I have big dreams inside my heart, inside my head, that are just desperately trying to claw their way out. I want to give them life, to coax them out gently. And I want to know that when they’re born into the world, they’ll meet equally big, equally earth shattering dreams…so that they aren’t alone. Dreamers should never be left to dream alone. And so I want you to meet Erin, let her paint the dreamscape growing in your mind…
When Jamie first asked me to guest post about what my ‘Big Dream’ is, I was so excited…because I’m a bit of a dreamer. I always have big plans and huge goals to reach. About three years ago I graduated college and simultaneously found out about the ‘blog and handmade world.’ I’ve been studying art since I was 12 years old all the way up to college. I majored in fine arts for two years and then changed majors and schools to study missions work and children’s education. When I was finished with school I found myself still yearning for that *creative career.* So I started blogging and reading blogs and doing *creative things* on the side, little hobbies. After a couple of years I still felt like there was more out there for me. I started pursuing my ‘hobbies’ more strongly and sharing them online through etsy and my blog. This quickly turned into my worked being sold at stores, art and craft shows and I realized that this was something I could do to support myself in equivalence to a full time job. I gave it a test run and DREAMED about being able to design and creative accessories full time. The test run was great and I dove in headfirst. I have officially been ‘my own boss’ for over a year now. My little baby, the ‘Sunshine and Carousels‘ shop, enables me to live out my creative desires, designing eye, and fulfills me in every way. So I have to say that I’m actually living my DREAM.
But…I don’t think that dreams just stop. I think dreams grow… So when Jamie asked me to guest post it got me thinking about what would be my *next step.* For the last year I have envisioned where I would like my company to branch off too. I recently hired my first team member to SAC and we’ve already brainstormed on new visions for the company. I have big dreams, several of them in fact, but one of them has always been to own a boutique either online and/or a brick and mortar store. I dream about the day when that can begin …so for now I’m taking baby steps but I know for sure that I’m working towards my next BIG DREAM.
Erin Wilson
Sunshine and Carousels
www.sunshineandcarousels.etsy.com
www.sunshineandcarousels.blogspot.com
Posted in BIG DREAMS
I have big dreams inside my heart, inside my head, that are just desperately trying to claw their way out. I want to give them life, to coax them out gently. And I want to know that when they’re born into the world, they’ll meet equally big, equally earth shattering dreams…so that they aren’t alone. Dreamers should never be left to dream alone. And so I want you to meet Kaelah, let her paint the dreamscape growing in your mind.
Wow… okay. So if money/time/family/work constraints did not matter, what would I do? What is my biggest, craziest dream?! Well, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t put everything to the side for a little bit and then try to establish a shark conservation crew and free dive with great whites, but a more concrete and sustainable dream would be exactly what I’m doing right now. Crazy right?! The past few weeks/months have been such an eye-opener to me and I’m happy to say that I’m well on my way to doing everything I want with my life. I finished college with a degree I’m not using, passed on a dream job opportunity (that I worked toward for 4+ years!), and threw caution to the wind by getting my business license and buying a vintage camper to renovate. I’m taking my shoppe on the road!
Just this past week I went with my fiance Mike to the County Clerk’s office here in Nashville to obtain my business license. I was terrified and had no idea what to expect. It was a painless process that left me in a hurry to rush to the bank and open a business bank account. I then called about a vintage camper and we charted out the restoration over the phone for the next 2 hours. It was really happening. In 5 short hours, I became a business owner with a solid plan to move forward. August 2nd was such an amazing day! From here I plan on pulling my shoppe to various festivals and events, as well as selling privately. I’ll be including my handmade hair accessory line, Hive + Honey, as well as hand-picked vintage wares and paper goods. I aspire to put my shoppe out there, gain attention and then eventually open up a brick and mortar store (hopefully with my best friend Susannah!).
I started college as a Fashion Design major so I’d love to have my own apparel designs in the shoppe eventually. I started designing a dress collection my freshman year but the hustle and bustle of my new degree never allowed me any time to build on it. I’d love for it to be a “family” type venture with a photography studio for my soon-to-be husband and something our children can grow into.
As silly as it sounds, I’m kind of glad money, time, etc, is a constraint because I feel like that will keep me much more grounded than if I could just snap my fingers and have a store. I think working toward it and achieving it the old fashioned way with my own paycheck will be much more rewarding in the end. I can say that no matter what, I just want to be happy, healthy, and surrounded by all of my best friends. (They all live in different states, so maybe if money was no object then I’d move them all here! ;P) I’m just happy to be living my craziest dream!
Posted in BIG DREAMS
THIS IS VEDA. If you aren’t following her blog, you should be.
And now for Cassie…
When asked “if money/time/family/work constraints did not matter, what would you do”, for a few split seconds I was without words. No one has ever asked me that before. I’ve thought about it, sure…but writing it down on paper was a much larger challenge. My initial thought was, “not what I’m doing now”, but then I quickly took back that statement. Currently I am working tirelessly to make big dreams a reality. What I’m doing now is setting the tone for how I hope to live in the future, always working towards that next goal. Saying I’m living the dream now would be one major fib, so I’ll just say that I’m getting closer and closer and I’m pretty happy with how things are turning out.
As a creative individual I know that my big dreams must include being inspired by creativity on a daily basis, being surrounded by other creative individuals, and feeling like I am contributing valuable content to the community/family. Eventually I dream to be a SAHM (stay-at-home mom) with a career on the side. That career can be ever changing to reflect where I’m at in my role as a mom.
This year (starting JAN 2011), I started my blog to house all the creativity that comes spilling out. Through blogging I have joined an amazing network of creative individuals who are extremely eager to collaborate and share ideas. I’ve learned this is something VERY important as a creative. I could even go as far as saying it’s one of the special ingredients to happiness. Also through blogging I have been able to quickly determine what creative outlets make me the most happy. For me this means rummaging through antique malls, styling homes in mid-century modern/vintage decor, experimenting with paper goods, and expanding my knowledge of photography. I’m pretty sure my “living the dream” self will continue doing all these things.
Just last week I opened up my online shop, Market203. The shop is home to all the collected items I’ve found while thrifting, antiquing and perusing flea markets. My hope is that individuals will purchase these products and turn them into something usable for their home (ex: big wooden crates to hold shoes). I see this shop as a stepping stone to something larger. Maybe that something larger means styling for some fabulous online magazine, building my blog into something profitable, owning an actual vintage store in an artsy city, and collaboration designing with some of the finest designers, artist, photographers out there. I have big dreams and they are always evolving. Who said you have to know what your dream is at this very second?
I say that if you wake up happy in the morning, make it through the day feeling like you accomplished something, and go to bed looking forward to the next day…you’re doing a pretty good job. I just wanted to thank Jamie for choosing me to be apart of her feature. I think dreaming big is an absolute must and I love reading how people make it all happen.
Posted in BIG DREAMS
