Remember yesterday when I said I’d have a gift guide for you? Well never fear, that day has come. Unsolicited gift guides are a longstanding blogger rite of passage. Due to the nature of our fun year, I’ve decided to share gift guides in six different categories, highlighting some of my favorite small businesses that are doing amazing things. It’s very hard to navigate the holiday shopping noise so I hope I can introduce you to some fun shopping ideas, not only during our generic winter holiday season but all year-round.

My Holiday Shopping Must-Haves

My go-to candle provider is Kismet + Charisma all year-round. It has been so difficult to find a soy candle company locally that provides scents that appeal to me. My friend and co-producer Charisma has done just that. I am not just saying this to be nice, these are actually really good candles. They just as long as my favorite bigger box candle company which is a big deal for me, as someone who has candles going all of the time. She will be sharing her winter/holiday collection very soon but I wanted you to bookmark the shop and come back to check this out.

Unfortunately, this is a Central Florida-local thing, but my dear friend Kim of Chaos Bagels makes the very best bagels I’ve had in this state. I am not a bagel-snob by any means but I have had bad bagels here. If you have friends in the Central Florida area, do them a favor and order these bagels for the holidays. I gifted my husband bagels for his birthday which is how wonderful they are. Also, who better to trust with your bagel providing than a mom of three boys?

Quarantine Holiday Gift Guide

2020 gave us a unique perspective on living indoors for prolonged lengths of time. Now that we’re heading into cooler weather that is typically a tricky time for many people health-wise, we are extra-vigilant on keeping our outdoor time to a minimum during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some fun things to keep you occupied while you make the best of your physical distance winter season.

1. Snack + Go Organic Cotton Tote by Project Pop | 2. Blue Dottie Adult Face Mask by Sarah Hearts | 3. Save The Post Office card by Creative Future Studio

4. The Sampler Kit by Haus | 5. In Therapy and Thriving Greeting Card by Curated Dry Goods | 6. Postal Service Crew Neck Tee From Natalie Reales Designs

Art Enthusiast Holiday Gift Guide

Fellow art nerds, assemble! Some of my favorite items to express how much you love the visual arts. If none of the things vibe with you, I recommend donating to your local theaters and community art groups as they are all looking for support while keeping their artists safe.

1. Postcards do Bem by LOJA by Barbara Astrini| 2. Thank You Stamps by Dana Tanamachi | 3. Basquiat Corkcicle Canteens

4. This Joy I Have The World Didn’t Give It by Christa David | 5. “Stop Stealing Tote” by Jasmine Mans

Entrepreneur Holiday Gift Guide

Your entrepreneur friends always need a gift, no matter what they say. We are running around and we’re thriving in making it up as we go along. Supporting small businesses while uplifting your friends who own small businesses is a win-win anyway. 10/10 would recommend.

1. Emma Design Squarespace Kit by JDS Creative Studio| 2. Classic Polka Dot Customizable Planner – Undated / Open Dated by June Paper Market | 3. Grinding All My Life Pin by Adé Hogue

4. Explore: Journey from Fear to Happiness by David Yarde | 5. In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney| 6. DSA Magic Girl Keycaps Round 2 by Mintlodica

Plant Lovers Holiday Gift Guide

If you follow me along on my very rare Instagram sharing journey, you probably know that I, too, have fallen into the trap of millennials with plants. What better way to raise your serotonin levels, than with plants that spark joy? If you’re not sure where to start, never fear, I’ve got some gems below.

1. Jungle Dreams Notebooks by Castlefield Design| 2. Ficus Elastica Burgundy Rubber Plant by Botany | 3. Wild at Home Book by Hilton Carter

4. Buried In Plants Where I Belong Tote Bag by Jungalow | 5. Macrame Plant Hanger No. 1 by Eco Vibe| 6. Tall Painted Clay Planter by The Jungalow

Holiday Gift Guide for Kids

If you don’t interact with kids, it’s not the easiest to just jump in and buy a gift for one. There are various things to consider and so many places to buy gifts. Here are some fun things I’ve found that aren’t your typical pickup in your local superstore.

1. Constellation Kids Tee by Jessica Hische| 2. The ABCs of HBCUs (Board Book) by HBCU Prep School | 3. Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins

4. Double-Sided Pre-Writer Shape and Squiggle Board by Schoene and Son | 5. Black Lives Matter – Love ASL Print from Nicole Marie Paperie 6. Little Likes Kids – Fun Outside 48 Piece Floor Puzzle

Home Holiday Gift Guide

If you’re looking to try some fun things at home or buy for friends who may be living in a new space, here is the gift guide for you. It’s been a good time to try some new products from companies you may not ever have had the opportunity to support to help make your living space a home.

1. Rose Body Scrub from Luna Nueva Apothecary| 2. You Are Your Best Thing by rayo and honey | 3. Rise & GRND – Coffee Blend, Medium Roast by Blk & Bold

4. Matcha Set by Junbi Matcha| 5. 2021 Sun Wall Calendar by Under the Sunlight 6. Playful Marks (Golden) Tea Towel by Ritual Morning Studio

The post 2020 Small Business Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Unsure of what to get your friends from the Studio 404 Paper shop? Don’t fret! There are plenty of options for yourself, your favorite people, or even something fun to add to the office gift exchange. Shop the official Studio 404 Paper Holiday Gift Guide below and stay tuned for the gift guides this week that will be showcasing other amazing small businesses for you to support!

Best Sellers

Gifts for Co-workers & Professional Colleagues

Gifts for Teachers

Appropriate Gifts for 2020

Gifts for Coffee Drinkers

The post Studio 404 Paper Holiday 2020 Gift Guide appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

One: No Idea Print – Watersounds | Two: Flowers and the Moon Print – Katie Daisy | Three: Bloom Print – Studio 404 Paper | Four: This Girl is on Fire Print – Live Love Studio

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Happy December! It’s hard to believe this year is only 30 days from being over. 2015 has been an insane year of just getting things done and while it’s been great, heading into December can be tricky for most service-based businesses. I am a partner in a service-based business and we’ve learned quite a bit about how to keep things going at the end of the year without completely burning out. As I write this, I just spent minutes hours ago complaining to a friend about how much I wish I could just sit at home and watch Christmas movies. There is something about the holiday season, specifically post-Thanksgiving, that drains you. Whether you are pushing products or looking for clients, there is a lot that you can do for your business that keeps things moving even if things are slow.

Create a Strategy

If you haven’t already, make a plan TODAY. Don’t wait for the end of the month to come around for you to start planning for 2016, do it right now. There are several things you can do this month that will help you get ahead of Q1 2016.

• Review your 2015 goals. You should spent the year revising and reviewing your business goals every quarter. Now that the year is almost complete, take some time today to look at what you have accomplished from last year’s goal list. How reasonable were you when setting goals for yourself? Knowing what has or hasn’t been done can allow you to follow up realistically for the upcoming year.
• Write things down. Take out your planner, your Evernote notebook, or whatever you use to start writing everything down. From financial goals to personal goals, everything should be written down as they come to mind. This will allow you to visualize everything and be prepared to organize it into a calendar.
• Find an accountability partner. You are only as good as the plans you follow through. Find someone who understands your business, is willing to push you, and respects you enough to believe in what you want to achieve. Once you find that person, take them out and ask them if they could be your accountability partner. You would be amazing at the difference you’ll see in reaching your goals with someone by your side. Siobhan of the Be Free Project wrote an excellent post on how to choose an accountability partner and she has such great points on what to look out for.

Reach Out

The holidays are the best time to reach out to previous customers and let them know you’re thinking of them. Using your mailing list is one way to get the word out but there are several things you could do that remind your customers why you are the provider they should choose in the new year.

• Send out Christmas cards. One thing that we try to do every year is send out Christmas cards to our preferred clients for the year. Using custom-branded cards with a sincere message and customized greeting makes a big difference than ordering corporate cards that are not inline with your brand. Take the extra step in making things personal.
• Check in via e-mail. Before things get too crazy, try to send out emails to let customers know what you’re offering currently and to follow up on any needs they may have. As 2016 budgets are approved, more businesses are open to booking projects in December. Don’t let these opportunities slip you by while waiting for January to come.

Stay Organized

One of the biggest flaws most small businesses have is allowing the end of the year madness to consume them. Whether you’re on your own or in a small team, with time off and holiday parties, it’s hard to run as tight of a ship as you would during any other time of the year. Think about keeping things consistent and organized to avoid having a total meltdown by the end of the month.

• Don’t stop organizing. The biggest fault is time is very limited at the end of the year. There are only so many work days before getting anything done becomes useless. Keep your spreadsheets updated, your bookkeeping together, and your project to-dos in order. Do not allow for the December madness to get you off your game.
• Hold off implementing anything new. The end of the year may not be the best time to try out something new depending on your business. Allow for things to cool down and for your focus to be completely steady to try any new software, methodologies, or courses that may require more time. If December is a slower month for you, this is a perfect time to get into those things and working on making your business more efficient.

Take Care of Yourself

The best way to stay at your very best is to make sure you are in good shape. Don’t allow holiday stress to overcome you and make you frazzled. You can get through December with a business like a boss if you allow yourself to have a great time.

• Enjoy some time off. It is the holidays and it’s ok to take a day or two to step away from your business. Don’t become so over-indulged that the upcoming year starts to give you anxiety. Taking a step back from your business can allow you to really appreciate and find the passion for what you do.
• Celebrate your achievements. Treat yourself for all of the things you’ve done right this year! You have made it through another year and your business is still going strong. Take some time to celebrate everything that has happened so you can prepare to do even bigger things in 2015.

How do you survive in December?

If you sign up today for the newsletter, you can receive the free printable Advent calendar below! 🙂

The post Let’s Talk Business: Surviving December appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

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I’m joining Laura of Cosmic Medium, who is a fantastic illustrator, in a #ShopSmall linkup to support other small businesses in the area. Even prior to owning a product business, I was conscious of shopping at smaller retailers. I know how hard these individuals work to create products they feel passionate about. It’s very hard to market to a larger audience when larger retailers can sell the same products or similar products at a fraction of the cost. This holiday season let’s challenge each other to shop small, local (if you can), and support our small business owners who are creating great things.

[inlinkz_linkup id=585012 mode=1]

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Welcome back! At least, hello again. I’ve been noticeably absent from this space and today is the reason why. After two years, I’m launching the redesign of Studio 404! This has been in the pipeline for a whole year from wireframes to final push live. I’m so excited to talk about the site and some of the things that have been updated for the better. I have been unbelievably busy this year, busier than I originally planned. It’s wonderful but this redesign has been pushed back by six months due to all of the client work we’ve been doing.  There was some goals I had in mind for this space which I couldn’t have done with the first iteration.

After blogging for six years, rebranding, and shifting focus for another two years, you can see why this place was in need of a revamp. One of the biggest things I want to focus on is genuine content, uplifting other creatives (as I always have), and making Studio 404 Paper the focal point. There are so many blogs in the design blog space and I needed to take a step back and evaluate what I’m offering. I am loving the trends of e-courses and infoprenuers as there is so much to learn but this space will continue to offer the design-centric focus it always had. Now that I’m in a rhythm of being a work-at-home mom (guys, seriously how weird.), I can contribute so much more here. I still want to talk about having a business that I share with my husband (full-time!) and how we make that work. I also want to talk about illustrators I’ve been in love with. I enjoy having a place that allows me to do both.

Shop Studio 404 Paper

One of the biggest changes to the site is the addition of the Studio 404 Paper Shop.After spending a year on Etsy, I was ready to move to an e-commerce solution on my site. As much as I love Etsy and their features, I felt I needed more freedom to grow my paper line and other products. After chatting with my husband and doing lots of research, we decided to take on WooCommerce with is a fantastic e-commerce solution for WordPress. The thought of managing an actual e-commerce site was overwhelming but after reading documentation, it’s been easier than I thought. Eventually, I will shut down the Etsy shop and sale exclusively here and in retail spaces. I’m so excited to have a space here for my shop.

New Homepage

With the addition of the shop, I knew I had to put the blog on its separate page. I’d done this once before years ago and had no qualms about it. Five years ago, I lost sleep over it! I added a featured shop item highlight, as well as the latest blog post, and an amazing new footer. I’ve always had such trouble designing footers but this footer fits perfectly and allows for extra navigation. I did opt to move the blog from the top menu and we’ll see how I feel about that decision in a few weeks.

Updated Pages

Every page has been updated. There are some new pages in relation to the shop space. As time goes on, I’ll have more time to fix the content as I want to. No worries! I know there is a lot of work to be done in this space today and in the future. David did an amazing job and developing everything in my vision. We’ll be collaborating more on projects together and as I get back into part-ime front-end development, I’ll be learning a lot from him.

I’m also very excited to announce that the beginning of Studio 404 Paper’s 2015 Holiday Collection is available today. While it’s currently a few cards, I’m really excited about the direction of this year’s collection. I’ll be adding much more next week but this collection will be available on the site to shop exclusively. To kick things off, you can save 15% off the holiday collection with the coupon code ALLTHEPLAID. Happy shopping and long live Studio 404!

The post New Look & Studio 404 Holiday appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

TGIF! I’m excited to share my first roundup of the year. I’ve decided to round up the amount of links I can find. Some weeks it’s hard to find 10 different things, especially when my time is limited. This week I have eight very inspiring things!

I am in love with this urban yoga photography project. This yogi is so talented and the poses she chooses in her environment are so inspiring.

I love silly Valentine’s Day cards and these cards by punnypixels are perfect for my designer and photographer friends.

I LOVE this new script by Sudtipos, one of my favorite font foundries. The curves are phenomenal and I can’t wait to add it to my type collection.

I’m sort of obsessed with beignets right now and this recipe by Club Narwhal is easy and hopefully delicious.

Grace Bonney always comes forward with thought-provoking articles for the community and this week, her article on copying and crediting was much needed. This has always been a hot topic in the creative community, especially online, and I think that a lot of Grace’s thoughts were on point.

We think a lot of times that creating a website is hard work. While it is hard to take the first step, you have to consider the maintenance that goes into keep a website alive. I loved the tips offered in this article on skills you need to maintain your website.

I love how talented Mike Lemanski is. This illustration for Evernote is amazing!

Speaking of gorgeous scripts, Smoothly is simple and adorable. It has such a great flow between its characters which attracted me to this typeface.

What has inspired you this week?

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