Last year, I worked on a project with my friend and colleague, Suzanne Larocque of Sleaque Images Photography.  Each year, we pool our talents to create a special holiday gift for our clients– something that they will be both attractive and useful for them year round.  In 2010, this gift was the Views of the Valley Desk Calendar.  Each month features a photograph of local landmarks– one for each city and town in the Valley– from the Academy of Music in Northampton, to the clock tower in Ludlow.

Since we received overwhelmingly good feedback on this calendar last year, this year we decided to offer it to other business owners.

Our 2012 Views of the Valley Calendar is now available for purchase in quantities of 50, 100, and 200 calendars.  These calendars make the perfect holiday gift for your clients, to show them how much you appreciate their business year round.  The calendars are also customizable, your company’s logo can be placed right on the back of the calendar.  The calendars come in a CD style jewel case which also doubles as a stand.

Pricing:

50 Calendars: $350 ($7 each)
100 Calendars: $600 ($6 each)
200 Calendars: $1000 ($5 each)

Quantity

50 Calendars $350.00 100 Calendars $600.00 200 Calendars $1,000.00

 

Free Local Delivery.  Please email me if you are out of the Western Massachusetts area and would like an estimate for shipping costs.

“Allison created a logo for me, designed my business cards and designed and created my brochures for my new business. She did an amazing job. She is so creative and intuitive.  My logo is perfect. She took the time to research a color that represented my specialty area of dementia. She has been very professional and  timely. I am just so pleased and have had many compliments. Thanks Allison for a job well done.”

-Donna Dorans, Positive Dementia Care Services

“You only get one chance to make a first impression, and today that first impression is frequently a website , business card or brochure.  Allison’s creativity, passion for design and customer focus make her the ideal resource for all your marketing materials.  Allison takes the time to really get to know a client.  Where some web designers have a cookie-cutter,  “plug and play” approach,  Allison reflects a client’s individuality through true custom design.   I have had many compliments on the website Allison did for me and would highly recommend her!”

-Susan Kelley, MBA, EA

In 2010, our team was Lulu’s Pie Diner (a play on the movie Waitress, if you haven’t seen it).  We did a bake sale fundraiser, and with all of our efforts raised over $1,000 for the American Cancer Society.  For the upcoming event, we decided to change our team name to something that would have staying power, and wouldn’t be so dependent on a theme.  There were many painful hours of brainstorming, and some hilarious suggestions (Broccoli Walklie, anyone?). The final decision?  Drumroll please…

Creative Allies.

The name has dual meanings (we are no way excluding people who don’t think of themselves as creative!). So first the obvious; many of the people who are participating in our team are creative professionals and artists.  Beyond that- cancer is a destructive disease.  It breaks people down physically and emotionally.  Creation is the opposite of destruction.  We are walking to build people up.  On site we will have creation stations- with activities such as origami and drawing.

I created a logo for the team (you weren’t surprised, were you?)  The new logo will be featured on a vinyl banner and tshirts.  Keeping my fingers crossed, I want to win the tshirt contest this year!  (Last year my tshirt design was disqualified because it was so professional they thought it was a corporate sponsored team.  I don’t know whether to be upset or flettered.)

T shirts are available for $15 plus shipping, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the American Cancer Society.  If you’d like to order a Creative Allies T shirt, please contact me with your name, size, and mailing address.

If you’d like to donate directly to the American Cancer Society, click here to be brought to the Creative Allies team page.

Because Donna was just starting out, we decided to begin at the beginning and develop a logo.  The word positive gave me many wonderful ideas.  Here’s a look at some of my original mock ups.

As you can see, at the very beginning I was all about the mathematical and scientific definitions of the word positive.  I liked the way that these looked, but felt like I wasn’t quite there yet.  Donna was looking for a look that was welcoming and comforting, and these concepts were a little too stark.  Back to the drawing board.  This is the result.

At the last second, I had divine inspiration.  I was glancing at the vision board I had created earlier this year, and in big print it says “Sunshine State of Mind”.  What a wonderful visual for positivity- sunshine!  Purple seemed to be the natural choice, as it is the ribbon color for Alzheimer’s awareness.

After the logo was created, we went on to create other brand materials, like this trifold brochure.  The inside features a photograph of Donna and her grandmother, taken by the fabulous Suzanne Larocque of Sleaque Images Photography.

Are you building a new business?  I love working with start ups.  Send me an email, and we’ll get this party started.

Creativity is all about coming up with new ideas. It’s about seeing, experiencing, and savoring the world around you. It is a way of life.

The Born Creative workshop series will be starting on March 4, 2010.  This 4 week course aims to help people reconnect with their life through creativity and curiousity.  Even for those of you that say you’re not creative.  Especially for those of you that say you’re not creative.

Take a stroll on over to the Born Creative Facebook Fan Page.  Once you’re there, become a fan!  You won’t just get boring old updates about the course (because the course is fun and exciting!), but also fascinating information on how people are using creativity in ways that you never imagined.

Below you’ll find a list of the workshop descriptions, and all the necessary details.  If you know someone in the Western MA area that would be interested in being happier and more effective in their career (isn’t that everyone you know?) then forward on the details!

Schedule

Thursday, March 4 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Overcoming Obstacles to Creativity
In this class we redefine creativity, conquer old stories and beliefs, bust through creative roadblocks, learn to trust our ideas, and grow through play.

Thursday, March 11 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Developing Awareness
Learn valuable techniques to help you become
more mindful in your everyday life, and how paying
attention and being an active learner can increase your joy and creativity.

Thursday, March 18 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Gaining New Perspective
Begin to see different possibilities and points of view. Understand how looking at things from a new angle
can aid in generating new ideas and in building and maintaining relationships.

Thursday, March 25 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Creative Problemsolving
Creativity isn’t just for artists. Pick up new
brainstorming strategies to assist with challenges at
home, and in the workplace.

Pricing

Classes are available in a 4 week package for $100,
and can also be purchased individually for $25*.
All prices include materials.
Please call to reserve your space.
Limited seats are available.

*we recommend the package plan (like people, the classes work better together!)

To sign up for this workshop series, simply send me an email at BornCreativeWorkshops@gmail.com.

Payment will be accepted through Paypal, cash, or check.

On Friday, February 18th, I will be participating in a roundtable discussion at the Womens Business Owners Alliance monthly breakfast meeting.  My ten minute workshop is entitled “Finding Your Business Identity.”  As a graphic designer, I have had many potential clients come to me for logo and branding design, but had no idea what message they wanted to send their customers.  I will go over the important questions every business owner should ask themselves before developing their brand, and the most effective ways to express these ideas.

I will be joined with four other experts in this roundtable, each sharing valuable knowledge in their field.  Take a look at the program below.  For more information on attending, visit the WBOA website at www.WBOA.org.

February 18, 2009 – 7:45 – 9:30am
Holiday Inn at Ingleside, Holyoke, MA
$15 in advance, $18 at the door

Susan Kelley: Is It Deductible? A Savvy Businesswoman’s Guide to Tax Planning
· How to set up your business so the IRS treats it as a qualifying business for tax breaks.
· What you need to survive IRS scrutiny of your deductions
· Claiming a home office – red flag or legitimated deduction?
· Why hiring your spouse or child may be a good idea, and how to do it legitimately
· Maximizing tax savings through individual 401ks

Allison Biggs: Finding Your Business Identity
• Learn important questions you should ask yourself before developing your business’s logo and brand
• Find out what you are saying about your business without words
• Gain useful tips on how to convey an effective and professional message

Gena Rotas: Branding… How Will the World Know You
· A brand is a collection of perceptions in the mind of the consumer.
· A brand is an intangible asset
· A brand is defined by your customer
· Advertising influences people’s perception of the products and services offered and thus helps define a brand.

Marie Sheedy: De-Clutter, De-Stress
· What is clutter?
· How does clutter affect your brain?
· What can be done about clutter?
· How can “sweeping” improve your life?

Amy Greenbaum: Integrity and Self Image
· Meaning of inegrity and its general sense
· Having the lack of integrity for ourselves
· The affects of lack of integrity
· Enhancing our own self worth