STAY AT HOM - PASSION PROJECT RESOURCES
Share these free resources on Instagram using the hashtag #StayAtHom and tag me @homsweethom so I can re-share :)
FEATURED VIDEO SERIES: The Inside Scoop on Passion Projects
(Y’all, these are usually password-protected so soak them up now!)
Passion projects are the secret ingredient to building a business as an artist. Want to start one of your own but don’t quite know where to begin? Don’t worry, I got you! I’m sharing all of my secrets and answering your questions in The Inside Scoop, a 5-part video event where I’ll take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of my most successful passion projects (and hopefully inspire you to start one of your own).
Day 1 · DAILY DISHONESTY
In 2012, I started a lettering blog that chronicled all of the little white lies my friends and I told in college. Little did I know it would go viral and land me a book deal while I was still in school! This is the project that launched my lettering career & gave me the confidence to leave my full-time job to pursue freelance.
Day 2 · EX BOYFRIEND TEARS
A particular nasty break up inspired a line of cups and flasks called Ex Boyfriend Tears. I was originally only planning on producing about 50 for fun, but they got shared like crazy online...and I ended up selling over 600 of them. Nasty Gal (RIP) bought a wholesale order from me, and Urban Outfitters even ripped me off!
Day 3 · WILL LETTER FOR LUNCH
I started bartering restaurant chalkboard menus for the exact menu items I lettered. Within 1 year, I had practiced lettering and eaten delicious free food at over 30 restaurants in New York City. Plus, I built my chalk lettering portfolio up and landed projects with Chobani, Samuel Adams, and Microsoft as a result.
Day 4 · NO PHOTOS PLEASE
For all of 2016, I traveled and worked around the world. In order to spend less time looking at a screen, I challenged myself to document my trip in travel drawings. I lettered my way around the world and shared my drawings, not travel pics, on social media. The result? Improved drawing skills and tons of new followers!
Day 5 · FLOUR CROWNS
I decided to take a pun way too far and put flours instead of flowers in my hair. Why? Mostly for fun, but also to become more associated with the food world because I knew I wanted to work on a cookbook in the future. This was a delicious baby step in that direction without distracting from my lettering career too much.
VIDEOS
AIGA LTU Lecture: Stop Looking for Inspiration, Be Your Own Muse
Adobe Max 2019 Lecture: How to Build a Serious Career with Silly Work
Q&A: How do divide your time between work, passion projects and life?
Guest on The Happy Ever Crafter - How to Start & Grow a Passion Project
BLOG POSTS
You Don't Need Much to Make Magic (aka how to start a passion project with few resources)
PODCAST EPISODES
The Striving Artist - The Origin Story of Lauren Hom
Guest on Perspective Podcast - The Secrets to Making a Killer Passion Project
Love what I’ve been able to do with strategic passion projects and want to start one of your own this summer? Make sure to get on the waitlist for my best-selling online course, Passion to Paid, opening for enrollment again July 2020! I’ve taught over 1,500 creatives my process for creating passion projects that get your work noticed & eventually get you paid.
