Where Women Cook Where Women Create Where Women Create Business
02/22/2013

Queen of Your Own Life

Are you the “Queen of Your Own Life”?  Kathy Kinney & Cindy Ratzlaff have written a book to help you claim the crown in the kingdom that is your life: “Queen Of Your Own Life: The Grown-Up Woman’s Guide To Claiming Happiness And Getting The Life You Deserve”.

queen of your own life book cover

“Queen of Your Own Life is an attitude, a way of life and a call to action for grown up women everywhere.  We invite you to join us in celebrating the second half of life. You have absolutely nothing to lose and only great friendship, thrilling adventure, true love and deep satisfaction to gain when you declare yourself Queen of Your Own Life.” (quoted from www.queenofyourownlife.com)

queen of your own life logo

Kathy and Cindy have created an environment of empowerment and humor on their website Queen of Your Own Life.  You can literally spend hours just going through all the fabulous “Queenisms” they share.  They may have you standing and cheering “Woman Power!”

Queenisms of Queen of your own life

No transformation into a queen would be complete without your Crowning Certificate, Crowning Card, and Coat of Arms which are free to download right from Kathy and Cindy’s site.  But my favorite part of the site has to be the Queen Affirmations.  They are a daily reminder of just how wonderful you are and can be. 

queen affirmations

Download full size version here.

After reading those how can you not feel wonderful?  Now it’s time to get “social” with Kathy and Cindy:

And don’t forget about “Queen Of Your Own Life: The Grown-Up Woman’s Guide To Claiming Happiness And Getting The Life You Deserve”. You can find all the details on the book and how to purchase it here. 

 

5 Comments Filed Under: Authors
08/13/2012

Thank You!

As I mentioned Friday, it is always an honor for Jo, or Where Women Create, to be featured on websites, in stories, or even mentioned in passing in the grocery store.  Each instance is met with the greatest amount of appreciation.  From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

Today we want to thank Steven Pressfield, from Steven Pressfield Online, for the lovely mention of Jo Packham’s book, Where Women Create:

“There must be a hundred or so workspaces illustrated–studios for weavers, potters, decoupage artists, sculptors, carvers. What struck me was the sacredness of all these spaces, each one created by a different artist following only her own instincts and the requirements of her craft.”

To read the rest of Steven’s mention visit the article at: http://www.stevenpressfield.com/2010/04/writing-wednesdays-33-having-a-practice-part-two/.

No Comments Filed Under: Authors, Business, Feature
05/30/2012

Did You See?

Did you see the great news?  Our very own Jo Packham’s book “Where Women Create: Book of Organization: The Art of Creating Order” was recognized this month by Amazon as an “Editor’s Pick“ for the month of May.  Jo has been recognized many times in her years of publishing and each time it is met with great appreciation.  Thank you to Amazon.com for the great honor.

Congratulations, Jo, on this success and all your future successes. 

2 Comments Filed Under: Authors, Business
05/30/2012

Presenting Aron Ralston

Calling all Utah Where Women Create fans.  Mark your calendars for June 13th, 2012 and get ready to be inspired by Aron Ralston.  He will be at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden, UT for one night only.  We hope to see you there.

 Aron Ralston, renowned mountain climber behind the 127 Hours fame, will make a Utah appearance during the 2012 Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Show this June. Ralston will share his inspirational story along with a special screening of the Oscar-nominated film at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden, June 13 & 14, 2012.

The groundbreaking adventurer will account his experiences as documented in the movie 127 hours and international bestselling book Between a Rock and a Hard Place during a special presentation June 13 at 8 p.m. An autograph session will follow the presentation that evening. On Thursday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. a special screening of the Fox Search Light film, 127 Hours will occur.

Tickets for Aron Ralston’s June 13 presentation are now available in advance at Peery’s Egyptian Theater or online at www.peerysegyptiantheater.com. Advance pricing is $15 for adults and $10 for students, or at the door $20 for adults and $12 for students. Tickets for the special screening of 127 Hours on June 14 are $5. Seating is limited thus purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended. Ticket holders will be entered into nightly opportunity drawings with prizes from outdoor manufacturers such as Suunto and Icebreaker.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). Patagonia has committed to match Grassroots’ contribution of $5,000 to the SUWA if the event sells out.

1 Comment Filed Under: Authors, Feature
05/14/2012

The Romantic Prairie Cookbook

We’ve given you the chance to fall in love with Fifi O’Neill over the last several weeks.  And we just can’t stop sharing.  But with the amazing work that Fifi produces, it’s hard not to share.

Today I am lucky enough to introduce you to another fabulous book by our friend Fifi, The Romantic Prairie Cookbook. 

The Romantic Prairie Cookbook offers field fresh recipes and homespun settings—the kind of recipes that will live to be classics in your home from the first time you make them.  We invite you to read our entire feature on The Romantic Prairie Cookbook on Where Women Cook.

No Comments Filed Under: Authors, Feature
04/20/2012

Pieography: Winner and Book Announcement

Last fall our sister site, Where Women Cook, held a contest for the best “Pieography: The Story of Your Life in a Pie.”  Needless to say the response was amazing.  Krys Kirkpatrick was crowned the winner with her amazing Creamy Carrot Pie with Crunchy Graham Cracker Crust, Whipped Rum Cream, & Candied Pecans.

 

A wonderful winner and delicious pie aren’t all that came from the Pieography contest.  It also spawned a new book hitting shelves on September 1st, 2012.  You can read all about the contest, winner, and book here.  I can’t wait for you to have a slice of Pieography!

No Comments Filed Under: Authors, Feature
04/16/2012

Romantic Prairie Style

We are so pleased to introduce (or possibly re-introduce for some of you) to Fifi O’Neill.  She is a long time friend of Where Women Create and Wear Women Cook.  And as I tell you a little more about her you will see why.  Fifi has a style, grace, and class that I would love to bottle.  But thankfully I don’t have to bottle it because she shares it with us all through her many works, including Romantic Prairie Style.

Fifi O’Neill
Chez Fifi

Born and raised in Paris, France,  Fifi O’ Neil grew up in the midst of all things French and  began to develop her trademark  style early on. Her formative years, varied skills set, and distinctive style have been the foundation for her multi-faceted career.

Her culinary knowledge first lead to the opening of Deliciously Yours, a successful catering business followed by ownership of 3 hands-on award-winning restaurants in Sarasota, Florida, and a Food editor position for House Home & Living magazine.

Coincidentally, Fifi pursued her writing and styling passions producing feature articles on home decorating, food, and gardening.

As editor, writer and photo stylist, Fifi O’Neill has produced numerous features for  national publications, among which The New York Times, Coastal Living, Country Living, Home Companion, Quick & Easy Decorating, Creative Home, Real Life Decorating, and for Italian and Scandinavian magazines such as Casa Romantica and Casa Antichi (Italy), Jeanne d’Arc Living (Denmark) and many more.

Fifi is the author of Romantic Prairie Style, a lifestyle and decorating book, The Romantic Prairie Cookbook (both published by Ryland Peters & Small.)  She is also the founder and executive editor of  the new national magazine, Romantic Prairie Style.

Romantic Prairie Style
Homes Inspired by Traditional Country Life

 Romantic Prairie Style embraces simple pleasures, comfort and the long-cherished ideals of natural beauty, simplicity and harmony with the earth. It’s a style that says ‘home’ wherever you may be because, more than anything else, it’s a mindset: gentle but strong, welcoming and lasting, durable yet sophisticated and, above all, real.

Over the centuries, the humble dwellings built by European immigrants to the US in the 1880s have evolved into sturdier, more comfortable homes, which, depending on their geographic location, took on a variety of designs, be it a ranch, cabin, farmhouse, cottage or adobe. Each of these styles plays a role in prairie style and its enduring aura of romance and nostalgia.

Here, interiors bear the influence of European settlers and the poetry of the heart-warming authenticity of simple, natural textures, hand-hewn beams, bleached wood, weathered planks, woven blankets, cow-hide and Navajo rugs. It’s a style inspired by the honesty of homespun materials of the past wedded to a flair for the present. It’s flower-sprigged brocade, tawny leather, crisp eyelet and soft linen, corduroy with crochet trims, woolen plaids, cosy flannel and wispy organza. It’s history retold and all about the enduring connection between people and places and the nostalgia we feel for a rural country life, a yearning for a simpler life, as embodied in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie.

As you can see from the pages from her book, Fifi has the ability to capture timeless beauty and elegance.  We encourage you to bring a bit of that beauty into your home.  Fifi’s book, Romantic Prairie Style, is available at all major bookstores and websites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Home Style Books, and even Nordstrom.

3 Comments Filed Under: Authors, Feature
11/02/2011

Authors :

Wednesday Wisdom … Cathie Filian

Have you met my friend Cathie Filian?

 

She is a dynamic redhead who I absolutely adore … and I think she is genius!

When you craft is there not always something that you need that you can’t find because it hasn’t been invented yet? We all have .. .and we wonder why someone hasn’t thought of it before, and then we think that we should invent it, then we begin to do our research on how to manufacturer it, promote it, sell it, and then it all becomes just too much and we go back to wondering why no one has invented “it” yet! Well Cathie did all of that … but the giving up part … saw a need, invented, had manufactured, and is helping to promote and sell HOT GLUE GUN HELPERS.

We have all needed this since the invention of glue guns and it took this crafter just like you and me to get it done! Get a diet coke, a skinny vanilla latte, or a chamomile tea and visit Cathi’s website – Domestic in the City … you will want to spend some time there!

Much love Jo

1 Comment Filed Under: Authors, Wednesday Wisdom
10/19/2011

Wednesday Wisdom … Meet the Crafty Chica

Every Wednesday I am going to feature a friend of mine … some in the industry and some not. I want each of you to know those women who have such an influence on my life … both in business and personally.

I LOVE this job more than words can adequately explain and the reason why is because of these women that I call “friend”. What an honor it is for me to share who they are and what they have accomplished with all of you.

Let me introduce you to Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica. Or re-introduce you … You may already know her … but if you don’t, this is your time to meet one of the most extra ordinary women I know.

Kathy and I have not been friends for long. We really “met” for the first time in Arizona only about 8 moths ago. I, of course, have said hi to her at CHA and know of her books and her accomplishments, but I couldn’t say that we “knew” each other. Kathy agreed to be part of The Creative Connection Event in September and then the two of us were at the Southern Women’s Show last weekend where Kathy agreed to teach craft make n’ takes to hundreds of women. She is simply delightful and such an inspiration.

During her class while the women were working, Kathy read excerpts from her book. You MUST read her books: Miss Scarlets’s School of Patternless Sewing and Waking Up in the Land of Glitter. You owe it to yourself … both are a wonderful read!

 

I am such a huge fan of Kathy’s … and introducing you to her is an honor and a pleasure. ENJOY!

Much love, Jo

2 Comments Filed Under: Authors
09/21/2011

Wednesday Wisdom … Did you make THE CREATIVE CONNECTION?

Our good friend and THE CREATIVE CONNECTION keynote speaker Becky Higgins made this FABULOUS video about the wonderful time she had in St.Paul. Check our her blog post HERE to see links to all of the featured artists in the video … Aren’t they great? How about you? Did you make THE CREATIVE CONNECTION? If so, visit the TCC blog on Friday and link up your blog post! We’d love to read all about it! 

Have a great day! 

No Comments Filed Under: Authors
09/16/2011

Authors :

Fabulous Friday with MaryJanes Farm

 

 

We at MaryJanesFarm strive to give our readers a place to connect about everything organic and share environmentally conscious choices and sustainable lifestyles that are affordable.  

 

 

MaryJane  has always valued an organic and socially responsible lifestyle, and those values have been carried into adulthood. What started as an organic camping food catalog soon blossomed into a fully realized magazine, and developed into books, a comprehensive website, and most recently, a blog.  Giving consumers the option to participate in a global move for change, MaryJanesFarm is one part dream, one part reality, one part future, and is always striving to educate the minds and hearts of like-minded women through sisterhood “We are all in this together,” says MaryJane.

 

 

So let’s take it down a notch and get a little looser. My daughter, Meg, and I are so thrilled to be attending The Creative Connection event to share with you one of our most basic necessities in life—the making of bread. Taking inspiration from our Historic Barron Flour Mill in Oakesdale, Washington, on the National Registry of Historic Places, we chose bread making because it is the staple of American households.

Come share an amazing weekend with us and many wonderful teachers at the event’s “MaryJanesFarm Day” as they share with you ideas for party planning, vegan recipes, cheese making, dessert as art, and food as medicine. And you’ll learn how to take photos of it all with a food photography workshop. We look forward to seeing you there! Find us on Facebook, where we share recipes, merit-badge success stories, organic news, and all the exciting happenings at MaryJanesFarm. http://www.facebook.com/MaryJanesFarm

 

 

 

We are THRILLED to have MaryJanes Farm as an Official Partner of

THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT.

She has offered one lucky commenter a GREAT gift ...

 

A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO HER FABULOUS MAGAZINE …

 

 

WOW! Simply comment to this post and you’re entered! 

 

~GOOD LUCK~

 Additional entries:

*Follow WWC and TCC on Twitter
@WHEREWOMENCREAT @TCCEVENT (1 Entry)
*Tweet about this contest (1 entry)
*Blog about this contest and mention THE CREATIVE CONNECTION (1 Entry)
*Have a WWC button or link on your blog (1 Entry)
*Post a Comment on THE CREATIVE CONNECTION BLOG (1 Entry)
Remember to post separately for each additional entry and please only post the amount of entries allowed. Also, make sure we have a way to contact you. This contest ends on Tuesday, September 20th at Midnight (MST), so make sure to get your comments in by then.

 

One more thing … Facebook rules are ever changing, so we never involve them in any contest we have. However, we would appreciate a “Like” on our THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT Facebook page.
Creative Karma will be bestowed on you!

 

Filed Under: Authors, Fabulous Friday
09/08/2011

Authors :

Fabulous Friday with Sterling Publishing

 

Sterling Publishing is one of the world’s leading publishers of illustrated, nonfiction and children’s books. Home to leading imprints including Lark Crafts, we are thrilled to welcome new imprint WWC PRESS  into its publishing family. As a publisher that celebrates content and authors that entertain, enrich, and educate, sponsoring The Creative Connection event feels like a perfect meeting of the minds (and heart).

 

 

Sterling was fortunate to be a sponsor of last year’s inaugural event … and were we ever impressed with the beautiful convergence of creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and active sense of collaboration! It’s a sincere joy to be part of the big party again this year with a large contingent popular Sterling authors in attendance: Cristina Ferrare, Terry Walters, Laura Martin, Ashley English, Mary Hettmansperger, Kaari Meng, Brenda Schweder, Tiffany Threadgould, Marilyn Scott-Waters, Linda Ellis, Olivia Bouler, Lisa McCue, Colleen Houck, Trisha Malcolm, and, of course, the amazing Jo Packham. These wonderful authors, combined with select staff from Sterling and Lark Crafts, sincerely look forward to meeting you in person at the Creative Connection event. All of us will undoubtedly leave St. Paul feeling energized, inspired … and looking forward to next year’s event.

 

Be sure to keep an eye on the Lark Crafts blog (www.larkcrafts.com), and follow us on Twitter @LarkCrafts and @SterlingBooks for posts on the event. And be sure to come visit us at our shared Sterling / Creative Connection booth in The Market Place. We’ll be having some exciting event giveaways for some truly great prize packages; all you have to do to enter is stop by and drop off your card. We’d really love to meet you.

 

And for one lucky Where Women Create blog reader, Lark Crafts has offered up an absolutely huge giveaway bundle of recent books—24 in total at more than $450 in retail value! Whether your passion is crafts, cooking, or photography, there’s a wealth of inspiration for you here!  

 

100 Pretty Little Projects

Big Little Felt Universe

Blogging for Bliss

Cake Ladies

Craft Hope

FOCUS: Found Faces

FOCUS: Letters

FOCUS: Love

FOCUS: Passages

FOCUS: Reflections

Homemade Living: Canning & Preserving

Homemade Living: Home Dairy

Homemade Living: Keeping Bees

Homemade Living: Keeping Chickens

Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop

PUSH Paper

PUSH Stitchery

Ring a Day

Signature Styles

Stash Happy: Felt

Steel Wire Jewelry

Sweet Confections

Where Women Cook: Celebrate!

Where Women Create Book of Inspiration

100 Pretty Little Projects

Big Little Felt Universe

Blogging for Bliss

Cake Ladies

Craft Hope

FOCUS: Found Faces

FOCUS: Letters

FOCUS: Love

FOCUS: Passages

FOCUS: Reflections

Homemade Living: Canning & Preserving

Homemade Living: Home Dairy

Homemade Living: Keeping Bees

Homemade Living: Keeping Chickens

Mixed Metal Jewelry Workshop

PUSH Paper

PUSH Stitchery

Ring a Day

Signature Styles

Stash Happy: Felt

Steel Wire Jewelry

Sweet Confections

Where Women Cook: Celebrate!

Where Women Create Book of Inspiration

 

 

 

We are honored to have Sterling Publishing as our Presenting Sponsor of

THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT

 Thank you so much Sterling and Lark for offering such a great prize!

To enter, simply comment to this post with which book you would love the most from this collection! 

*We’re sorry, but this contest is only available to our readers in the continental USA. 

~GOOD LUCK~

 Additional entries:

*Follow WWC and TCC on Twitter
@WHEREWOMENCREAT @TCCEVENT (1 Entry)
*Tweet about this contest (1 entry)
*Blog about this contest and mention THE CREATIVE CONNECTION (1 Entry)
*Have a WWC button or link on your blog (1 Entry)
*Post a Comment on THE CREATIVE CONNECTION BLOG (1 Entry)
Remember to post separately for each additional entry and please only post the amount of entries allowed. Also, make sure we have a way to contact you. This contest ends on Tuesday, September 13th at Midnight (MST), so make sure to get your comments in by then.

 

One more thing … Facebook rules are ever changing, so we never involve them in any contest we have. However, we would appreciate a “Like” on our THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT Facebook page.
Creative Karma will be bestowed on you!

Filed Under: Authors, Fabulous Friday
08/17/2011

Make THE CREATIVE CONNECTION!

~In My Words~

THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT

 Lisa Tutman-Oglesby


I can’t recall a time when I’ve been around so many people in one place who totally “get” the whole creativity thing. What an amazing feeling that is. What an awesome feeling that is. That’s how I felt after attending the first-ever Creative Connection Event last September and I still feel that way today, one year later. My trip to TCC last year was actually a last minute decision that was prompted by the spontaneous need to take a break from everything else I was doing at the time and re-charge my creativity. The entire 3-day event was a whirlwind of activity, filled with good conversation, fellowship, food, fun, fantastic shopping, crafty and creative classes, TCC giveaways, networking and just plain listening to other creative women who are just like me.

 

Every hour was jammed-packed with purposeful, useful information including panel discussions on a variety of subjects ranging from jump-starting a business and improving or starting a blog to maximizing exposure through social media to getting your work published, to the future of the digital marketplace in today’s business environment.

 

 

Like me, perhaps you’ve also had the occasional doubt about the creative path you’ve chosen for yourself. For me, The Creative Connection Event helped lay to rest some of those nagging insecurities because I was reminded in no small way that I’m not alone in my creative pursuits and passions, insecurities and all. There is strength in creative numbers and when that strength comes together in one place like this event, the collective power is shared and touches everyone who is there. The energy created by so many like-minded individuals is palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife and everyone leaves a little bit more empowered for having been exposed to the experience. Sounds corny, right? Maybe, but I truly believe that. I felt that.

 

Unfortunately, personal schedule conflicts prevent me from attending this year and I’m totally bummed about it. Still, I’ll be there in spirit.
Come September, I’ll be sending good vibes and good wishes for success to all my creative sisters at The Creative Connection Event 2011.

Have fun and happy creating! ♥
Lisa Tutman-Oglesby
www.celebrate-creativity.com

MY TOP 5 TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OUT OF TCC EVENT

PACK LIGHTLY
You won’t need a zillion outfits. Save the extra luggage space for all the goodies you’ll buy at the Handmade Market. Don’t forget if your bags are overweight on the return flight, the airline will charge an additional (ridiculously hefty) fee.

MINGLE, DON’T BE SHY
Venture from your comfort zone or group and introduce yourself to strangers. Everyone is welcoming and the event is a great opportunity to network and connect with new people.

CARRY BUSINESS/BLOG CARDS
Hand out your contact cards (even if you only have a blog) and collect just as many. You won’t remember everyone you talked to and the cards are a good reminder of who you met and an added resource when you get home. Visit the blogs of people you met when you get home.

ENGAGE THE VENDORS
I learned a lot from talking with the vendors at The Handmade Market about their products and business experiences (I also bought a ton of stuff). Many of the vendors have traveled long distances to be at TCC and put great care into their merchandise and booth presentation. They really do like to know that you appreciate them.

TAKE PICTURES
I didn’t take as many pictures as I could have and when I got home, I regretted it. Photos of the event will not only remind you of the fun you had, but they’ll also help support a nice blog entry if you choose to write about the event later. (Click HERE to read Lisa’s TCC blog post)

I had the great pleasure of meeting Lisa at TCC last year. She was just as nice in person as she seems on her blog. She is truly a creative force! PLUS, she is the only person I know who has an EMMY!

That’s right! In 2006 she won an Emmy for her outstanding news reporting in the Chicago area.

Thank you so much Lisa for sharing these tips and for inspiring us with your beautiful blog~Paige

Fabulous Friday will be back next friday, but we wanted to take this opportunity to share our BRAND NEW issue of

Where Women Create. 

We are ESPECIALLY proud of this issue. 

Look at these ARTISTS!

And GUESS what?

They will be at TCC and will sign your copy at our 

Autograph Party at the Market!

{click on the picture to enlarge}


SO now that you’ve been given a peek inside, how would you like to win a copy?

Of course you do!

We’re going to give FIVE of you each a copy of this issue!

HAPPY DAY!

All you need to do is comment to this post with who from this issue YOU would like to have sign your copy  …

EASY! I want all of them to sign mine:) 

GOOD LUCK!

Additional entries:
*Follow WWC and TCC on Twitter
@WHEREWOMENCREAT @TCCEVENT (1 Entry)
*Tweet about this contest (1 entry)
*Blog about this contest and mention THE CREATIVE CONNECTION (1 Entry)
*Have a WWC button or link on your blog (1 Entry)
*Post a Comment on THE CREATIVE CONNECTION BLOG (1 Entry)
Remember to post separately for each additional entry and please only post the amount of entries allowed. Also, make sure we have a way to contact you. This contest ends on Tuesday, August 23rd at Midnight (MST), so make sure to get your comments in by then.

One more thing … Facebook rules are ever changing, so we never involve them in any contest we have. However, we would appreciate a “Like” on our THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT Facebook page.
Creative Karma will be bestowed on you!

AND THE WINNER IS …

CONGRATULATIONS Pamela!

Thank you Charlotte for giving us such a FABULOUS prize!

~Have a GREAT day everyone~

Filed Under: Authors
08/05/2011

Authors :

Fabulous Friday with Charlotte Lyons

 

I imagine I’m like many of you – I started making things when I was a young girl and just kept on going. It’s in me to create, to stitch, to design, to paint, to decorate. To make.

And to teach too.

 

I taught school for a bit before my children were born. Staying home with my three girls inspired me to make the most of what I really loved to do. I could draw a little and I could design a little, but an adult-ed class in rug hooking helped me combine those simple skills into a huge passion. You could say I was hooked, designing and making stacks of gorgeous, colorful hooked rugs, originating with my drawings, made from repurposed clothing. Start to finish, I loved making wool felt from clothes for my rugs, thrifting it, dyeing it, cutting it up and giving it new life underfoot. So much fun! (Once I even cut up my father-in-law’s trousers for a rug. Oops, I thought he didn’t want those anymore!)

Country Living did a feature story on my rugs in the 80′s and then my friends, Mary Engelbreit, Barbara Martin and I collaborated on the Mary Engelbreit Home Companion series of books and later the magazine too. We had the best time traveling the country in search of inspired homes and artists to include in our books. There were eight of those including the seasonal craft book series!

My family moved to New York where I had the chance to author my own beautiful books with Simon and Schuster. Mothers and Daughters at Home is pretty much the story of my creative life at home with my three daughters. Must say, it’s a stunningly beautiful book full of timeless projects to share with children. Soon after, I wrote Between Friends: Craft Projects to Share, another lovely collection of projects and design.

Along the way, I also designed projects for many magazines, began licensing my work for the marketplace, started teaching again, both here at home and all across the country (Silver Bella, French General, Tinsel Trading, MEHC Workshops). My classes are popular with crafters who appreciate a down to earth approach to making things. Really- it’s supposed to be fun! All skill levels are welcome in my classes where we laugh and share everything from tools to tips. On every level, I learn so much from my students. What’s better than making something in the company of other makers?

 

What am I doing now? I’m designing fabric for this year’s Quilt Market and stitch samplers for my Etsy shop. Forever and always, I love to playfully collage bits of things together from the collections in my studio – lots of wool along with vintage fabrics, papers, trinkets and trims. And I still get out the rug hook every now and then. Handwork is my daily yoga.

 

I’m excited about TCC! I love to teach and I’m looking forward to meeting you, having a chance to share what I know, what I brought with me and then dig into all that creative energy and make beautiful things side by side. These events are the most inspiring ways to refresh the creative spirit. I’ve met some of my dearest friends and greatest inspirations in classrooms like these. Let’s make something! Hope to see you there!

Charlotte is teaching two great classes at

THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT:

 

{Home is Here}

{The Book Bag}

 

 

PLUS!

She’s giving away a signed copy of Between Friends and a stitch sampler: Josie’s Garden. Simply comment to this post and you’re entered! 

Additional entries:
*Follow WWC and TCC on Twitter
@WHEREWOMENCREAT @TCCEVENT (1 Entry)
*Tweet about this contest (1 entry)
*Blog about this contest and mention THE CREATIVE CONNECTION (1 Entry)
*Have a WWC button or link on your blog (1 Entry)
*Post a Comment on THE CREATIVE CONNECTION BLOG (1 Entry)
Remember to post separately for each additional entry and please only post the amount of entries allowed. Also, make sure we have a way to contact you. This contest ends on Friday, August 12th at Midnight (MST), so make sure to get your comments in by then.

One more thing … Facebook rules are ever changing, so we never involve them in any contest we have. However, we would appreciate a “Like” on our THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT Facebook page.
Creative Karma will be bestowed on you!

And speaking of CREATIVE KARMA, make sure you register today for
THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT, classes are filling fast … You can’t miss out!

152 Comments Filed Under: Authors, Fabulous Friday
07/23/2011

Authors :

Fabulous Friday with Amy Barickman

Amy Barickman is a busy entrepreneur, mom and all around creative spirit. Founding her well-known craft & pattern business, Indygo Junction, over 20 years ago, Amy knows what it takes to thrive in publishing. Working with many designers, Amy strives to bring her unique eye for trends to handmade and DIY fashion. She also creates her vintage-inspired fabric line for Red Rooster Fabrics.

Her love of all things vintage led Amy to embark on a second business venture, The Vintage Workshop. Developed to provide creative spirits with a resource for timeless imagery, The Vintage Workshop’s blog offers Amy’s Pick, an image-a-day giveaway. Like us on Facebook to see the daily feature!

Last year, Amy presented her latest endeavor at The Creative Connection. Publishing her “labor of love”, Vintage Notions: An Inspirational Guide to Needlework, Cooking, Sewing, Fashion & Fun under her new venture, Amy Barickman, LLC book publishing.

Amy’s book has won multiple awards in the independent publishing community. Here is an excerpt from the magazine Foreword Reviews…

“…Vintage Notions…is a celebration of domestic aesthetics…the book itself is art, overflowing not only with sweet morsels of fashion, needlework, and cooking, but with beautiful textures and colors…This book would be welcomed by anyone who is inclined to a vintage bent, who fancies home economics, or who finds happiness in making art out of life.”
~ Foreword Reviews

Recently, we sat down with Amy to talk a little more about her experiences publishing her book Vintage Notions, and to share a bit about her experience as a panelist at The Creative Connection event last year:

TCC event was wonderful! The Marketplace offered an amazing venue for sharing, selling and networking with other gifted artisans. I was thrilled to be a part of the panel on launching a business and I learned so much from my fellow speakers! The sharing of our experiences has proved to be invaluable on many levels! The event that continued throughout the weekend offered so many opportunities to network with successful, creative women in business.

This year I am returning to be a part of the Self Publishing Panel. I’m so excited and honored to be joining this talented group of women. I’ve learned so much during the process of publishing and marketing Vintage Notions – I have so much to share this year.

When did you decide that your research into the life of Mary Brooks Picken should be made into a book?

Vintage Notions really started to materialize as I realized the timeless content that existed in the Inspiration newsletters that the Woman’s Institute published. Many were written by Mary Brooks Picken who eventually complied “her choicest writings” into a small book called Thimblefuls of Friendliness: One Woman’s Every-Day Philosophy. Even more exciting, the more I read her writing and learned about the Women’s Institute that she founded, the more in awe I became of her contribution to the field of women’s entrepreneurship. Not only was Mary herself a successful entrepreneur (something that was, of course, rare for her time), but she also empowered countless other women to support themselves and their families through development of practical skills. I came across so many stories of women who recovered from economic hardships, depression, found new confidence in themselves…all because of the Woman’s Institute’s work. Correspondence classes ran for almost twenty years — I accumulated so much great material that I knew couldn’t just be left to the past. I was compelled to share it with a modern audience!

How has the publishing of Vintage Notions affected your role in the sewing and craft industry?

My other businesses, Indygo Junction and The Vintage Workshop already gave me a broad customer base, but publishing Vintage Notions allowed me to connect with even more people. I’ve found new professional communities – The Fashion Group,and the Costume Society (both organizations Mary was instrumental in founding). Because of all the research I did, I’ve also found a platform on which to speak professionally sharing Mary’s story, and that of The Woman’s Institute as well as my experience with 20 years in the industry. The story of the domestic arts, particularly sewing becoming a means for economic improvement is so relevant for the modern community of sewing and craft. Through my lecturing so many have inspired me! Mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs has been particularly rewarding.I had a wonderful experience at as a panelist at last year’s Creative Connection and really am looking forward to joining the panel on publishing this year.

What feedback have you gotten about Vintage Notions?

I’ve gotten very positive feedback on it! We’ve actually won a number of book awards and recognitions, from organizations like the Independent Publisher Book Awards,, and Foreword Reviews’ 2010 Book of the Year.I’ve also gotten some really nice reviews from other women in the industry, such as Mary Engelbreit and Amy Butler.What’s really been fun, though, is the feedback from people who buy the book.A lot of readers have some sort of connection, or a family member that gives them an interest in sewing or home arts. I think the book offers a platform for sharing stories for future generations, and I love to see this book encouraging that discussion.

Why did you decide to publish independently, and how has that worked out for you?

We did submit the proposal to several publishers, but didn’t receive any offers. I believed in the material, though, and decided to move forward independently. Fortunately, I had some experience in publishing with Indygo Junction —mainly 24-64 page instructional books. But this book was much more complicated.Vintage Notions was more inspirational title than project based. I was fortunate to have a talented colleague,Jean Lowe, agree to take on the editorial direction and coordinate production of the book. She has extensive experience in trade publishing.

Self-publishing is a challenging process, but I believe it was the right path. I kept control of the book’s look and content, and I can confidently say that it turned out true to my vision. We also had the flexibility to create our own campaigns, contests, and sell direct to stores and customers.

How long did it take you to write and publish the book?

About a year and a half. The process of printing overseas itself took about three months including shipping.I would have liked to print domestically, but that would have priced the book out of the market.

What was your favorite part of the whole process?

I really enjoyed the process of discovering and finding little nuggets of wisdom and inspiration within the material. The whole thing was an amazing journey—researching and finding out how relevant Mary Brooks Picken’s contributions still are today, and how many generations of women were affected.And the wonderful thing is, those discoveries haven’t stopped yet!

You can find more information on Amy’s journey with Vintage Notions by visiting her website and blog at www.amybarickman.com.

Also visit her company sites: www.indygojunction.com & www.thevintageworkshop.com

Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/amybarickmanstudio

We are so excited to have Amy as a Panelist on our THE CREATIVE CONNECTION panel Self-Publishing. If you have ever wanted to know the ins and outs of getting your book published, you can’t miss this panel! Plus, Amy will also be signing copies of her book Vintage Notions at the Autograph Party in The Handmade Market. This book is one of my all time favorite creative books. I love anything to do with vintage images and sewing, so I was so excited when I received it last summer. I read the entire book in one sitting! How would you like to see for yourself? Amy was kind enough to offer a copy of Vintage Notions as well as one yard each of the 19 coordinates of her new fabric line – The Dressmaking Collection that was inspired by the book. It’s a sweet deal as the fabric won’t be available to the public technically until September. I so wish I could enter!

 

 

All you need to do is comment to this post with the number one author you’d like to meet at the Autograph Cocktail Party. That’s it!

Additional entries:

*Follow WWC and TCC on Twitter

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Remember to post separately for each additional entry and please only post the amount of entries allowed. Also, make sure we have a way to contact you. This contest ends on Wednesday, July 27th at Midnight (MST), so make sure to get your comments in by then.

One more thing … Facebook rules are ever changing, so we never involve them in any contest we have. However, we would appreciate a “Like” on our THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT Facebook page.

Creative Karma will be bestowed on you!

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