Finding Inspiration

I am often asked by people "how do you do it all?"  They ask this question typically because I am a mother of two boys, I work a full time job outside of the home as a Web Analyst, I run my own indie craft business Subsixstudios, and I run Queen City Craft.  The answer I always give is "I don't."

I know a lot of crafty and creative people who always say they don't have the time to spend on their own creative interests.  This is true for most everyone I know.  Those of us who are trying to make a go of it, and those who can't seem to find a way to start.  Is there a trick?  No.  The only way to make it happen is to try.  No one is judging how much time you can put in.  I never have hours on end to spend on my side businesses.  When I wasn't working full time I did, but since going back to work a year ago that time started collecting dust in my basement on top of my once active craft studio.  Speaking of studio space - this is usually the second obstacle people mention to me as a reason to not get dirty with their supplies.  I know a few people who have studio spaces away from their homes, but most people I know don't.  We work in basements, spare rooms, kitchen tables, sheds, garages, mud rooms, and closets.

The key is to be as organized as you can be.  If you are able to find a free space in your house set up a table, get some storage bins or shelves and organize your supplies so it is easy to work in your small space.  If you do not have a free space in your home it is possible to craft on a kitchen or dining room table.  Again the key is organization.  You obviously will need to pull out all of your supplies and set them up to work as well as pack it all up at the end of the night and put it away so you have a place to eat in the morning.  Again, this is where having bins, trays, bowls etc . . . to work on comes in handy.

Finding the time is a tough battle for everyone.  Most of us create at night after we get home from work, kids are in bed, dishes are (sometimes) done, and usually not after all chores are completed.  Finding the time means making the time.  It means getting off the couch and turning off the TV.  It also means letting go of the need to finish your chores.  You don't need to do this every night, but I think the dust bunnies will understand if you let them shuffle around the floor one more day.

So if you are interested in pursuing your creative interest the best way is to just dive on in.  Let go of your fears and loosen the tight time band we tend to put on our lives.

Local Press for local designers

Look who was featured in the Seven Days 2010-2011Burlington Off Campus Guide called What's Good.  Erinn Simon of urban farmgirl, Calvin of COOB Originals and Tessa and Torrey of New Duds.

All three of these designers are past vendors of the Queen City Craft Bazaar.  Congrats!

Thanks to Calvin for sharing the story and letting me use your picture.  You can read the blog post here.

You can also check out the online version of the guide here.

Calling all indie crafters, artists and designers!

Applications are now being accepted for the holiday edition of the Queen City Craft Bazaar.

The show will be held on Saturday Nov 20th at Union Station in Burlington, VT

APPLY NOW!

Holiday QCCB

Hello all my crafty friends,

Based on feedback from customers and vendors I am going to be setting up a Holiday Queen City Craft Bazaar. The tentative date is Saturday Nov. 20th. Look for applications soon. Spread the word.

BCA meeting tonight - New North End of Burlington

Burlington City Arts (BCA) in conjunction with the South End Arts & Business Association (SEABA) is proud to announce a series of meetings bringing together Burlington artists and members of the creative economy in a step towards identifying ways to continue to develop and strengthen the arts and creative culture as a key Burlington asset.

Tonight!

Monday, August 23rd, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
New North End Neighborhood Meeting:
Miller Center Gymnasium, 130 Gosse Court

Crafter Spotlight - Martha Pullen

Sweet Avenue - Creations by Martha Pullen
Handmade Jewelry & Beaded Jewelry Repair
website
Facebook

1. Tell us a little bit about your business and how you got started.

My business is called Sweet Avenue. I make all kinds of jewelry, but lately I've been focusing on two types of items, my collage pendants (lightweight acrylic pendants with images transferred onto colorful scrapbooking papers), and my resin flower jewelry and accessories. I started beading with seed beads at summer camp when I was eight years old, and have been making jewelry ever since. Since I was making more jewelry than I could ever possibly wear, this past spring I started Sweet Avenue (and my shop on Etsy.com). It's been a wonderful creative project that has taken off way faster than I had expected, and I'm having a blast!

2. Who/what inspires you?

Etsy itself has been a great source of inspiration, and I'm so glad I discovered it. There are so many talented, creative, imaginative people on the site. You can find every type of awesome handmade product that you could possibly imagine, from jewelry to furniture to works of art to bizarre items that you've never even heard of! It's also great to be able to chat and connect with so many other artisans from around the globe, as well as here in Vermont. I'm a member of the Made in Vermont Etsy Street Team, a group of Vermonters who have Etsy shops. We all chat together, share ideas and support, and help to promote each others businesses.

3. Give us a peek into your work space. Where do you create? Describe your work space or studio.

Well, I won't take a picture because right now it looks like a tornado hit it! I tend to work rather frenetically - I start making pretty things and then I start to jump from one to another. However, I do love it when my space is neat and clear, so I periodically clean it all up, then proceed to make a huge mess again. I live in a two-bedroom apartment with my boyfriend Eric, and the second bedroom is my work space. It has two windows that let in a lot of light. I have three different tables around the room to spread out on, and when those are covered, I take it to the floor!

4. Where do you sell and promote your work?

Sweet Avenue started purely as an Etsy shop, but now you can find my things at Trinket on Church Street in Burlington (the sister store to Sweet Lady Jane). In addition, I sell my earrings at Spirit Dancer, also in downtown Burlington. I plan to find more shops around Vermont that would like to sell my work. This fall I am going to start doing some small craft fairs, starting with the Art Hop Extravaganza on September 11.

5. What are three things you can't live without?

Music, color, and my family, which includes my parents, my sister, my boyfriend, and my best friend. They mean everything to me.

6. What are your three favorite things about Vermont?

The fact that there are NO billboards, the independent spirit of the people who live here, and the land itself. I love being outdoors in Vermont, and we are so lucky to have Lake Champlain.

7. What does term indie craft mean to you?

I think indie craft means creating things that you like, regardless of what the rest of the world says. The jewelry I make is all jewelry that I want for myself and that I have fun making. Sometimes it's hard to sell them because I love them so much! I've been fortunate to find that my items are things that apparently other people want too, because they are buying them, but they are all things that I would make anyway.

8. Any new products, projects or news you want to share?

I definitely hope to see everyone at the Art Hop Extravaganza on September 11! The Art Hop is always a great event, and I'm looking forward to being a part of it this year. If you'd like to stay updated about Sweet Avenue, you can also join my Facebook page. Also, I'd like to give a big thank you to Kacey for the great work that she's doing in supporting local artisans!

A big day for Queen City Craft!

Today was the kind of day where everything just clicked. I was contacted this summer by a writer who is doing a book for The Little Bookroom all about craft shows and farmer's markets in New England. I was beyond thrilled when she told me she had chosen the Queen City Craft Bazaar to represent Vermont. She asked if she could come up in August for a photo shoot and without any hesitation I said yes! The shoot was today and it featured my own personal work as well as a few vendors she had chosen. Tomorrow she hits up the Burlington Farmers/Artist market.

Thank you Christine for contacting me about my little (but growing) show. Today was a perfect example of why I keep moving along with Queen City Craft. The fact that we were chosen over some of the other big shows makes me realize that all of our hard work is worth it. Every vendor who has sold at the QCCB and every customer who has supported indie craft by browsing or shopping at the show - my hats off to you. Queen City Craft and the bazaar could not exist without you all.

Thank you for believing in indie craft scene. Keep creating, keep dreaming, and never give up on the indie scene. It is alive and kicking.