Saturday, November 14, 2009
The geek in me says...
I'm learning html. It's easy, but incredibly boring. Is it possible to design an entire web page while sleeping? I think that's what I'm doing! lol
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Don't go chasing waterfalls....
My waterfall quilt is officially finished and entered into the Rocky River Nature Center's Reflections of Nature quilt show. I've actually entered two quilts in my first (but hopefully not last) quilt show. So mark your calendars for Saturday & Sunday, November 14 & 15 and go visit the Rocky River Nature Center to see all the talented quilters and their beautiful quilts (oh yeah, and my quilts will be there too).
But if you can't wait that long, here's a preview of what you'll be feasting your eyes on...
But if you can't wait that long, here's a preview of what you'll be feasting your eyes on...
Next project up is my webpage www.thequilterbee.com (formerly quiltsbydianna). I'm still figuring out this who making-a-webpage thing, but am getting help from some able minded people who are patient and kind with me ;) I want to at least have a home page by the end of the week...let the coding begin!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Evolution of a quilter
What has started as a dutiful daughter-in-law starting a new hobby with her mother-in-law evolved into a woman with a new hobby and a knack for following directions. With that knack, I made some pretty cool quilts that other people designed.
Enter modern quilter (that, I hope, would be me). A friend of mine took it upon herself to get the paperwork needed to enter the Rocky River Nature Center's annual quilt show. I decided, what the heck skinny neck? I'm gonna do it. But I didn't want to enter a quilt where I'm following someone else's design. I've been to this quilt show before, and there are some amazing pieces of work that I couldn't help but notice are designed by the quilter (most of the time). This is not something one goes into with a knack for following someone else's directions.
So, for the first time (but definitely not the last, I think I caught a creative bug of some sort), I'm going to make a quilt that is 100% my own. My design, my work. Pictures soon to come. Wish me luck.
Enter modern quilter (that, I hope, would be me). A friend of mine took it upon herself to get the paperwork needed to enter the Rocky River Nature Center's annual quilt show. I decided, what the heck skinny neck? I'm gonna do it. But I didn't want to enter a quilt where I'm following someone else's design. I've been to this quilt show before, and there are some amazing pieces of work that I couldn't help but notice are designed by the quilter (most of the time). This is not something one goes into with a knack for following someone else's directions.
So, for the first time (but definitely not the last, I think I caught a creative bug of some sort), I'm going to make a quilt that is 100% my own. My design, my work. Pictures soon to come. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Yes, we have no craft fairs
Every year I have the same debate, and every year I forget how said debate ended last year. What's the debate? Whether I should buy space at various craft fairs this fall/winter.
It always seems to be dead at these things anymore, and I feel so bad for the other crafters because there are some really talented people out there! So last year I did a little of both; I had tables at a few fairs, and did some holiday shopping at others (hey, I gotta support my fellow crafter!).
This time was different, because I actually took notes on how I did at each fair I was in. I discovered I really didn't do well enough to justify waking up early on a Saturday morning and spending 8-10 hours listening to people either say, "I could make that at home," or, "Wow, your stuff is so nice, and so reasonably priced." I'm a pretty positive person, but that had a tendency to wear even me down. I think this was actually the incubus to my store front idea (I guess because I want to do this for 8-10 hours every day).
Anyway, this year is no debate. There will be no craft fairs this year. I'm instead going to focus my energies on making my business work for me. First step is my business plan, which is tantamount to writing a short novel. I always knew those creative writing/journalism classes in high school would come in handy some day, just didn't imagine it would resurface like this.
I've done some research and a whole lot of thinking, and have come to the conclusion that a bricks and mortar store is not going to happen by 2010. I just don't have the capital, and don't anticipate having it by the beginning of the year. Here's the funky circle I'm going in right now...in order to get banks to loan me money, I need to show them that I have money; yet in order for me to have money, I need the banks to loan me money...and on and on it goes. So for now I'm saving saving saving while I build my business plan.
Next post....inspiration has sprung and I'm working on my first quilt of the season. Man, I love fall!
It always seems to be dead at these things anymore, and I feel so bad for the other crafters because there are some really talented people out there! So last year I did a little of both; I had tables at a few fairs, and did some holiday shopping at others (hey, I gotta support my fellow crafter!).
This time was different, because I actually took notes on how I did at each fair I was in. I discovered I really didn't do well enough to justify waking up early on a Saturday morning and spending 8-10 hours listening to people either say, "I could make that at home," or, "Wow, your stuff is so nice, and so reasonably priced." I'm a pretty positive person, but that had a tendency to wear even me down. I think this was actually the incubus to my store front idea (I guess because I want to do this for 8-10 hours every day).
Anyway, this year is no debate. There will be no craft fairs this year. I'm instead going to focus my energies on making my business work for me. First step is my business plan, which is tantamount to writing a short novel. I always knew those creative writing/journalism classes in high school would come in handy some day, just didn't imagine it would resurface like this.
I've done some research and a whole lot of thinking, and have come to the conclusion that a bricks and mortar store is not going to happen by 2010. I just don't have the capital, and don't anticipate having it by the beginning of the year. Here's the funky circle I'm going in right now...in order to get banks to loan me money, I need to show them that I have money; yet in order for me to have money, I need the banks to loan me money...and on and on it goes. So for now I'm saving saving saving while I build my business plan.
Next post....inspiration has sprung and I'm working on my first quilt of the season. Man, I love fall!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Big Announcement
Well, it was a long time coming. For ten years now I've been making quilts as gifts, making quilts to use around the house, making quilts to sell at craft fairs, and every now and then making quilts for actual customers.
For a couple of years now, my lovely husband has been trying to talk me into opening my own shop. Well, the time has come for me to pull the trigger on this! Right now I'm in the beginning stages of research. My goal is that by the new year I'll have what it takes to open up my very own fabric/quilt supply shop.
It's an exciting, scary, thrilling, nerve racking, exciting (it's worth mentioning twice) moment. Wish me luck! Oh, and come to my grand opening, date TBA ;)
For a couple of years now, my lovely husband has been trying to talk me into opening my own shop. Well, the time has come for me to pull the trigger on this! Right now I'm in the beginning stages of research. My goal is that by the new year I'll have what it takes to open up my very own fabric/quilt supply shop.
It's an exciting, scary, thrilling, nerve racking, exciting (it's worth mentioning twice) moment. Wish me luck! Oh, and come to my grand opening, date TBA ;)
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