Episode 110: The Artisan Life – Create Your Own Seal

What can a history lesson from 11^th century England teach us about creativity?  Plenty as it turns out.  Just like the first seal made it clear who the message’s writer was, your seal can identify you and your work.  In this episode we talk about how you can use this to make your work stand out.

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On This Episode

Rhythm of Life – A Study in Opposites

Random Riffs – Does This Look Like Me?

Feature Segment – Creativity: Create Your Own Seal

Today’s Quote

Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it.  – Tallulah Bankhead

Rhythm of Life – A Study in Opposites

Today I happened to look up at my bookcase.  At the top was a plaque that says RELAX.  What was right underneath it?  3 books:

• Side Hustle – by Chris Guillebeau


• Book Yourself Solid – by Michael Port


• Performing Under Pressure – Hendrie Weisinger and JP Pawliw-Fry

They seem like complete opposites.  Either hustle or relax.  But what if those aren’t the only options?  Listen to the episode to hear what I mean by this and how you can apply it to your life.

Random Riffs – Does This Look Like Me?

I recently had a caricature artist draw me.  I didn’t’ think it looked like me.  What’s most important for drawing a great caricature?  Learning how to see.

The same is true in life too.  It’s easy to overlook people because they seem ordinary.  Yet they are anything but.  It’s important to learn how to see people for who they are.  Get to know the real them.

(c) Kathleen Thompson     Does this look like me?

Feature Segment – Creativity: Create Your Own Seal

It’s a time of intrigue, family feuds, and conquest.  England in the 11^th century.  Edward is crowned king.  And he uses the first recorded seal stamp.  It’s dipped in wax and seals a letter or other important communication.  It helps the document reach its intended audience without tampering and helps the recipient identify the sender.

As an Artisan, you want to have a seal too.  A signature, so to speak.  Something that makes your work immediately identifiable.

How can you create your own seal?

1. Imitate the best. The masters..


2. Analyze what makes it work.


3. Make it your own.

What approaches can you take to make it your own?

1. Analytical approach


2. Experiment and let it naturally evolve.


3. Look at the medium with fresh eyes and reinterpret.

Your “why” can help you create your seal too.

When your work becomes instantly recognizable, be prepared for people to either love you or reject you.  Because you now you stand for something clear.  Not everyone will like it.

People might be able to steal your idea.  They might be able to steal your program.  They can’t steal you.  Like the seal on ancient documents, your personal seal is the best anti-theft device I know.  What’s yours going to be?  Experiment until you figure it out.  And then put your seal on everything you make.  Someone’s waiting for you.

Want to share what you’re doing to create your own seal?  Leave a comment.

Someone may steal your idea, but they can’t steal you. Your personal seal is the best anti-theft device.
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Artisan Series

090: Why You Should Be an Artisan at Work

091: The Three C’s of Artisanship

092: Are You a Creator, Consumer, or Critic?

093: Where to Start as an Artisan? With a MAP.

094: What’s Your Signature Scent?

095: The Foundations of Craftsmanship

096: Follow Your Curiosity to Build Craftsmanship

097: Craftsmanship Requires Change

098: Building Craftsmanship – When it Gets Hard

099: Building Craftsmanship – Take Care of Your Tools

101: Building Craftsmanship – Be an Apprentice

102: Building Craftsmanship – Practice

103: 4 Habits That Foster Creativity

104: Time for Wonder

105: Forget the Big Bang Theory

106: Constraints Ignite Creativity

107: Seal Creativity With a KIS

108: Creativity: One Ring to Rule Them All

109: Creativity: What’s Old is New Again

The post Episode 110: The Artisan Life – Create Your Own Seal first appeared on Kathleen Ann Thompson.