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What Have You Done Right Lately?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 May 2016 16:44:00 +0000

I know the value of self-improvement.

I strive for it every day. In fact, like a lot of people, I spend most of my days thinking about the things I need to do, fix, and improve about myself and the way I go about my life.

Sometimes the thoughts help me motivate and get to the next step, sometimes they just push me deeper into depression. On my darker days it saps my energy to the point where I can't even move.

But ask me what I've done right lately and you'll likely be met with a deer-in-the-headlights kind of blinking stare because more often than not, I don't stop to take the time to fully acknowledge the good things that I've made happen.

We all know that it takes courage to be vulnerable and to share the things that didn't work out, but I really think it takes a similar kind of courage to stand up for yourself and admit what went right!

There's a balance to be had in there somewhere, of course. It is all important, valid, and I think it's necessary for us to keep both sides in view.

So, I ask again - What have YOU done right lately?

On Catching Up

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 May 2016 06:48:00 +0000

Does this process sound familiar to anyone?

Start blog
Post furiously for days / weeks / months / years
Lose interest / burn out / life gets complicated
Take a year or two (or three) off from posting
Think about writing again but can't think of anything to say
A few months later, try again and start your post with "Sorry I've been gone for so long...blah blah blah"
Feel dumb and never post again (until next time)

Yeah. I've done all of that more times than I can remember. Every time I start on step number 6, I keep wondering - who the heck cares? Who's watching, anyway? Who in their right mind is waiting around hoping I'll post again after almost exactly a year of silence?

No one. That's who!

And you know what? I'm okay with that because starting over is just starting again. Nothing wrong with starting. In fact, starting is the thing that GETS THINGS DONE, amirite? :D

One thing I know for sure, my current biggest hurdle in life is hesitation and I'm tired of holding myself back until that mystical, magical time when things are "in place" or "ready" or whatever.

So, instead of stressing myself out and trying to come up with some sort of big plan or whatnot, I'm going to take the things I've long considered my failures (like this blog) and use them as opportunities to reconnect with myself! That's it, really.

My hope is that somehow through just posting SOMEthing, ANYthing - I'll start writing things that are meaningful to more than just me over time. That's how it usually happens, anyway.

So there it is. Another start. Another meaningless story out on the interwebs. And hey - if anyone is actually here in the ether-sphere with me, reading along and nodding with agreement or empathy, then I want to say, "Hello! Hey! Thanks for being here! You are awesome!"

And if I'm just saying that to myself for a time, I'm okay with that too.

Mind Your Own Business

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 May 2015 22:42:00 +0000

Remember "Swimmy"? Don't worry. No one else does either.

When I saw the title of a recent "I hate Etsy and here's why" themed blog post, I was so offended I almost didn't read any further. What's more, when the author was called out in the comments on the use of the particularly inappropriate word in her title, she vehemently defended her choice, siting semantics as her only defense...not that anyone should be surprised about that. (I'm choosing not to link to it out of respect to anyone who has endured violent trauma, but if you're curious, a Google search will help you find it quite easily)

I went ahead and read through the article hoping to see some sort of vital insight or new point of view to justify the use of such a shocking title. But unfortunately it just came off to me like sour grapes from a citizen of the privileged masses that seem to think that just because they spend time on something, they are somehow deserving of their every selfish desire to come to fruition.

"What about ME? What about MY shop? MY business?" That's pretty much all I hear from the people who are taking the time to complain about these things. Oh sure, some couch it between catch phrases like, "save our community" and "handmade is better" and "corporate greed", to make them seem like they have some altruistic intent. And that does get them followers. Good for them.

But when these same voices are asked, "So if you're quitting Etsy, where will you go?" and they respond with, "I haven't found another site that can touch Etsy's reach so I have to stay." Really? Hm. No. You don't have to do anything. Why not say, "I'm working hard to improve and grow my business every day so I can be less dependent on platforms I can't control." Why not, indeed.

While I agree that the low priced import sellers have increased the atmosphere of bargain shopping on Etsy, all of that really started with hobbyist sellers who are "just trying to make money for supplies" without a care for making a true profit or growing a business. There was a lot of complaining about that in the early days too. But eventually those sellers get tired of working so hard for nothing or they figure out how to run a business and make the move toward having a profitable shop. Lessons learned.

But does any of it truly matter? I find that most new Etsy customers simply don't care all that much about where their stuff is coming from. Sure, they should care. It would be nice if they did care. But they just don't. The bargain shoppers buy the cheap stuff and the quality shoppers buy based on reviews, photography, and listing copy. In the end, everyone (including myself), does a bit of both.

Change is hard, but the last time sellers were promised a "handmade marketplace" was just before the returned founder got canned for the second time in 2011. Like I said in a previous post: Etsy jumped the handmade shark years ago, and anyone who thinks they'll somehow wake up one day to see the error of their ways and go back to their founding ethics is living in a fantasy world. It just ain't gon' happen.

In the meantime, the truly successful Etsy seller is out there just doing their thing, promoting their business, using Etsy like the business tool it is, diversifying their online presence, building their following, and paying attention to what's going on but ultimately choosing not participate in the hype. You know, like a real business owner that takes responsibility for their own decisions and finds it distasteful to credit or blame another business for the rise and fall of their success.

We can scream and fight and argue and disagree and blame and point fingers all we like. But to what end? Businesses have to grow. Investors must be paid. And Handmade just isn't an inherently scalable business model. Yes, yes, it can be done, but only by the most determined of the bunch...and they're not getting involved in the debate. While we may not like it, they simply don't have the time because they're busy doing what is best for their business. Just like Etsy.

Just like you?

Huge thanks to the ever-awesome Betsy Greer for asking the questions that prompted me to share my honest truth today. Be sure to check out her excellent post "Why Etsy Owes You Nothing" and find out what the McRib is doing in a post about Etsy... <3

When Teaching Becomes Learning

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 May 2015 00:51:00 +0000

I have a confession to make.

Well, let me back up a bit.

Back before the launch of my CreativeLive classes, I spent the better part of a month gathering information and writing content so I could do my best to effectively teach a couple of classes all about starting an Etsy shop and improving SEO for Etsy.

For as many classes as I've taught and as many people I have helped, I found it surprising how many of my personal insecurities came out during this process.

"Do I really know what I'm talking about?"
"My shop isn't remotely what I would call successful: why would anyone listen to me?"
"I'm not sharing anything new or groundbreaking...I should be doing more."

But loudest one? The loudest one was the one that said, "I'm too fat to be on camera."

Yep. I'm a "plus size / big girl / fat chick". But that doesn't mean I can't teach you a thing or two :)

Huh? Seriously? After all of my years helping craft makers build their businesses and teaching and being chosen go to Etsy HQ to learn about their process and teaching at great conferences like Craftcation and School House Craft and even being featured in the Seattle Times...

THAT is what my lizard brain is going to throw at me to try to bring me down? Sheesh. I'm way better than that...aren't I?

Now. This isn't anything surprising for me. I come from a long line of women who are obsessed about weight and perfectionism. Not to mention that in my "former life" many years ago, I was an actor in Hollywood struggling to get people to pay attention to me. I always thought I was too fat back then too - even though in retrospect I really wasn't.

But I kept going. Even though my insecurities continued to ebb and flow...I knew I had to keep going. I had no choice, really. I just powered through, put my head down, worked hard, researched until I was cross-eyed, prepared class materials, put together lengthy slide shows, typed my fingers numb, and ended up putting together what I think are some pretty information-packed classes! (Find them here: Etsy 101 and SEO for Etsy).

And you know what?

Even though this is the most I've ever weighed in my life
Even though I felt like I could have been more prepared
Even though a few things went wrong (but luckily much more went right!)
Even though I was super nervous and giggly and had a hard time not looking at the monitor making it look like I had my eyes closed most of the time (haha!), meh...whatever...

I DID IT ANYWAY!

I worked hard and conveyed the information I wanted to pass long. From the feedback I've heard so far, lots of people - both experienced Etsy sellers and beginners alike - learned a lot of helpful stuff too.

So I have to confess...
I'm pretty happy about that.

Now it's your turn.
That thing that's really hard in your life right now? That thing you're struggling with?
I really do think that you have what it takes to get through it. Just do your best. Do what needs to be done and you'll get there. Yes. Keep going. Keep pushing forward. You'll see.

I believe in you!

My CreativeLive Classes are Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 07:50:00 +0000

Hello everyone from CreativeLive land!

Ooh boy. I'm writing this the evening before my big CreativeLive classes. I'm super nervous but excited at the same time! I know it will go well though because I have an amazing community of people all rooting for me...and I am SO grateful!

If you want to check out the classes, if you're reading this on Thursday, March 5, 2015, you can go to the CreativeLive site and watch me streaming live!

9am to 12pm: Etsy 101 - Launching Your Online Shop
12:45pm to 4pm: SEO for Etsy

If you're reading this after March 5th, then you'll see a link to purchase the classes there so you can get all the videos plus all the bonus materials I put together too - including my new e-books
"Handmade Value - a pricing guide for artists and craft makers" with the 101 class
And "Small Object Photography for Online Sellers" with the SEO class!

I am also offering a bonus FREE link list for signing up for my upcoming newsletter over at CreativeArtsConsulting.com - it would be awesome if you'd join me there :)

Okay. I'd better go get some sleep. I'll see you online!

A Community Divided Strengthens None

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:34:00 +0000

I did say that I was going to be real with you, right? Okay. Here's a good one:
I just finished reading some seriously saddening rants about an Etsy seller who is reportedly making over 1 million dollars in sales per year and I just have to wonder out loud: What is up with the handmade community constantly turning on itself when someone from the ranks finds success with their business?

Why can't the response to reading an article about such a seller be, "Oh wow! That's awesome! Good for her - and good for US! Her shop is bringing in thousands of buyers to the site and many of them buy more stuff from other sellers too!"

Instead, the news of someone finding a level of success beyond many of our wildest dreams is met with utter scrutiny, judgement, and people accusing her of not being a "true handmade" business.

Wait, what?

Okay, sure...that seller may not be a totally handmade business, but isn't that true of all of us??
Who among us can truly claim to be a PURELY handmade business??

"weaving destiny, maheshwar" by nevilzaveri under cc by

Seriously - when was the last time you've heard of anyone on Etsy milling their own fabric and thread? Mining their own silver? Someone who makes things with only components they themselves made from scratch with their own two hands?

My guess is maybe 1% of all sellers on Etsy can say that they are purely handmade with any certainty. I would also venture to say that if that maker lives in the US, that's about how much of the population could ever afford their work.

Okay okay, I can hear some of you screaming at me, "But what if that seller isn't making ANY of their stuff? What if they are just buying it on some import website and just totally reselling it with no creative addition or embellishment whatsoever? Shouldn't that matter? Etsy is a HANDMADE marketplace and should stay that way!!"

This may surprising - especially coming from me - but in my opinion, even if the seller in question isn't making a darned thing and is just reselling straight-out, I still don't think that's a reason to get all bent out of shape. The idea that Etsy is a handmade marketplace that just supports handmade work is a fantasy.

The harsh truth is that Etsy jumped the "handmade" shark a LONG time ago so I just don't get why anyone feels the need to get all up-in-arms and territorial for something that just isn't reality anymore and will likely never be again.

Here's my point:
We need to concentrate on using Etsy as the sales tool that it is - a place to have a web presence, an easy way to accept payments and showcase our work to people outside of our own circles. Most importantly, a place for our brands to benefit from the amazing SEO power of a larger company who has the resources to make individual items land on the first and second page of any search for a product sold through their site.

Instead of spending so much energy trying to expose "impostors" and tattling on each other (which BTW, Etsy has conditioned us to do with their divisive flagging system) I think it's time for us as a creative community to come together and support one another as we take our businesses toward higher levels of success. Let's focus on learning how we can help each other improve and find the lessons when we learn that someone has surpassed what we ourselves are currently capable of.

If we can't do that, then we need to take a good, long look in the mirror and ask ourselves why someone else's success is so threatening to our own self worth.

Because really - it's not about them, is it?

PS...I fully recognize that what I have written here is my own opinion and you are more than welcome to disagree wholeheartedly with me. The one thing I would rather you not do is to try to convince me that your opposing opinion is *better* than mine. We can disagree and still be friendly, can't we? :)

This Time, It's Personal...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 02:03:00 +0000

The thing I probably love the most about the internet is how it just keeps going.

I mean, really. I can drop the ball, get busy, focus my energies elsewhere, and any number of other reasons for a year-long absence from blogging - but the absolute and ultimately comforting reality is: the ONLY thing that matters is TODAY.

And I honestly don't mean that in a dismissive way.

What I mean is that LIFE goes on. I've spent the last year feeling badly about not posting and not saying anything about not posting and then at some point feeling ridiculous that I had convinced myself that any of it really mattered.

So now, with expectations erased, I am declaring this space a place for me to post my thoughts and share things I find interesting, important, or just plain silly. I'll also take time to talk about some behind the scenes stuff from my soon-to-be revived business blogs where I'll share business advice and photography tips once again.

In addition to all of that, I also want this space to be about YOU, lovely reader. Yes. You. All one or two of you at this point, but perhaps more sometime in the near future. I want to tell your story and share your creativity with anyone who might happen by. Stories about life and craft and the changes we all go through. I mean, why not? You are interesting, important, and just plain silly sometimes, right?

But that's about it. No real "blogging for success" plan here. Just me writing to you and being as real as I can be.

That's it :)

Until next time...

Don't Be Discouraged...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:00:00 +0000

A gentle reminder for us all...

How to Pick the Right Craft Shows

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:06:00 +0000

It's time to start making some decisions on which craft shows you want to apply for the rest of the year, but how do you really know which shows are the right ones for you?

etsyRAIN Handmade Holiday Show 2012

For your best chance at a great show, you'll want to research each craft show under consideration with these three key points in mind:

Booth fees: the amount you pay for your booth can be an indicator of the quantity of customers to expect at a show
Potential Customers: who shops the show and is your product is a good fit for those customers
Your Intentions: check in with yourself to make sure you're applying for all the right reasons

Let's dig a bit deeper into those points...

Point 1: How much are the booth fees?
You know the saying, “You get what you pay for”? Well, that truism works for craft show booth fees too: Low booth fees generally mean fewer customers shopping the show.

Why?
From personal experience producing craft shows here in Seattle, it costs a LOT of time and money to produce and properly market and advertise a craft show. If the show producers are not allowing for a healthy advertising budget when calculating their booth fees then they are most likely going to rely on word of mouth to let people know about their event.

Without advertising, it is unlikely that they will be able to spread the word very far and as a result, there will be fewer shoppers attending the show.

No marketing budget = fewer customers.

Point 2: Is your product is a good fit for the expected customer base?
(In other words, is the stuff you make the stuff they want?)

Here’s where you need to be really honest with yourself about your true customer. If your product offering is just not right for the buyers who attend the show then no amount of planning or advertising will help you to sell more stuff.

Do your research on the show and its customers before committing to it. The best way to do this is to actually shop the show first before applying to be a part of it. If you’re looking at an out of town show, you’ll want to search around for honest reviews of that show and maybe even try contacting one of the vendors who show in your category to see if they’ll give you some feedback on their experience at that show.

One word of caution: Keep in mind that one vendor's "amazing" show is another vendor's "just okay" show so take each review with that in mind and in the end, make the decision that best fits your situation.

Point 3: Why do you want to be a part of that particular show?

There are many reasons to do a show - not all of them have to do with money.

Sometimes you want to do a lower booth fee show because you are supporting your local school or charity.
Sometimes you do a show that you've never shopped before because you've heard nothing but great things from your friends and colleagues.
Sometimes it's just your gut telling you that it will be a good idea to give it a try.

No matter what your intentions for doing a show, the most important thing to have prepared is a plan on how you are going to sell your work - both during and AFTER the show is over!

Look at it this way - not having a plan on how you are going to SELL your work is like throwing money into the wind and hoping some of it will blow back into your pocket. You may get lucky some of the time, but without the proper sales skills you will never achieve your full potential profit at any show regardless of how reasonable the booth fee or how extensive the advertising.

Make it a top priority to learn how to really sell your work and watch your sales soar!

In the end, only you know what works and doesn't work for your business. Just remember that you do not have to be swayed by booth fees or locations or perceived customer value. Base your decisions on facts and ultimately follow your instincts - that way, no matter what the outcome, at least you will know you did your best!

How do YOU choose which shows to apply for and participate in?

Please share your tips in the comments section!

Community Building: Tips for Overcoming Networking Anxiety

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:04:00 +0000

Networking doesn't have to be a scary proposition.

When you come right down to it, it's really just a one-word way of saying,
"Get out of your studio and meet people of like minds."

etsyRAIN Networking event - Seattle, WA

Top 10 ways to make a networking meeting work for you:

Show up
Participate
Ask Questions
Be a good listener
Bring Business Cards
Take Business Cards
Make connections
Introduce people to each other
Practice Your Elevator Pitch
Above All Have a Good Time!

Show up
"I keep meaning to make it to a Meetup! Maybe next time!"
How many times have you said this in the last year? Make "next time" THIS time and watch your network grow!

Participate
Showing up isn't nearly enough. You have to attempt to set your inner introvert aside for just a couple of hours so you can actively engage with your community.

Ask Questions
This is the best known secret for making meaningful connections with people. Ask them about their work. About their shop. Why they do what they do. How they started making their stuff. Basic questions are great! While you're at it, be sure you include ANYONE who is in earshot of your conversation!

Be a Good Listener

Everyone likes to know they're being heard. It's sometimes hard to keep focused in a group situation, but do your best and you'll be remembered!

Bring Business Cards

Part of the fun of networking is testing your memory after the event! Bring and exchange business cards with the people you connect with.

Take Business Cards

Have a tough time remembering things? Make notes right on their card - no shame in that...it shows people that you're paying attention! (side note: do YOUR business cards explain who you are and what you do *clearly*? Make it easy for your new connections and be descriptive on your card!)

Make Connections

Whoever you end up talking to, try to find some common ground between you. There is almost always something you can connect on. Make it a goal to try to meet at least one person that you'd be willing to have coffee with after the event!

Introduce People to Each Other

Make it a point to be sure the people you are talking to have been formally introduced, "Have you two met? No? This is Jane of Jane Smith Designs - she makes handbags out of interesting materials. This is Sally of Sally Jones Designs - she makes jewelry with beautiful beads from all over the world." (side note: Don't remember everyone's name? Just say so! Like this: "No? You two should meet [turning to one person] I'm sorry, I don't remember your name!" The rest takes care of itself...trust me. It's really okay!)

Practice Your Elevator Pitch

An "elevator pitch" is just a quick way to introduce what you do to new people. Just your name, company name, and a quick overview of what you make. Keep it focused and as short and clear as possible. It's really important to practice ahead of time so when you hear the question, "What do you do?" you are prepared with a quick intro to the awesomeness that is you!

Above All, Have a Good Time!

Walking into a room of people you don't know can be very intimidating, but try to remember that most everyone is feeling exactly the same way! Meet every glance with a smile and before you know it, you'll be chatting it up with your new friend and making plans for coffee after the event is over!

Note: This is an updated post based on my original quick-tip article at

http://creativeartsconsulting.com/2011/01/18/quick-tip-a-few-words-on-creative-networking/

What are some of your tricks for overcoming networking anxiety?

Please share them in the comments below!

On Turning 40...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:00:00 +0000

So, I have a friend online. She's turning 40 this week and is, quite understandably, a bit nervous about the BIG 4-0. She asked for stories to help her through this trying and emotional time and it got me thinking about where I was when I turned 40 and what I (now) wish someone would have said to me as I embarked on a new decade of life.

So here it is. This is what I want to say to anyone freaking out about facing any big milestone birthday...

Hey girl! (or boy) This is it. The BIG one. The BIG 4-0. The defining moment of your life. Middle Age. The moment of truth. Destiny's vision realized. The major turning point where upon all other deeds will originate for the rest of your life. Yes. The ONE moment in time in ALL of your existence that you'll see those two numbers side by side therefore, that must mean something, right? Yep. I know. It's Scary stuff. I've been there too. But since you asked and since I'm older than you, do you want to know the super big secret to making the most of 40? Okay. I'm going to tell you...but...you have to promise to keep an open mind. Are you ready???

40 by cauldrongraphix via flickr

If you believe any of that stuff, you are buying into a LIE.

Seriously. All of that stuff is hooey.

Just to prove my point - now that you know it's all a lie, read the paragraph above again.

Go ahead. I'll wait....

Isn't it kind of sad that THAT is what we think and feel when we hit big "milestone" birthdays? Man. No wonder I was paralyzed when I turned 40. I mean...sheesh. NO Pressure! Phfft! But you know what? It's all bullsh**.

When I turned 40, I just KNEW it would be my year. So, since it was SUCH a big deal, I waited for something important to happen. Oh sure, I kept doing things, but the whole time I fantasized about that magical moment when the time would be just right to really move my plans forward. Then I made more plans. I also talked about them constantly. Talked and talked. I hoped and planned and talked some more. I found myself wishing that someone, anyone, would show up and just tell me what I needed to do to make things feel right so I could move past the nauseous feeling of floundering and flailing that plagued me every day.

You know what all that waiting around accomplished? Some perspective maybe? An inner peace? A path to nirvana? What do you think? (Wait for it...)

...............

Nothing! I wasted my days. Had many sleepless nights. Next thing you know, I wake up and here I am - I'm turning 45 this year with the horrible, terrible realization that I am quite literally STILL waiting for that big "thing" to happen. I mean, what the...? This is NOT how I thought it would work out. Not at all.

Okay, okay. It's not all bad. I look back and I am definitely proud of a lot of the things I've done over the last 5 years...but honestly, if I could do it all over again, I would stop myself right where you are right NOW - at 40 - and tell myself: QUIT waiting, stop worrying about the calendar, stop caring about other people's opinions, and let go of the expectation that anything is going happen the way you think it's supposed to happen.

Life just doesn't work that way. Life is a living breathing thing. If you let it sit and wait, it will wait. And wait. And wait. Until it forgets how to LIVE. Then you're screwed. Take it from me. It sucks to wake up and realize that your "risk-taking muscles" have atrophied from waiting.

Look. You can either burn daylight waiting around for a more perfect day to flex those muscles or you can take a walk in the sunshine and see where the path leads you. It's your choice, but if you want to feel better about 40, take my advice:

DO NOT WAIT. ACT. TRY. DO. TRY AGAIN.

Only by DOING can you ensure that at 45, you'll be able to look back on your last 5 years and have a much more inspiring story to tell than the one that I personally let slip away due to intense fear and hesitation.

It is time to get out of your head and back to reality. Don't you dare let stories, fears, expectations, assumptions, and lies hold you back. They do not give you the protection they claim to give. Instead, they are dastardly thieves, stealing your future from you bit by bit...until one day: BOOM. 45. BOOM. 50. BOOM. 60.

This is life. Today. You are living it NOW. Instead of waiting for milestones to pass us by, let's CREATE milestones that we'll be proud to talk about in 5 years. Deal?

Are You Listening to the Signs Around You?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 01:27:00 +0000

A bit of creative writing to encourage and inspire you today and every day.
Written by my lovely friend Lisa Raymoure Cooper of Laughing Moon Art Studio

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is a true story. It's a small story to be sure, but affected me in a large way.
There is a quote I like, it goes like this; "I try to take things one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me all at once.."

How my week went, is actually a long story, but the part that is sticking with me is the small story... that came at the end. That's what I want to tell you about.

I went early to the gas station, to put a little gas in my car to do the things I needed to do. I was paying more attention to the numbers on the front of the pump than anything, as I had a certain amount budgeted. I caught movement from my side. A crow flew up from the ground to the overhang directly above me. Nothing too amazing, this is the midwest after all. Then, it dropped to the ground, and did it again. Right over my head.

Now, it had my attention.

photo via Flickr by C. Strife

I was looking up, to see if it would reappear, curious. Nothing happened and I returned to dwelling on my thoughts of the past week or two. Sorting through what had happened, gone wrong, failed. Wondering why large hurts seem to come all on top of each other, so much like a rugby pile up - with us on the bottom. I put the cap on and walked around the back of the car to get in when right in front of me, waiting, was the crow.
It stood about 10 feet from me, regarding me.

Moving only it's head, to observe me from different angles, it started calmly walking towards me.
Crows usually don't really walk. They sort of strut. And when they are in a murder they can be fairly intimidating these 'Men In Blacks', dark generals, taking over whatever ground they are on. There was no bobbing of it's head, just watching me and coming forward. I opened the car door, sat down and watched it through my open window. There was no one else around in the early morning, and the air was clean and still cool from the night as we looked at each other. I sat, in it's gaze for about five minutes. It didn't feel threatening, or ominous. Just a calm exchange - but strangely purposeful.
Finally, I started the car, and it stood and watched me drive away. It didn't back up, or break into flight. I could see it's head, tilted to the side to watch me leave.

Later I googled this:
"Crow is a messenger of change; spiritual, mental and emotional. Life, death, rebirth, transition, watchfulness, look for opportunities coming up, aids in ability to move spiritually and physically. They teach the power and balance of light/dark and spiritual/physical. He teaches to create and manifest things in our lives, all of life is waiting. Crow announces a newness on the horizon. Are you aware of the nuances in life? Are you listening to signs around you? Crow can give strength and show you how to maneuver in intuitions and insights."

via flickr by C. Strife

Take my word for it, it was a very appropriate message after the previous week. I like to think it was one of those small moments, that if listened to can be big moments. For me the struggles of the week, for a minute were put in a perspective that I could face square forward and feel again like I could tackle. There is a particular prayer I like, the Seafarer's Prayer to Mary,Star of the Sea. So, I said it, being thankful in the midst of my oceans storms this small gift came to me, and that I recognized it.

Is everything all better? Well, no... although it will be. Some things take time. Emotional turmoil or practical struggles need the space they need to be worked out. But they will.

Will a Better Camera Make You a Better Photographer?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:07:00 +0000

I get this question all the time during my small object photography sessions and it's one of my favorites!

Before I answer, I'd like to give you a little pop quiz:

Which photo was taken with a standard point-and-shoot camera and which was taken with an entry-level DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera?

If you've been wondering if you *must* buy an expensive, big, fancy, complicated DSLR to replace your vacation point-and-shoot camera in order to take great photos of your work for your online shop, I'm pretty sure I'm about to make your day.

Buying a new camera won't guarantee that you will take better photos! In fact, many point-and-shoot cameras available on the market today are capable of taking wonderful product photos IF they have the right settings available.

After all, taking great photos is about much more than just the kind of camera you have. Great photos happen when you know the functional limits of your camera and how to use them to your advantage.

So, before you rush out and spend hundreds of dollars on a new fancy camera with more features than you might ever use, please break out the manual for your current camera (or find it online) and look for the following settings in the index:

Macro capability (tulip icon)

This is the setting that takes your photos from blurry

to sharp in one push of a button.

EV / exposure value compensation (+ / -)
This setting helps you brighten (or darken) your photos instantly

Custom white balance
An optional setting, but valuable especially
if you will be shooting at night under artificial light sources

If your camera already has these three settings, it is likely that you will be able to take better, sharper photos than you imagined with that camera you already own. Use the macro function, increase the exposure value to +1 to brighten your photos and set a custom white balance to tell your camera what you want it to consider "absolute white" in any lighting condition and you'll be well on your way to better photos with practice!

If you'd like to know more about product photography, be sure to check out the archive at SmallObjectPhotography.com and stay tuned: I'll be talking about these settings in depth in future product photography posts!

Have questions? Keep in touch with me on my Facebook page: IMakeCuteStuff on Facebook

Oh yes. I bet you're wondering about those photos...

The photo on the LEFT:

Entry level DSLR: Canon Rebel XSi DSLR with a 60mm macro lens attached

Photo on the RIGHT:

Really old point-and-shoot: Samsung S630 with the macro setting enabled

Pretty amazing, right?

Just to be clear here: I'm not saying point-and-shoots are better or even comparable to the photo quality of a DSLR. They are two different camera types for two different types of camera users.

What I am saying is that if you have been wondering if buying a DSLR would instantly make you better product photographer, the answer is NO. The only way to take better photos is to get to know the limits of the camera you own...and practice. LOTS of practice!

What kind of camera do you have?
Leave a comment below and let us know!

Get Ready to Wholesale Workshop - 4/28/12

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Update: Want to take my next Get Ready to Wholesale workshop? Check out my next class dates with School House Craft at the Studio of Awesome in Seattle WA!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get Ready to Wholesale Workshop

Saturday April 28, 2012

Phinney Neighborhood Center

Presented by Andrea of School House Craft and

Marlo M. of IMakeCuteStuff.com

(Buyers Market of American Craft - a wholesale trade show, Philadelphia PA)

When it comes the things you make, does this sound like you?

Your friends are always telling you that you should sell your work to “this store” or “that store”.
When wearing your work around town, people stop to ask, “Where did you get that amazing piece?”
You want to quit your day job and know that wholesaling is one way to do it but have no idea how to set up your business for wholesale or what to do next.
Perhaps you’ve even considered applying for the upcoming Handmade Happy Hour Seattle Wholesale event and decided that you’re not quite ready to participate.

So what do you do to get your business ready for wholesale?

Come to the Get Ready to Wholesale Workshop and we’ll help you get there!

Date: Saturday April 28, 2012
Location: Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Cost: $45.00 general public and etsyRAIN basic members / $40.00 etsyRAIN Premium Members

Marlo M., organizer of etsyRAIN and arts business consultant at IMakeCuteStuff.com and Andrea Porter, former owner of Blue Bottle Gallery and current co-organizer of the upcoming craft conference, SchoolHouseCraft.com will help you navigate the final steps you need to take to be really ready to wholesale your work.

In the first part of class, we’ll talk about the important stuff including creating a great line sheet, the benefits of online catalogs, pricing your work, doing trade shows as well as finding and working with buyers. The last half of class will be dedicated to reviewing your products, answering your questions and giving you direct advice about your line and how to move it toward wholesaling.

Bring with you to class:

A few samples of your work
Any marketing materials you already have prepared
Business cards to share
A list of questions to ask the experts
A notebook to take lots of notes!

Our goal is to give you the information, support and confidence to make the move toward wholesaling your work. We hope you’ll join us!

Space is limited. Register via the online form below to reserve your space today!
>> http://etsyrain.wufoo.com/forms/get-ready-to-wholesale-workshop/ <<

Questions? Reply to this email or contact Marlo at marlo{at}imakecutestuff.com

Presented by:
Marlo M. of IMakeCuteStuff.com and CreativeArtsConsulting.com
Andrea P. of School House Craft – September 21 – 23, 2012 at the Phinney Community Center. Register for your early bird discount at http://schoolhousecraft.com

Are you already ready to wholesale your work?
Apply to be a part of the first ever Handmade Happy Hour Seattle today! Deadline April 25, 2012 more info at http://handmadehappyhourseattle.com

Change the Way You Think About Small Object Photography - Part 2 of 3

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:53:00 +0000

Part 2: Change the Way You See Your Work (composition)
original post from my guest blogger series on Meylah.com

Reposted from the SmallObjectPhotography.com blog

Woot! pendant by Marlo M. at imakecutestuff.etsy.com

To continue the improvement of your small object photographs, let’s talk about taking a completely different approach to the composition of your photos.

Have you ever really looked at a great photo? Not just the featured object, but the way things are placed within the frame? The ones that really catch our eye generally have certain things in common:

· The background does not compete with the item(s)
· Objects are placed at an angle or off-center, not in the center of the frame
· The main focal point is close to one of the corners of the photo
· The object(s) fill the frame

While there are definitely exceptions to these rules, one of the easiest ways to create interest in your photos is to simply place your object(s) at an angle or just off of center. By doing this you create visual “movement” and depth within the frame which allows the viewer’s eye to focus on the main subject after following an easy, natural pattern around the image.

Why does this work? Let’s look at the “Rule of Thirds”:

In the visual arts, the “Rule of Thirds” states, “An image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.” (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds)

In the photo above, you’ll see 3 lines x 3 lines layered over the top of the photo, stretched to the ends of the photo. The pendant is placed in the lower right intersection of the grid. This creates a visual energy that is much more interesting to the eye than simply placing the pendant in the lower center of the frame.

The next time you are taking your photos, imagine this grid (some cameras actually have a setting that will place the grid on the screen) while you are composing you photos and see what happens.

You can also give these ideas a try:

· Place your piece at a diagonal with an intersecting horizontal background line. This creates visual movement and more points of interest within the image.
· Focus sharply on the main part of the object and allow the depth of field to blur the outer edges. Using depth of field to your advantage, you can further enhance your photo and draw your customer’s attention to the main focal point of your piece
· Swirl your necklace chains in an “S” pattern away from the lens at an angle – curving lines are very pleasing to the eye. Think of how wind and water are depicted in a painting – these are the types of curves you want to emulate. Use of depth of field is good to try here too.
· If you are used to placing your piece in the very center, try to see if you can angle the object or move your camera a little to one side. It’s amazing how a tiny change can make all the difference between a stagnant photo and a dynamic one!

The main point here is to experiment with your composition. Be daring. Take photos that are *too* close. Take photos at *extreme* angles. Then compare the visual interest in those shots to your standard photos. You might be surprised to find that what you once thought was “over the top” is actually the more interesting composition for your work!

Previous - Part 1: Change the Way You Look at Small Object Photography

Next up: Part 3 - Change the Way You Use Your Camera (Technical)

More about Meylah:

Meylah is devoted to building an online creative community for individuals to learn, share and support each others business growth online. We know how hard and time consuming being an entrepreneur can be, but with the proper skills at hand, we believe anyone can succeed! Learn more at http://Meylah.com

Pricing Part Two - Raising Your Prices

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:40:00 +0000

Afraid to raise your prices? Well, you are not alone.

When it comes to fear, the only thing it is ever going to do for your business is hold you back from living your dreams. We must be stronger than our fears if we are going to make a living doing what we love.

this is what I think of pricing (I’m just like you!)

(image: shari thompson via flickr)

I’ll be totally honest. I am not immune to these fears. I have under-priced much of my work for a long time too. After a long hard look at my own true cost of materials, time and overhead, I raised my prices in one of my shops by almost 20% in one day. No announcement. No excuses. No explanation.

Was I scared? Yep. I was at first. I wondered if my sales would cease to exist. I wondered if I should have said something first. I worried that maybe I was just fooling myself into thinking that I knew what I was doing. Blah Blah Blah. Fear sucks and then you have to get over it by just DOING it. (sorry, but Nike has a point there.)

I got over it by counteracting my fear with a large dose of REALITY: I realized that if anyone was truly waiting to buy my work then they would just have to pay a little more for it. They could also choose to email me begging for a discount explaining that they were saving their pennies for two years just to buy one of my pieces – and I’d probably give it to them if they asked nicely enough. But you know what? I sold something two days later with no problem or mention of my prices at all.

That proved to me that any imagined problems that I thought I was going to cause by raising my prices were just that: Make Believe!

You see, what I have learned and now know for sure:

The true value of my work is not solely based in the time and materials I use.
I also offer very high-quality handmade products with really great customer service. I always make sure to offer lots of communication during the process to let them know how much care goes into every single order. I work hard for my customers and they reward me by ordering their stuff from me — even though similar products are easily found on the same site for 1/2 the price!

Still not convinced?

Consider this:
Just WHO are the throngs of “customers” that you *think* you are sparing by keeping your prices too low?

Are they really buying dozens of items every week because you are underpricing your work?
Are they emailing you all the time telling you how thankful they are that they can afford your work and please don’t ever raise your prices?
Do they come out of the woodwork when you need them to or are you still struggling to figure out how to *reach* them?
And really: Where are they when you really need to make a sale?

If you’re going to be afraid of raising your prices, then please do yourself a favor and do NOT blame your imaginary customers for holding you back. They are not the problem. You need to sit yourself down and figure out what your true fears are and counteract them with the harsh reality of the situation: You need to make a living at this and you must do whatever what it takes to get yourself there. (The “whatever it takes” generally equals Confidence in your work, by the way)

Oh, and IF by some strange happenstance those imaginary “customers” are in fact real, then look at it this way — You wouldn’t want them for customers anyway, right? I mean, seriously – who wants to sell to a bunch of selfish, greedy people who don’t value you or your work?

Not me! :)

Have you raised your prices recently? Share your pricing stories with us!

repost from creativeartsconsulting.com

Craftcation Conference Link-Love Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:56:00 +0000

Here I am at the Craftcation Conference in Ventura, CA. I heard about the conference by total chance while toodling around the internet and I am SO glad that I did!

Super cute birdcages at Craftcation check-in!

I've already met so many awesome people and it's only day two! People like:

Shannan of EleMetalJewelry.com
Deborah of DeborahWrightDesigns.com
Kristy of Liquid-Nymph.com
Christina of LittleWellies.com
Alice of BerninaUSA.com
Tiffany of TiffanyMoore.net
Jenelle of RellasBellas.com
Alexandria of BigAlsGrub.com
Rain of HoneyandOllie.com

and of course my some of my favorite people...

Rosalie of UnanimousCraft.com and UglyBaby.etsy.com
Steph of NerdJerk.etsy.com
Danielle of Etsy.com
Rena of RenaTom.net
Lauren of LaurenVenell.com and Sweet-Meats.com
and Craftcation organizers:
Nicole of randomnicole.com and patchworkshow.com
Delilah of roadlesstraveledstore.com and patchworkshow.com

Are you at Craftcation right now and want to be featured on an IMakeCuteStuff.com link love post? Find me and give me your business card or contact me with your info!

Want to know more about the conference? Check out my guest posts over at UnanimousCraft.com!

Craftcation Conference is Almost Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 22:16:00 +0000

reposted from http://CreativeArtsConsulting.com/blog

Yes! I’m getting ready to attend the sold-out Craftcation Conference in Ventura, CA this weekend for 4 days of crafty inspiration!

There is a huge roster of classes scheduled! There are classes on improving creative business, seo and blogging alongside purely creative classes like scrapbooking, decoupage and sewing. So awesome!

One of the first sessions I’ll be attending is the When to Seek Professional Help: Building Your Indie Business with the uber-talented Steph Calvert of www.heartsandlaserbeams.com/ – if you’re in the market for graphic design, illustration, website design, logos or any other kind of visual marketing for your business, you really should check out her site. Her rates are *super* reasonable — I mean *REALLY* reasonable for indie business owners and I love her work a lot! She’s definitely going on my roster of graphic designers to recommend

NOTE to Craftcation Attendees:

I just re-checked the Craftcation schedule and it actually looks like we've got a full schedule so there might not be much down time be time for full consultations,

Please find me at the conference and let's see if we can work something out somehow!

I would love to meet you even if it's for just a couple of minutes between classes to chat a bit!

Contact me via my contact page, email me at marlo{at}creativeartsconsulting.com or you can even text me: 206-683-9744It's going to be a great conference!
Yours truly,
Marlo M.

Change the Way You Think About Small Object Photography - Part 1 of 3

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:19:00 +0000

reposted from my other blog: smallobjectphotography.com

My guess is that you found my blog via part 3 of my guest author posts over at the fabulous community and e-commerce site: Meylah (Haven't heard about it? Well, if you like reading blogs, buying /selling handmade work direct from the artist and/or maybe even an artist yourself, you should do yourself a huge favor and check it out!)

With permission from the awesome folks over at Meylah, I'm going to jump start the party by reposting those three blog entries here! (Thanks Meylah! You're the awesome-sauce!!)

woof! ring by marlo and natasha studio

Small Object Product Photography for Your Online Shop

Part 1 of 3: Change the Way You Think About Small Object Photography

If you’re like most people with online storefronts, taking ~~better~~ great photos of your small objects is number one on the list of things you need to do to improve your shop. You’ve read the tutorials, turned off the flash, set up near a window, purchased a fancy light-tent pop-up contraption and perhaps even upgraded your camera and still, your results have been less than spectacular.

What more do you need to do to take an amazing photo?

The difference between a good photo and a great photo, particularly with small objects, can be subtle. Composition, lighting and clarity all work together to create a visually appealing photo that gets the viewer up close and personal with the item – giving them a chance to emotionally connect, click and ultimately purchase it!

To achieve this kind of “visually tactile” imagery, it is necessary to approach your photography from your customer’s point of view. For instance, they might wonder:

· What is the piece made out of?
· How big is it?
· How heavy is it?
· How wide is it?
· What does it feel like?

Now you might be thinking, “How in the world do I show my customer what it *feels* like or how *heavy* it is if it’s just a photograph?”

This is where you start using that creative brain of yours! Yes, the same one that created that fantastic item you are photographing – and start playing:

· Try taking photos at lots of different angles.
· Go extreme – get down to eye level with your work.
· Learn how to use your camera’s manual settings to manipulate your photos.
· Play with the depth of field (sharp focus in front, soft focus toward the back) to create visual movement within the frame.
· Be daring and let part of the piece fall off the edge of the photo.
· Take super close up (or crop your photos) to highlight the texture of the piece.

Having trouble visually conveying the size of your piece? Use one of your shots to:

· Take a photo of the piece in or on your (or a friend’s) hand
· Place it next to an everyday (internationally recognized) object like a drinking glass, pencil, leaf, stapler, a pile of thumbtacks, a lemon…you get the point.
· Important: Be sure the object you are using for comparison falls off the photo’s edge so it doesn’t compete with your item!

The photographs we take are much more than a record of what we make. They are quite literally the gateway to a better understanding of you, your work and your business. Make the most of them!

Next up:

Part 2: Change the Way You See Your Work (Composition)

Part 3: Change the Way You Use Your Camera (Technical)

More about Meylah:

Learn more at http://Meylah.com

Pricing Your Work -- Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 08:36:00 +0000

numbers by pink sherbet photography via flickr

If you find that you’re not making enough money selling what you make at wholesale, then more often than not, your pricing is not at the right level. Like anyone with a “real job” you need to make a decent amount of money to live. In order to do that, you must price your work to accommodate both true retail and wholesale if you ever hope to “quit your dayjob” or make a living doing what you love.

My advice to new creative entrepreneurs has always been to structure your pricing so that – at *wholesale* you are doing back-flips over your prices every time you sell even ONE of them. Then, double that price to arrive at your true retail price. The true retail should be the price you’re selling to the public (on Etsy, your website, etc). Then when a wholesale buyer asks about your prices, you can confidently tell them that your wholesale prices are 1/2 of your retail price. (this is industry standard, btw)

For many creative businesses, this means doubling your prices RIGHT NOW. Yes. I said DOUBLE your prices *RIGHT NOW*. I mean, why not? If you’re struggling every day wondering why you can’t get ahead in your business, then you’re not making enough to make a living. If you’re not making enough then you need to do something very different even if it scares you.

Okay okay. Before you shut your eyes and cover your ears, please consider this:
If you don’t think your work will sell for double what you are selling it for right now, then it is likely that one of these three points applies to your business:

You are not your target market.
You are not selling to the right market.
Your work is not ready for market.

If you aren’t your target market, then perhaps you really don’t know what someone will pay for your work. Oftentimes the work we do needs to be priced well beyond what even we can afford in order to make a profit. But you know what? That’s okay! It’s really truly okay to market to a new group of people that has more disposable income than you do right now. If you make real efforts to grow your business, you’ll need more money to grow so you need to aim higher if you are ever going to make a living making stuff.

If you aren’t selling to the right market, then no matter what you do, you will never grow your business. You will be too busy having “blowout” sales, giving away free shipping or free merchandise to the wrong group of people. Think outside of your current audience and increase your business’ perceived value. Match the customer you want to sell to. Appeal to their sensibilities and they will respond by buying what you make. If you change your thinking about who your customer is then you will be able to grow your business.

If your work isn’t ready for market, then you have work to do. Maybe you need to find a better supplier for your materials. Maybe you need to purchase some equipment to help you make your stuff faster. And — sorry if this hurts your feelings, but it is entirely possible that you just aren’t skilled enough to make a living making whatever it is you’re making right now. Keep practicing and keep moving forward. After all — experience is gained by doing, not wanting.

Bottom line:
Your business will never grow if you do not price your work at true retail. If you keep undercutting yourself, it will always be a struggle and that is just not a fun way to live. You deserve to receive a fair price based on your time, materials, market research and product viability. Do your research, get better at making things and price your work accordingly.

An artist’s true confidence shows clearly in their pricing. Be confident, do the work and you'll find success!

Originally posted on the Creative Arts Consulting blog - June 2010

Have you changed YOUR prices recently? Please share your story in the comments below!

Welcome Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 11:51:00 +0000

welcome cat by mrhayata via flickr

AAAnnnnd....we're BACK! Yaaaay!

I've had such a blast creating this new blog. What do you think? Pretty nice, right? No really - I want to know what you think! Let me know by clicking on the opinion poll up there on the right!

I am so excited to have all of my interests and passions in one convenient place - this is really going to make it so much easier (and a lot less confusing) to share things with you!

From here on out, I'll be posting new content along with past posts from my other blogs to start filling in those fancy-pants drop down tabs up at the top there ^^ (ooh! fancy!)

For now, the pages that are currently populated are:

Feel free to click around, check them out and contact me if you have any questions.

I look forward to sharing this new adventure with you and hope you'll send me your feedback, topic requests, product photography samples (for my "before and after" series) and whatever else you feel like sharing.

Thanks so much for your patience. Have I told you lately how wonderful you are?
Well. You are. And don't you forget it! :)

See you again soon!
Marlo M.

The Only Constant...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 02:25:00 +0000

...is change.

Change and I have had our differences so most of the time I tend to wait to make sure things are headed in a good direction before making any kind of change. Sometimes it works, but most of the time change gets tired of waiting around for me to take the hint and starts doing stuff for me.

changedpriorities by drinksmachine via flickr

Well, change has been tapping on my shoulder for a while now and before it does something really drastic, I'm gonna start doing stuff. The first thing involves this and my many other blogs. In the next few weeks I'll be changing the entire look and feel of this blog and bringing in content I previously posted elsewhere in an effort to bring all of my interests into one convenient location...

Business topic posts from http://CreativeArtsConsulting.com/blog
Photography tips from http://SmallObjectPhotography.com
Gems from my HandmadeRealityCheck twitter series @CreativeMentor
Crafty inspiration from around the interwebs (see the archives)
Resources to help you with all of the above
Information about my creative business consulting, photography classes, jewelry workshops and other classes, events and seminars that I'll be teaching throughout the year.

And seriously...lots more.
So, whether you've arrived here randomly or have had me stuck in your RSS feed for a while - be warned - there is a lot of really good stuff coming your way!

Talk to you soon.
Hugs,
Marlo M.

cute.obsession: Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:56:00 +0000

Admittedly, I'm a late adopter of the awesomeness that is Pinterest. I put it off as long as I could...but the idea of creating visual bookmarks was just too tempting. Now I'm officially obsessed an have already spent countless hours online liking and pinning things all over the place. Swoon!

My first few boards on Pinterest

I'm just starting to get the hang of it and hope you'll post your Pinterest handle in the comments section so I can follow your boards too!

My handle is, of course: imakecutestuff

See you there :)

crafty.cute: 52 Weeks of Mail!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:15:00 +0000

Have you heard of it? 52 Weeks of Mail is a fun activity meant to rekindle the dying art of the handwritten letter. You informally commit to sending out one piece of handwritten mail each week to whomever you choose. I joined in because I wanted to encourage myself to make an effort to slow down for just a bit every week to purposefully write someone a note and mail it. Not to mention, my penmanship could use a lot of exercise!

This week, I was lucky enough to be a recipient of my awesome friend Kayce's second week letter...and it came by way of the cutest bat you've ever seen (she made it out of recycled t-shirts even!)

What'd I tell ya? Cuuuute, right?

I should mention that the little orange "o" you see (click on the picture!) is actually a hole that reveals the texture of another piece of recycled t-shirt sewn inside the card! So cute I can hardly stand it! :)

Check out Kayce's shops for even more ridiculously cute work: NuetoMe and WorldofWhimm

Happy 99th Birthday to the Late, Great Gene Kelly!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:44:00 +0000

I totally admit it - I LOVE Gene Kelly!

I grew up watching all of his musicals with my mother and I'm guessing that had a lot to do with my "former life" as a singer, dancer, actor way back in the day :)

I love all of his movies, but my all-time favorite is "An American in Paris"

"Our Love is Here to Stay"

{swoon!}

One night not too long ago, I was watching Xanadu (yes. I'm not kidding ;) and sent out an innocent enough tweet on Twitter:

Soon after, Sister Diane replied and brought in Rachel to the conversation who apparently loves Gene as much as we do. Along the way we picked up Alissa, Stacie, Moxie and Tara and next thing you know, we're all participating in a super awesome Gene Kelly Craft-Along!

So, I ask you:

Are YOU a fan of Gene Kelly?

Are you Crafty?

Join us in the Gene Kelly Craft-Along!

Rules: No rules!

Deadline: No deadline!

Just a bunch of crafty peeps who love Gene Kelly

and are making stuff in his honor!

Join the Gene Kelly Craft-Along Flickr group

Then post your craft blog link in the comments below

You'll be added to the list and when you're finished with your project, let us know!

He'd be so proud of us!