Jan Avellana | Hazelnut Cottage

the 101010 project | me!

Today is the last post for the 101010 project I’m participating in, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Here, finally, is my own response to one of the questions Robin posed:

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

I need to stop, period. I need to let go of the things I know I am ready to let go of and allow myself to walk step by step into a new season. I need to stop demanding that my artlife (and life in general) can only unfold in a particular, me-envisioned way. I need to stop striving. I also need to stop being so disorganized; time to whip my studio into shape for all the artmaking that is to come!!!

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | alease michelle

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Alease Michelle!

Alease Michelle

Name of Business: The School of Creative Business
Blog: www.schoolofcreativebusiness
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AleaseMichelle
Twitter: Alease Michelle

Years in business: 4
Brief Bio: As an expert, Alease lends knowledge to the press, editorials and serves as a subject-matter expert. She is a sought-after presenter in the areas of creative marketing, personal image, branding and fashion.

As a professor, Alease is committed to her student’s education, furthering their exposure and considers their success a direct reflection of herself.

As a mixed-media artist, Alease participated in several exhibitions. Wishing to market her artistic endeavors, she found little advice available. This, coupled with her passion for education – she tracked her online marketing & branding journey and founded The School of Creative Business.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business? 

Taking on clients who don’t match my target audience and who lack the basic skill sets to be successful in an online business. It sounds mean- but I’ve realized that it has become a waste of my time and we know time is money.

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | nolwenn petitbois

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Nolwenn Petitbois!

Nolwenn Petitbois

Business Name: Inner Worlds
Years in business: 2

Brief bio:  I am a self-taught Mixed Media artist.  Dreamer. Lover. Passionate. Gratitude Warrior. Bookaholic. Cook. Art Journaler...

 I would never have thought that painting and creativity would be in my daily life and even less my business until not so long ago. I believe that nothing happens by coincidence and so that I do have powerful messages to share through what I create. I am a Mixed Media artist because my heart and soul need to play and discover all the time and Mixed Media allows me to mix and match techniques and materials.

My artwork usually represents strong whimsical women (that I called «Nixies») who have a positive message to deliver to the world, to you. I believe in the important power of Positive Affirmations and of Gratitude, that both guide me in my creative process. I am a life-long learner, and love to unravel new ways to make my path lighter and stronger. Healing is a huge part of my life path, I am now also a Practical Reiki Master and noticed how it shifted the way it affects my creativity and the entire process of it.

I am also an art journaler and is currently a teacher in the art journaling collaborative playground 21 Secrets that opened its doors in April 2012.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business? 

I need to stop comparing myself with other artists. Whether it’s their art (and the «ooooh I wish I had created this first»), or their apparent success.

I know it’s useless and just makes me feel sorry for myself (yay for pity parties from time to time, nothing better to start on a new foot afterwards !).

Blog: http://inner-voices.net
Shop: http://InnerWorlds.etsy.com          
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/InnerVoices.net
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NolwennP
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NolwennBC
FlickR: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nolwennp

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | robin norgren

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Robin Norgren!

Robin Norgren
Name of business: Robin Norgren Studios
Years in business: 4 years
 
Robin’s Bio: I strive to live life to the fullest.  No matter what.  I have grown into myself through my love for Jesus and HIS LOVE FOR ME. Art, motherhood, business, creativity and yoga are the cherished vehicles for this deepening.   Life can be FULL, JUICY, MEANINGFUL, PURPOSE FILLED, LOVELY.  I want to help you come to your fullest life.  I create workbooks, ecourses and workshops that chronicle my change and growth and offer you ways to find out what YOUR FULLEST life will be.
 
 What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?
 
I need to stop reading books on how to do business better and get to work.  Have you ever found yourself here?  You feel like you need to read another article on social media or take one more online business course or get more advice?
 
I can become obsessed with the information gathering.  But here is the thing. I bet you (like me) know enough to, as Danielle LaPorte of White Hot Truth says,
 
“Launch and Learn.”
 
When I finally took the leap to get certified as a life coach, guess when the instructors thought it was ‘safe’ to give me a green light to coach: THE VERY FIRST WEEK.  I thought, ‘how in the world can they think I am ready?’
 
But you know what?
 
I was ready.
 
I am ready.

Website: http://www.robinnorgrenstudios.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/robinlnorgren
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/wellofcreations.myetsyshop

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | kelly warren

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Kelly Warren!

Kelly Warren

Name of business: Happy Shack Designs
Years in business: 7
Brief Bio: An artist with a short attention span, I create work in artisan jewelry, fine art photography, mixed media, and book arts. I've also been known to sew a thing or two. I work full-time by day as the Director of Student Life and Leadership Development at a large four-year college in Florida, and am the lucky mama to wonderfully sweet eight-year-old twin red-headed daughters. I have been married to a handsome man of great patience who's put up with my art shenanigans for 17 years now.
 
What do you need to STOP DOING in your business? 
 
I learned what I needed to stop doing in my business about two years ago.  I think the biggest mistake a creative business owner can make is comparing herself to other creatives.  Because none of us is exactly alike, we all bring something a little different to the table.  And what we each bring to the table is special in its own way and can’t be compared to anyone else. 
 
I love all the Stampington publications…Somerset Studio, Art Journaling, Sew Somerset, etc, but for a while there I have to admit I started seeing the same types of art over and over again.  And it really wasn’t the type of art I was attracted to.  Was is art that was selling? Maybe it was, as it was certainly art that was getting published.  But what I realized was that I had to stop comparing myself to what everyone else was doing and just do what made me happy instead. If a particular style of jewelry was taking off, I learned that it was important to me to NOT follow that trend. I needed to stay true to me. Or if I was seeing a similar theme in so many mixed media pieces, that didn’t mean that that was how I needed to style my work if I really didn’t care for that style.  Sure, look to others for inspiration if you feel you must—I certainly do at times—but don’t compare yourself to others.  Be true to you.
 
For my website, visit http://www.happyshackdesigns.com
For my blog, visit http://happyshackdesigns.blogspot.com
For my jewelry on Etsy, visit http://happyshackdesigns.etsy.com
For my art and photos on Etsy, visit http://kellywarrenphotoart.etsy.com

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | sonya mccllough

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Sonya McCllough!

Sonya McCllough

Name of business: Sonya Mac Designs
Years in Business: 12

Sonya’s Bio: I’m this crazy JESUS loving creative … with 2 children living smack in the middle of Tennessee. The seeds of my creativity were watered with knitting needles, yarn and nine kittens on a rock covered patio in the mid sixties. Today, we hold the fort down with a few less kittens (3) … and thankfully my creative edge remains in tact. I’m often inspired by some odd ball stuff & compelled to create by the sweet whispers of the HOLY Spirit. An idea generator am I. Creative collaboration is a sweet spot with me and many have locked creative hands with me to work on projects like The Bond & Respond Quilt project of 2010, Inspired Studios Magazine & The Creative Biz Marathon. My service to HIM in the body of the church currently is that of Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Southeast Baptist Church Murfreesboro TN. 

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

I need to stop doing the easy. Plain and simple. Some talents come easy to us. Because those talents have already been honed, honored and achieved. I need to stop doing the easy. You who are reading this ... need to stop doing the easy. We need to stop doing the easy and do the hard. Deliverance is found in the hard places. Where are your hard places?

To find out more about Sonya, find her at:
http://www.sonyamacdesigns.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sonyamacdesigns
https://twitter.com/#!/sonyamacdesigns
http://www.youtube.com/user/sonyamacdesigns

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | kelly thiel

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Kelly Thiel!

Kelly Thiel

Name of Business: Kelly Thiel Studio
Years in Business: 10

Kelly’s Bio:  An artist and a mother of two young girls, Kelly Thiel lives in South Carolina, USA creating award-winning clay and bronze sculptures, as well as doing art journaling and mixed media paintings.  She just finished building a new studio at her home, and is dying to log some real hours in there!  Kelly is doing her best to live life to the fullest and enjoy each day, with her art and her family.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

I need to find a way to stop spending so much time on the smaller items I make for wholesaling.  These items help to bring in money, but they eat up all of my studio time, so that I can never move on to bigger projects.  There are so, so many things I want to create in the studio, and only a fraction of them will ever get made at this rate!  In some ways, I like making these smaller things, because I can work out ideas or colors on smaller pieces before moving on to a bigger piece.  But what ends up happening, is that I suddenly need 30 small pieces for a show or an order, and then all my time is suddenly sucked up making small pieces and none of the other sculptures in my head ever get started.

My husband has pushed me for YEARS to get an assistant to help with these things.  And I think I will eventually do it.  I’m excited by having help in the studio; getting them to help with some of the small tasks involved in making the pieces, so that we can make more of them faster.  Sometimes I work better too, when someone is there with me, creating.

I think that once I have some forward momentum, and things are getting busy again, I will start looking for an assistant.  It will be hard – I know I’ll have to find the right person to share my studio with – but in the end, I think that it will be right for the business.

To find out more about Kelly, find her at:

kellythielstudio.com
kellythielpottery.blogspot.com
twitter.com/kellyTpottery
facebook.com/KellyThielSculpture

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

the 101010 project | leanne wargowsky

Welcome to the 101010 project, the brainchild of Robin Norgren of Well of Creations and My Creative Peace, both on Etsy. Every weekday for the next 10 days (well, 11 if you count the wrap up day :) I’ll be featuring one artist participating in the 101010 Project. You can find my responses if you hop over to these ladie’s blogs!

About the 101010 project, Robin writes:

In 2010, hundreds of women met through an online e-course offered by Kelly Rae Roberts called Flying Lessons where all were challenged to take their business ideas to their fullest potential. Many of those women took the challenge and have transformed their businesses, juggling successes and failures alongside managing family, friendships and personal lives.

In 2012, the 101010 project was birthed as a way to tell the stories that have come out of running these independent businesses in light of hard economic times. Beginning May 1, 2012 you are invited to join the FIRST SET of 10 women from that 2010 e-course who will offer candid information about their businesses through the vehicle of 10 questions. 

The Hazelnut Cottage blog will feature the first of these 10 artists, who are each answering one question on my blog: What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please welcome Leanne Wargowsky!

Leanne Wargowsky
Name of Business: From Chaos Comes Happiness
Years in Business: Approaching 1

Leanne’s Bio: Born,raised, and living in the Chicago land area, this happily chaotic soul is definitely a newbie in the universe of creative businesses. Last August, after 25 years in healthcare, I was released from days of insurance and hospitals and I started listening to my inner artist. My dream, From Chaos Comes Happiness, was born.  I'm not doing it alone, though, as my support system is wide and deep with a husband who encourages me and two beautiful daughters who inspire me. While I have a long way to go in this business ofmine, I'm determined to remain true to who I am, and stopping just long enough to smell the roses along the way.

What do you need to STOP DOING in your business?

Questioning and internalizing everything . . . and then . . . stalling. I truly, like so many others, am my own worst enemy. I need to stop listening to the voices that tell me "I can't" and only focus on those that tell me "I CAN!" I need to believe in my goals, in my abilities, and move forward. A dear friend of mine always says, "If you aren't going to help me, then get out of my way so I can get the job done!" , and she truly exemplifies that in all that she does. When I look at the past, I find I have wasted a great deal of time in the "what if . . . " stage. My goal for this next year? To STOP looking in the past, and focus on moving forward to the *bright yellow* future.

To find out more about Leanne, find her at:
Blog: www.fromchaoscomeshappiness.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/From-Chaos-Comes-Happiness/125848910797771
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/chaostohappiness

To read up on all 0f the 10 questions posed and answered by each one of the participants, come on over to the site of the 101010 Project! :)

Guest Post: Crystal Neubauer

today’s post is a special treat! please enjoy a few words and a special offer from my dear friend crystal neubauer. she is a mixed-media artist with an intense love for collage and assemblage. of her work, she says:

“As a Mixed Media & Assemblage artist I am drawn to the broken, cast out, and overlooked items of the past. I see beauty in the mundane and love to bring new life to forgotten objects. Something deep in my soul will stir as I move the objects about and they often seem to put themselves together before me. I am the hands, the assembler, the story comes from within. It is written on my heart and brought together as I close my eyes and wait to hear that still small voice.”

to learn more about crystal, visit her blog and if you are indeed blessed, take a class from her at EncaustiCamp 2011 in oregon this july! enjoy!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   

© Crystal Neubauer, 2011

 

Celebrating My Acceptance to the American Craft Expo!

Over the past few years I have had many reasons to celebrate on my journey of growing as an artist and this week it is my pleasure to announce I have been accepted as an emerging artist in the highly competitve juried premium fine craft show, the American Craft Expo. This is a goal I had set for myself that I hoped to achieve 5 or so years down the road. The emerging artist category was even more competitive this year, being cut from 13 available positions in the past to 10 this year, and to be accepted on my first attempt to apply is beyond my wildest dreams and expectations. I am floating on the excitement!

The show is annually presented in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois by the Auxillery of Northshore University Healthsystem and is also a major fundraiser supporting breast and ovarian cancer research. This year the show will begin on August 25 with a Special Benefit Preview Party and open August 26th through the 28th to the public.

To show my appreciation to all of you who have supported me over the years in so many ways, I am offering a 10% discount on all art sales and FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE on any purchase you make between now and next Friday. You can find my available work now at my website, here, or if you are a member of Etsy or would like to become one, you can still purchase most of my pieces at my Etsy studio, here.

Purchasers from my website: Click on the item price to be taken to a PayPal invoice and payment details. In the note to buyer section please include the coupon code: celebrateACE and make your payment. Your discount and shipping charges will be refunded to you within 24 hours, and most likely within a few hours of your purchase.

Purchasers from my etsy store: Make your selection, entering coupon code: celebrateACE when prompted. This will deduct the shipping cost from your purchase. Proceed to PayPal and make your purchase and your additional 10% discount will be refunded to you within 24 hours, and most likely within a few hours of your purchase.

artist interviews at hazelnut cottage | katie clemons

interview with katie clemons

Aritst’s Name: Katie Clemons

Business Name: Gadanke

Locale (Where are you?): Rocky Mountains of the US and Berlin, Germany

Website URL: http://Gadanke.com

Blog URL: http://www.makingthishome.com

 

Let’s start at the beginning! Tell us a little bit about yourself and the art you create.

 I'm Katie, the designer behind Gadanke.

I'm American; my husband is German.  We split our time between a 480 square foot apartment in Berlin, Germany and - get this - a house made out of hundreds of recycled tires in the Rocky Mountains.  We ride our bikes just about anywhere we can, eat our vegetables, and have an enormous passion for seizing life.

My journals have always documented our adventure.  But we just couldn't keep it all to ourselves.  (The love of fun journals, I mean.  NOT the jetlag.  You really don't want that!)

Gadanke is a journal shop.

At Gadanke, you'll find inspiring and handmade travel journals, personal diaries, baby books, gratitude minis, and now - daily Christmas journals!  I hand-create each book of writing prompts with with 100% recycled paper, textured Italian paper, pockets, library cards, and little embellishments that are just perfect for documenting your world.  

 Share with us about that moment you KNEW in your gut that you were an artist. Did you always know, or did you come to your art later in life?

 The first woman who bought a journal from me wrote me a letter:

 

“I just want to tell you that I'm so impressed with this book. I lost my husband last year. Anyway one of the things I'm hung up on is dreaming again - having a new tomorrow and goals. I'm going to give my therapist this little book and your site because this little book with it's beautiful words is helping me to see my beauty again and my hope is that I will pursue more dreams instead of fearing pain.  I want to impress the significance of this little book.”

That wasn’t the moment I hoped that my words could be a gift for someone else; it was the moment I knew how.

 

What are you attempting to say through your work? What is your overall message as an artist?

 Celebrate your story!  That’s my motto.  I could ramble on and on about my stories.  But those are for my journals.  The pages in your book are for celebrating your stories.

What tips or advice can you share about developing a strong, unique style? 

 My inspiration comes from poets, painters, and the texture of papers.  I believe the key comes in finding inspirations outside of your line of art.  And listen.  Always listen.

Describe your artistic process from the first inkling of an idea to completing and sending your end product out into the world. (Is it a smooth, linear progression of ideas, do you begin with sketches or go straight to the canvas? What kinds of thoughts/doubts go through your head as you create and implement a new idea?)

 My most beloved journal is the baby book called {You Are Loved}.  Building this book involved a lot of reflection, speaking to women, and watching an expecting mother.  More than anything, my art requires listening - listening to what matters and discovering ways my prompts can bring out their stories.

I walk through the discovery process of {You Are Loved} here:

http://www.makingthishome.com/2010/09/28/on-creating-baby-books/

  

If you could send a message to a new and struggling artist, what would you say?

Hang on, little tomato.  (see below)  Seriously - you’ve just got to keep on hanging on.

 

We’d love to get a sneak peek of your art space! Tell us what you love the most about your art space?

We live in a house made out of recycled tires.  I love how eco-savvy it is!  It’s kind of quirky, and I like to spread out on the dining table to build journals.  Otherwise I’m at my desk, snooping out the window at the deer grazing outside.

Here’s a tour of our off-beat space:

http://www.makingthishome.com/2010/07/16/tire-house-tour/

Favorite quote?

“We were born with wings.  Why prefer to crawl through life?”

I was speaking metaphorically when I altered that from a poem by Rumi.  My husband took it literally; he’s a pilot.  That quotation is the reason we met.

 

What do the next 5 years have in store for you?

Celebrating stories.  That’s the only thing I know for sure!

 

If someone could write one sentence about you as an artist, what would you like it to say?

That person would say (okay - a customer really did say this):

 “I think Katie’s helping me figure out the person that I’m supposed to be.”

Lastly, do you have any questions for me? Ask away and I’ll do my best to answer!

Sure!  Answer this writing prompt question from {She : Me, My Life, My Days}, a personal journal from my shop: “Do you think a second piece of chocolate cake would be totally inappropriate?”

what? you mean, we’re not gonna eat the whole cake now? hah!

(“artist interviews at hazelnut cottage” is a weekly series, running every friday (well, most fridays!) and features fellow creative folk who took kelly rae robert’s flying e-course. if you'd like to be featured, please contact me through our facebook page. once your are confirmed as a flying lessons alumni, i’ll get in touch with you!)