with or without the links! Thanks!
We only have a few more days of July left, can you believe how much we've packed in so far??
And we aren't done yet!!
Melody Ross is our special guest on the blog today chatting about Cultivating Creativity!
Melody is married to a man she is madly in love with, they are parents to 5 creative fabulous kids, a full time artist, writer and forever seeker of all things beautiful and true. She is the co-founder of Brave Girls' Club and all the amazing things that come from that! She is coming to us from Idaho where she is a 4th Generation Idahoan!
Are you all hearing a trend with these Creative women? The way to be Creative is to "Show Up" as Melody says. If time is your excuse, is there a way you can make better choices with your time so you can fit in being creative? Why don't you try Melody's recommendation today and add PLAY to your checklist of To-do's. Let us know if it works and what you make fun today. Let yourself do it for you and see how the ripple effects cascade over other areas of your life.
Does it also make you feel better to know that an Artist such as Melody let's us in on the knowledge that she may have 5 bad paintings underneath a beautiful Masterpiece? Every piece of art, every project, or even every recipe we make won't be a masterpiece people. Let's just all take a minute to say that out loud and let it sink in. "Everything I make WON'T be a Masterpiece." Does it lift a little weight off your shoulders? Let yourself be free to make some bad stuff. Laugh about it like Melody suggests! Then move on to your next attempt!!
Thanks again Melody for your thoughts today!!
Have a FUN Day!!
xoxo
Rachel
Join us for our Fall semester of Handmade U! Details and Sign up HERE.
Want to join the Brave Girls University family?? - Join HERE! to take my course along with TONS of others you will receive as a member.
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*Products may include Affiliate Links which would provide me compensation if you were to purchase. Your cost is the same with or without the links! Thanks!
