Welcome to Tell Us Tuesday! Each week, I’ll have a guest artist answer a few questions and wow, I have a fantastic lineup for you! I hope that by hearing from such a diverse pool of creative people, we will take away interesting and different perspectives. This may help in your own endeavors, be it painting furniture for fun, working on your home and creating your own style, or starting a blog or business for profit. The questions range from the artistic to running a successful creative business.
I consider all of the participants to be my true friends. We may not have met face to face (yet) but I know that we all support and inspire each other.
This week we have the talented Erin Spain! Her blog really has it all – DIY, crafts, decor, furniture transformations, and you just have to tour her beautiful home. I guarantee you will find yourself immersed in inspiration.
Interspersed in the questions are pictures of Erin’s amazing work. Click on the picture for a link back to her original blog post. Links also at end of post.
Master Bedroom Reveal by Erin Spain
When did you begin to paint furniture and/or create projects for the home?
I started creating projects for our home almost 5 years ago when we moved into a new house. I was a stay at home mom and we were living on a budget, so I needed to decorate without spending a lot of money. I discovered Pinterest and was flooded with inspiration, and the rest is history.
When and how did you start your website/blog?
What would you consider to be your unique style and what inspires you?
My style is sort of modern eclectic. I love a mix of all styles, and I am influenced by pretty much every design aesthetic that exists. I’m inspired by so many things, really. Nature, design magazines, architecture, travel. I find inspiration everywhere.
How do you choose which type of paint or finish to use on a piece?
It really depends on what type of piece it is and what space it’s going in. For example, I love playing with color, but a bright vibrant hue wouldn’t work in every space in my home. I have fun, colorful pieces in our kids’ rooms and playroom, and I usually go more for natural wood tones in our “grownup” spaces.
Ikea Hack Lego Table by Erin Spain
Do you consider both writing your blog and working on a project to each be a creative process? Which do you prefer?
I definitely think that they’re both a creative process, and I truly enjoy both equally. I have a degree in Telecommunications and Journalism, so I’ve always loved to write. It goes without saying that I love to create and decorate too, so blogging is the perfect blend for me.
What is your favorite part of the creative process? The initial brainstorming/inspiration, working on the piece, the finishing touches (staging/photography) or writing and publishing the blog post? Least favorite?
DIY Ikea Tarva Hack Tutorial by Erin Spain
What do you believe to be the reason for the success of your blog and business?
I think any success I’ve had has been due to hard work and perseverance. I think as a blogger it’s easy to get caught up in the comparison game, which can be discouraging at times. We all get stuck in that rut sometimes, but I always just push through it and remind myself why I started in the first place. I love to create. I love to inspire others. My blog is my “job” but it’s also my creative outlet, and I really love it. If I wasn’t passionate about it, I don’t think I could be successful at it. In this business, you have to love what you do, and you also have to be business-minded (or hire someone who is!) to really succeed. Balancing the creative side with the business side can be a challenge at times, but I think that is the key. I also think it’s important to have a solid support system. I’m lucky to have a husband who is very supportive of my blog, even when it means I have to work evenings and weekends when he’s around to care for the kids. Without his support, I couldn’t do it.
What advice do you give other creative people wishing to follow in your footsteps?
Work hard, stay true to yourself (don’t just do something because it’s a “trend”), and don’t expect to earn a full-time income overnight. Growing a blog as a business takes time, but if you put in the work and focus on creating the best content you possibly can, you’ll get there. This truly is the best job in the world, and I feel so blessed to be able to do it.
Stenciled Canvas Instagram Photo Display by Erin Spain
Master Bedroom Makeover Reveal
Stenciled Canvas Instagram Photo Display
Up next week, Susan from Saw Nail and Paint! I cannot wait share her work and hear her story. I am very honored that so many of my amazing blogging friends have agreed to take part in Tell Us Tuesday!
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Beautiful curated home. Love the modern touches. Very refreshing.
Hi Mary, I agree. I also love the modern touches and am trying to incorporate more of them into my own decor. I am guilty of my rooms looking a little fuddy duddy at the moment and yet have no time to work on them!
I really enjoy this series and how you profile people with different styles. I look forward to it each week. Keep them coming, it is great to get to know all of the different bloggers.
Thank you, Debra – I am so happy you are enjoying the series. I also love to see other people’s differing styles – I find it all inspiring!
Nice to see Erin featured this week. She does beautiful work!