Creating success around the world

Welcome to
Creating Success around the World

The worldwide blog hop tour, that introduces you to creative people from all corners of the globe.

Every Wednesday our hosts on each continent will introduce you to someone new whose creativity is inspiring!

Here's how you can take this worldwide tour with us:

You can follow all the hosts to support them and keep up to date with the fabulous posts they will share every week.  Then if you are inspired to join, just link up your own blog to make some new international friends.

Remember to leave us a comment when you follow us so we can follow you back! And of course we'd love if you added our button to your site to help spread the word!



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Here are your hosts:
Make sure you visit them all to see the inspiration and creative people every continent has to add to our community.
Australasia - Jill @ Creating my way to Success
Europe - Yaga @ The Shiny Bubble
The Americas - Suzy @ Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom
Asia - Janelle @ Of Pinks and Fairytales
Africa - Adepeju @ Peekadot

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Cassandra Allen is an independent illustrator specialising in children's books. Born in Australia, she now lives in Switzerland and continues to work on projects world-wide.

by Cassandra Allen

Tell us a bit about your trade: What do you create, how and where do you sell your things,

how long have you been doing this?

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I am an illustrator for children's books. I create my illustrations by hand in pencil and gouache. I have been drawing since I was a kid, and professionally since 2002 when I started my business in Melbourne Australia. As far as selling my work, the publisher of the books I illustrate deals with the distribution and sales. My illustrations are also in my 2 shops through Etsy and Big Cartel, although these are very bare and will be completely revised and changed over the next 6 months. Look out for some special offers soon and some pretty new prints for kids!

by Cassandra Allen

Please, tell us a little bit about the place and the country that you live in.

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I live in Switzerland on the border of France, soon to move to a more rural area of France in the next few months. There are mountain views, green grass and many cows where we live. I love the countryside with occassional dashes to the city.

Do you think that your surroundings influence your creativity? How? 

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Maybe. Creativity is a weird thing. Sometimes I feel like creativity comes to me from an unknown source of which I have no power over. This can be frustrating, overwhelming and even scary. But when it all comes together it is marvellous.

How and why did you 'pick' your creative outlet of choice?

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It just happened, I didn't choose illustration, it is something I have been doing all my life.

by Cassandra Allen

  

 Why did you decide to sell what you are creating?

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There was a demand for it and I thought, why not? But my shop is not how I would like it to be, I am working on that one.

How did you start your business?

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I quit my job and registered my domain name, designed some stationary and boom, there I was. I had a friend who kindly passed on the first client to me and after that it was a matter of word of mouth and reputation. My business grew through the hub-bub.

by Cassandra Allen

What, in your opinion is your biggest strength in your creative life and how does it

influence your work?

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I am a perfectionist. Sometimes that is a weakness too. Short timeframes and perfectionism are a tricky combination, but all in all it drives me to always push myself to do my best.

What would you regard as your greateest weakness in terms of your creativity and how do

you deal with it?

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See above, I am a perfectionist. Sometimes I have to deal with this by reminding myself that this is the best I can do in the timeframe that I have, and it kills me because I know I can do better.

How do you stay motivated and inspired?

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My husband is amazing for inspiration and very creative. I often call him over to look at my work and tell me what he thinks. In times of total demotivation I give myself a break, have some fresh air, do something completely unrelated to what I am stuck on creatively. One of the best forms of breaks is being on holidays, as a way of getting a new perspective on things, although I don't have as many getaways as I'd like.

Where do you see yourself and your creative life in two years? Do you have any plans?

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I am going to write and illustrate childrens' books in entirety, it's always been a goal. I am also going to have more exhibitions of my work, the next one in December 2011 in Geneva.

by Cassandra Allen

What are your 5 hottest tips for people who want to be more successful with

creating?
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These are some points that help me, but I think everybody is different.

-Time management for me is a big one. Distractions eat up the hours like hungry invisible elves.

-Have goals and write them down, keep them visible

-Watch others who do what you do, for me that's other children's book illustrators

-Get involved in the industry via the internet and/or real world

-Walking, writing, thinking, reading (the less tv the better!)

-Some resources I like: 

The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron (book)

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

http://www.ted.com/talks/marian_bantjes_intricate_beauty_by_design.html

Thank you so much for these inspiring and interesting answers, Cassandra!!

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Now it's your turn! Link up your posts: Inspiration, craftsy blahs, tutorials, tips or business talk: We wanna know!

Have fun hopping, reading, linking, connecting... take some time to share your love and inspiration by following, leaving comments and visiting each other.
Happy Wednesday! ;o)

New to the world tour? Check our previous tours here!