Creative Thursday

my first open studio

*You are Invited*

This Friday, December 16 from 4 - 9 pm. 

9019 Ashcroft Avenue, West Hollywood 90048

Spiced Wine, Holiday Treats and Art!

Please RSVP as parking permits will be provided.

honor you more

 

Truth be told. I participated in my very first craft show at the age of 13. 

{you'd think that I might have this down by now ;)}

I sold $100 of my hand painted ceramics. Such a proud day. 

There's nothing quite like selling your work in this way

And, there's nothing quite like selling your work in this way. Some of the hardest work ever.

And, some of the most rewarding work ever.

On twitter this morning I wrote something like this: to all the artists and entrepreneurs out there who:

create, sell, {travel} set-up and break-down at shows like this regularly. I honor you more.

I think I might be coming back with a podcast on this one, as soon as I get some rest. If only there were 8 days in a week and 36 hours in a day? whaaaaa? am. I. saying. I need a nap.

Thank you to everyone who braved/ignored the Carmageddon warnings and came out to the show this weekend. It was a really great time.

Come visit us in L.A. this weekend! Renegade Craft Fair

Booth #62. That's where we'll be. Me and my booth mate, HannahMade.

there is room for everyone ~ my time at Alt

Well then, I thought it was high time I put my post up about my Alt experience before it becomes a distant memory in the blogosphere.

It will certainly not be a distant memory for me as it was such an eye opening, wonderful experience ~ mostly to be in the company of so many women and a few men who are utterly amazing in what they have accomplished over this last decade.

Not to mention I also fulfilled a long time dream of mine to speak. Ever since I was selected to be a presenter for my advertising competition team in college ~ love at first talk. I LOVE speaking. There I said it. And I want to do more of it. Reason for the photo choice above, I want to remember this.  Much like the idea for teaching finally felt ready, so does speaking. It's time. In my book one needs to accumulate a body of knowledge worth sharing to do either, well.

Even though I was a little nervous, I was surprised at just how much speaking to a room full of people, in person, felt like second nature to me. It's all because of you all! Let's just say the videos I've been doing for you here at the blog and in my e-courses over the last couple of years = a lot of practice. Give me a subject I'm passionate about and it turns out I can prattle on {somewhat intelligently and maybe even mildly entertaining} for a good twenty minutes to an hour, off the cuff with next to no notes.  It helps when you are also supported by your awesome panel members, Ben, EZ and Laura. *love them more*

Speaking of prattling on this is quickly going to turn into one of those super long posts if I don't start sharing my impressions of Alt with you. So here goes in no particular order, what I, an artist visiting a blogger's world, brought back with me from this conference:

• Let's start with the title of this post: "There is room for everyone". And there is. A message I teach and a statement I recite to myself regularly, I never really got it until this conference. Arriving there I was only familiar with a few of my fellow speakers. This means that there were a whole bunch of people who are thriving out there, doing work they love, with their own dedicated following that I had never been aware of until now.
• Which also means I have a lot of new friends to be inspired by
• This means that there is indeed room for you. The internet is vast and wide and if you put great work out there, your people will find you. Now, it may take longer than it did for some of the speakers at Alt ~ simply because there are way more people with online presences than there were in 1999 and even when I started in 2006. But do not let this keep you from going forward with your vision in this online world, because you can find your way
• There is a lot more support than competition in this community which I'll be honest, pleasantly surprised me.
• Groups of bloggers who know each other are not cliques. They are simply people who came up in this world at the same time and have taken the time to get to know each other over the past decade. That creates a bond.
• If you are going to form an opinion about someone online, at least meet them and visit with them in person before you finalize that opinion
• Artists: If you are trying to get any of these design bloggers to post about your work, just know that they now get hundreds of submissions a day. And some have a whole room dedicated to products people have pitched them. Target your submissions accurately. Be patient.
• Attend conferences like this. Just do it. There is absolutely no comparison to what you will learn and the friendships you will make in such a short span of time when you start interacting with your online colleagues in person. Same for retreats. If you've been on the fence, make a promise to yourself that you will attend an event in the next year...yes, that one, you've been meaning to attend...
• If there were 'no new ideas' before, then now there really are no more new ideas. Things are just moving too fast and we have access to almost everything and everyone. If you've got an idea, chances are someone has the same one, and they will execute it.  Don't let that keep you from acting on your idea as well. Just be sure to bring your own unique voice to it, because that will make it feel new again.
• Engagement. It's all about engagement. Nope, not getting married {yet} This is about "how engaged are your readers, your community, your twitter followers, facebook friends etc?"  Turns out this is what matters the most. Common sense really, right? But lately I think everyone has been so caught up in the numbers of it all, how popular they are, that they've lost sight of how loyal those people following them actually are. Fine if you have hundreds of thousands of followers, are they listening? Do you have a loyal following, even if it is only 5 people? If you do then you are building something of value. Now of course if you have huge numbers following and they are loyal, then you've really got something and those are the people who are definitely monetizing this online world. 
• The people with the huge and loyal followings have been building it for years. This is not an overnight venture. This is dedication and relationship building that takes serious commitment.
• If you are going into this to get BIG numbers and that is the only way you are going to feel validated in your work, you might want to re-visit exactly why you are doing what you are doing.
• Because the people we admire most, sure they are good business people but they started their businesses from their heart. The online world is too transparent for it to be any other way. People will recognize if the work you share with the world has heart. And yes, you can succeed with genuine heart, oh and honesty and integrity too.
• This online landscape is changing faster than most of us can keep up with, even those who are leading in this new frontier are making it up as they go *incredible*
• Which means there are no hard and fast rules and this goes for pricing as well, for those of you who are monetizing your work
• Having blog and event sponsors is absolutely a possibility if you have engagement with your readers even if you do not have a huge following yet.
• Events are where it's at. Throwing a party, getting married, celebrating a milestone ~ make it special, make it beautiful and unique and blog, blog, blog it!
• Magazines are here to stay, as they should because so many, like the new Anthology are like books, pieces of art you want to keep
• Be honest in your online presence and in your blog
• The opinions about what to share personally on your blog, are just that personal and they vary widely. There are no rules. It is totally and completely up to you
• Social media does work to grow your following, when done right
• There are some new thoughts on etiquette and ethics in this online world of today and Grace took the time to write up a great and thorough article about this very subject that you will definitely want to read
• People I had a chance to meet for the first time and get to know better  that you should definitely check out if you don't already know them EZ, Erin, Jamie, Liz, Kellen, Christine, Joy, Meg, Grace, Gabby, Laura, Heather, Tina, Danielle, Sarah Jane,  Karey, Ali, Amy, Joslyn {and that's still only a fraction of the people I met and still want to meet}
• And NieNie ~ I'm speechless when it comes to expressing how I feel about meeting NieNie. She is such an incredible human being and just as beautiful in person.
• And hilarious. Did I mention, that a lot of these ladies {and Ben} had me cracking up. Talented and funny ~ now that is a double threat
• Speaking of a double threat. Know your worth
• Ladies, {men you still seem to do better with this one than we do but if you need a little reminder as well}: We need to value the work we do ~ stat.
• The project runway speakers, Seth Aaron and Mondo = totally inspiring and I admit I haven't even watched the show.
• Opportunity is all around you. look for it. 
• Think outside the box
• I am an artist, and for a girl who didn't really want to blog,  I have officially accepted ~ I am also a blogger.
• Confident, accomplished energy is at ease, grounded and lovely to be around. Desperate, needy, chip on your shoulder because it's not happening fast enough is rather unpleasant to be around. You don't have to wait on anything to 'happen' before you embody the confident energy ~ just be it.

That's it in a nutshell. The rest of the info I brought home with me is still sinking in and will find it's way to this blog to share with you, I am sure. Want to see more photos and read more posts? If you are at all passionate about this online creative world I highly recommend attending Alt in the future. Just remember, after reading so much about these kinds events, go in with an open heart and no expectations ~ let it be your own experience.

this is how much fun I had.

Ok, well just a glimpse of how much fun I had. Seriously, I look like a little kid holding that heart. ;)

In fact I had a little too much fun, because I've been *sickie* for the last couple of days. It's just killing me to be so filled with new knowledge, inspiration and ideas and not be able to act on them. But then again, being under the weather can be just the thing to force a self-employed entrepreneur to take the down time they need.

This means I will be back soon with more thoughts and photos from my time at Alt. It was a fantastic experience and I am seriously SO FIRED UP ~ as soon as I put my kleenex down.

My friends in the kate spade party photo booth from above, Kellen, Lulu, Christine, Willo {thank you for this photo!}, Aya. love them!

an owl and a lion

A highlight of the show this past weekend was getting to meet so many of you! Especially Melissa and Volker who seem to have an uncanny resemblance to my little characters ;)

I'm going to be honest and say I'm a little spoiled with the ease of selling online. You know it's hard to imagine that before the internet, working a craft fair/show was one of the few ways an artist to could their work with an audience. Thank you *internet* and a BIG hats off to the artists who do these kinds of shows regularly. After a few days of recuperating, reflecting traveling, visiting, packing, re-packing...it was a great weekend and well worth all the work that went into making those two days happen. Now I don't know if I will ever do it again...but I probably will. As awkward as it is to stand smiling, sometimes yawning, behind your work in a huge room filled with hundreds of other artists, I can't stress enough how important it is to for an artist to experience this~ especially getting the chance to see and visit with their customers in person.

Thanks to all of you who came out and took the time to stop by the booth and say hello! It was great to meet you!!

And a very special thank you to Liz and Rob {and the little bear}! Sean, Mincy and Kim for all their help and support. Could not have done it without you guys. xo

Booth #185, I'll meet you there

Literally blogging from the airport right now. That's the kind of week it's been. Hours and weeks of preparation and I cannot wait for this weekend, the holidays, time with friends and family...and a very long nap somewhere in there + multiple glasses of wine. Have I mentioned I love this time of year?! since you can only read that and can't hear the inflections in my voice. That is a genuine statement, with no hint of sarcasm 'for reals'. And speaking of friends I'll be neighbors with Mincing Mockingbird and Frantic Meerkat at the show. To quote Mincy, they are "tops in my book". And I'll also be hanging with Sean and another lovely lady more people who are tops in my book.  Look forward to seeing you there!

*seriously, on some days I still cannot believe that I can blog from the aiport* ;)

 

embroidery hoopsies! + a few announcements

It's that time of year when I promise myself that I will move through it with ease, peace and enjoy every second of it. Because I LOVE it.

For those of us in the making of things, particulalry the making of 'giftie things', it is especially fun {and a little busier than usual}. It is also that time where I put my creative hat on or in this case I have put it on a few times over the last several months, to prepare special, one of kind of a kind, creations for you. I get the chance to flex my creative muscles so to speak like in the embroidered illustrations in the hoops featured above ;)

So this is your official invitation to join me for the 3rd annual holiday shop update next Thursday, December 9. Time to be announced. I'll probably give you some sneak peeks of what will be featured in the update over the next week here on the blog. Also! tomorrow December 2nd registration opens for my e-course "In the Fish Bowl :: Life as an Artist Online".

I'm also preparing for Renegade San Francisco for the first time this December 18 + 19. This means that all online orders for the holidays need to be placed before December 6 for International and December 14 for Domestic. Please drop me a note and let me know if you need it in time to give as giftie, as I am turning orders around as fast as I can with the holidays in mind.

hope you are having a peaceful, happy start to the holiday season this December 1st!

Quilt Market and cross-pollinating

Time for some thoughts on Quilt Market. 

And a few photos as well. I wish I had more but I only brought my Iphone and it was extremely challenging to get good shots in the convention center with a regular camera, let alone an Iphone. When you follow the long links list below, you'll come across many other QM blog posts with more photos. The photo above is of an artist designed building I fell in love with that stands just outside the entrance of the convention center. Reminded me of a quilt, just a little ;)

First let me explain why I am also titling this post 'cross-pollinating'. You see, here's what I realized about attending Quilt Market: just how little my fine artist/illustrator world knew about the quilting and sewing world. Experimenting with sewing over the last few years especially, I have always been intrigued but mostly intimidated and more accurately overly focused on my own bubble, to really keep up with what's happening in that bubble.

{Melody Miller modeling her new fabric line, Ruby start Rising, by Kokka}

Well, let me tell you there is A LOT happening in that bubble.

Back to this concept of 'cross-pollinating'. I am not talking about fertilizing a flower here. For some reason I just started describing my fine artist exploring the fiber arts world as cross-pollinating, meaning I have decided to learn about other creative worlds aside from exclusively focusing on mine. What's funny is that when I looked up the actual definition of this term, one is the "fertilizing of a flower" and the second one is this:

"To influence or inspire (another), especially in a reciprocal manner"

How perfect is that? Because that is exactly what happened. My weekend at Quilt Market left me inspired in so many ways. I can only hope I fulfilled the 'reciprocal manner' part of that definition for others.

{more fabric I love by Echino for Kokka, I so should have stolen Julie's fabric sample bundle when I had the chance!}

I've come to this realization before, even discussing it in my last e-course on creativity, but it did not really sink in until I was at Quilt Market. I now believe that one of the qualities of an especially strong artist is a willingness to explore other creative worlds, whether you try working in the medium or not {although that is ideal} just opening your mind to the possibilities that exist beyond your current awareness ~ is enough to inspire {or temporarily overwhelm} you immensely.

{Jan's awesome booth introducing Daisy Janie fabrics}

What is Quilt Market exactly? Well my new friend Julie has written about it here and Sarah Jane also wrote about it here.

What I want to say is that it is nothing like what I thought it would be. Having never quilted ever in my life... for some reason I thought this market was exclusively about quilts. Don't get me wrong, a large portion of it is dedicated to quilters, quilts and their tools of quilting but what is the biggest tool of all = FABRIC. Might have seemed obvious, but I just didn't realize that Quilt Market was also the place where all the Fabric Manufactures and Designers gather to share their new lines, twice a year. Well, that's not entirely true as my friend Lizzy has explained this to me before, and has also written about it in her e-book, {which you should run out I mean click over and get now if you are at all interested in learning more about this textile design world} I think it's the fact that it is called "Quilt" instead of "Fabric" market that has many people misunderstanding what a large part of it is about. 

As fine artists/illustrators we all know about the licensing show called Surtex that happens once a year in New York. If Lizzy hadn't educated me on the details of Quilt Market as well as encouraged me to attend it {endless thanks to her}, it probably never would've crossed my radar. 

{Another reason to love Lizzy. For the past few Markets she has been throwing a cake party. Why? she remembers what it was like to arrive at Quilt Market for the first time, not knowing anyone. So she decided to start having this party where everyone is invited, a chance to meet people, make new friends and have some cake!}

 

That's why I'm excited to share this with you now. Fine artist/illustrators who are interested in surface design, especially fabric, you need to visit Quilt Market. 

{findings from Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods. bought myself some that brightly colored ric rac package}

Which brings me to the second part of this post and one of the main reasons for writing it besides my carrying on about cross-pollination ;) Ok. seriously. There are some of the most amazing women designers/artists seamstresses that show their work there. Again, maybe when you think of quilting you think of traditional. Nothing wrong with traditional and yes that exists but times have changed and with more fine artists transitioning into this world, the designs are incredible. And we're not just talking quilts people, we're talking handbags, embroidery patterns, crafting patterns, children's clothing, adult clothing, aprons ~ you name it.

{Anna Maria Horner showing one of her hand-sewn quilts at her school house presentation}

I could go on and on at this point, but I will let you explore for yourself. Below is a list of designers in order of my seeing/meeting them that I either already know, or had the pleasure of meeting them for the first time over Market weekend. Not only lovely work, but lovely, spirited people as well. Oh and not to mention, many of these women, have growing empires featuring their designs, but they also happen to have any where from 2 - 7 children. Yes, you read this correctly.

Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts {my first time meeting Julie, she's good people ;) honest, incredibly hard working, quilting, blogging treasure trove of knowledge on sewing, quilting and ~ if you're a fan of fabric you are going to love her blog}

Betz White {my friend since my first time teaching at Squam. We were roomies. There is nothing Betz can't do. And you already know how much I love her book}

Jan Dicinto of Daisy Janie {finally met the lovely Jan, who not only designs but manufacturers gorgeous organic cotton fabrics. She debuted her line with her very first Quilt Market booth and she won a booth design award to boot!}

Lizzy House {someone I'm honored to know and call a friend, who also happens to design some of my all-time favorite fabric}

Cherri House {Lizzy's amazing momma ~ who also has the coolest quilting book, City Quilts}

Melody Miller {I also met Melody at Squam in my gocco printing class. Could not be a nicer human being, who totally hit her stride at Market this year. She had the most beautiful line of fabric make it's debut. An absolute favorite of mine.}

Allison {friend and major supporter of Melody, also one of my new favorite people}

Jana of IzzyandIvy {totally spirited designer of the cutest children's clothes (and she has 7 children!)}

Kathy Davis {has been an inspiration to me since I first came across her cards, she has been in the greeting card/licensing industry for over 20 years and is now designing fabric}

Patricia Zapata {a long time blog friend ~ such a talented lady who needs her own fabric line ASAP ~ so great to finally meet her too!}

Anna Maria Horner {this lady has 6 children, designs and hand sews her creations by hand. she is a phenom. enough said.}

Alexia Abegg {Anna Maria's wonderful, super talented assistant, also working on her own patterns & projects}

Sarah Jane {a fellow fine artist and illustrator, after three years of following her amazing work, and communicating back and forth via the interwebs, I finally met her, she could not be lovelier ~ fyi she has a new fabric line coming out in 2011}

Tula Pink {crazy cool, person, booth, illustrator/fabric designer}

Khristian {delightful! just like her orange patterned fabric through Anthology}

Jenean Morrison {a fishie!! I 'met' Jenean through my e-course and it was such a treat to meet her in person. She also debuted the most beautiful new line of fabric and with the help of her husband had one of the coolest booths around. In fact she won a booth design award! You must check out the bicycle}

Heather Bailey {another spirited phenom}

Meg of Sew Liberated {another friend I've known online, could not be sweeter. She and I made ornaments together at Betz's workshops ;) and I want Meg's book!}

Kate Spain {incredibly kind and giving person who's beautiful designs are literally everywhere from Target to Crate and Barrel}

Amy Butler {an inspiration to me since I first became aware of the movement of indie design online ~ the business she and her husband have built together. Incredible. And she doesn't even blog or tweet ;) I only had a brief chat with her and her friend in the ladies room of all places. She is just as lovely as you would imagine. And her booth = stunning}

Alyssa Thomas of Penguin and Fish {adorable embroidery patterns and I so want a kitty plush}

Kim of TrueUp {if you love fabric, you are going to love this lady and love her blog}

Trish of Two Peas in a Pod {another incredibly kind person, with the most adorable pattern designs for children's clothing}

And, two ladies I met who have fabric shops brick and mortar and online:

Deborah of Whipstitch {a pistol! smart as a whip! I had so much fun chatting with Deborah ~ she has a shop in Atlanta that I want to go take classes at, and a book, Stitch by Stitch, that I heard every sewer needs (especially beginners like me)}

Kristin of Sew, Mama, Sew! {Really enjoyed meeting her via a cab ride home. A group of us had the best discussion about the fabric marketplace and the pricing in said marketplace as well as my fine arts world's pricing}

Oh and last but not least, if this isn't enough, you can also buy vintage fabrics, findings, buttons at booths like this one Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods.

*whew* I think that's everyone. I hope I didn't miss anyone. I'm sure I did. 

{this photo is courtesy of Sarah Jane. Amy's booth was a favorite of mine, had to share it with you and my picture did not turn out}

And so the big question? Will I be designing and selling fabric. YES! The details of how that will evolve to be revealed...

I'll be honest and say that it has taken me a while to adjust to the idea of selling my designs on fabric for other's to create with. But after this trip, I've never been so sure that it is indeed the next step for me. It makes perfect sense really, I am all about encouraging creativity in everyone and what better way to do that than to create a product that people can actually use to be creative with?

Messy and Brave this Saturday

My friends are having an art show, and it's going to be GREAT!!  I cannot wait to go!!

Featuring the art of:

Christine Mason Miller

Gus Harper

Lisa Occhipinti

Trevor Meeker

Sabrina Ward Harrison

 

happy weekend to you!