Why I Love Skillshare // An Online Creative Learning Community

If you've had a face-to-face conversation with me in the past year, I probably mentioned my love for Skillshare at one point or another. Why? Because I'm obsessed. I think it's one of the greatest creative communities of all-time and I've consumed more knowledge through the classes, teachers and students than I have in years.

Skillshare is an online learning community for creators. Unlike traditional study, online classes at Skillshare are taught by industry experts and focus on learning by doing. The courses, which are not accredited, accept anyone who wants to learn.

I grew up in a wonderfully creative home. My parents always nourished the wild curiosities and adventurous endeavors that my brother, Chase, and I put our minds to. They never squashed our excitement for new projects (regardless of how crazy, messy or strange they were). In fact, they encouraged them.

However, my design background started in a high school journalism classroom with one of my favorite teachers, Brian Cole. He taught the intricacies of InDesign and photography. While writing copy was somewhat enjoyable, I couldn't get enough of playing with different layouts. I continued to Auburn where I studied public relations and finished out my degree working as a marketing / PR intern at Mammoth Printshop where I had the opportunity to sit alongside Whitney Zech, a phenomenal graphic designer who rekindled a crazy passion for design within my soul. She taught me the basics of Illustrator and it was over for me. I couldn't get enough of it. But then I graduated and JD & I moved to a small town so I was basically on my own for learning. I wasn't sure where to go for that (unless I went back to school), so I focused instead on arts and crafts for a few years until Chase told me about Skillshare. It took me a while before I signed up but I asked my friend, Ashley, to join me in one of the handlettering projects and she was in. 

I'm semi-embarrassed to admit that I'm always one for free trials then dropping the 'service' when the trial period is over but Skillshare is one of the few things I believe in paying for. After the first free month, I became addicted to learning these new skills. A lot of people ask how I have time to watch the videos and do the challenges. I'll tell you how: I make time for it. I make it a priority. I believe in learning. I believe in excelling. I believe in expanding your skills. I believe in joining in community with others so that we can be better. (Plus, it helps that I work solo in the studio all day and have the videos playing on repeat while I work on custom projects). During every trip we've taken in the past year, I've focused on one class and one project. It's because of Skillshare that I've been exposed to true techniques of handlettering, calligraphy, surface pattern design and so many other design niches. 

The most recent project I've finished is the Calligraphy 101 class, taught by Bryn Chernoff. I couldn't describe Skillshare in any better light than this: 

'Picking the phrase or quote' was definitely the most difficult part of this challenge for me. It was so hard to narrow it down but I wanted to use a phrase that has encouraged me as a creative, in hopes that it will encourage all of you as well! 

I was sharing with my friend, Lauren (from the Department of Agraculture), the other day about how I quickly plunge from inspired to discouraged when scrolling through my Instagram feed and Pinterest. At first, I feel like, "Yes! I can do this. I can create something wonderful too!" But then the disillusionment of, "No, I can't. Everyone is accomplishing so much more than me," sets in. Lauren quickly diffused this by sharing John F. Kennedy's quote: "A rising tide lifts all boats." Even though Kennedy was referring to the economy in this speech, one of the creatives she follows on IG shared the quote in a post and wrote about how this is the same effect for creatives. When one of us is successful, it's like a rising tide and it lifts us all to succeed as well. Instead of getting discouraged by others' success, we should be excited for them, knowing that it is a sweet tide of success, lifting up the world of creativity, knowing that s/he is making a way for us all, creating opportunity. 

Don't get me wrong, I still get discouraged every now and then, but that perspective changed a lot for me. When I see the teachers and students of Skillshare, I see this quote played into motion. So many have been willing to share skills that we wouldn't be able to have access to otherwise. Because of the variety of classes offered, we're able to create that tide, to build skill on top of skill, and to reach new levels of creativity we've only imagined. I've been deeply inspired by this community coupled with the encouragement and tips we're able to give one another. 

Check out my full project and steps here. Want to join in on the fun with Skillshare? Get a free month membership here! Let me know which class you take and maybe we can take it together! 

Handletter Huntsville // A Daily Handlettering Challenge

It's been a while since I've posted my handlettered designs for the Encourage Huntsville Handlettering Challenge... so here we go!

I'll be posting the backstory behind Encourage Huntsville next week - eeek! I can't wait!!! Join us on Instagram for the May Letters challenge! 

Weekly Recap // Studio Happenings, Community & Music

A favorite photo of the week for Psalm 119:10-11 calligraphed by Julie! 

Praying that your week has been filled with a thirst to seek the Almighty and to hide His word in your heart.

This week has been super productive with several custom handlettering orders coming in (all of which, I am incredibly excited about!!! Follow the progress on our Instagram feed), creating designs for a sweet friend's bridal shower, finishing loads of laundry (always a reason to do the Ickey Shuffle, right?) and working in the garden with my sweet husband on the beautiful spring-is-coming-but-not-really days. I've also brainstormed and daydreamed with a few amazing women that have passions for design and hearts for Jesus. What more could you ask for in a community of women? How about Ladies Night at church with Emily Rogers bringing the humor then the "lady who brought the apples," Brandi Whaley, sharing God's truth? (Thanks Caroline T. for sharing this article on FB this week!) Excited to spend an evening with the ladies of Summit tonight! 

Spoiler Alert: You will most likely see a photo on IG of the Cinnamon Roll Waffle and Conecuh Sausage Feast we'll be having tomorrow morning. You know you want to join in on the Saturday Morning action in your own kitchen!

Side note: If you're looking for new music to check out this week, I can't stop listening to Johnnyswim on Spotify and The Hanging Tree by Jennifer Lawrence because I FINALLY saw the Mockingjay Part 1 (we would've went to see it in Japan but it wasn't playing there - what!?). Want to see what we're listening to in the Jitney Studio every day? Click on the Spotify icon below. 

Jitney's Journeys : Original Handlettering for Wedding Envelopes

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Remember those lovely burlap centerpieces I made for Ashley, one of our Etsy clients? Well, after she received the package, she sent me an email kindly asking if I would be interested in addressing the envelopes for the Aguiar wedding. 

You better believe I responded with a resounding "YES!" From what she's told me, she and her fiancee love the outdoors and their decor will feature beautiful autumn elements (I don't want to ruin the decor surprises for her guests!). The wedding will be held at a charming, rustic lodge in a local state park (one of their favorite hangouts). With all of the inspiration she gave me, it was easy to come up with a quite a few options for address formats. After much deliberation, this was the design she decided on... 

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