Sparrow Creative Studio

01/01/2025

We hope this new year finds you living your best life. Happy New Year from Sparrow Creative Studio.

08/14/2024

Add to your art collection and support a great cause at the same time! R4Creating.org provides STEM resources, training, and networking to STEM educators and students through their award-winning programs and competitions. You can help us put the Art into STEAM.

I am sharing a link to a very special fine art auction that is filled with amazing pieces of art and an opportunity for fantastic deals! Whether it is paintings, fine jewelry, sculpture, tribal inspired pieces or stunning originals by the likes of Pablita Velarde, Mary Ann Weems, Marc Chagall, Jane Bradley or some great emerging artists you won't want to miss out.

To view this specially curated collection and place your bid, click here:

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/creatingopportunityfineartonlineauction/items/

We R4Creating Jane Bradley

06/05/2024

Today is National Hot Air Balloon Day, so we're celebrating our friends at the BALLOON MUSEUM FOUNDATION for all they do for the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. This foundation helps provide support and funding for exhibits and programming at the museum we all love.
You can help support the museum as well. Tickets are on sale for their super-special 4th views event. https://bit.ly/3VtsQM1

05/22/2024

We are fortunate to work with some amazing nonprofits. This work is so rewarding because it fills us with hope. The Rio Grande Community Development Corporation helps people start businesses, create food startups, and support the local food economy. The Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network empowers people with Down Syndrome and their families. Friends of Red Rock Canyon volunteers keep the canyon free of graffiti, maintain trails, and guide tours. The Balloon Museum Foundation supports the Balloon Museum programming and exhibits. Explora! provides hands-on science education for children. Each one has their niche and focus. Together, they make the world a better place!

Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum Balloon Museum Foundation Friends of Red Rock Canyon

05/16/2024

In our business we ask a lot of questions. Why? Because we are a strategic design company. We want to really know your business or nonprofit. We want to know your goals. We want to know who you serve. We want to know what makes you special. Once we understand all of that THEN we begin design. When design is in alignment with mission - that is where the magic happens.

05/09/2024

This talented lady captures the world around her with watercolor. Her 'socialscapes' are glimpses of life in her neighborhood and places she travels. She also creates custom home portraits that are amazing gifts! Maddy started selling her art on Etsy, but was frustrated with the limitations of the platform. We were thrilled to create an e-commerce website for Maddy so she can showcase her work without the cluttered competition in a way that is authentic to her style. Check her out at https://bit.ly/3UyolOL

05/02/2024

It's May, and that means it is time for the Wrentham Artisan Market to open for the season! My east coast peeps need to check out this seasonal weekend popup featuring makers and artisans in the Massachusetts area. We loved creating branding and social marketing assets for this creative business. I hope I can get to one of the markets this summer.

https://bit.ly/3JG1OdX

04/24/2024

Is your personality coming through in your brand? Do your potential customers 'get you' at a glance? Your logo, colors, design elements, image choices, and messaging all help tell customers who you are and what you do. For each brand we design we start with your customer and work backward to create a visual identity that connects! Ready for yours?

04/23/2024

As a business, your social goal is NOT likes and follows. Social media for personal use is different from using social to market your business. Shift your mindset to shift your results.

Your social content should:

➡️ Introduce your business

Your social content should represent your business, your services, and the problems that you solve. This is a place to introduce people to your business, show how you meet your client's needs, and solve their problems. When your words and images come together to convey a story about what you do, and how you help people solve their problems, or achieve their dreams – then you can build connections that turn into customers.

➡️ Educate and inform

Through social marketing, you have the opportunity to share information that is interesting and helpful for your audience. For example, as an accountant, you are aware of upcoming tax deadlines. Your post about important dates could help a customer get more prepared. Social marketing can also help future customers understand WHY they should work with you. How does your business differ from your competitors? What makes you unique?

➡️ Build relationship
Your content should also develop the know, like, and trust factor. People do business with people they know. Your social media is an opportunity for people to get to know you as a person as well as understand the services you provide. If you want to share more about who you are away from your business, your hobbies, your family – great. If you don't, that is also fine. Don't let your audience hear crickets. When you respond to comments and direct messages you build trust and familiarity. You can use your social media to draw future customers closer into your circle. Remember, you do not own the social platforms and there can be changes at any time. A great goal is to offer something of value via your social account that your customer will exchange their email address for. Then, you can move the conversation to email – a place you DO control.

04/19/2024

An evening garden wedding save the date. I love to add personal details. This couple has chickens and one sweet kitty that will be part of the festivities!

04/18/2024

This week we are doing updates for Kwek Society and feeling so amazed and excited for their success. Their mission to end period poverty for native peoples. When we first started working with Kwek they were delivering thousands of period supplies, then 1 million, and now over 3 million!! 👏 They are now meeting the need in the U.S. and in Canada. We are doing a happy dance to see this non-profit grow and make a difference. Congratulations Kwek Society!

12/19/2023

Rather than balance scales, I like to think of my work and home life more like music. It isn't either/or but a composition of different notes and instruments. In harmony, these different elements come together in a beautiful way. The distinct notes, much like the various aspects of our lives, add interest and depth. There are times when the tempo is fast and others when it is unhurried. Sometimes one instrument dominates the piece and the others complement. Other times they blend in concert.

Sure, there will be some discordant notes. But they won't last. Merging work and life creates a melody that is rich with meaning, purpose, pleasure, and life. The key is to relax and enjoy the music.

12/14/2023

If you've ghosted your followers or supporters, this is not the time to reach out. Skip the holiday cards, end-of-year messages, and calls for support. I realize that someone is clutching their pearls right now exclaiming 'We have to send holiday cards!" Nope, you don't. Without a relationship it is meaningless. No one will be sitting there saying '"You know, we never got a Christmas card from our insurance company this year."
If your audience hasn't heard from you all year, hearing from you this time of year is inauthentic. Instead, make a plan for how you will create a genuine connection in the future.

12/12/2023

The day after Thanksgiving the number of unread messages in my inbox gave me anxiety! Everyone is sending messages, emails, cards, catalogs, etc. Your holiday message is just one voice in the chaos. Is this really the best time for you to connect with your audience? Perhaps you can choose another time to reach out. How about a Valentine? Thanksgiving note (we are Thankful for you)? Could you create a day specific to your organization to inspire your donors where you are not competing with other voices? It is OK to do your own thing!

12/11/2023

Are you team holiday cards or not? The holiday season presents a wonderful opportunity to deepen the bond with your customers and your supporters. But, there is a right way and a very wrong way to go about it. Here are four key points that will help you decide how to approach season's greetings.

Are you team Christmas cards or not? Digital or printed? Here's what you need to know about holiday greetings and year-end messages.

12/01/2023

Winter comes slowly to New Mexico. In December we are still experiencing 50 degree days. But the leaves have fallen and there is a chill in the evening. A new season is upon us. There is a season for everything. At the end of the year, it feels like the right to follow the lead of nature and slow down, let go of our season of growth and move into the season of rest.

When I worked in corporate America, I was never afforded this time. End-of-year meant budgets and accounting and projections, last-minute sales push, long days, and lots of stress. I struggled to maintain any semblance of balance and always felt that I couldn't keep up. Every year I entered the holidays stressed and fatigued.

What a difference working for my own business! Our small-company culture is people and family-friendly. Because, as a business owner, I am responsible for setting the culture. I am so grateful for my business and for the flexibility that I have over my time and energy.

I'm hoping that you are taking time to recharge and rest in this season. 🎁🎄✨

11/29/2023

Work-life balance. Every week I read an article that contains the magic recipe for achieving this mythical state. Every expert has a tip or trick. Time blocking, delegating, prioritizing. But, they keep writing articles, with new tactics – because none of these things work. When you put work and life on the scales, one is always out of balance. Sometimes work needs more attention. Big sale, year-end, project deadlines. They pull hard. And sometimes, it is family that pulls more attention. Cold and flu season, family vacation, new baby, elderly parent. These things are normal. Trying for balance assumes that we have control over all of the factors. Spoiler alert: we don't.

Imbalance is natural and it is time to accept it. Life is organic, and our lives intersect with people and circumstances we cannot fully control. When we accept that, we can let go of the stress of trying to be perfect.