Tuesday, August 27, 2019

The Ivy League and other Studio News

Hi there #Creativegirls & #Paperlovers


I'm playing catch-up with my blogging here today and there is a couple of things I just wanted to share with you all.

First off, we have a brand new Design Team for the remainder of 2019 and they even have their own name: The Ivy League of Creative Girls.  You might have seen some of there projects on our Social Media pages lately. Hopefully, their creative bliss will keep on rolling in and rolling your way. Keep an eye out.

Why a Design Team again? Well, our team is small and we just don't get around to playing and showcasing the products that we work so hard to develop, as much as we should. So the Team will be assisting us with 'inspiring' you all.

So a hearty welcome to each and every member of our team and we hope your stay will be fab-u-lously fan-tas-tic!

Wilma, Marnelle, Charmaine, Debbie, Lisa-Mari, Rochelle and me and Surita will take turns to share our creative work with you mostly on Social Media like Facebook and Instagram but also on Youtube and this blog here. We hope that you don't just follow along but also try out the projects using our products and share it with the world. Please tag us using the hashtags #IvytreeStudio #PrintandPlay #Paperlove #CreativegirlsUnite so we can find you.




These are some of the Team's fab projects they have already shared with us.








































If you haven't purchased some of the elements of the Revive Collection yet, you still have time.


Sunflowers have been popping up all over the internet since we came out with this collection. It is like God saying, "Hey, keep your eyes on me!". Sunflowers follow the Sun and similarly we should follow God where He leads us. This collection is really something special. I have been playing with it for months and still not bored with it.



If you need a little REVIVE of your own art journey or creativity, then the Revive Creative Retreat
could be just what you need. It is the only one of it's kind in South Africa. It is fully self-paced and online. All kits are printable. It includes not only a load of downloads but also a Workbook, a private Facebook group to engage in the community, video classes to support you and a special creative system to help kick-start and keep your art flowing. This Retreat was specifically developed with the
Female Christian Artists in mind. It will teach and guide you to grow in your relationship with God and show you how you can invite Him into your creative expression. You will learn about the Artist's learning process. You will also learn how to make sure you end up making original thumbprint art and not just copy and duplicate what others are doing over and over again without really growing your own art. 

We are planning on releasing the individual classes from the Retreat program so you can purchase it individually, but you won't get the full picture unless you get your foot in the door of the full Retreat Program. We hope to see you in class soon or joining us over at the Retreat. 



UP NEXT:


Our next collection is releasing soon....like in really really soon and is called Vibrance! We are very excited as always about this next one. We have made a couple changes to how we group elements together and we think you are going to love it.  We now offer a variety of kits for specific purposes (or perhaps for specific types of crafters) and you save save save. There will be a Creativegirl Club Kit with elements to use in our club-activities and the Creativegirl Journal, a Gracelilly Faith Art Club kit to use in your Devotional time and the Foundations Book as part of the Creativegirl Journal. There will also be a Journaling kit, a Travel Journal Kit, a Paperlove kit with a Scrapbook kit and finally new to our range is the Art journaling kit which is FAN-TABU-LOUSLY delicious! I personally cannot wait to play with all of it. You can buy the collection bundle or the kits individually.

BUT that is not all...we also offer a couple of other elements standard in our collections like the Simply Lady kit, the Flower Shop kit (heck, if you're not into blooms, then just leave it out, but the rest of us we Loooooooooooooove it!) There is also the Deco Platter Kit that now consists of all the punch out items plus paper ribbons or washi and new shapes...all to help you decorate any page. We will also offer a Journal cover for your #CreativegirlJournal matched to each collection.

I am also working on a universal Creativegirl Journal version to use with any and all collections. Remember the first one we released was matched to the Revive Retreat. You can, however, if you own the Revive version, use any product collection in it anyway.

This new collection matches the Revive collection really well which means you will be able to mix and match these collections with each other as you add our collections to your collection BANK. Like, I said before in previous posts, our Print&Play collections are really more of a resource than a product. Remember, they are created with YOU, the end-user and #Creativegirl in mind so they are for #PersonalUseOnly  and so easy to use. Once payment is received, you receive immediate access to the product via a download link sent via email or you can sign into the store using the email you purchased the item with, and click on My Account/Orders to download it. You can start printing right away.

If you are interested in our physical products or doing classes or kits with our products, then you need to contact us directly. Pop over to the website and complete a contact form and give us the "down-low" on what it is you are interested in. You are welcome to inquire anytime.



Community wise we are slowly building the #Creativegirl Club and if you haven't joined us yet, I hope you join us over in the Facebook group. Purchasing the membership is a once a year thing and it basically gives you access to the store's discount grouping exclusive to the Club. A big benefit of purchasing membership is the big bundle you receive when you decide to go for the membership. You can start playing right a way.  Gaining access to the Facebook group is FREE and you can play along without purchasing the membership. Once of the biggest focusses of this club is to get you creative and help you stay that way.  Every time we bring out a new collection, we will offer a FREE prompt kit you can download from the store. It is free until we release the next collection and then it will cost you around R15 to purchase.  So, we encourage you to grab it while it's HOT! um..I mean FREE. wink wink. What's great about these kits is that they offer both the #CreativegirlClub members and the #GracelillyFaithArtClub members each their own kits. Included is the Prompt list page that you can tick off as you work through these with a separate prompt ticket page. The tickets you can add to your journal pages. We include a little self-motivation element with the Rewards Dashboard and badges you can earn as you work creatively through the kit. It will encourage you also to engage in community with fellow club members and share your work courageously.  


You can find these kits in the "Join the Club" Section in the store here. You need to hurry to download these two kits for free as we are about to release the new collection's kits and then these two kits will be priced. 





Our LIVE CLUB EVENT is scheduled for the last Friday of each month. 
It will be hosted in the #CreativegirlPrintAndPlayFriends Facebook group, so if you are not a 
member yet, you can request to join. Just remember to answer the entry questions so we can approve your request. 

This month's live event will also be a little bit of a celebration of the Revive Retreat. We first planned
to separate events but most of the Retreat members are also Club members and it just makes sense
to just have one event. 

The live events are like a pajama party with your creative friends.  I don't have creative friends who 
live close by so I need some friends to join me as I create and play in my CreativeGirl Journal. In a previous event I shared my journey with all of this and who influenced and inspired me. I love Cori Speaker and the Resetgirl and the community she has created around the Resetgirl clubs. I just needed the same experience to be more affordable and during hours I am actually awake. I want to pay forward
what I learned and received and still receive from my time with the Resetgirl's community. It's about more than inspiration to me. It is about real community and care and that is something I really felt there was a need for locally. So, I invite you to come an play with us. Grab your journal, some goodies from the store, something to sip and snip and put on your jammies and just come and relax with me and the other #Creativegirls. 





Until next time!




Visit Ivytree Studio to see more of what we are up to www.ivytreestudio.co.za
Buy some of our pretty products here
Connect with the team on our Facebook page here.
Share your Ivytree Studio layouts with us here
Join our #CreativeGirlPrint&PlayClub here
Watch our Youtube channel here.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Do you need to Revive something in your life?


Hi there Paperlovers and #Creativegirls,

Click here to view this collection



Today we are so happy to announce the release of our next collection that matches our Revive Online Creative Retreat.


First, you are missing out BIG TIME if you haven't signed up for this amazing Online Retreat experience.


God is really behind this Retreat and as I write it, I know that He gets all the credit for every single word and every element we add to it. It is changing my life and I hope it will change yours too.


So hop on over to the store and grab your Revive Retreat before anything else, so we can add you as a member to the website! You won't regret it. We have nearly released all the Reception area content (9 sections in total) and nearly all of the Retreat Center sections (1 more to go) before we start on the main event, the Garden Center section. It 's already lots of fun!


It is still early days over on the private #membersonly Retreat Community House group here on Facebook as we welcome newcomers one by one...but the girls have given very positive feedback so far and we haven't even really revved our engines yet.


The Retreat downloads so far (excluding website content and videos and more) is already valued at way over R650. Because we know what is still to come, we have doubled the price as off today and still feel it is a bargain for what is included in this Retreat. We are working really hard. All our other projects are on ice for the moment as we complete this massive task and we know it will be worth your wile. It has grown from the small vision we had at first to what it is growing into. This is going to be a real investment in your own creative journey.


But just if you didn't believe all that, here is the Revive Collection of which a portion is included in the Retreat package (but you need to be a Retreat Member to see what you will receive from this Collection.) It is however available to you outside of the Retreat at full price.


Some of the Retreat downloads are also available outside the Retreat experience as a normal item in the store but also at full price. You will see it listed in a separate section under the Revive Collection in the store (remember: these downloads are incl. in the Retreat together with content that explains it and guides you to use it. Without this context, you won't gain the full experience)


So think it over. From beautiful website content, videos, curated content, Creative Elements, and downloads, Journal pages, a special Creative system for projects galore and a special Faithgirl Fountain area, all designed with YOU, #Creativegirl in mind, we know it will have a big impact on how and why you create. Why don't you join us?


In the meantime, check out the Revive collection...it's really beautiful!


DIRECT LINKS:
---------------------------------------


Purchase your Revive Retreat in store here:


Check out the new collection in store here: https://ivytree.eshop.co.za/193-Revive-c34160180


Check out the Extra Retreat Downloads in store here:


#ArtbySuritaBrink #ReviveCollection #MatchestheReviveCreativeRetreat #comejoinus #EnglishAndAfrikaansElements





Visit Ivytree Studio to see more of what we are up to www.ivytreestudio.co.za
Buy some of our pretty products here
Connect with the team on our Facebook page here.
Share your Ivytree Studio layouts with us here
Join our #CreativeGirlPrint&PlayClub here
Watch our Youtube channel here.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Are you in a rut creatively or need a creative boost?

Hi there lovelies and Paperlovers,

A very exciting thing is starting to happen over at our website. For the last couple of years, I have been dreaming of an online classroom where I could encourage fellow artists and creatives and share our passion for the arts and all things creative. I use to stand in a physical classroom and I have been missing it. God has made it possible and has given us a fresh new vision. Our very first Online Creative Retreat is about to start and you don't want to miss it.


You can already purchase your Retreat over in the store here and until the 15th of May, you will be able to purchase the experience at an EARLYBIRD discount. Even the full price is a bargain when you realize what goes into this Retreat and what you can get from it.

God is writing this Retreat and He is guiding both me and all participants step by step through it. I am excited to see what He does with it and I have committed my heart and efforts to give it my very best.
The first participants have received their first email and an invitation to log into the website to view the Retreat Home page.
During the next couple of days, participants will be able to access sections from the Reception Center. Officially the doors will open to the weekly content on the 15th of May, so there is still enough time for you to come and join us.
The full Retreat is hosted on the website, but there is also a private Facebook Community group where you will be able to engage with me and fellow Retreat-goers.
And for all the Faith Girls out there, we have a special Retreat area just for you with content created to inspire and encourage you as a Christian Artist wanting to grow your art and creativity through connection with the Lord and His Word. We call it our Faith Girl Fountain.

If what you have read about this Retreat so far has not yet convinced you, just remember that there is also a BRAND NEW COLLECTION named after the Retreat...a little something NEW to play with.

From website content, video sessions with a formally trained Educator (that's me), a workbook and journal pages and decorative kit to the Facebook group with projects and content to guide and encourage you PLUS the most important part, connection with your Saviour, Jesus Christ, and your own art, this could make for a really special experience. The fact that you can discover new things, develop your skills and invest in your spirit and art all in the privacy and comfort of your own home while having someone to support you throughout, sound good to me.

Whether you have never really invested in your own creative journey, even started it really or you have been creative for a while but need a boost or new ideas or you just want to connect with fellow Christian Artists, we invite you to come and join us on this "maiden voyage" of our very first online Retreat.

Visit Ivytree Studio to see more of what we are up to www.ivytreestudio.co.za
Buy some of our pretty products here
Connect with the team on our Facebook page here.
Share your Ivytree Studio layouts with us here
Join our #CreativeGirlPrint&PlayClub here
Watch our Youtube channel here.

Monday, April 15, 2019

What is "Creative Bliss"?

Hi there Paperlovers and #Creativegirls,

Oh my, does time fly fast when you are working on great projects and your work inspires you to just keep moving forward. When I look at the frequency of my posts here (something I really love to do), it must mean that the work behind the scenes must be good, if it keeps me away from writing to you all here. But, here I am and today I need to bring you all up to speed again. 

So, what is "Creative Bliss" then? To me, it is to live the creativity God planted in you to the full. All the things you will read about in this post, showcase that. If your "Creative Bliss" is to have a little bit of new paper in your hands and making a card, then that is your moment. Celebrate it! Whether it is once a week or every day, we would like to encourage you to live it out often. It keeps you healthy mentally and spiritually and that my friends, will even spill over into your physical body. So fill your spirit with the good stuff and with God. Your spirit is what keeps your body going. :) 

Click here to visit "Esther" in store


So, first off there is our latest Print&Play collection, called "Esther". She is just so lovely and if you love pink and girly things, this collection is just for you. Lots of little pretty butterflies and the color palette includes a little bit of blue, green and orange too. 

The next collection is to celebrate THREE YEARS in business and design as part of the creative industry. (Ivytree is actually much older than that as we started with design back in the year 2000). 




This collection will be used during our Birthday Event and is called "Karalea" which means "innocent" and "righteous" (Spiritual meaning: "I am pure, without transgressions; I am innocent. There is no iniquity in me"). I think this is just in time for celebrating Jesus this month and what He sacrificed for us all. Accepting His gift of eternal life makes us all righteous and pure under the Blood of the Lamb. 

The event is fully online, but you can get your friends together on the day and scrap with us. Please purchase a ticket for each friend. Surita is designing a couple of projects that will be included as a Print&Play product to your event and it will also include a "Happy Bag" (our new word for Goodie bags).  International friends can join in. We will be celebrating privately on our Ivytree Studio Friends group on Facebook and share videos and fun stuff during the day in the group. So, if you are not a "Friend" yet, pop over and ask to join the group. All you need to participate is access to a printer and some cardstock and your usual crafty happiness. We will work on the projects during the day and I love the fact that we can engage with our friends no matter where in the world you are. Even if you want to join in while scrapping at your local store. Just print out the projects and elements and take along. Take some photos on the day of your progress and share it in our Facebook group with us. 

Click here to purchase your online event ticket
So why not a physical celebration? Well, we wanted to. We actually planned to. But then things changed in December for our family and our mom needs us, girls, a little bit more now. This way we can help her and still celebrate Ivytree Studio's birthday. We are absolutely sure that you all agree that family comes first, right. 

Click here to purchase your Retreat


Next up is the Online Retreats we are working on. It is a whole new direction for us, so it is taking longer than expected, but we hope to launch the first Retreat as not just an online event but also a product and classroom experience that will open up new directions for your own creative journey as well. 

The first Retreat is called "Revive". Once I have more on this little Retreat, I'll be back here to share with you. For now, just know that it will be a fun investment in your own journey as a #Creative person and the purpose of the Retreat is to educate you about things regarding your profile that may just help you understand your creative needs and how to cultivate and grow it over time. It includes a full Curriculum, workbook pages, creative journal, decorative elements, videos and more. The listed price will be well worth it, but if you hurry and purchase it before the 15th of May (we extended the date), you will receive it at a discounted price. 



Our Club is up and running and the girls are creating up a storm and enjoying the process. If you still haven't joined in, you can do so by applying over at the website here and then pop over to the store to purchase your yearly membership. You can then ask to join the Facebook Community group for the Club referencing your order number. (This is the number of the order you placed when purchasing your membership bundle). You will find that if you skip the steps to apply on the website and purchasing your membership, you won't be added to the Facebook community group. We only approve applicants who completed the membership application successfully. We find that if you pay for something, you are more inclined to value it. 


So why Print&Play and is it practical? 


Oh, it is very much practical and do-able! One of our clients commented recently that because she lives far from arts&craft shops, she finds that the printables give her quick access and help her to still be part of the creative community, have new stuff to work with often and she just loves it. We design it so it inspires #Creativegirls to be more creative more often and give them access to quality designs.  We also focus on the basics so all you need is a craft knife, metal ruler or paper trimmer, your scissors and a couple of basic punches. Adding the stash you already have is also encouraged as we want you to use what you have. Yes, actually use those mountains of paper you are hoarding. We also encourage this new way of crafting as it gives you a lighter footprint in the world. You only print what you need and storing (or for the lack of a better word, hoarding) it digitally, causes less clutter as it is all stored on your computer drive. 

We have always focussed on designing elements for girls like us. Girls in their craft spaces who just want to be creative. The end user. Girls who need some creative therapy to help them along in life and keep them positive. We create for creatives. We don't create so others can monopolize on our products and monetize it for themselves. That is not the idea here. 

Because I am a Business Teacher, an Educator, I also have always had the heart to help women succeed in business and I opened Ivytree Studio up for so-called "Wholesale" from the start because of this reason. We quickly found that we were sidetracked and forced to offer our products as open stock, something we didn't plan on doing. It made things crazy! I found that local Retailers also do not share the same vision that working together and encouraging a healthy positive creative community, helps us all thrive. I found quite the opposite. A very unhealthy and toxic vibe. They are only out to make a quick buck from you. If you don't give in to their demands, they get mean. Very few of them function differently. It is a harsh industry, but I know that God placed us here for a very different purpose. We are here for Him. We will keep on shining...for Him.  Being profit focussed only, is not our heart. That doesn't mean that this is not a business. It is. But we wanted to get back to why we started all of this in the first place. Since we stepped out with our digital content, things have really radically changed for us. We love what we do again. It is actually fun! And we have none of that toxic nonsense any longer! Halleluja! I am so happy about that, I could literally jump for joy! :) ;) That means, that when we engage with the end user directly, the person we actually create for, things bloom and blossom for both them and us. That is why we create! 

It doesn't, however, mean that we won't be doing printed physical product. We will just have less order and print cycles during the year. When we open one up, you should jump to get your orders in, as you won't find any of our products anywhere but on our online store and only during those cycles. Because we are developing digital content at the moment, we have reduced the print cycles for now. It might change back to monthly later on. 

People often ask where they can buy our products. Please direct them to our store and our platforms. Some in the industry might think us "short-sighted" for not offering Wholesale anymore or not offering our products up for distribution by Retailers or large companies. We gave the Retail route a proper go and it kept our business actually back. They only promote the brands they want to an keep their customer base in the dark where our products are concerned. Now, the sky is the limit for us and I am excited to see what God does with this little studio next. Watch this space. ;) 

I am proud to say that Ivytree Studio is a family owned boutique design studio and our CEO is Jesus Christ. I say it boldly because this industry needs some light. 

And on that subject, we just featured in our favorite magazine this past month. If you love the Leef Magazine just as much as we do, please support Christine Ferreira in purchasing the physical mag each time it comes out. It is a magazine for Christian Women who love the beautiful things in life, just like we do. 


Visit the Leef website here



CREATIVE PROJECTS:


Today's creative share is a single layout and little card Surita designed with the new Esther collection. This is to show you that Printables can give you just as much joy as purchased products. Surita was inspired by a pin from Pinterest. In the original layout, stamps were used. Surita didn't have any stamps so all the little leaves were hand drawn by her on this layout. All the paper and elements used in this layout is from the #Print&Play Esther collection and she used white cardstock for the base. 


Single Layout - Esther Collection


Handmade card - Esther Collection



'Till next time!


Visit Ivytree Studio to see more of what we are up to www.ivytreestudio.co.za
Buy some of our pretty products here
Connect with the team on our Facebook page here.
Share your Ivytree Studio layouts with us here
Join our #CreativeGirlPrint&PlayClub here
Watch our Youtube channel here.