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Unforgettable…

Hello There! Here I am in living color talking to you from my phone! If you’re new here, thank you for stopping by! I’ve added a little bit about myself, my blog and what I’ve been up to in the last few months! If you’ve been here awhile, thank you. I really do appreciate you. You’ve made blogging unforgettable for me!

The video explains a little bit about my journey in blogging and my brand new online course called- Be Unforgettable- Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing. It’s gleaned from 30 plus years in Retail. I was so fortunate to work with amazing visual stylists- what they taught me or showed me, was a tremendous help in developing my 9 Principles of Design which are included in this course.

There are 5 Main Things I think even folks who’ve been around a while should know about Marketing online.

1. Express your Values through Color. This is one way the big brands develop their logos and more!

2. Use the 9 Principles of Design for Styling. This is how You will be Unique.

3. Create, Choose and Use Compelling Images. This is how you Draw Folks into your sites.

4. Become a Storyteller. Make your Audience Feel Something. As Seth Godin said- ‘It’s not about the Stuff you Sell, it’s about the Stories you Tell.’

5. Create a Personalized Shopping Experience. This is the essence of Marketing 101.

All of this, including personalized Color Mapping, a 50+ downloadable workbook, the 9 Principles of Design, 20 pages of Props, Images and Styling Materials, 15 Writing Lessons to Create Content with Confidence, Marketing 101, Lifetime Access and more are included in my online course- Be Unforgettable- Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing.

https://camellia-s-cottage-blog.mykajabi.com/about-course

Because I’d rather serve the many, rather than the few- it’s very reasonably priced for 5 Mini Courses in 1 Program. I hope you’ll take a look at it. If it’s something that would help you grow your business, pursue your dream of owning a product or service-based business or add to what you already know, just click the link above, I’ll be glad to answer any questions you might have!

I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled program soon! Thanks for watching!

Love y’all, Brenda

Posted on by camellia's cottage · 2 Comments

Mushrooms- the Extraordinary Ordinary…

Why this talk of Mushrooms? Well, I love to take something ‘ordinary’ and make it extraordinary. It’s a fun way to write, design and add that extra special something. Here- mushrooms use my 9 Principles of Design. Texture and Mood, two of my favorite design principles. Mushrooms, lichen and moss see to add something mysterious and magical to a woodland walk. They add something special to a warm bowl of soup or a rustic tart.

And oh yes, there’s a natural artistic expression of the ‘ordinary’ mushroom. The underside folds or gills look at once ancient and modern, even when recreated in fabric stitchery definitely add that whimsical mood. The stuff that adds an extra dimension, especially this time of year.

Whether the mushrooms are a singular find on a damp forest floor or a basketful, we are enchanted by mushrooms. And when you consider that for a mushroom to grow, it requires almost perfect conditions. If you see mushrooms growing, that’s a sign of good rich soil. It’s incredible to me that mushrooms grow in dim light without any fanfare and yet are so unique.

Texture? Yes. Mood? Oh yes, we also love moody light and we must not forget to add Whimsy which is the subtle ‘mood lifter’ which is always welcome especially as the holidays draw near and ordinary day grow dimmer. I don’t know about you, yet I want a bit of the extraordinary ordinary. Mushrooms, anyone?

Love y’all, Brenda

Posted on by camellia's cottage · 4 Comments

Stairs as an Allegory…

Possibilities, that’s what Stairs mean to me. Stairs are associated with a journey, progress, growth. And, depending on which way you’re going? Down? Stairs could represent the Fear of Failure or Fear of Falling. Ok, that’s what I’ve experienced, after a knee surgery more than a decade ago- I had fallen on a small run of steps and after surgery I found out that it’s easier to go upstairs than to come down. What a revelation to me.

Stairs are a strong symbol of transistion, change, transformation and growing wiser- leading our minds to a new, different and hopefully higher level. Stairs have been used, even in ancient cultures, as a symbol of going from one level of being to the next level- one step at a time. Ok. Rocky might have taken it more than one step at a time- yet who can forget the image of Stallone standing triumphant? And yess, I’ve gone up those stairs myself! The Thrill of Victory. Really. Out of Breath.

I love beautiful stairways, ornate or humble. And yes, there’s the romance of a spiral staircase, an architectural marvel- symbolic of oh so many things…to me, it’s pure genius. A Black and White Staircase? Coco Chanel would’ve loved it. My personal favorites are a beautiful shade of blue at Independence Hall, the Village Steps with Terra Cotta Pots and the Tropical Green and White- so cool and fresh. Still. All of them have been speaking to me lately.

I’ve been impatient with a project I’ve been working on- I thought I’d be finished..there are more steps than I planned and more to go. Some are new challenges, I’ve been facing or even avoiding. ‘When you start something new, even if you don’t have all the answers, trust your instincts and believe that you’ll rise to the occasion.’ One of my favorite quotes even if I made it up myself! So!

It’s back to basics week. One Step at a Time. A New Perspective- each of the steps or even obstacles are really Possibilities in disguise. *I’m just hoping it’s less than ‘a journey of 1000 miles.’

Love y’all, Brenda

*Okay, an allegory is a narrative in which something like stairs, a place or object is used to express a bigger, more important message to illustrate or explain ideas. Allegories are really an easy way to express a meaningful, even complex idea. In this writing lesson, you’ve seen an allegory express more than just an architectural element- it’s about going higher or further than you thought you could or would.

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Creative Possibilities…

Paintbrushes symbolize creative possibilities, and represent the possibility of Change. It’s said if you dream of paintbrushes- it’s possible that you see yourself doing something unique or the desire to accomplish something worthwhile. If you’re not sure what or how to write, start with a plain or simple image of something sort of common or mundane. Look up the symbolism and you’ve got the start of a great story.

It’s been said that artists prefer wooden brushes made of pine- an evergreen. To paint something that achieves lasting form, meaning and value. And, then there’s Color. Color is the Workhorse of Design. Before we ever read a word, our brains have formed an opinion. Your color choices, your color story has- well, it’s told a story. If your color story is complex, the viewer decides- ‘I don’t have the mental energy for this.’ Am I right? In today’s world of massive amounts of information coming at us- from many directions.

From a young age, we develop emotions around color. Color forms the texture of our lives. It’s been said, ‘ Use language on a 4th to 7th grade level.’ Why? It’s not because we aren’t smart. Because.. a message should be easy to understand. The same is true with color – your color message should be easy to understand. Never be afraid of possibilities, change or to accomplish something worthwhile- achieve something of value. Use Color to start the conversation, evoke good feelings and opinions.

Yet, above all, Keep it Simple. Simplicity is often the most difficult design or art form to achieve- yet Simplicity tends to accomplish something long lasting and worthwhile. Memorable. These are Notes to Self and to You- I hope you dream in Paintbrushes and that Color is the Fabric of your Life.

Love y’all, Brenda

P.S. please notice- in writing, use symbolism such as paintbrushes. Then, color begins the conversation, let the image set the scene and then begin telling a simple and easily understood message. That’s a winning combination every time.

P.S.S. The July Planning Guide is ready- and it’s chock full of information to take you right into the Fall! In fact, there’s a major Color Story in this guide- an interpretation of the Fall/Winter Colors of 2021! These guides are free. Send me an email at brenda@brenda-wyatt.com