This week’s ambassador spotlight shines a light on Anna Aspnes of Anna Aspnes Designs. Read on to find out more about Anna, see some of her work, and find out which bluebird chic strap is her personal favorite! (For this week, her pick will be available at a discounted rate in the shop.)
Anna Aspnes creates DigitalART for people who want to create dynamic and effortless art. Her passion is to help you commemorate and honor your life by helping you to flex your creative muscles in a way that is both unique and truly exhilarating. Before she could walk, Anna spent endless hours at a coffee table intent on creating magic with a crayon in hand. Today, she shares this same magic at a different table by creating sophisticated contemporary DigitalART designed to be used by creatives and non-creatives alike. Anna Aspnes offers digital art elements, mentorship and education support at aA Designs. Anna is British native living in Colorado with her husband, 2 children and dogs, enjoying the outdoors whenever possible.
What made you decide to pursue digital art and design?
We are a multi-cultural family with strong military ties. My husband and I come from different parts of the world and have moved a LOT in our lifetime. I was born and raised in England, while he has Norwegian and Chinese heritage. We were expecting our daughter when we moved to Japan on military assignment and wanted to share our growing family across the miles.
Ella’s arrival into our world 15 years ago, unintentionally ignited a passion in capturing moments and telling stories through art and words. Photography and scrapbooking was a means of learning about myself and channeling my need for creativity. Starting my business fulfilled a huge demand for my art, and funded trips home to visit family, which we otherwise could not afford.
What impact do you want your business to have on others?
I want you to understand how fleeting time is, and how much of our lives we forget over the course of time. Photographs and the process of scrapbooking enables us to preserve these moments for future viewing providing proof of a life well lived.
I want you to acknowledge the importance of sharing your life and stories through photos and art. Human evolution is happening faster than ever and your future ancestors will care who you were and what your life looked like. This is an opportunity to document the world you are experiencing today.
I want you feel gratitude for the life you live. Capturing moments and documenting the small anecdotes of our daily lives brings focus to the normal everyday details, and encourages appreciation for what you have, as opposed to what you don’t. Life looks very different through the lens of a camera.
What kind of camera(s) do you own and what role does it play in your life?
I have a Canon 40D with which I like to use with a 50 mm for portraits and an 18-135mm for every day adventures. I also have a 70-200mm Zoom which I used to capture wildlife in our 3 year stay in Alaska, but now comes in handy on the sports field. I have a Wide Angle which comes out on special travel adventure, a Macro for flower wildlife close-ups and a LensBaby 2.0 when I’m feeling in the mood to play.
I use my iPhone 6S for most of my everyday photography, though my camera is often sitting in a central location (usually with the lens cap off) just in case the opportunity strikes. The ‘BIG’ camera also comes out to play if I’m heading somewhere on vacation, attending a special event, or photographing something in my business. The decision always comes down to one question: Does the quality of images outweigh the inconvenience of carrying a larger camera?
How has your business evolved over the years?
Anna Aspnes Designs has evolved from shipping CDs to digital scrapbookers in the early days to offering immediate access downloadable products. I have participated in 3 different scrapbooking communities and stores over the course of 15 years, and now have my own dedicated website which offers inspiration, guidance and an exclusive store dedicated to self-paced digital classes. My business evolves according to customer desire and demand. In the last few years has been focused on connecting with the photographer/memory keeping and mentoring them on how to blend their photos with art.
What advice do you have to other women who are thinking of starting their own businesses?
Think less and do more. You don’t have to know the path in its entirety before you embark on a creativity journey. A detailed plan will reveal itself as you proceed through process.
Be flexibility and listen to what people want. Listen then create to fulfill that need. Strike a balance between creating something that brings you joy and providing a product or service that as desired by your tribe.
Don’t be a dabbler. Creative endeavors often begin with a hobby. When you transition to a business platform the hobby becomes work. Make sure you’re really OK with that, and pursue with full force. Talent and interest can only take you so far. You have to do the work to make the magic happen.
What’s your favorite thing about your bluebird chic strap?
I love bright colors and the gray + orange is a fabulous combination. My favorite thing about the strap though, is the comfort. I am very sensory in terms of what types of clothing and fabric I can wear directly next to my skin. The strap is super soft and very scarf-like making it a fashionable accessory to any outfit.
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This week save 20% on Anna’s ambassador pick! Offer ends 11/12/17
[ click here to shop this style in our shop, on etsy or on amazon handmade ]
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Thanks for sharing with us today Anna and for supporting the bluebird chic brand!
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