BRANDING: EARTHENjoy

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of working with Joy O'Conner of EARTHENjoy on a little branding and packaging project. This was not a full blown branding project, as Joy already has some great branding pieces in place. We took what she already had and made some additions to make her branding and packaging even better moving forward. 

EARTHENjoy is ceramic jewelry handmade by Joy. She cuts, smooths, fires and paints all of her pieces. The result is gorgeous handmade ceramic jewelry that you will love for years to come. 

A lot of pieces from EARTHENjoy have a geometric feel. Many of the earrings, necklaces and wares, are in geometric shapes or have faceting that give them a very geometric, yet organic, feel. We took this geometric element of Joy's work and incorporated it into some branding, and packaging additions that will add a special touch when sending out her goods. 

We created stamps, and icons that can be added to packages going out in the mail, or when goods are boxed up at the various markets EARTHENjoy participates in. We also created large functional stamps that can be used on fun paper as earring backers, and thank you notes. 

Lastly, we added this gorgeous geometric shape to Joy's logo! Adding this icon, furthers her brand while keep the logo and branding her customers know and trust. Overall, we just boosted and furthered the branding Joy already had in place. By creating functional pieces and designs that can help her continue to grow her business. 

Interested in this gorgeous ceramic jewelry? Find Links to EARTHENjoy below! 

EARTHENjoy Instagram // Shop EARTHENjoy // EARTHENjoy Website // EARTHENjoy Facebook

Are you a business owner interested in branding, have graphic design needs, or need help with packaging? I would love to chat with you, and help you create something that meets the needs of your business. Let's Get Started!

How To Style Art Prints

You bought an adorable art print off of Etsy, from your favorite local maker, or the boutique down the street. Popping that art print in a frame is the easiest and most obvious choice. If you don't already have a frame, or even if you do, here are some easy, traditional and unique ideas of how to use and style art prints in your home. 

1. Use a Wooden Hanger

Photo courtesy of @fernandthefawn // Weavings from fernandthefawn.etsy.com

Prints do not always have to go in frames! I love a good frame, but sometimes you just want something different. My friend Sharon recently purchased this darling print featuring the lettering "Dawn of Redeeming Grace". She hung the print from a wooden hanger and added it to a nursery gallery wall. Not only does this look cute, but it makes hanging the print simple. 

 The gorgeous weaving on her gallery wall is from her Etsy shop! Check it out: HERE. The art print is from my etsy shop. Check it out right HERE. 

2. Style with Other Decorations

Photo courtesy of @omgwalls // Print from mkolbodesignstudio.esty.com 

Sometimes we get a print, find the perfect frame, but are still uncertain where to actually put it! Take a step back and look around your home. Are there areas already decorated with a similar style where you could easily put the print? My friend Olivia, grouped her print (above) with a decorative window and vases. Not only does this grouping look great, but she didn't even have to worry about hanging it up! There are lots of areas already decorated in your home where a framed print would fit perfectly! 

Love the print pictured? Find it HERE!

3. Use Washi Tape

Washi tape for a temporary display // geometric animals from mkolbodesignstudio.etsy.com

Want to create a temporary gallery wall, or nervous about putting holes in the wall?! Use washi tape (colorful Japanese masking tape made from rice paper // find the gold pictured HERE) to hang art prints for a fun display. This makes it easy to move, switch out art prints, and can be done very quickly!

Find the geometric animals HERE // Encourage print can be found HERE

These are three easy tips to help you decorate and style art prints more confidently! Enjoy! 

3 Tips for a Successful Quiet Time

A new year always spurs on goals and resolutions. If you are like me, some of you may be hoping to be more consistent in your quiet time, reading the Bible, or time of prayer. So, today I've listed three tips that have helped me personally to be more successful. All of these tips feature the Dwell Deeply Journal, but can be applied to your quiet time even don't use one of our journals. Enjoy!

1. Set the Mood

Sharon @fernandthefawn cozied up with her Dwell Deeply Journal

Setting the mood will help set yourself up for success. This might sound strange, but follow me on this one. Our homes can be chaotic and filled with distractions, this can leave us frazzled and not focused. Do a few simple things to help yourself be comfortable and excited to dwell on the word of God. Light your favorite candle, grab a cozy blanket, make yourself a snack, or pour a glass of your favorite drink (coffee anyone?). Doing something simple can help set the mood and help you enter into a more focused time with God.

2. Ditch Your Phone

Olivia @omgwalls enjoys her Dwell Deeply Quiet Time Journal with a cup of coffee!

Seriously - ditch the phone. I'm preaching to myself on this one folks. For most of us our phones are attached to our hands and we react with every notification ping. The world will not miss you for 20 minutes while you take time to be with God. It will allow you to more fully process scripture, be present with God and feed your soul!

The one exception to this rule is if you are using The Bible App to access the Bible, or a devotional app such as She Reads Truth. These are both excellent resources, and if you use them during your quiet time keep using them!

3. Leave Your Bible, Devotional or Journal Out

Susanna @susanna.rachel leaves her Bible and Dwell Deeply Journal out on a table.

Leaving our Bibles out is something we started doing last year. I first saw the tip from a writer and speaker I greatly admire, Lara Casey. Leaving your Bible out in a common place serves as a reminder throughout the day. For example ours sit on the coffee table in the living room out and ready to be used. This is also helpful if you cannot dedicate a solid chunk of time to a quiet time whether it be due to your schedule, or little ones. If you leave your Bible and Dwell Deeply Journal out you can work on it throughout the day and pick up right where you left off. This allows you to fit in a quiet time where you find spare moments throughout your day.

Our Dwell Deeply Journals can also help you structure, organize and keep track of your quiet times. You can purchase them HERE in the Machelle Kolbo Design Studio Etsy Shop. Check out the #dwelldeeplyjournal on Instagram to see more photos of journals in use! Special thanks to our happy Instagram customers whose pictures I shared above. 

Introducing: Dwell Deeply Journals

I am thrilled to introduce to you the Dwell Deeply Journal. This little book has been on my heart and mind for a while now. After several nudges from God and a lot of prayer this little booklet is ready to be put to work in your life!

First, let me back up and tell you the heart behind why I created this book, and what is inside! I noticed a pattern in my own personal quiet time of not always thinking about how the words I was reading impacted my life. I didn't have a good system for processing scripture or devotionals. I was reading, but I didn't always allow myself to let those words dwell in my heart. Being involved with the middle school ministry at church and in a small group of couples my age made me wonder if others faced a similar issue. 

So, I began to feel these nudges from God to create something that would allow girls and women to process, remain and apply truth to their lives. A journal that could be a companion to their time in the word if you will. As I observed those around me the nudges from God grew stronger. After testing the journal idea with a small group of women and girls, the responses made me certain this was something God was prompting me to do. 

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“I often find myself skipping quiet time because I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know where to start. I was encouraged to read the Bible because I had this way to help me dig deeper into the message”

— Carrie (Bible Journal Test Group Volunteer)

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So the Dwell Deeply Journal was carefully made! It features a kraft cover, hand lettered titles, and three cover designs. The journals are called Dwell Deeply because I want them to be something that allows you to process and dwell with God on his word. There are no guided prompts in the journal, which allows you to use it with a devotional, scripture or when listening to a sermon. Each day has two pages that have multiple sections to help you process and apply what you have read in different ways. There is space to journal, reflect, doodle and even record prayer requests. 

My prayer is that this journal allows women to dwell deeply on the word of God and be able to look back on all the ways he is working in their lives. 

If you are interested in a Dwell Deeply Bible Journal you can find them in my etsy shop by clicking the link below. 

Kolbo Alphabet Challenge G-L

Our alphabet is actually almost finished, but I wanted to share more of the letters on here in case you haven't been following along on Instagram! 

So, if you haven't been following along, the #KolboAlphabetChallenge is something that Alex (my husband) and I decided to do for fun and to challenge ourselves. We also invited others to join in! So if you look through the hashtag on Instagram there will be letters by many different creative individuals! So fun!

Below you will find letters G-L that Alex and I created/made/drew. Enjoy!