03 JanCrushing On: Celentano Woodworks’ Fine Handcrafted Instruments

Banjo Ukelele by Celentano Woodworks.

This gorgeous instrument was featured in an Etsy Finds email recently. It caught my eye more than anything else in the whole email because of the camera angle and those beautiful lines and curves. And when I clicked and realized there was a whole shop full of stunning instruments, I knew I had to share Celentano Woodworks with you.

Angled-Neck Square Guitar by Celentano Woodworks.

Stag Flat-Top Mandolin by Celentano Woodworks.

What’s more, I imagine many of you creatives dabble in musical pursuits like I do. So perhaps your very next musical endeavor is sitting in this shop!

3 String Electric Violin by Celentano Woodworks.

The description for this electric violin says, “If you can dream it, let’s build it. The possibilities are endless when it comes to instrument building. Why shouldn’t your instrument be as personal as the music you play?”

The Marshmallow 3 String Guitar by Celentano Woodworks.

Avocado Ukelele by Celentano Woodworks.

They also make really fun instruments like this avocado ukelele, the Roc Em Soc Em Robot uke, or even the cupcake guitar!

Roc-Em Soc-Em Robot Ukelele by Celentano Woodworks.

14 AprWhat Lady Gaga Taught Me About Business

Lady GAGA GMA Concert by TJ Sengel. Photograph.

The other day a friend and I were walking our dogs out by the lake. We began talking about popular music today, which neither of us is very fond of. Though I did admit, reluctantly, that I like about half of Lady Gaga‘s songs (her acoustic version of Poker Face is my favorite).

The conversation seemed so unforgiving toward Gaga, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry. It seemed odd since clearly they are doing something right! So I thought about what I could learn from the success these women embody. I realized pretty quickly that Lady Gaga should be my idol.

Lady Gaga should be my idol.

Gaga has a remarkable way of making her entrance bigger than anyone else. Brilliantly, she makes her performances wilder than anyone else. She even makes her outfits stand out more than anyone else.

Lady Gaga at CES 2010 by Lori Tingey. Photograph.

No, I’m not going to talk about going big or going home. Instead, I’m going to talk about starting with a bang instead of plodding along, step by step. What are you waiting for? Stop planning long-term goals for your art. When you envision that goal… go after it! Make it happen and make it happen quickly. There’s no reason for you to take 6 months setting up your Etsy shop. There’s no reason to take a year to get your art featured in a top magazine. There’s no reason to take two months to plan a workshop.

Like Lady Gaga, make a decision and then make it happen. Gaga wanted to wear a dress made of meat. So she found someone who could put it together for her and she wore it to a big event to show it off to everyone. She didn’t sit on the idea for a year while she contemplated the best cuts of meat or the way the meat might lie against her figure. Nope.

I want you to pick something big that you would normally set as a vague future goal. And I want you to make it happen by the end of May. When summer starts, you will be able to celebrate that you Lady Gaga’d it up all over your artistic business!

Share with me here what your goal is and I’ll keep you accountable with a couple personal email reminders just for you. Yep, that’s a chance for a little free coaching! Woo hoo! No requirements on the offer, just post a comment here with your goal so I know to look out for you.

Inspiring thoughts,
Laura