Jay Jasper's Blog, page 8

Free

“Freedom Lies in Being Bold.” A closeup of Athena– Robert FrostWe actively create our
lives through our choices. May we embrace our freedom and
create without limitation.

Harvest

“Autumn Yesterday’s harvest matched The Alchemist’s Studio!is the bite of the harvest apple.” – Christina Petrowsky. whether it be fruit, art, habits or any seeds you have planted,
May your harvest be plentiful!

A Cornucopia In Clay

This Week At The Studio In Photos

A View on the world from here Sunrise at the studio Jupiter and the full moonWith the full moon, The Moon Tarot Mug came for a visit (more mugs here)
$44
Free Shipping Included in the US and Canada
Hens in the meadow eating corn The likely-last beach day. The water was still warm! A bee and snail drinking up life in a late season rose Fungi floats A lovely Sunday morning and end to the weekAnd That’s been the world from here.

How has your week been?

Flower Friday

It’s nearly fall here on
Canada’s east coast

And one of my favourite parts of this time of year are all the flowers, fruit and foliage around the studio, so I wanted to share them with you, my readers!

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.” – Buddha Fungi in bloom Wildflowers in bloom The sun coming up over the chicken run Grapes ready to pick! A few forest flowers are left A wildflower tangle in the meadowDo you have a favourite flower here?

What’s blooming near you Today?

The Night

“The night Hath been to me a more familiar face
Than that of man; Starry Night Vase (sold)and in her starry shade
Of dim and solitary lovelinessI learned the language The Star Tarot Mug
$44
Free Shipping Included in the US and Canada
of another world.”The Moon Tarot Mug
$44
Free Shipping Included in the US and Canada
– LORD BYRONWhat is something that the night has taught you?

More mugs can be viewed here.

If you don’t see one for sale in the colour you like,
please contact us and we can work with you directly.

On The Wheel Wednesday

“Though we may not have reached the heights we anticipated yesterday, today is a brand new day to begin a new climb.” ― Chinonye J. ChidolueWhat was something challenging that you are proud to have overcome?I made Atlantis! Atlantis finished with flowers

6 Tips to Self-Publish Your Book

So you want to self-publish a book?

As you may or may not know, I have self-published my first book. After that, I wanted to share with everyone embarking on the same adventure some tips and things I learned in the process.

Join me as I hop into my time machine to visit my past self with these tips and for the most random musical soundtrack for my journey. Some of these tips may seem obvious, but when you are smack dab in the middle of a major project it can be easy to lose your perspective.

Identify Your Audience & Purpose:

Maybe your book is finished or you are still working on it. You need to ask yourself a few questions. Why are you writing your book? Who will want to buy this book? And most importantly – how does your book benefit the reader?

Knowing this information will help inform your thinking in all of your planning. Whether you are writing a book for a niche audience or the mass market, you need to understand this information.

Channel pure energy into your book.Identify Your Projects Value:

You may be thinking you are writing your book just for you. And maybe you are, but if you want other people to buy it you need to know what value it brings to a potential reader’s life. It might be as simple as bringing beauty to their lives. Maybe it is to entertain, educate or inform? You are going to need to articulate this information succinctly and repeatedly if you want people to buy your book.

Some of the worst lip synching you will ever see! It’s a syn! (Extra points for that musical reference)Take the Time to Make a Project Outline:

Writing a book is a major undertaking. Many writers will create an outline for their book, which helps many immensely. I have news for you. You are going to need an outline for your adventure in self-publishing too. Be sure to include all critical milestones, deadlines you have, and any promotional opportunities you have identified. Make sure you have a clear timeline for your project and build in some extra time, because there is a good chance you will need it.

Keeping time on your side will reduce stress and prevent a mess.Money, Money, Money:

Unless you live in a rich man’s world and that rich man is you or a friend of yours you are going to need a budget for your project. Make sure you get a quote for the printing of your book and any services you may require to get the job done. Set up a full and comprehensive budget for your project that includes printing costs, design and layout costs, shipping and and any promotional costs you may have. Most important – figure out your profit margin so that you can calculate your break even point, which is where you start to make more money than you spend. This may help you identify your sales goals.

Las Vegas or Monaco? I will take Monaco for $500 Alex!Know When to Take Break:

Self-publishing can be full of challenges, particularly if you are new to it! You need to be on your game, which can be hard when you are mired down in deadlines and work. The more relaxed you are the better your work will be. There is a balance you will need to find between the place where you can do the most work effectively and staring at your computer screen struggling to lift your fingers and not break into sobbing. Find yours!

You will make better decisions if you take good care of yourself.Celebrate Milestones, But Keep on Keepin’ On!

So with any luck, your book is printed and copies are on there way to you and those first readers! Take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Remember it is not everyone who can write their own book and even fewer who can get it published. You should be proud! There is nothing like the feeling of holding your first self-published book in your hands. You can count on seeing a few things you may want to change in future printings, and that is okay.

Once you have cleaned up the confetti and recycled the champagne glasses, know it will be time to roll up your sleeves again. You will know need to promote your book and gain readers.

Promoting your book will take strength and fortitude, but it is an investment in yourself!

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below and I will answer. If you are interested in learning more about my journey as an artist and things I have learned along the way, you can subscribe to my newsletter here.

And since I need to follow my own advice, here is where I add a shameless plug for my own book!

Printed copies of my book are ready for order on my website and you can get a copy here!

A Potter’s Dream: Myths and Legends Book – $32

If you have enjoyed this post, please consider signing up for
The Alchemist’s Studio Newsletter

This God Is Working Today

‘Hephaestus’ Forge‘ tells the tale of a master craftsgod, known for his skill and cunning, a most ‘ungodly’ appearance, a war thwarted by an arranged marriage, an unfaithful wife, and an inspired girdle!

In Greek mythology, Hephaestus is the god of blacksmiths, metalworking, carpenters, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes. God would be working today.

So instead of working on labour day, I invite you to stop & read his tale. $94
Includes Free Shipping In US and Canada
Hephaestus had powerful parents!

Zeus, his father had a problem on his hands. Many of the male deities wanted to marry the beautiful Aphrodite. Their fighting grew more and more problematic for Olympus. To finally put an end to the quarrels for her hand, Zeus arranged a marriage for her with Hephaestus.

It was his ugly appearance that inspired Zeus to choose him, so that the match would not inspire jealousy among other male deities. It was also his ugly appearance and a lack of love in the match that caused Aphrodite to have many affairs with both gods and men. The Dom Deluise type with a club foot was not for her.

See more pictures of ‘Hephaestus’ Forge’ here.

Tired of the humiliation, one day Hephaestus created a magic net, which he would use to catch Athena and the war god Ares in bed together. He would bring them together before the gods and thoroughly humiliate them among their peers. Poseidon felt so sorry for them he convinced Hephaestus to release them and paid their fine for the indiscretion.

Maybe Hephaestus should have ‘borrowed’ Aphrodite’s credit card and visited my website!

Always working at his forge on Olympus, Hephaestus would go on to produce many of the gadgets and equipment of the gods, like Hermes winged helmet. He had also made Aphrodite’s girdle which inspired love and passion, which perhaps worked a little too well.

even god needs a day of rest.

May your Labour Day be a day to stop,
rest,
and have fun

What did you think of ‘Hephaestus’ Forge‘ and our story today? If you enjoy our stories and pottery, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter here to keep up with what is happening in the studio.

God Is Working Today

‘Hephaestus’ Forge‘ tells the tale of a master craftsgod, known for his skill and cunning, a most ‘ungodly’ appearance, a war thwarted by an arranged marriage, an unfaithful wife, and an inspired girdle!

In Greek mythology, Hephaestus is the god of blacksmiths, metalworking, carpenters, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes. God would be working today.

So instead of working on labour day, I invite you to stop & read his tale. $94
Includes Free Shipping In US and Canada
Hephaestus had powerful parents!

Zeus, his father had a problem on his hands. Many of the male deities wanted to marry the beautiful Aphrodite. Their fighting grew more and more problematic for Olympus. To finally put an end to the quarrels for her hand, Zeus arranged a marriage for her with Hephaestus.

It was his ugly appearance that inspired Zeus to choose him, so that the match would not inspire jealousy among other male deities. It was also his ugly appearance and a lack of love in the match that caused Aphrodite to have many affairs with both gods and men. The Dom Deluise type with a club foot was not for her.

See more pictures of ‘Hephaestus’ Forge’ here.

Tired of the humiliation, one day Hephaestus created a magic net, which he would use to catch Athena and the war god Ares in bed together. He would bring them together before the gods and thoroughly humiliate them among their peers. Poseidon felt so sorry for them he convinced Hephaestus to release them and paid their fine for the indiscretion.

Maybe Hephaestus should have ‘borrowed’ Aphrodite’s credit card and visited my website!

Always working at his forge on Olympus, Hephaestus would go on to produce many of the gadgets and equipment of the gods, like Hermes winged helmet. He had also made Aphrodite’s girdle which inspired love and passion, which perhaps worked a little too well.

even god needs a day of rest.

May your Labour Day be a day to stop,
rest,
and have fun

What did you think of ‘Hephaestus’ Forge‘ and our story today? If you enjoy our stories and pottery, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter here to keep up with what is happening in the studio.

This Week At The Studio In Photos

A View on the world from here A friendly hello to the week Phlox in bloom A forest fern as the sun rises September brings fungi blooms Wildflowers near the Alchemist’s Studio The Pillar of Atlas dropped in for a visit
$80
Shipping Included In US and Canada
A lovely Sunday morning and end to the weekAnd That’s been the world from here.

How has your week been?