SILVER LINING CREATIVE

design | print | media

[silverliningcreative]

I designed some beautifully-worded prints a while back for the super-talented @wonderfulme.com.au For a limited time they are on sale (horrah!) So many wonderful, inspiring words to choose from...check them out on her instafeed 😍

[silverliningcreative]

Fresh off the press ~ gorgeous business cards for a wonderful client . . . . . . #businesscards #bizcards #graphicdesign #design #graphicdesigner #freelancer #business #newcastle #designlove #local #watercolour #pattern #papercraft #offset #freelancelife #art #artist #artstagram #graphics #agency #advertising #stationery

[silverliningcreative]

Mixing watercolour, design and a bit of quirkiness for a few personal projects 💙 #graphicdesign #designer #watercolour #waves #spotthewhale #handdrawn #create #freelance #designagency #newcastle #nsw #australia #workharddreambig

[silverliningcreative]

New website for my pet-loving client @petquarters_oz 🐶🐱 #websitedesign #graphicdesign #branding #freelance #freelancedesigner #advertising #branding #design #petquarters #newcastle #newy #newcastlensw

[silverliningcreative]

Loved designing Sheek's new branding. So clean and on point 🙌 #type #graphicdesign #graphicdesigner #logo #logodesign #branding #freelance #handmade #design #identity #identitydesign #hairdresser #hairsalon #newcastle #brandingdesign

[silverliningcreative]

Working on a love project 💗💜💙💚💚 #graphicdesign #stationery #typography #handlettering #design #art #freelance #freelancedesigner #handmade #handdrawntype #type

[silverliningcreative]

🙌 Thanks to the guys at @smackbangdesigns for my delivery. I can't wait to sit down with a cuppa & get inspired with words by @danielflynn88 #thankyou #thankyouaus #smackbangdesigns #goodread #gettingshitdone #stationery #branding #design #graphicdesign #drsuessquotes

[silverliningcreative]

Wonderful (but oh so cold!) photoshoot yesterday with @the_devinelife for a local catalogue that will be landing in letterboxes in the coming weeks. Photos looking awesome so far 💗 Stay tuned! #Newcastle #nsw #photoshoot #photo #camera #canon #graphicdesign #design #newy #supportlocal #designer #freelance #freelancelife (at Nobbys Beach)

[silverliningcreative]

Ok, so this book has blown me away. 'The Crossroads of Should and Must' is a must-read for those in search of their dreams & those that have a feeling in their gut that they may (or may not) be on the right path. I've read this 3 times now & it keeps getting better. @elleluna you are a genius 🙌 #thecrossroads #thecrossroadsofshouldandmust #followyourpassion #bookinspiration #liveauthentic #livecreatively #designyourlife #choosemust

[silverliningcreative]

A fun little brand to work on! Mitch & Mitch now have a logo to match their beautiful products #logo #logodesign #branding #identity #graphicdesign #graphicdesigner #freelance #newcastle #startup #creative #creativebusiness

[silverliningcreative]

What a glorious, sunny Sunday 🙌 #newcastle #nsw #australia

[silverliningcreative]

Fruit & veg are so much cuter with faces 🙊🍎🍐 #watercolour #drawing #design #graphicdesign #kidsdecor #prints #pencil #sketch #love #cute #illustration #mixedmedia #etsy #designlife #drawingoftheday #newcastle

[silverliningcreative]

I'm a little obsessed with watercolour lately 🎨Handmade watercolour coasters were a fun diy over the weekend #design #watercolour #homedecor #diy #gettingcrafty

[silverliningcreative]

Fresh off the print ✖️ How cute are @petquarters_oz aquarium voucher cards 😍 Cute to the max! . . . . . . . #businesscards #graphicdesign #design #logo #branding #designinspo #freelancework #designer #designinspiration

[silverliningcreative]

It's a jungle out there 🐯🦁 . . . . . . #camouflagefriday #graphicdesign #printonprint #design #flatlay #designinspo #freelancers #friyay

[silverliningcreative]

Working on some beautiful new prints #lovemyjob

[silverliningcreative]

Life of a freelancer (is it all it's cracked up to be?)

Just over a year ago I decided to ditch the 9-5 job and try it in the big bad world for myself. I wanted more flexibility to do what I wanted – work part-time freelancing, take up a bit of study, have time to paint/draw/all those dreams. Has it worked? Yes. Have I been as successful as I thought? Well, how do we define success?

I've come to learn that success comes in so many forms and means so many different things to different people. I had always thought success equalled money, a high-powered job, all that bling... but after working for myself I've come to realise it is so much more than that.

Being truly happy with the life you lead is success. I am in control of my life, and even though the past year hasn't always been the "glamorous" freelance life of sipping coffees in quaint little cafes, it has opened my eyes that if you set out to achieve something, YOU CAN DO IT! Believe in yourself! Anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and late nights in the home office getting through deadlines.

Things I've learned from my past year as a freelancer....

1. Work comes and goes: I never know when (or how much) work i'll be getting. One week i'm snowed under, the next I have more free time than I know what to do with. My advice: roll with it, embrace it, and use the quiet time for personal projects.

2. A supportive family/partner/friend is a must!: I wouldn't of got through the highs and lows without a partner in crime. When i'm busy and have no time for anyone, close family and friends understand. And when it's quiet and i'm having a breakdown "why am I doing this" moment, they are a great shoulder to cry on.

3. Know your value: This is a hard one, but don't undervalue yourself. Talk to other freelancers, be competitive and start feeling comfortable to negotiate your worth.

4. Save for a rainy day: Well, i'm still learning this one, but I can't stress enough that the life of a freelancer needs a bit of money set aside for the rainy days. Take the pressure off yourself, keep a bit aside (and use it for your next well-deserved holiday!)

5. Plan your time: Without fellow colleagues sitting adjacent from you in the office, it can be really easy to procrastinate when you are meant to be working. Guilty as charged! Treat Monday-Friday as your working week, just as a normal job would be (of course, if you want to grab that coffee and chill by the beach, go for it!). Make sure to set times for your jobs, stay focused and commit to finishing your to-do list each day. Netflix and chill comes after the hard work!

Freelancing has been a great lifestyle this past year, and I have certainly enjoyed the freedom. The hard work of chasing deadlines, finding clients, and running it all by yourself certainly gives me the feeling that I can do anything. So for all you peeps out there that want to give it a go, I say go for it! Embrace the rollercoaster, the unknown timetable and the freelance life.