5 Reasons The Sweet Paul Makerie Rocked

April 20, 2016 Melissa Andersen

I've been happy sighing since last Friday, when my mom and I arrived in Philadelphia at the Sweet Paul Makerie opening reception at Occasionette. I knew from the moment I walked through the doors of this quaint shop in South Philly, filled with handmade goods, one-of-a-kind gifts, and the sweetest stationery you've ever laid eyes on, that the weekend was going to be one I'd never forget. And the wildly talented teams behind Sweet Paul Magazine and The Makerie did not disappoint.

The Problem With Fear-Based Decision-Making

March 1, 2016 Melissa Andersen

Fear is one of the most universal and powerful human emotions. It starts wars, inflicts pain, ignites violence, and causes great divide. Fear also works on a much more personal level. It can keep us from forming deep relationships, learning about other cultures and points of view, embarking on life-changing adventures, and chasing our dreams. Fear-based decisions rarely work out in our favor, so why do we so regularly allow them to take the wheel?

Sweet Paul Makerie 2016: A Creative's Dream Retreat

February 9, 2016 Melissa Andersen

Have you ever wished you could call out sick from life, hole up with some crafty friends, eat delicious food, and just make beautiful things all weekend? If your answer is like mine (which is a resounding, "Um, only every single day!"), then the Sweet Paul Makerie just might be your dream come true.

8 Ways To Take Advantage Of A Business Slow Period (And Why It's Actually A Good Thing)

January 22, 2016 Melissa Andersen

In my three years as a freelancer, I've learned a few things: some people will still sound surprised when they call you at 2pm on a Tuesday and discover that you're working; unplugging is vital to your creative output; and slow periods are inevitable. While I've managed to navigate the first two - a sense of humor and deep breathing for the first, self-imposed but strict business hours for the second - the last one has been somewhat trickier.

How (and Why) I'm Slowing Down During the Holiday Hustle

December 1, 2015 Melissa Andersen

I've been on a journey of simplification over the last year or so - one that values better over more, experiences over objects, and working to live instead of living to work. That last one's the trickiest; as a freelancer, I have to be driven, and my desire to hustle often leads me to the point of saturation. But the holidays are a time for enjoying family, friends, nature, and life's littlest pleasures - you know, things that make our souls swell instead of our wallets - and so that's what I plan on doing. Here's how I'm doing it and how you can too...