~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~
I would have to say – without a doubt – Heather and Tim for sure!!!!! Would love a copy of this issue!!!
I would have to say Tim Holtz, Becky Higgins or Stacy Julian since my main interest is scrapbooking. But I do love the Where Women Create magazine! So inspiring! I would love to win a copy!
Holly Becker and Heather Bailey!!
I would definitely say Becky Higgins!
I would love to win one!!!
I think meeting Holly Becker may end up being a highlight for me, decor8 is about the coolest site ever and I follow Holly on Twitter, she is a sweetie! Really though, I am just going to be so excited to be there!!
As the owner of No Ducks and Bunnies Vintage, I’d love a copy of your magazine (great ideas).
They’re all fabulous! I want them all to sign. ‘Where Women Create’ lets me dream of a creative space for myself :)
Well all of them would be great. But if I have to pick one I would say Becky Higgins
I’m really loving every issue of Where Women Create. It’s inspirational to me in my search for streamlining my area. I frequently have to search for recycled items to upcycle into my workspace but it gives me fun time while organizing too.
oh…that is a HARD one. this HAS to be the BEST issue i’ve gotten (IMHO)…i’d love melody ross, heather bailey, holly becker, tim holtz, stacy julian and becky higgins…is that too many????
;)
Thanks for the awesome chance to win!
catherine s.
imaginethatdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com
i follow WWC and TCC on twitter @CatherineStern :D
Thanks for the chance to win!
catherine s.
imaginethatdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com
i also have a WWC button on my blog (bottom left hand side under daily reads section)…
thanks so much for the chance to win!!!
catherine s.
imaginethatdesign (at) yahoo (dot) com
If I get chosen for a free issue, I’d like Lisa to sign mine. I’m loving this blog. It’s so wonderful to know there is a place where women’s voices really count.
I accidentally came across WWC on facebook and it’s inspired me to find my creative spirit onve again!!! Best “accident” ever!!! I would be overjoyed for copy with any signature!!!
MY First choice would have to be Tim. I follow all his work and am inspired by pics frrom his studio.
I would love for Becky Higgins to sign. I can’t wait to read this issue & hopefully I can fit into my budget before they are all gone!
Such a beautiful site! Thank you for the chance to win! Congratulations to all who leave a comment! I plan on being a faithful follower!
First I want to let you know that I love all the inspiration your blog, and WWC has given me! Yes! I would love to win this issue. . . and I would love to have all of them sign the magazine. How wonderful would that be??!!
would love to win a copy ,love your FB page so many great ideas
always a disappointment that I can’t participate in TCC. Someday, though, I will achieve that dream. I know, to be a totally successful & creative artist TCC is necessary.
Until then, I will enjoy the blog, the fb page & WHERE WOMEN CREATE.
I love your blog and the magazine.
Becky Higgins for sure, would love a copy
I absolutely love this magazine and look forward to it each time it comes out. It would be great to win one signed by Holly Becker!
Becky and Stacy would be awesome. Thank you. Julie
I didn’t know about the Creative Connection Event, other than I’d heard the words before. How “in the dark” is that and am I??? Had to look it up online – it looks like a great event. Lisa’s got me interested in going now.
I would love for Tim Holtz and Heather Bailey to sign my copy!! Thanks for the giveaway
I would love to win one of these!!!
I would to win a copy of your awesome magazine and for Jody Battaglia to sign mine
Heather Bailey!
I follow on twitter!
I have a link on my blog
This book looks amazing! So glad to find this site!
If I won a copy of this great issue, I would love it if Lisa, Becky or Tim signed this book! For various reasons, they have inspired me to be more creative over the years. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Stacy Julian!! I just finished taking her “Photo Freedom” class. She is a genius! Can’t wait to read about all of them. Thanks for the chance to win.
I adore this magazine and would love if any one of the artists signed it. :)
Would love a copy! I’m just starting to find my creative side, so I’m always looking for inspiration.
Fingers crossed – great giveaway – I would also like them all to sign – but Tim Holtz would be a must!!!
Wow! Looks like a wonderful issue. Love all the artists – how about Jody Battaglia…
I would love to meet & get an autograph from Melody Ross!
I would love to have a copy of “Where Women Create” signed by Susan Branch.
As a long time crafter, but new online business owner, I am a sponge for information right now! I would LOVE a copy. The preview alone looks fantastic and I could use all of the help and information I can get!
Can’t wait to see what’s new at the Creative Connection event next month.
It really revived my creative energy last year!. You’ve even inspired me to try my hand at blogging about my newly empty nest. What better way to start than with a glossy magazine full of inspiration?
Looking forward to making many creative connections at the conference!
Thanks,
Beverly Dyer
I would love to win a copy of this issue. I would chose Becky Higgins. I have been following her work for years.
Would totally love a copy of this issue!!! I adore Heather Bailey!
Oooo, nice! Heather Bailey, please.
Tim and Becky….TWO OF MY FAVORITES!!
It would make my day to win a copy of that fabulous magazine!
I would LOVE to win a copy of this magazine! Thank you for the chance!!!
Stacy Julian’s signature would be an added bonus.
Love…love…love an opportunity to win this fab magazine packed with tons of creative artists. I really enjoyed seeing the whimsy of Jody Battaglia creations!
I really wanna win! Really really I do!
Thank You,
Michele Burns
I would love all of them to sign mine also!
Who…Oh Tim Holtz for sure!!!
I mean he’s the first man to be featured in WWC, so it’s monumental. AND, I just love all his products. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Thanks
Hope
Awesome! Have Becky Higgins sign mine :)
What a great issue! If I absolutely HAD to choose, Id like Stacy Julian to sign my copy. She was instrumental in changing the way I approached scrapbooking!
I tweeted about the giveaway!
I would love to win a copy of the magazine!!! And it would be wonderful if everyone signed it! My local Books-A-Million is no longer carrying the magazine as of 2011 (but they do carry others from the publisher), so it’s become difficult for me to find it. So winning would be really fantastic!!!
I follow both WWC & TCC on Twitter and Facebook!!!
And I tweeted about the giveaway and the big event on both my Twitter accounts! I love this magazine!!!
Umm… how could I possibly choose WHO to have sign it? Everyone? Anyone? Take your pick of the fabulous creative folks that inspire all your readers! :) Hope I win!
I now follow both TCCEvent and WWC on Twitter.
Your magazine is one of my VERY favorites, I would love to win!
I would love for them ALL to sign it! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Hmm… I’d love everyone to sign it, but I’ve loved Heather Bailey the longest of them all, so I’d have to ask her. :) Thanks for the chance!