Hi Charleston entrepreneurs: Do you want to learn how you can improve your marketing for your business? Join me on July 21st, 2017 at the The Harbor Entrepreneur Center to hear from 4 Marketing Professionals (and WEofC Members ... including me) on the topics of: Branding, S.W.O.T. Analysis, and Cloud-Based Tools. I'll be leading a workshop about branding your small business. Hope to see you there. For more info and tickets visit Women Entrepreneurs of Charleston. Continue reading

Now that I live in Charleston, SC, where it's roughly 90 percent humidity every single day, traveling anywhere takes its toll on my body. Lately, I've been traveling to Colorado for work (hey, Revel & Co.!). It's dry there. And when I say dry, I mean nose bleed dry. Literally. I now go super prepared, with lots of moisturizer, super hydrating lippy, and a gigantic water bottle. Here are some of my must-haves when traveling: 1 | Dr. Hauschka Day Cream I've been using it since I was a teenager. Normally, a small bottle lasts me a few months. In Colorado, it lasts about a week, if I'm lucky. I honestly don't know what I'd do without it. Turn into a lizard, maybe?!? 2 | Disfunkshion magazine I picked up the issue with one of my idols, Justina Blakeney, on the cover at Barnes & Noble before I left and am so happy to have found it. I'm a major magazine lover (nerd alert: I have a master's degree in magazine journalism). Disfunkshion is full of profiles of interesting, artistic women (and it's not full of product placement ads). I read the issue cover to cover on my cross country flight and felt inspired and ready to tackle the work week ahead. 3 | An Oversized Scarf makes a t-shirt and jeans outfit look chic, and doubles as a warm blankie when the a/c kicks into overdrive on the plane. I travel with a light weight silk scarf from MUJI, but they don't make it anymore. This Marine Layer scarf is the perfect size for plane travel, and I just might have to pick it up before my next trip. 4 | Noise-canceling headphones are a must for me. I cannot handle noise, and layered noise is the worst for me (airplane noise + people talking + babies crying + other people talking + neighbors snoring = migraine). I can't travel without my Bose headphones. Worth every single penny and then some. 5 | Kiehl's Butterstick lippy is awesome for traveling to dry climates. It's rich and thick but not sticky, and the naturally nude color basically disappears on me, which is how I like my lipstick. I use it for dinners out and hikes in the park. 6 | Longchamps Le Pliage Bag is the perfect travel bag. It never runs out of room, it's durable (I spilled gluten free chocolate chip cookies in it and it just wiped clean), and it zippers shut so you can throw it in the overhead bin. Some might call it a "life-changing purse." ; ) 7 | Notebook and Pencil -- I think this one is self-explanatory. As a designer, I don't go anywhere without these two things. Inspiration strikes at any moment (also, clients call and notes must be made at any moment). I like thin notebooks so they don't make my bag heavy. And I'm obsessed with gorgeous Blackwing pencils. 8 | Nivea Creme Tin small but mighty hand lotion. When I'm in the desert I use it for elbows and feet, too. I love that I can throw it in my bag and not worry about it leaking since it's so thick. 9 | Pressed by Kind fruit snacks are my new fave! I always want something sweet when I travel. I used to travel with fruit in my bag, but it always gets mushy or messy or dirty. I'm hooked on these fruit bars. They travel well and satisfy my sweet tooth without any added sugar, so I can stick to my clean diet. 10 | Hydro Flask Water Bottle I have a crazy weird disease that prevents my body from properly hydrating. So it's imperative that I drink a lot (A LOT A LOT A LOT) of water. I keep this water bottle on me and fill it as soon as I get through security. Next time I go to Colorado I'm going to pack a second, larger one in my suitcase, so I have an extra one for long hikes. Of course I also don't go anywhere without my laptop and phone. What are your must-haves when you travel? Continue reading

Happy July! I drew a little something for you. To download free desktop calendar wallpaper, click on the black "download" button above and the image will open in a new window. Drag the image to your desktop. Open Desktop Screensaver (in system preferences) and add the image. Enjoy! If you prefer the desktop wallpaper without the calendar, download this one: Original artwork and desktop wallpaper pattern designed by Erika Firm. Just a reminder: commercial distribution or sale is not permitted. Continue reading

How pretty are these lichen covered rocks in Colorado National Monument?!? One of the perks of working with Melissa at Revel & Co. is fun visits ... um, I mean work trips ... to Palisade, Colorado. A few days ago we hiked Colorado National Monument in search of inspiration, and we stumbled upon it in spades. I'm so in love with the gorgeous colors of Colorado that I just had to paint them. We also came up with a whole new product line, which we'll be launching at the Las Vegas Market later this summer. Eeeeek. So exciting! Continue reading

Happy June! I drew a little something for you. To download free desktop calendar wallpaper, click on the black "download" button above and the image will open in a new window. Drag the image to your desktop. Open Desktop Screensaver (in system preferences) and add the image. Enjoy! If you prefer the desktop wallpaper without the calendar, download this one: Original artwork and desktop wallpaper pattern designed by Erika Firm. Just a reminder: commercial distribution or sale is not permitted. Continue reading

I painted some cute pineapples for you! To download free desktop calendar wallpaper, click on the black "download" button above and the image will open in a new window. Drag the image to your desktop. Open Desktop Screensaver (in system preferences) and add the image. Enjoy! Original artwork and desktop wallpaper pattern designed by Erika Firm. Just a reminder: commercial distribution or sale is not permitted. Continue reading

Happy May! I painted a little something for you. To download free desktop calendar wallpaper, click on the black "download" button above and the image will open in a new window. Drag the image to your desktop. Open Desktop Screensaver (in system preferences) and add the image. Enjoy! If you prefer the desktop wallpaper without the calendar, download this one: Original artwork and desktop wallpaper pattern designed by Erika Firm. Just a reminder: commercial distribution or sale is not permitted. Continue reading

I was flipping through the May 2017 issue of HGTV magazine and was thrilled to spy the Moderne Dalmation emerald green pillow I designed for Minted in the Pop of Green article. Greeeeeen 4ever!!!! Continue reading

It may have been Easter a few days ago, but it's ALWAYS CHRISTMAS in my studio. It's the number one type of artwork my licensing partners buy, so year round it's Christmas cookies, hot cocoa, and Elf viewings around these parts. Here's a sneak peek at some of the holiday designs you'll spy later this year, when it's, you know, actually the holiday season. Continue reading

Eeeek. Excited to see the Big Tropical Leaves pattern we designed for Revel & Co. in HGTV magazine. I love this idea of framing a sheet of wrapping paper. So smart, HGTV! Continue reading