amazing things around the web

I can’t believe that the New York Gift Fair is a little over a week a way. I’m feeling a little crunched, and while I have tons of posts in the works here for DMBA, I’m finding it hard to focus long enough to finish any of them. Since I’m about to head into serious show prep isolation mode, (as opposed to write lots of blog posts and record lots of video mode) I thought I’d share a few amazing things I’ve found around the web instead:

{Image by David Sackville, via Abby Kerr on Pinterest}

I love it when someone else rights a post that exactly expresses my feelings in a way that makes them so clear, and that’s what Brigitte did yesterday with this post on “What about copycats?” This post is a must read for any designer, maker, artist, or creative person who wrestles with the fear of putting their ideas out there because someone might steal them. (Brigitte’s also got a new program launching this week called Your Media Map, which will help you plan your media strategy for the year. It’s going to be fantastic!)

I’ve been a fan of Abby Kerr’s work for a while now (I remember when she had a store called the Blissful in Ohio and I interviewed her as part of Wholesale Academy) but I am loving the work she’s been doing for her newest project, The Voice Bureau, around the 16 Voice Values. By helping you discover your own voice values, Abby’s goal is to help align the way you communicate online with your true powers. The idea is amazing enough on it’s own, but what I really love is Abby’s use of Pinterest to really illustrate these concepts. Confession, I haven’t actually taken the self-assessment (which you can find on Abby’s site for free) yet, but I already know that I float between Audacity, Enthusiasm, and Power, just based on the images that resonate most with me through Abby’s Pinterest stream. I love that Abby isn’t just looking at the Voice Values through verbal communication, but that she’s using Pinterest to really highlight the non-verbal triggers for each of the Voice Values. One of the best possible uses of Pinterest I’ve seen yet! (And so many thanks to Abby for recognizing the importance of non-verbal communication in branding and social media and showcasing it in such a smart way!)

Finally, things are starting to come together with my new program, the Freedom Driven Studio. I’ve mentioned that I’ve got something new up my sleeve, and it’s finally time to share a little more about this program I’m incredibly excited about. Head over here to learn more about what it means to have a Freedom Driven Studio. And while you’re there, be sure to enter your email address to be the first to know when the program launches. I’ve also got some exclusive free trainings that I’m working on just for the Freedom Driven Studio, but you’ll need to be on that list to get them.