_chelsearedd

I like really love starting projects. Can you tell? But this project is a big one, one that will take most likely the entire year of 2017 to reach it's full potential. I'll need friends, partners, and possibly a kick-starter... The best part about this project is that I get to empower other creatives while also empowering myself. One of the things I see across my social media, and one of the things I've noticed I face myself, is that creatives need other creatives to get most projects off the ground. Whether it be a critique or a partner, creatives are constantly searching for the "other half" of a great idea. Writers need Illustrators. Musicians need Videographers. Photographers need Graphic Designers. The list goes on and on. In it's early stages (like right now) Maker Mashup exits solely as a Facebook group and its parent page . Bringing creatives together in a more chaotic place than I'd refer, but everything has to start somewhere. B...

I want to take a minute to explain why people my age are not in my inspiration pool. First, it has nothing to do with them and everything to do with me. This year is a year of learning how to properly express emotions. As odd as it sounds, there are quite a few I'm not very good at. Happiness for others, especially for people my age for example, comes out in the form of the big green monster. I'm talking about jealousy. I suffer with it pretty greatly and confronting it here where everyone will now know is a little scary. But what's a step forward in the dark. Right? The whole "everyone has their path" theory infuriates me although I know it to be true. Our backgrounds and personalities lead us all to different jobs, homes, cars, friends, and talents. Alas though, my clear understanding of the theory doesn't mean I'm able to quell "it"  from coming out. Now the monster's level of ferocity varies from person to person. From family...

2016 Eisner Award Winning "Paper Girls" So what you probably can't tell from my absence is that I've been secretly working on "Project Motivation". I talk a lot about making lists, getting things done, and tackling personal projects; as well as being tired, worn out, and just plain not in the mood. All the while "Project Motivation" has been a go. Christmas was the best time to really put things into action. I got the whole week off from work which was much needed to recharge and focus on things I really wanted to do. I spent time with family, my boyfriend, and my fur babies and recently finally went shopping. Getting mostly things to change my living space up including a new desk and trinkets to draw me back into drawing and designing. I grabbed a graphic novel I've been wanting to start and fun bits and bobs. The major bits of "Project Motivation" have been set into motion or completed. Create a Workspace Create/Upd...

In a nutshell, I'm tired. And not the you're not getting enough sleep kind or the you're working too hard kind. If anything I'm not working hard enough! No, this tired is perpetual. Some days are better than others, but all in all I've realized I'm just a "Sleepy" type. With this realization I came to the conclusion that it's ok to be tried. Young adults get a lot of crap from "certified" adults about being tired. Like we don't work as hard or do as much, therefore our tired to them just sounds like lazy. Millennials are easily one of the hardest working age groups although it's not necessarily documented/paycheck type of work. We are the kings and queens of side hustles and personal projects. We refuse to work jobs we dislike and usually end up forming fruitful work environments for ourselves and our friends. We're bloggers, artists, podcasters, DJs, photographers, fashion designers and the list goes on. We work ...

My last hiatus was long and much needed. Feeling ALL the feels, getting sick, working on side projects, and just being completely exhausted in general kept me from thinking straight enough to form sentences; let alone a blog post. The hiatus was initially kicked off by the beginning of election season and all the horrific stuff that seemed to follow. 2016 has been a pretty gross year and I think everyone is just ready for January. Even as I tried to think of things to update you on I found it hard to maneuver around the stuff that sucks. But I did it. I've been ignoring ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to do with the election. And not just the presidential election. In my hometown of Baltimore, even local elections are smothered in controversy and sheer stupidity. Corrupt politicians trying to run again and young newcomers claiming they know how to fix everything. Don't even get me started on the presidential election. I know who I'm voting for and that's all that matte...

I've narrowed my search range for inspiration by a lot. If you haven't noticed, I haven't been posting. As I stated in my last update it's a struggle to not be influenced by so much negativity when that's all there is these days. I could bore you with my adventures in the nerd-verse but I'd rather not... So instead what I've decided to do this next week is attempt to educate. I don't know a lot about certain topics but I'm willing to study and make sure I cover things with accuracy. Once a light is shined on certain situations, people who were ignorant can see them differently. This recently happened to me and it felt good to have my eyes opened, even though I felt a little like a fool. My education and upbringing does not mean I know more or less; it just means I know different. What I'm trying to say is that I'm tired of running head first into the ignorance of educated people. We suffer from a disease that makes us feel like w...

I've been trying to get away from all the negativity I see online these days. Although I haven't completely purged all technology yet, I have been debating it. Negativity isn't the only thing bothering me lately. I already care too much about what people think, and social media is not helping. Everywhere I turn people are crying for attention. There is no more actual CONTENT in the world anymore. And it's making me so mad. My Instagram feed is full of shallow females, pompous males, politics, and crappy brands. I literally shake with the want to punch the next person I see in the face. My blog content is being affected as well. With such a crappy mood and all signs pointing to such horrible things on the internet; I can't seem to pinpoint a topic that isn't around people dying, racism, hatred, or bickering over petty games and ideas. Detoxing the negative-nancy's, trolls, and instigators in my digital life might help. I'm avoiding the follow...

Miss me? My hiatus was much needed and very refreshing. Even though I didn't cover everything I wanted to... I did manage to get some stuff done and have some meaningful revelations. New Pets - My first pet and first cat, Oliver, passed about 2-3 weeks ago. It was very painful for me as I felt as though I could have or should have done something. At 4 years I felt like it was way too soon. But there is only so much I am in a position to do for a pet. I have since been blessed with two black fur-balls of love that remind me of him everyday. New Job - I landed a new job almost completely by accident and it made me feel as though the universe was really looking out for me on this one. MaddGear Pro Sports reached out into the world when they were ready to bring on a Jr. Designer when they found me on Indeed. Take that LinkedIn! After one really chill interview I was told I'd be joining their team. At a time where the global office will be moved from China to the US the offi...

I hinted really heavy at this in the last update. Given I also promised a few posts before the next one – but anyway ... In short, my blogger mojo is gone. And in shorter, my life needs me. My interests lately have just moved to other projects and I can't seem to focus on writing good posts with meaningful content when my mind is someplace else. I plan to be back to posting by July 4. See you then.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT GOING ON. My complete lack of posts in the last week is directly related to what has been happening in my life. "An Unfortunate series of Events" is the best way to put it all together. It was a confusing mix of sad and happy times that demanded the full extent of my attention. I suffered several loses including my great grandmother, a classmate, and one of my cats. I took the time to cancel and start new projects, invite new pets into my home, and manage to smile despite so many negative happenings around me. It's also been hard to focus through how many horrible things the Media keeps throwing out into the world. And please excuse me but I've decided to keep my position on such matters to myself.  In a nutshell mu mind is elsewhere when I should be making time and brain-space for this blog. I've prepared two more posts for this week but otherwise I still haven't managed to really get back my energy. At least you'll hear f...

I actually haven't been up to much in particular. At least, not enough to really explain away my absence for the past week and half.  In truth, my routine fell apart. I lost all control of my schedule and my health so it took it's toll. Staying up late to game, stressing over work and bills, and somewhat losing the want to create hurt my sleeping patterns which triggered migraines. A chronic ailment I've usually managed to keep under wraps with proper sleep and eating habits.  Today is the first day I've felt pretty good and can reflect back on what I did manage to accomplish in the past few days.       I got to feel old and really proud as I saw two of my younger cousins off to prom and attended one of their graduations from my own Alma Mater. It was a graduation filled with 160 years of tradition with white dresses and a dozen red roses. It was very nostalgic and emotional for me and I'm very proud of both them. I've also slowly tried ...

I've been accomplishing a lot lately. Literally full steam ahead for the past month or so and I can say that it has paid off. My Twitter following is on the rise, as is that of this blog. With so many projects rolling along nicely my first flop hit me pretty hard about a week ago. Please allow me to step into my other self. The me that loves  anime, manga, and comics.  One of my side projects has been to bring a little taste of real life into what I experience among friends that also enjoy my nerdy indulgences and at conventions. My Facebook page and eventual channel " EchoTV " was to debut with a panel on diversity in cosplay at Otakon 2016; the convention's last year in my home town. When the convention emailed to tell me my panel application for "Cosplaying While Black" was denied, I was angry and wanted an explanation. (One I have yet to receive) In my rejection letter they basically say that they didn't properly go through all submissions ...

The long awaited, once skipped, update #14! Which is not very exciting... Since my post last week about sleep I have had very little of it myself. I've bought several candles, oils, and tried many techniques. Even on the nights were I did sleep pretty soundly, that refreshed feeling only lasted but so long. Besides that I actually haven't been up to much. I've been mostly at a standstill as I try to get submissions for "Always Late" and plan my next few posts. I have otherwise chunked down most of my side projects and once I'm rested I can jump back into blogging and trying techniques to get new follows. I will do what I can to kick the dreaded Hiatus Bug. But no promises...

Trying to up my reader traffic and my follower numbers has me severely in the dumps this week. I've been looking at other blogs and reading through as many articles as I can to figure out what I'm doing wrong only to find out I'm not wrong. I'm just talking to a small group of people. This was still enough to really upset me. These posts and articles were basically telling me that because I don't talk makeup, food, interiors, fashion, and anything else not quite as important to me, people don't care. I am very adamant on trying to prove this wrong. I will not sell out to have a popular blog. I feel as though being there to share my experiences and suggest good practices for living comfortably and happily as a young adult is more important than me chiming in on make-up trends and telling you how to dress or take care of your hair. I know and follow several beauty and hair bloggers and their following baffles me. They are great at what they do, ...

I am learning to take life as it is. Mostly because I've come to understand that certain situations and scenarios will come as they please. You have to go through life with some pep in your step an your head held high. Since my last update a lot of things were packed into each day both good and bad. The greatest thing being that I turned 24 on Monday! The worst thing being someone hit Victor (my car) and kept going. Over the course of the last seven days I have noticed how different of a person I am since my last birthday. I have a drive now that I didn't have before; and with that drive I'm feeling the real joy that comes with finishing a project or taking big steps toward the future. Rather than stressing about what the next day will bring (or how much money it'll bring), I'm excited about the opportunity to start something new. Nothing is more freeing that taking life one day at a time. You can't plan for everything and you can't win them al...

Happy Humpday! Halfway through another week and powering through it. Lot's of interesting projects and posts keeping me busy and energized while I await my 24th. Five days until my birthday people and I have no clue what to do with myself.  p.s. mail me awesome/funny stickers for my birthday if you love me. email for my address. A big part of my last week has been facing change. But all good things change and only boring things stay the same as far as I'm concerned. So I've been handling it all with the grace and dignity a nerd like myself can muster. My creative spark is back. I haven't felt so ready to dive into projects for a long time and I owe it to my high level of courage and confidence that came with putting myself out there with this blog. Getting to share my thoughts and ideas has allowed me to want to share more thoughts and ideas than ever! I am still working on my YouTube channel (for the nerdier side of my life), issue #1 of my zine "Al...

Photo Credit: Dominic Nell Happy Humpday all! This week so far has been pretty insane as I continue to juggle several side projects and work at the same time. Between this blog, the YouTube Channel, the Zine, and a possible graphic Novel, my hands are so full. But the highlight up until this update was my Sunday with the BaltimoreGirls . It was an intense event for me. I was in a room full of one of the scariest groups of people I'd care to be around; women. I knew no one, I misread the event, and felt completely out of place for the entire two hours I spent sitting in a chair. I was an outsider, and as a "county girl" whose idea of "city culture" differs vastly from those of the women in the room; I was so nervous I gave myself a migraine and had to leave. ( that and I made the mistake of thinking it was really a 2pm-4pm event and didn't eat... ) These women, to me, were the grown versions of the city girls at camp, school, and church who bullied...

Does anyone else find it highly annoying when you make plans to be productive and instead spend your time moping and binge-watching Archer? I do. Having a three day weekend for easter was supposed to be functional and full of energy. Instead of sticking to my guns I found myself doing nothing productive. I have a huge project I want to get off the ground and I've hardly started on it. I did clean and rearrange my apartment a bit so the weekend wasn't a complete waste. But here we are on Wednesday, feeling like a Monday, and I have nothing to show. My new plans resolve around unifying this blog. I managed to do at least that starting this past Monday. New layout, and a slow rolling in of more unified imagery for my posts. Trying to sell a discontinued DSLR to get a small body mirrorless for post images and everyday use. But I guess before I start shuttering away I should plan on leaving the comfort of my bed and Netflix more often... Jeez.

Happy Humpday Duckies! I don't know what's going on with me and ducks this week... Actually not a whole lot to cover as far as updates go. I've still been focusing on that whole "creative space" thing from three weeks ago. It's a slow process but is fun and interesting none the less. I'm attempting to cut out television (Netflix)  starting today up to my next update. I seriously doubt I'll make it since I have a three day weekend but we'll see. I'll be dedicating myself to my record player and my sketchbooks. The goal of this? Finish all the artwork for my Zine before moving onto the written pieces. And yes I'm working on a Zine! Which is just fancy words for a small art book. I do plan on it being a several issue project, and I'll include other artists as I gain momentum. Hopefully next week I'll have some artwork to show you. Until then! Enjoy the next week!

I've jumped in. There are so many things that hold women back from doing, saying, and wearing things they enjoy simply because the backlash that will follow is too much to handle. The same can even be said for me. There are things one grows up hearing and seeing that makes us feel as though certain activities and idea's are untouchable. As of last weekend I signed up for, and thoroughly enjoyed, my first pole fitness and acrobatics class. I went into it completely tense and scared. There is a stigma even around the word "pole" alone, let alone when you add "dance" or even replace it with "fitness". I found myself googling moves, and videos, and found that the stigma is even present within this exotic new world i'm in as some dancers shun strippers all together and that in competition (yes they compete) strippers are barred from entering. Besides this, videos focused on power and technique, not being sexy. Most women who do it...