For creative types, hearing the words “discipline” or “structure” can make you hesitant. After all, many artistic personalities thrive in uncontrolled environments, right?

You may do some of your best creative DIY and crafting work when the mood strikes, but staying true to yourself doesn’t mean you should totally disregard organization, either. A daily agenda is a powerful tool you can use to build your creative business beyond your wildest expectations.

Here’s how to craft a daily agenda that will help you meet your goals as a Maker — and still be respectful of your creative process.

WRITE A TO-DO LIST FIRST

To create an actionable daily agenda, first, write down everything you need to accomplish for the day. Anything business-related, personal errands, big tasks, and small tasks. Once you’ve written everything down you’ll notice that your responsibilities typically fall into three categories: people, places, and priorities. Then, determine which tasks are the most important or demanding. Which ones absolutely must get done? Which will take total focus and concentration?

ASSIGN TASKS TO TIME SLOTS

You’ll then start assigning tasks to time slots. Before you start choosing tasks, be sure to start your day with a little personal time. Take fifteen minutes, half an hour, or an hour to spend time on your well-being. During this time you may choose to meditate, read, pray, journal, or exercise. Or perhaps your personal time is spent cooking a nutritious breakfast and eating it mindfully with a cup of coffee. Whatever you choose to do during your alone time, you’ll be able to tackle the rest of your day with energy and a clear mind.

Now that you have your personal time on your agenda, you can start adding tasks. Begin with your most demanding or high-priority tasks first. Studies have shown that our brain function peaks in those first hours after waking, so it’s best to get those tasks done early in the day. If you have meetings scheduled for specific hour blocks, add those in next. Then, place your more flexible tasks in spots where they make the most sense.

TWEAK YOUR DAILY AGENDA IF NEEDED

Once you have your day planned out, look it over again. Are there tasks that would fit better on a different day’s agenda? Move it to that day instead! Are you afraid you haven’t blocked out enough time for a bigger task? Shuffle things around to give yourself more time. Know your limits and accept your habits. If you know you start feeling drained around 2 to 3 pm, schedule easier tasks for that period. Pencil in a short break so you can go for a walk to re-energize. Never be afraid to be choosy with your agenda.

And of course, schedule some downtime and playtime for yourself when you need it. When you’ve already allotted time to tackle your big important tasks, you won’t feel guilty spending a little time playing creatively or relaxing. Everything is accounted for.

If you aren’t consciously choosing your steps, your steps are choosing for you. Living life without structure seems fun, but it can grow into aimlessness and boredom quickly. A daily agenda can help you live with intention, spend your time efficiently, and meet your goals. With a little discipline and self-awareness, not one hour of your day is wasted.

XO, Amy Howard

Calendars are necessary if you want to keep your family on schedule, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with pinning something unattractive on the wall or creating a scheduling binder from scratch! Instead, make your own customized calendar with an old frame and some Rescue Restore Paint. In this fun Maker Monday video, Amy Howard walks you through how to create your own one-of-a-kind chalkboard calendar using A Makers’ Studio’s new Chalkboard Calendar Bundle. Once you’ve got the tools you need, you can check out the Maker Monday video below to start crafting: 

MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED

For this chalkboard calendar project, you’ll need the following items, all of which you can find in the Chalkboard Calendar Bundle:

• Peace and Joy ChalkArt™
• Gathered Rescue Restore Paint (2oz)
• Little Black Dress Rescue Restore Paint
• Calendar stencil
• Sponge brush
• Spreader

You’ll also need a frame in whatever size and material you prefer (the bigger the better, though)! Also, don’t forget the chalk.

CREATE A CUSTOM CHALKBOARD CALENDAR WITH AMY

1. Take your frame apart by removing the backing and the glass.
2. Paint the backing of your frame with Little Black Dress Rescue Restore Paint and allow it to dry.
3. Cut the days of the week and month you want to use out of the calendar stencil. Before you apply paint to your stencils, decide where you want them to go, as this will determine where you place your lines.
4. Cut out the line stencils on the right side of your stencil sheet, making sure to cut only the line closest to the other stencils. Then, lay the stencil down to do your first line horizontally (across) your backing. Apply Peace and Joy ChalkArt™ with your spreader. Continue this until your line is finished, washing your stencil when needed.
5. Lay your vertical line and repeat Step 4. Then continue the horizontal lines that will separate your days of the week, completing the grid.
6. Stencil in your days of the week in their designated “boxes” with Peace and Joy ChalkArt™, and then add your month at the top.
7. Season your calendar by turning your chalk sideways and rubbing it across the backing of your frame. Then, your chalkboard is ready to use!
8. Optional: Paint your frame or dry brush it using the Gathered Rescue Restore Paint. Let the paint dry and then put your frame back together.

In no time at all, you’ve got an adorable chalkboard calendar you can wipe clean and re-customize each week or month! Best of all, it’s a one-of-a-kind calendar you can’t find anywhere else.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE MAKER MONDAYS

Whether you’re a day-jobber with a crafting side hustle or crafting and making is your full-time business, it can be hard to commit to doing what you love every day. But the truth is, changing jobs, coming up with a new idea for a side business, or avoiding committing to your specialty within your Maker business are all signs that you haven’t really found your strengths yet.

If we want to have successful lives, and to truly live (and work) with purpose, we have to focus on the work that makes us feel valuable and satisfied. So how do we do that?

GET HONEST WITH YOURSELF

While we talk about being honest with ourselves and acknowledging that our dreams are to be a creative entrepreneur, we often don’t share that dream or commit to it. We also don’t show the full extent of our excitement or interest in our craft. Why? Because we think it sounds silly, or because we don’t want to jinx it.

But we crave purpose, and for some of us, crafting and making is our purpose. That’s why committing to what you want to do, and getting clear on what you want to do, is the best way to build a thriving creative business and a happy life. This honesty will allow you to pursue what makes you feel most fulfilled, and that’s something that will keep you coming back day after day, year after year. But to get honest with yourself, you have to know which questions to ask.

FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS

According to Susan Sorenson, a writer for Gallup.com, “The best way for people to grow and develop is to identify how they most naturally think, feel, and behave — their talents — then build on those talents to create strengths, or the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance.”

When it comes to your creative business or interests, what are your greatest strengths? Do you have a special knack for teaching people how to create their own artwork, or can you create DIY décor comparable to what’s sold in trendy boutiques? Also ask yourself: What are you more passionate about than anything else in the world? Do you get worked up talking about different paint brushes and tools, or could you talk all day about DIY products? The answers are limitless, but they’re usually the first thing that pops into your head after you ask the question, so don’t overthink it.

In these two answers lie what you need to make a truly successful Maker business that you’re fulfilled and sustained by. You don’t have to leave crafting to be a weekend hobby; it can be front and center in your life — and just think how much happier that would make you!

You can pair your strengths, those things that you’re better at than others may be, and your passions, those things you can talk about until you’re blue in the face. Once they’re paired, you have an unstoppable foundation that will help you differentiate your Maker business, as well as fuel your in the process.

So what can you do to get clear on those strengths and passions?

GET CLEAR ON WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT

Answer the questions below to get an idea of your strengths and passions, and how you can combine those to create a stronger, more successful, more fulfilling Maker business.

1. What am I most gifted at?
2. What about me stands out to the people around me?
3. Where do I thrive that is different from most?
4. What value drives me more than anything else in the world?
5. What do I find myself thinking about more often than anything else?
6. When I have free time, what work do I gravitate towards?

Don’t shy away from being honest with yourself about where your current position aligns with your purpose, or where you really want to be in your heart of hearts. Remember, too, that our dreams always seem bigger than we are in the beginning. The answer to all those rising fears is to start with persistent and measurable steps and to remember why you started by keeping in mind those passions and strengths you just listed.

What’s more elegant and classy than etched glass? Plain glass can get a whole new look with a simple etching application, which is why we created something new for Maker Monday: The All Things Etching Bundle. In the bundle, you get A Makers’ Studio Etching Cream, a stencil, and an artist brush that you need to take glass from dull to decorative.

Don’t know what glass etching is? Etching is a process of essentially “eating away” at glass to wear it down to a flatter, less translucent material. Glass etching cream is permanent and dishwasher, microwave, and food-safe. Glass etching works on anything made from glass, including Pyrex dishes, plates, cups, vases, champagne flutes, serving dishes, mirrors, and more.

If you want to learn how to etch glass with beautiful quotes, monograms, or even decorative designs, this episode of Maker Monday (and our All Things Etching Bundle!) is for you:

MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED

The All Things Etching Bundle, which includes:

• Etching Cream
• Be Still stencil
• Artist brush

You’ll also need a glass surface of your choice, whether it’s a vase, a plate, or something else!

HOW TO ETCH GLASS WITH ALL THINGS ETCHING BUNDLE

Lay your stencil on your glass surface, paying close attention to how well your stencil sticks. Feel free to use tape if you’re worried about etching on the edge of your stencil, too. Shake your etching cream really well, as it does settle over time. Then, dip your stiff artist’s brush into the etching cream and paint it on very thick. You may need to apply the etching cream multiple times to get thicker layers on your stencil, even up to 1/8th of an inch! Also be careful to not get etching cream anywhere but on your stencil, as it will leave etching marks wherever it touches. The more you agitate your etching cream with your brush, it will break down the glass faster and make your stencil transfer much more successful. Leave the cream on for 3 to 5 minutes, then pull your stencil off. Make sure to wash your stencil and artist brush with soap and water, then they can be used for another etching project!

Your new glass design is also ready to use in 45 minutes to an hour. Pretty simple, huh?

MORE FROM MAKER MONDAYS

Etching gives glass such a classy, high-end look. Etch virtually any glass surface with this etching cream, whether it’s for your home or for a gift. Because it’s such a simple technique, you can do this as a quick addition to your potluck dishes, before delivering flowers in a glass vase, or personalizing glasses for a party! The options are endless, so get creative and share your ideas with us.

Wall art is about more than filling space or matching your existing decor. It should also be about filling your home (or office) with things that lift you up. That’s why we love this Reminder of Hope wall art project. Using plaster, ChalkArt™, and some beautiful stencils, you can create a one-of-a-kind message that reminds you to always keep the faith.

MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED

• 10x10 surface
• Rescue Restore Paint in Gathered (2oz)
• Cute As A Button ChalkArt™ 
• Can't Never Could ChalkArt™ 
• Venetian Plaster
• Hope Faith stencil
• Spreader (2)

You will also need a small spray bottle, scissors, a bowl, and a spoon. To see how Amy Howard herself recommends creating this wall art, make sure to watch this week’s Maker Monday video:

CREATING YOUR TEXTURED WALL ART

1. Mix your plaster with water, using 2 parts plaster to 3 parts water. You want it to be the consistency of thicker sour cream.

2. Once your plaster is properly mixed, use your spreader to apply a thin coat of plaster to your surface. Also apply consistently, scraping the excess as you go. Allow it to dry.

3. Cut one spreader into 3 parts.

4. Spray your dried plaster surface with a little bit of water.

5. Using one spreader, apply your Cute As A Button ChalkArt™ in different sections of your board. The water will make it easier to pull the chalk paint across the plaster, as well as leave an authentic, aged appearance.

6. Overlay plaster on the chalk paint, moving your spreader (loaded with the plaster) lightly up and down and from side to side. Continue to add plaster until you only get a small peek-through of the Cute As A Button blue paint.

7. Next, lay in Can't Never Could ChalkArt™ and repeat Steps 5 and 6. Apply this layer only in small, choppy strokes — do not cover the entire surface. This paint will dry very light, but you don’t want a lot of it.

8. Using your third spreader, apply the Gathered Rescue Restore paint lightly to your surface. Use this paint layer to blend the gray, blue, and plaster, making sure to apply as thin as possible and to leave negative space (with no Rescue Restore paint).

9. Continue to add colors and plaster until you are satisfied.

10. Once all the layers of plaster and paint are completely dry, cut the Hope Faith stencil and lay it on your surface in the lower right quadrant. Then, paint the “Hope” text using the Can't Never Could ChalkArt™ using a clean spreader.

11. Remove the stencil, wash it and lay flat to dry.

Of course, Amy shares a ton of tips and extra insights on this project, so make sure to tune into the Maker Monday video below.

If you want more great tips like this, and want to keep learning how to make the most of your Maker Monday kits, follow us on Facebook. Then, tune in on Mondays at 10am Central for these fun tutorials!

We’re looking forward to crafting a beautiful life with you.

Your home is a place where you feel most comfortable, safe, and loved. What better way to tell that to your guests than with a sign that says “Love Grows Here”? This week on our Maker Monday on Facebook, Amy is showing Makers how to create a lovely piece for your home or loved ones. This artwork makes the perfect housewarming project, whether for yourself or someone else!

MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED

• 10x10 wood surface
• English Walnut Gel Stain
• Peace and Joy ChalkArt™
• Metallic Gold ChalkArt™
• Love stencil (sold out)
• Alphabet stencil
• French Script stencil
• Sponge brush
• Artist brush
• Spreader

You will also need printer paper, scissors, and a hot glue gun.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR “LOVE GROWS HERE” SIGN

1. Apply the English Walnut Gel Stain to your surface with your sponge brush, using consistent strokes. Allow it to dry.

2. While your gel stain dries, apply the French Script stencil on blank printer paper and paint the stencil with the Metallic Gold ChalkArt™ using the spreader in your kit. Clean your spreader and allow the paper to dry.

3. Lay the “Love” portion of your stencil about three-quarters of the way down on your board, allowing room above for your flowers. Apply the Peace And Joy ChalkArt™ with your spreader, then remove the stencil. Wash it and lay flat to dry.

4. With your artist brush and the Peace and Joy ChalkArt™, freehand a string in the top third of your board. This “string” will hold your flowers.

5. Use the Alphabet stencil to stencil the words "grows here" underneath the word "love."

6. Cut circles out of the paper with the French script on it. Then cut the circle into a spiral. Roll up the paper from the inside edge to create a flower. Once you have your flower shaped, use your hot glue gun to glue the flower to your board.

7. For the other flower, cut out petal shapes and then cut a slit in the bottom of each “petal” so you can connect them. Once your flower petals are connected, glue the edges together and hot glue it to your board.

Of course, if you want more of Amy’s tips and tricks, tune into the Maker Monday video, which is recorded on our Facebook page.

MORE FROM MAKER MONDAYS

Don’t forget to watch Maker Monday on our Facebook page every Monday at 10am Central. Amy will be there each week to give you tips on your next kit or Maker project, so “Like” and follow us so you can see her!

We’re looking forward to crafting a beautiful life with you.

This week on Maker Monday, Amy is showing us how to create our very own feather art using the Feather Art Fun Maker Monday Kit. Check out the video on Facebook and follow this step-by-step tutorial to create a feathery piece of art that will give your décor wings!

What You’ll Need

Feather Fun Art DIY Kit, which includes:

• Watercolor paper
• Well, I Declare Gel Art Ink
• Hush Your Mouth Gel Art Ink
• Blessed Rescue Restore Paint
• New Baby 9x12 stencil
• Spreader
• Sponge brush
• Artist brush

Other materials you may need (or want):

• An old frame with a mat to repaint
• Gilding Size
• Gold Leaf

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN FEATHER ART

If you choose to use a store-bought or already-finished frame, skip Steps 1 and 2.

1. Take your frame apart and paint the frame with your Blessed Rescue Restore Paint, making sure to get consistent coverage with a sponge or chip brush.
2. Paint the inside bevel or outside lip of your frame’s mat with Hush Your Mouth Gel Art Ink. Make sure to water it down with one part water, one part paint for a beautiful watercolor layer. Set both the frame and mat aside to dry while you work on your feather art.
3. Place the feather stencil on your watercolor paper where you would like it.
4. Apply Hush Your Mouth Gel Art Ink to sections of the feather stencil with your spreader. Do not cover the whole stencil, as you’ll be filling in the rest with the other Gel Art Ink color. 

5. Apply Well, I Declare Gel Art Ink to the remaining sections of the feather, blending the colors together to completely fill in the stencil. Let both layers of Gel Art Ink fully dry before moving on.

6. If you want to add Gold Leaf to your feather art, apply Gilding Size to a few accent areas on your (fully dry) feather. Allow the Gilding Size to come to tack, meaning oily and slightly sticky, but not wet. Then, lay down a section of your Gold Leaf on to your feather. Using a dry chip brush, flake away extra Gold Leaf.

7. Cut down your watercolor paper to fit your frame and mat. Then, attach your finished watercolor feathers to the back of the mat and place everything back into the frame.

Look at that beautiful work of art! With the help of this Maker Monday DIY kit, you’ll have a lovely feather painting (and frame) to show off in less 2 hours. If you want more step-by-step directions or you like following along as Amy works, check out this week’s Maker Monday video below.

If you want to see more easy tutorials and learn more about how to make the most of your Maker Monday project, tune in every Monday at 10am. Follow our Facebook page to get notified when we go live!

We all love super cute monogrammed tote bags, the ones that make a statement and can be used for virtually anything. But they cost so much more if you buy one from the store or a custom online shop… not to mention searching high and low for your perfect monogram design! We think everyone should be able to have a beautiful monogrammed tote bag, so today we’re sharing this fun and simple DIY monogrammed tote bag project.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR YOUR DIY MONOGRAMMED TOTE BAG

• Your favorite 2 oz. Rescue Restore Paint
• A complimentary 2 oz. Rescue Restore Paint color
• Alphabet Monogram Stencil
• Foam Dome Brush 1.5”
• Masking tape
• A Makers’ Studio canvas tote bag
• Optional: Gold ChalkArt™
• Optional: Gilding Leaf for pineapple stencil*

* Pineapple stencil is included on the Alphabet Monogram stencil

HOW TO MONOGRAM A TOTE BAG

1. Lay your tote flat on a surface, making sure to press out wrinkles or bumps.
2. Choose the monogram for your initials and place them where you want them on the bag.
3. Apply your first Rescue Restore Paint color to the first initial, making sure to apply an even layer to the fabric with your Foam Dome Brush. Let the first letter dry before applying the second and third. Repeat until all three initials are complete.

4. Wash your brush and the stencils, letting them dry thoroughly.

5. When letters are dry, lay out 2 strips of tape vertically across the tote, 1 1/2 inches apart. These vertical lines should align with your monogrammed initials.

6. Next, lay two pieces of tape horizontally across tote to protect the letters. These tape lines will also align with your initials and intersect the vertical tape lines.

7. Use the Foam Dome Brush to apply your second Rescue Restore Paint color to the taped off sections. Remove tape gently and allow to dry thoroughly.

8. Once your first stripe is dry, tape off 2 1/2 inch sections on either side of the middle stripe. Lay 4 pieces of tape vertically and 2 pieces horizontally to protect the middle strip and your monogrammed letters.

9. Use the Foam Dome Brush to apply the same Rescue Restore Paint color you used on your monogram letters. Remove tape immediately after application and allow the paint to dry.

10. Apply the pineapple stencil to the center strip, just above your initials. Use Rescue Restore Paint or Gold ChalkArt™ to paint the pineapple stencil on your tote.

11. Optional: For extra sparkle, you can apply your choice gold, silver, or copper gilding to the paint.

12. Let the paint dry overnight before using your new bag. Then, #enjoythebraggingrights — and a beautiful tote!

Because our Rescue Restore Paint is made with high-quality, natural pigments, you can expect your tote to handle plenty of use. Make one for yourself and all your friends, or apply these same steps to other materials, like lunch bags, pouches, and more. Make sure to take care of your stencils so you can use them again and again.

We want to see you wearing your new DIY monogrammed tote bag, so share it with us! Tag @amakersstudio on Instagram and use #enjoythebraggingrights to make sure we (and your community of fellow Makers) can see your beautiful work!