Understanding Community, online

I'm beginning to get it. Community is something that has been a part of my life since I was little. Growing up in a small town, large extended family, and a small country church I have been extremely blessed to be supported and loved by my surrounding communities and I grew up.

Once I went off to college I realized that I really put a high value on community. I studied cultures during college and was always amazed at how beautiful and inspiring it is to see people living in community. I also was an Resident Assistant for a year and enjoyed building community amongst the women I served.

Now I am learning about this online artist community. I have become part of We Love Etsy, Indiepublic, and obviously I have opened an Etsy shop. I can feel the support. When people comment on a blog, or become a friend on a social network, even just share encouraging information in forums - we are building community. Amazing isn't it that through computers and creativity we can support and encourage one another to design and press on. Thanks for welcoming me to the community.

Business World...

... the foreign land. I must say, I never ever considered having any business of sorts until a month ago when I joined Etsy. I will admit I have enjoyed it, to my own surprise - but wow as the days go on I learn more and more that makes me tired. I want to keep it simple, but I find myself on the computer all the time (mostly because I just got a new job that is at a desk), but for real. It is amazing what it takes to promote and post and don't forget create. This blog isn't a grumble it is just my sheer amazement. So kudos to all of you have made your shops a great success and cheers to those of us who are trying. Remember, we enjoy this.

The Quilt

So it didn't begin with the quilt... it began with an old sewing machine. I wanted to make a nice little roll for my knitting needles. Since I am thrifty (not cheap) I figured I "just learn to sew". Now this wasn't completely random, I had sewn before- in junior high and once on an old treadle machine so yeah.

I dug out this old machine from a closet and realized I couldn't remember for the life of me how to correctly thread the thing and so on - since the instruction book was probably miss placed back in 1952 I had to seek out some help. So my supervisor's husband, who happens to be an accomplished seamster (I hope that is a word), gave me some pointers and I was off and running.

Now I have been gifted this amazing old quilt that is worn out in various places and begging to me to be creative and so that has been occupying my every evening - oh the things that beckon to be made... bookmarks, Christmas stockings, pillows, table mats... and my mind wanders on - now let's just hope this machine stops shooting sparks out of the motor... don't worry too much, it is only now and then.

fiddle learning

Have you ever tried to learn a new instrument after the age of sixteen? It is so odd to have the desire to play be so much larger than the actual ability to do so. I mean wow, I hear a fiddle and I think oh that is so beautiful and unique and I am motivated to pick it up and I put my fingers down and out come slow methodical notes - not fiddle playing. Now don't miss understand, I do okay with music. I have been playing acoustic guitar for a decade and I have led quite a handful of musical groups. I am finding that the discipline to learn a new instrument seems to be more than I can handle. There are so many things that I love to create that come to me so much easier than fiddle music. Well, I'm going to listen to some Nickel Creek now to become more motivated, maybe they will push me over the motivational edge.

It got cold,

and I mean quick. I was sort of expecting it, but I am used to the gradual cold of the mid west. Now I am getting to know the instant cold of the mountains. But with this cold came beautiful (distant) snow, high up on the peaks. And what motivation that is to knit warm cozy things that make a person just want to snuggle in and bundle up for the cold.

the addiction

Oh my goodness, this selling thing is so addictive! It just makes me feel happy all over for someone to enjoy something I have created - whether something knit or jewelry. Of course the addiction, as with all addictions, has it ups and downs. During those down times I find that I become an obsessive email checker and internet browser - my eyes get really tired during the downer times. And then I notice there is a new email, in fact, two new emails, which means it is even more likely there has been a person on a computer somewhere who has come across one my lovelies... but alas the emails are a forward from my grandma and advertisement from REI, maybe the next time. Then it happens, just when I think the addiction is waining, I check my email less and am barely on the internet, it happens - a sale. Someone found something that they wanted to be part of their little world - hooray, and the addiction grows once again.

where to begin

So I have been thinking about this blog thing, and well I do really love to write I just have never really used a computer as my venue. And since I just opened my lil' etsy shop and there are a lot of things that inspire me to create I've decided to write about it - so here I come!