Modish Monthly Goal Meetup - May

Last month I decided to participate in Modish Biz Tips Monthly Goal Meetup. As part of this community effort to stay motivated in business ventures, I agreed to publicly post a list of goals each month, then follow up with a note on how well I met those goals. I started in April with this list, posted on my blog. It's now May and time to review how I did.

My April agenda:

1. Review all remaining items in The Filigree Garden's Etsy shop and decide which ones no longer fit in with my current creative vision (however murky that is at the moment). Renew those items that still feel like they belong, move some items to 1000 Markets, and mark some for either storage or to be taken apart and redesigned.

Yay! I actually did this early in the month. I was forced to make quick decisions because all of my Etsy items were expiring mid-April.

2. Decide what to do with my Rescued Beauty Etsy shop, which is temporarily on hiatus.

Well, the shop is still on hiatus. I decided it was not worth my time to sell supplies or destash at this time. I might revive it later, who knows? For now, it remains closed.

3. Complete consignment order which is due mid-April (eek!). This involves choosing which items to offer, making a few new designs, and packing it all up for May 1 delivery.

I received a reprieve on this one since the consignment event was moved to June. So this goal will resurface in May. I did narrow down which pieces I want to send and I decided on a couple of new pieces to make.

4. Complete the jewelry that is in process on my work table.

Um, well, I did complete the few pieces I started to make, but while I was playing with beads, new designs appeared and are now half-made on the table. So I am striking this one for April in honor of the work I did complete.

5. Design two coordinating pieces of jewelry for wholesale customer.

Since this wholesale arrangement seemed to slow down considerably, I decided to wait until asked to provide new designs. I haven't heard anything more, so on to more pressing things.

6. Photograph and list new items that have been completed. Try to improve lighting in light box for a slightly softer, more romantic look.

I decided to try taking photographs with natural light and on wood to give a more soft and inviting look. Here's an example of a necklace presented in this format. The reaction on Twitter and amongst friends was mixed. Some liked the wood and some thought the grain distracted the eye from the jewelry design. What do you think? I think I might go back to the light box since natural light is so unreliable, and I am going to retry using fabric and other back drops that would be soft yet not too visually overpowering. Stay tuned...

So here we are, May 4, and it's time to think about goals for this month. I admit that I have been thoroughly distracted from jewelry-making by weaving and gardening, as you can see from my last blog post. In fact, I find myself thinking about yarn and textiles much more than about beads and wire. So, one of the items on my May agenda must reflect this change in mindset and what it means for my business path.

Goals for May:

1. Complete consignment order which is due to ship at the end of May. (Plain and simple!)

2. Decide which non-consignment projects, now on my work table, that I want to complete. Put away materials not in use and clear the decks so I can feel mentally and physically uncluttered.

3. Blog once a week at least, more if possible.

4. Last month I had a flash of inspiration in the form of another shop/brand name idea. Trouble is, I have no idea what the brand should represent or what the shop should have in it. I just really liked the name and by chance, the domain, Etsy shop name, and blog ID were all available. So I snapped it up in all those places in a "go-with-the-flow" moment. Thus, goal number four is to think about (or maybe to be open to ideas for) this new name and what it will come to be. (And no, I am not telling the name online just yet!)

5. Review materials for packaging jewelry to make them more memorable and attractive.

6. Consider remaking banner on Etsy shop page. (I think it needs a fresh look.) Coordinate with packing materials for a complete "branded" look.

7. This last goal is more of an ongoing thread for pondering, and I expect it will be on my list for many months. Reflect on the nature of my business in light of my recently renewed, long-standing obsession with textiles. (Did I mention I am a lifelong fabric-aholic? I sewed well before I started making jewelry.) Can fabric and beads peacefully co-exist? Do I have the energy and interest to do both? Where does my heart really dwell? Where is my business heading?

These last questions may be too metaphysical for business goals, but they certainly affect the amount of effort I put into my business activities. I've always struggled with staying enthusiastic about something once it becomes a profit-making enterprise. Somehow an activity loses its luster once money comes into the picture. This mindset becomes even more prominent when a craft is involved because, for me, art and creativity live on a different plane than jobs and work. I always prefer just making things to satisfy an inner need to do so over focusing on selling them. Plus, let's face it, I am a bit shy (and somewhat lazy) when it comes to marketing and promotion. The idea of spending a lot of time on social networking and hawking my wares makes me want to run and hide! So...maybe number 8 should read, make peace with the difference between crafts for money and crafts for fun, or learn to blend the lines that mark this difference in my mind.

Good luck to all my fellow Meetup followers! I hope May is kind to your goals and that you get a lot accomplished this month.

Modish Monthly Goal Meetup

I have really been enjoying the posts by Jena at Modish Biz Tips. Her thoughtful insights on creativity and business have been very much on target for me lately, and she has really made me reflect on my goals for my business ventures. Now she is challenging her readers to state goals for April, posted for all to see, to keep each of them accountable for following through on their to-do lists. On the first Friday of each month, participants in this "Monthly Goal Meetup" will check in and see how they did meeting their goals. I am hoping group motivation and support will help get me moving on business tasks that have been lurking on the back burner.

Gulp, I'm feeling a little nervous since it is already the second week of April and this week is going to be very busy with non-business activities. Here's hoping the universe will look kindly upon my public declaration of goals!

My short agenda for April:

1. Review all remaining items in The Filigree Garden's Etsy shop and decide which ones no longer fit in with my current creative vision (however murky that is at the moment). Renew those items that still feel like they belong, move some items to 1000 Markets, and mark some for either storage or to be taken apart and redesigned.

2. Decide what to do with my Rescued Beauty Etsy shop, which is temporarily on hiatus.

3. Complete consignment order which is due mid-April (eek!). This involves choosing which items to offer, making a few new designs, and packing it all up for May 1 delivery.

4. Complete the jewelry that is in process on my work table.

5. Design two coordinating pieces of jewelry for wholesale customer.

6. Photograph and list new items that have been completed. Try to improve lighting in light box for a slightly softer, more romantic look.

Internet Blog-In: CPSIA

If you haven't seen or read about the upcoming February implementation of a new law called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act or CPSIA, then I'd like to help spread the word about how this ill-designed law will negatively impact all small businesses and crafters who sell items that could be used by children under 12. The CPSIA is supposedly designed to remove children's items containing lead and phthalates from the marketplace. Understandably, no one wants lead and harmful toxins in their children's toys or clothing, but this law punishes the wrong people. Extensive and expensive testing of individual products will now be required of all manufacturers, including the small home handcrafter. This is retroactive, meaning even existing inventories must either be tested to be within compliance, or items must be removed from sale, and/or destroyed.

While large companies producing toys and clothes on assembly lines in batches by the thousands might have the money to pay for testing each batch, the individual crafter who carefully and lovingly makes one item at a time would be hard-pressed to pay for testing each and every handmade stuffed animal, child's sweater, book or wooden toy. Only large mass-marketers will be able to comply, further limiting the consumer's choices for obtaining clothing and toys for their children and grandchildren. A better plan would have been to make manufacturers of raw materials provide certification of lead and phthalate content so small businesses could assure their supplies were safe to use without having to perform prohibitively expensive testing at their level. And not only are small handcrafters and manufacturers required to comply, but sellers of used and vintage goods that could be used by children must not sell any items that may contain the banned substances. Although they are not required to test their items, these vendors must rely on their judgment to remove suspect items from their shelves; a difficult task at best, and likely to drastically curb sales of recycled and used goods.

Now is the time for every concerned parent and consumer to voice their opinions before the law finally takes effect. Below is a protest letter written by two Etsy shop owners, Chichiboulie and Winklepots, to be posted on participating blogs on Wednesday, January 28, as part of an internet "blog-in" (an electronic version of a sit-in), to protest the upcoming implementation of the CPSIA law. The complete list of blogs involved can be found on the originating Etsy thread, http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6013238.

Here is their letter:

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all. Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html


So what can the average person do? Contact your local congressional or senatorial representative, sign a petition, tell friends, blog about it!

For more information:
Handmade Toy Alliance
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

Ways to contact your local governmental representatives:
Congress
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
phone numbers
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/phone_numbers.tt?show=hill_phone
Senators
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Links to Petitions:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/handmadetoys/

Winter Wonderland

In honor of the peace of the holiday season, the chatter of writing will step aside and let the quiet loveliness of visual art take center stage. Please enjoy this collage of work from talented Etsy artists as they illustrate the beauty and magic of the winter. Please take time to visit each shop (listed at the end of this post) to enjoy more of their creations.

Top row (all left to right):

Snow Day, Vintage Niki (Niki Jackson)
First Snow, molMolly
Finding Winter Cardinal, remarkable bird
Second row:
Beth Goes for a Walk, loveLiette
Fox in the Snow, Lauren Castillo
Glamorous Winter Plumage, bonheur (The Hopeless Romantic Boutique)
Third row:
Warm and Cozy, Elevenish
Snow Journey-Victorian Rabbit, Carmen Keys
Winter Landscape, The Creators Palette
Fourth row:
Winter Mouse, FlutterBrush
Happy Polar Bear in Snow, WhimseyArts
Moonstruck, Christina Colwell

The shops listed below showcase a number of artists whose work has remained somewhat undiscovered on Etsy. I hope to give them a little more exposure.

VintageNiki (Niki Jackson) - http://www.VintageNiki.etsy.com
MolMolly's Art - http://www.molMolly.etsy.com
Remarkable Bird Designs - http://www.remarkablebird.etsy.com
love, Liette (Jennifer Fletcher) - http://www.loveliette.etsy.com
Lauren Castillo Illustration - http://www.LaurenCastillo.etsy.com
bonheur/The Hopeless Romantic Boutique - http://www.bonheur.etsy.com
Elevenish (Carolyne Tillery) - http://www.elevenish.etsy.com
The Art of Carmen Keys - http://www.carmenkeysart.etsy.com
The Creators Palette - http://www.TheCreatorsPalette.etsy.com
FlutterBrush - http://www.FlutterBrush.etsy.com
WhimseyArts - http://www.WhimsyArts.etsy.com
The Folk Art of Christina Colwell - http://www.ChristinaColwell.etsy.com

May the peace and joy of the season last the whole year long!

Winding Down

For the past two months I have been cranking up my internal gears in preparation for the holiday season and three craft shows. I worked night and day like a little elf, the light over my work table often glowing late into the night (or into the wee hours of the morning). Although these times of extreme crafting were tiring, I experienced a wonderful explosion of creativity during those frenetic weeks. Pages of designs were sketched and added to my "inspiration board," and dozens of projects that had been lingering in the back of my mind were brought to life. Of course, I can't keep up that pace for long, and eventually I need to take a short hiatus where I make nothing. It is at that point which I find myself now: shows done, worktable in need of clearing, mind in need of rest. My internal clock needs to wind down. Winter is a good time for replenishing that energy deficit.

So what DID I do during all those late night crafting extravaganzas? Mostly I prepared new inventory for craft shows. The events were not highly attended and my experiences ranged from "awful" to "not too bad." I certainly had the chance to practice setting up and taking down my booth, which I fine-tuned to include new ways to display necklaces and earrings.

Picture frames lined with fabric
make nice back-drops for earrings

Inexpensive lampshades
turn into necklace displays

The booth set-up forms an
L-shape and tries to create
a boutique atmosphere.

The lighted topiaries and silk
flower arrangements I made
were a big hit. People wanted
to know if they were for sale.
Perhaps I should go into
floral design instead??

I made many bracelets, including new styles with wire and glass flowers (right). This is a style I think I may offer again with various handmade, wire focal clasps. I also did some knotting on silk cord (left) which I find very relaxing.

Flowers from Zuda Gay, fused glass pendants from Chauncey Design, handmade lampwork beads and ceramic pendants from other Etsy artisans made their way into my designs.

I also had a chance to use some recycled, vintage bottle glass in a necklace using wrapped Vintaj natural brass filigree to create a pendant, and combining it with frosted Czech glass beads in a matching cobalt shade.

In between the crazy days and nights of crafting, I also decided to open shops on two new, online marketing venues for handmade items. I now have the beginnings of collections available for purchase at 1000 Markets, http://www.1000markets.com/users/thefiligreegarden, and Artfire. I don't yet have a full inventory at these locations, but I plan to further explore these avenues in 2009.

Finally, it seems that everyone is getting into Twitter these days, and I have also taken the plunge into this new micro-blogging outlet. When a friend asked me what Twitter is used for, I was stumped about how to explain it. "Is it chatting?" Well, it can be... "Is is blogging?" Well, sort of... Twitter is really a running monologue (and sometimes dialogue) in real time that is from you to the Twitter community. It encompasses marketing, idea exchanges, information alerts, getting and giving answers to questions, social networking, and communication between people. The one thing it definitely becomes is addicting! If you want to give it a try, you can follow me on Twitter, http://twitter.com/filigreegarden, and we'll have a 140 character dialogue. Yes, each post can only be 140 characters long, so you soon become proficient in trimming what you say to the barest essentials - quite the challenge sometimes!

Now the snow is falling and we're preparing to be housebound for the weekend. After I file away a mountain of paperwork, put the last few pairs of completed earrings in my shops, and do a little more blog maintenance, I think I will clear everything off my work table and go into hibernation for a bit, or at least until January when visions of business taxes and inventory records start dancing in my husband's head. Ugh! Off to hang up the mental "Do Not Disturb" sign until then!

Blog Housekeeping

Those little details of life that relentlessly pull you here and there seem to have gotten the better of me lately. My housekeeping, both on and off the internet, has been lacking. Eventually all those forgotten duties pile up to an extent that a tiny digital dust bunny becomes a huge, looming snow ball threatening to steam roll over everything else. So...it's time to clear out the cobwebs and get back to speed on blogging.

Today's first order of business is to express my thanks to thank a few people who have featured my work and my Etsy shop in the last week.

Fellow Twitterer Altered-Gypsy gave me a nice item spotlight in two of her blogs: My Gypsygoods highlighted my Zen and Faerie Flowers necklaces, which both use artisan beads and pendants as focal points, and Altered Events showcased my Victorian Bride and Secret Diary necklaces. I'd like to invite you all to visit her shop, http://www.Alteredevents.etsy.com, to browse her collection of handmade "unique, fun, fantasy, costume artwear" such as lace chokers, garters, fanciful feathered hats, hair combs, and cuffs. Her second shop, Gypsygoods, http://www.gypsygoods.etsy.com offers a variety of bags, tags, buttons, and seller shop supplies.

Hand stitched layers of lace are added together to create a unique victorian inspired choker
from Altered Events

Another surprise was being included in Jai's weekly top 20 favorite jewelry picks on the blog http://the20jewel.blogspot.com. I was very thankful to have my Copper Dahlias necklace displayed amongst so many other wonderful jewelry selections. Jai is a talented jewelry artisan. She offers her work on Etsy at http://www.jaijohnson.etsy.com, and on her own website, http://www.michelejanine.com. Her jewelry includes pieces created with sculpted solder, gemstones, wire work, scrimshaw, polymer clay and porcelain.

Rare vintage aquamarine
blue glass unfoiled stone framed
in hand-sculpted silver solder
with a silver plated bail
from Jai Johnson

Some of my favorite handmade elements to use in creating jewelry come from the artful hands of Zuda Gay, who makes very beautiful flowers in polymer clay and offers them in her Etsy shop, http://ZudaGay.etsy.com. Every piece of jewelry in my recent shows that included a "Zuda flower" drew lots of attention from visitors to my booth. There is something magical about her polymer designs. Zuda was recently featured on World Artisan Gems as a talented and emerging artist to watch. I heartily agree with this selection! I'd like to extend a big thank you to Zuda for mentioning me in her interview as one of two of her favorite jewelry artisans. I was humbled to be included in her list! Zuda's lovely creations have inspired me to create some of my favorite pieces.

One of Zuda's polymer clay flower pods drips with dew made of
silver-wrapped Czech glass beads in amethyst
and clear vintage Czech crystals in my Faerie Flowers necklace.

Finally, my blog was honored with this Butterfly Award given by agoodwitchtoo on her blog, The Copper Cauldron. Thank you! Make sure you check out The Copper Cauldron at Etsy to peruse agoodwitchtoo's fine selection of handmade soaps, http://www.agoodwitchtoo.etsy.com.

As recipient of this award, I am obliged to pass the love on to 10 other bloggers whose blogs deserve some attention. So...

The awards go to:
1. Magdalene Jewels
2. On a Whimsey
3. Mystic Mooma Makes Things
4. Word Walks
5. Joonbeam
6. Beth Peardon Productions
7. Nuvo Felt
8. Dreaming Spirals
9. Jai Johnson
10. My Gypsygoods

Now those receiving the awards are urged to do the following:
1. Post a copy on your blog.
2. Mention who gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to 10 others.
4. Leave a message on their blog letting them know the honor has been bestowed upon them.


Well, housecleaning can be exhausting! Next, I'll update you on what I have been doing for the last month. Stay tuned.

Blog Love

Some days start off the same old way, and then a few start off with very pleasant surprises. This morning I was greeted with a little bit of blog love in the form of a nomination for the award pictured here, "Brillante Weblog-Primo 2008". My wonderful BBEST (Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team) team mate and fellow blogger Pamela of Magdalene Jewels has included my blog in her list of seven favorite artisan blogs. Pam's great blog and the original nomination can be read at http://magdalenejewelspjk.blogspot.com
Pam creates beautiful jewelry which is offered in her Etsy shop, www.MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com. I am greatly honored to be included in her list! Thank you Pam!

In turn, I am to nominate seven creative bloggers to join this list of blogs to love. Narrowing down this list to only seven will not be an easy task! Here are a few of the worthy blogs I frequent. I am sorry I can't include more!

1. http://joonbeam.blogspot.com
2. http://wordwalks.blogspot.com
3. http://scottieacres.blogspot.com
4. http://suebleiweiss.typepad.com/sueb
5. http://sandfibers.blogspot.com
6. http://www.vanfleetstreetdesign.blogspot.com
7. http://lizplummer.com/blog

Now that I have passed the "Brilliante Weblog-Primo 2008" onto each of these artists, they, in turn, must do the same by following the instructions below:

1. Add the logo of the Award to your blog.
2. Add a link to the Person who nominated you for the Award.
3. Nominate 7 other blog members.
4. Add links to their blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message (or convo) for those you nominated on their blog.

Please do take a look at each of the blogs that I nominated. You will find interesting reading, beautiful artwork, and creative inspiration at each stop. Enjoy!

Fiber, Paper, Scissors

Recently I took a little side trip away from making jewelry into the wonderful world of paper and fiber by taking an online class called Journal Making for the Fiber Artist. During the 5-week class, students learned techniques to make five different types of blank journals that have fiber covers and stitched-in paper sections known as “signatures.” Although I have only completed the first lesson in the series (my first journal is pictured to the left), I enjoyed using new techniques and working in a fresh medium. I found I had fun playing with paper, especially applying embellishments using paper punches and eyelets. There is nothing like diving into a new artistic realm to spark one’s sluggish creativity. one’s sluggish creativity.

Our instructor and creator of the journal projects is Sue Bleiweiss. Sue is a talented mixed media fiber artist, a teacher, publisher of the online mixed media zine Fibre & Stitch, and an energetic, creative individual who is always experimenting with new techniques and materials to develop unique surface treatments for her many artistic projects. Her primary focus at the moment is exploring the creation of 3D structures such as fabric boxes, sketchbooks and journals. Sue writes that she is “enjoying the challenge of adapting traditional book binding techniques to work with fabrics and fibers.” Her work is showcased in her Etsy shop, http://www.suebleiweiss.etsy.com.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sue at her home where she gave me a tour of her studio, which contained many works in progress, including fabric in process on her loom for a magazine feature, and new designs for fabric journals. When asked what sparked the development of her handcrafted journals, and how the marriage of fiber and paper took place, Sue replied, “I'm not really sure why I started making journals. I think it came from wondering if I could adapt traditional bookbinding techniques to work with fiber and fabric. My first designs started out fairly simple with plain paper insides. Now I spend just as much time (and sometimes a lot more!) creating the insides as I do on the outsides.”

Although her worktable is currently covered in supplies and notes for creating samples for her latest journal making class, she is always thinking about the next project. Sue’s talents cover a wide range of interests, including weaving, fabric painting and dyeing, handbag design, construction of fabric boxes, and papermaking and embellishment. Sue is now happily immersed in fiber art and teaching, but until six years ago she worked in the high tech world building online reporting and financial analysis systems. Sue recalls her decision to make a career path change. “I decided that I wanted a less stressful and slower paced way of life so I left it to pursue some other things. I started out weaving and spent a couple of years selling my weavings and handbags. I fell into online teaching a couple of years ago when I was approached about creating an online class teaching silk fusion. I love to teach and have been developing and offering online classes ever since.”

Sue’s enthusiasm for helping her students and seeing them enjoy exploring new mediums is obvious; she is very prompt and thorough in replying to their questions during class. “I absolutely love to teach, it's one of my favorite things to do besides the actual creating,” she explains. “I am in the process of developing a second journal making class and another mixed media techniques class. The techniques class will either be a 12-week class or two 6-week classes. I haven't decided yet. I also have on the ‘to develop’ list to create a new updated version of my Silk Fusion class.”

During our visit, I found myself inspired by Sue’s willingness to dive into new projects and to venture into unknown artistic realms, places where many of us hesitate to go without much deliberation and analysis. I wondered if her creative process had a particular format; if there was a pattern to the way she brought an idea from a passing thought to a finished product. Was there something that inspired her or got her creative juices flowing? Sue provided this insight. “My creative process is a hit or miss one. I'm typically in the studio for 6 to 8 hours a day starting at about 6 a.m. Sometimes I go in with the intention of working on an idea that I've sketched out or written down in my notebook and sometimes I go in with no plan at all. The only thing that I do consistently with regards to the creative process is to keep a notebook going at all times. Nothing fancy mind you and it doesn't have any artsy-sketched drawings done in colored pencils or watercolors. It's just page after page of scribbles and notes. Sometimes I paste in something I cut out of a magazine or catalog that caught my eye but mostly it's just notes and lists. This helps to keep me focused and organized so that when I'm ready for instance to start developing a new class or working on a new idea I can refer to my notebook and everything is in one place.”

Sue seems to have a boundless creative energy, which she applies to anything she attempts. I asked if there were any aspects of crafting that she didn’t find appealing and that she wouldn’t try again. Sue did acknowledge, “I tried spinning once and that didn't go well at all! I tried doing glasswork once but didn't really enjoy that either. I prefer the tactile nature of working with fiber.”

Sue’s other hidden talent lies in publishing, and she greatly enjoys the production of the online magazine Fibre & Stitch with her partner Terri Stegmiller. Sue explained how the “zine” was developed. “F&S was started on a whim believe it or not. I was looking for a new challenge and I thought why not try my hand at online publishing. I sent an email to my good friend and now business partner Terri Stegmiller (http://stegart.blogspot.com/) and asked her if she wanted to start up a magazine with me, and two months later we were up and running and taking subscription orders. We're just about ready to publish our 4th issue and we're looking forward to the next four.” Sue and Terri also collaborate on the website Two Creative Studios where both artists offer a number of online learning opportunities in a wide variety of mixed-media fiber arts subjects such as journal making, paper quilting, mixed-media fiber collage, surface design and much more.

Undoubtedly Sue has been very successful in many artistic avenues from weaving to journal making to publishing. She has been featured in magazines such as Belle Armoire, Somerset Studio and Handwoven. I asked her to suggest some tips for those just starting out in the world of marketing their creative work. Sue responded, “My advice to those just starting out is to make yourself as visible as you can. Market yourself online in Yahoo groups, Ning groups, and by being active in the blogging community. Submit work to print and online magazines. Getting published is a terrific way to get your work and name in front of an audience without having to spend any money up front.”

I am thankful to Sue for opening her studio to me and for offering insights into her creative process. I am looking forward to seeing what new techniques and fiber designs emerge from her workshop, guided by her talented hands and inspired by her very fruitful artistic imagination. To keep updated on Sue's latest projects, visit her blog at http://suebleiweiss.typepad.com/sueb/ .

My Morning Surprise!

Monday morning, when I checked my email as usual, I received a pleasant surprise from Google Alerts. My online Etsy shop, The Filigree Garden, had been featured in the blog of KimberlyHanson, proprietor of The Wild Hare. Kimberly's post was lovely and very detailed. I am very grateful and flattered to have had my handmade wares presented in such a wonderful way. Many thanks to Kimberly! For a glimpse of what she wrote, you can visit her blog page for Monday, May 5.

Kimberly and I are both members of a very active and supportive "street team" at Etsy called BBEST, (Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team). BBEST is a great way for Etsy shop owners over age 40 to connect, network, promote their shops, collaborate on challenges, discuss interests, and make friends. This is diverse group of vibrant, creative and interesting people, and I am enjoying being a part of the BBEST community.

One very positive aspect of being involved with a team is the inspiration and encouragement offered when someone ventures into a new crafting realm or tries his or her hand at a new art form. Sharing our design innovations, as well as our frustrations, keeps us all motivated to move out of our creative comfort zones into new, more exciting possibilities. For example, Kimberly's shop, The Wild Hare, has always offered a very nice, assortment of handmade crafts including diecuts for scrapbooking, delightful cards and gift tags, lovely watercolor paintings, painted tile coasters, and delicate crocheted wraps. However, she recently shared her newest sewing adventure with us when she listed a series of fun and colorful pincushions, some in the shapes of "mini-muffins," and some that wrap around a finger for keeping pins close at hand. An interesting and eco-friendly feature of the "muffin" cushion is that a recycled, plastic water bottle cap is used to create its base; felt completes the design. Her new creations received a lively and positive response. It is always exciting to see what new projects teammates such as Kimberly bring to their Etsy shops.



The Wild Hare is a family affair. As Kimberly writes, "We are a family starting to do more of what we truly love - creating wonderful, practical, beautiful things with our hands and hearts. Parents, Children, Grandparents - everyone is getting in on the fun." To so many of us on the BBEST team, our Etsy "village" has become like an extended part of our own families. I think the aspect of community in our crafting lives is so important to stay connected to a higher level of creative flow. It provides a sounding board for our latest ideas, about which we may have doubts. It keeps us flowing out beyond our personal artistic boundaries, and yet it provides a life raft in case we feel like we have gotten into water that is too deep. We are kept afloat while we are tired; we are carried along with the tide of the community's energy until we are ready to swim again on our own. I am thankful for the support of my "Etsy Village" and for gracious team members like Kimberly.