I wrote a book! Say, what?!?!

You know that butterflies in your stomach feeling - the combination of excitement, eagerness, and the feeling that something really darn cool is happening...

Yup, that's the feeling I have right now as I introduce you to my book.

Say what, I wrote a book?!?!?! Still feels surreal.

This book is an invitation, 

not a rule book.

An invitation to try something new,

to create with your hands,

to tap into your curiosity,

to breakdown this art form,

and see it from a new perspective.

And now you are personally invited by me to join in :)

There are 30+ lessons each paired with a project. Projects to put your lettering into play like banners for your next party, gift tags to add to your presents, and pillows to cozy up to.

I poured my heart and everything I know into this book and now officially releasing it into the world for you to enjoy. 

Sending so much love with butterflies in my stomach.

I'm BACK! 2018 Workshops

Yes you read that right! I am beyond excited to be teaching my in-person Watercolor Brush Lettering workshops again starting in January. 

I took the last half of 2017 to focus on something big (it was for a good reason I promise!) and boy have I missed teaching a whole heck of a lot. These in-person workshops are truly my favorite. 

If you're new over here, welcome! Hand lettering is something that is popping up everywhere now from weddings, to baby showers, to designs on tshirts, mugs, signage, you name it. The best part is that this "art form" is something you can craft into making your own, and I'm here to help.

If there's even a tiny part of you that has thought "hey I want to do that too..." well you definitely can and this class might be the perfect jump start. I've been teaching my workshop since 2015 to people just like you. Some have never picked up a paint brush before, some claim they have crappy handwriting, and some have dabbled in a form of hand lettering on their own, but are looking for one-on-one time with me to help develop their own style. 

One of my past students wrote the sweetest testimonial and I am so darn proud of her:

"I had zero background in calligraphy/art/design before taking Nicole's workshop. But thanks to Nicole's patient and encouraging style, small class size (I appreciated the extra help!) and starter supply kit to take home, I found myself continuing to letter at home. It began as an escape for myself as a new mom. Soon enough - six months after taking Nicole's workshop - I opened up my own shop on Etsy selling Hawaiian-inspired hand lettered designs."

-Lori Shen, Letter On! (@LetterOnDesign)

If you're reading this, I want to give you 15% off the class. It's a new year and time to start with investing in yourself learning something new. If you're in, I'm in and would love to meet you! Use code: NEWYEARNEWYOU at checkout. 

For now I'll be teaching in CA, but if there's a city or state you really want me to come to, let me know and maybe in the future I can arrange more traveling!

xo,

Nicole

PAST WORK | Wellen Women

Going a little bit down memory lane and taking a moment to reflect. I found myself thinking back on where I was a year ago, two years ago...and when I realized where I was in life and my career three years ago - holy moly time FLIES! 2014 was the year I helped bring Wellen Women to life and it started with this kickstarter. The brand was my baby and I was fortunate for the opportunity to be a part of starting something from literally zero. Coming up with the target audience, defining who the "muses" were and executing it in the clothing, the visuals and this video was hands down one of my favorite times of my career thus far. Thank you Matt for trusting me and cheers to all of the memories and the silly moments at the office with the crew!

PS - there are some really great items and on sale here! My ridiculously talented friend Jen B Peters designed this tank and the wizard Kailah Ogawa designed the ever cool Good Vibes tank that I wear on the regular. And for the dudes, Wellen is legit. 

video by Hunt House Pictures

Interview | Podcast with Maring Higa

I have something really cool to share and for you all to listen to. A few weeks ago I was interviewed by one of my past students Maring Higa on her wonderful podcast Special Circumstances.

"Special Circumstances is a podcast that talks with real people about creativity, pursuing dreams, following the uncharted path and overcoming personal obstacles. It offers both practical and inspirational conversations meant to inspire and motivate you."

What started out as a conversation about my career ended up being me talking about my life and the way I've been practicing to train my brain to think differently - to see things from a different "perspective." It wasn't anything I planned to talk about nor realized what I was sharing in the moment. But I hope it's something that resonates with you because its a conversation that maybe you might need to hear. We all deal with self-doubt, not knowing who we are, and feeling stuck. This creative journey that I'm on definitely wasn't something I was given permission to do by anyone but myself. I've had to work through a lot of things and continue to learn about myself and what I need to be an artist, business owner, and first and foremost myself. 

And what's so cool is that Maring took my workshop in San Diego last year and was so sweet to have me on her show. She is a calm spirit and someone who I instantly connected with. And you can see her lettering progress and challenge she's doing on her instagram! Thank you Maring for having me share a piece of me and for being a light that allowed this to happen. xo

Live Lettering | Brit + Co

Interview | Freelance Wisdom

Simply put, Freelance Wisdom is a website that is oozing with inspiration. I've been following along their posts and have read the interviews of so many artists that I personally admire - including  my dear friend Jen B Peters <3

I was extremely honored when they reached out and asked to interview me to share a little bit about my freelance journey. I get real and share that I too deal with self-doubt and what has helped me work through that. See the full post here. 

What has been your greatest struggle as a freelancer so far?

Self-doubt. That little voice in your head that likes to creep in and tries to tell you that you don't know what you are doing or that x person is better because he/she is doing this. For anyone who can relate, please know that I'm right there with you and I can imagine SO may others are as well. What has helped me personally with these thoughts is actually doing yoga. This may not be for you, so I totally encourage you to find your safe space whether that be a physical activity or surrounding yourself with loved ones. For me, yoga has been that place that I return to on the daily and get out of my head and back to that space of living with love rather than fear.

What is your favorite thing about freelance?

Connection. Being able to help bring other's visions, dreams and ideas to reality. It's getting to work one-on-one with a client who is taking the leap, starting his/her own business and needs help with bringing it to life. Or a student who is nervous to take the step to take on their first calligraphy job and needs someone to tell them "hell yes you can!" In addition, this freelance journey has allowed me a space to be connected to myself. When you are your own boss and no one is telling you what to do, you have to be hard on yourself to push through and yet still be kind and be your own cheerleader. This past year has been about learning to love myself and understanding that by following your heart and doing what you love, that too may shine the light on others to do the same.

Thank you Freelance Wisdom for having me here and being a space for creatives to come to. I am honored to be amongst such talent and wonderful spirit.

Flutter Magazine Launch Party

I love when things come full circle and being a part of a community of dream chasers.

To explain - in 2012 I went to FIDM in LA and one of my favorite teachers was the owner of Rolling Greens Nursery. She asked me to do her wedding invitations and I remember it being so cool to be doing something for my teacher and to be a part of her special day. Since then I've worked with the Rolling Greens team on a few other events and personally with some of the girls who I love. They recommended me for an event they were hosting for beautiful Flutter Magazine to do some live lettering for the guests. I said hell yes and it all came to life :)

Check out the photos from event here and the video below. Doing live lettering has quickly become one of my favorite things and to be amongst such creative people at the beautiful Rolling Greens Nursery was super special. 

Publication: @fluttermag
Venue: @rollinggreens
Photo: @the_grovers
Video: @cloudlessweddings
Planner: @brookekeegan
Tabletop: @theark_
Floral: @olivewillowdesigns
Food + Beverage:@thekitchenforexploringfoods
Calligraphy: @nicolemiyuki
DJ: @jonbrownisamazing
Menu Cards: @minted
Dish Towels: @weddingchicks
Dish Towel Design:@writtenwordcalligraphy
Dish Towel Display: @foundrentals
Signage: @jensimpsondesign

ONLINE | Brit + Co Waterbrush Lettering

If you told me a year ago that I would be flown to San Francisco, get my hair, nails and makeup done and then be filmed for an entire day - I would have said "yeah no way." For those of you who know me personally know that I don't like being the center of attention and I definitely am not someone who gets my nails done on the regular. But I do have to say, this day was special. It was a moment that I had to take a step back and realize the epic things that were happening around me. Yes it was hard and intimidating to teach a class knowing that people all over the world would be able to purchase it and learn from me. But the team at Brit + Co is ridiculously talented, extremely comforting and great at directing me to do my thing. Shout out to Bryan for being my kick ass art director - I couldn't have done it without you and our Dave Matthews music. 

The class is now live and available for purchase! And you can see the teaser video that includes me cheesing and throwing papers at the end to celebrate!