"When the muse is with you, work with it."
Needless to say, looking at the date of my last post, my writing muse went away for a while. In one respect, I am almost glad that it did, as it created time for new discoveries.
After meeting Sarah Mutrix at the Vermont Crafts Council spring marketing event, I visited her at The Art House in Craftsbury. I had gone with the intent of finding out more about their new fiber studio. I left with an opportunity to teach a class on Etsy!
The crochet muse struck hard shortly after that. I became so obsessed with a pattern I was working on, I even special ordered the yarn! It was well worth the effort, as Mary Maxim purchased the pattern.
I also started working tech editing for a couple of new clients. The crochet muse helped immensely there, especially with patterns that did not have pictures to reference. It is amazing how many talented designers there are out there!
On the crochet design front, I have had more ideas and subsequently made more submissions in the past couple of months than I ever have before. All of this hard work paid off when the CGOA approved my application for professional membership!
Now I have to dedicate some serious time to creating product for Open Studio Weekend in October. This will be my first year participating, and I want it to go well! Come visit me if you are in the area!
Showing posts with label professional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label professional. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Monday, June 13, 2011
Finding the Right Words
Yesterday I finally had the time to sit down and fill out the CGOA application for Crochet Associate Professional. It took me about 3 hours from start to finish. Most of that time was spent in trying to find the right words to express what I wanted to say without writing a book about it.
In my real world experience, when asked questions like "what do you feel..." or "what do you think about.." short, concise answers work best. Not a couple of words short, but short as in a paragraph or bulleted list several items long. I got hung up on the first response to "describe your efforts to work professional so far."
I learned to crochet when I was 7, but didn't really get into it until my late teens. By my early twenties I had mastered most of the stitches. I was modifying patterns to fit my taste and needs throughout my late twenties. In my thirties I was writing my own patterns for me.
I dabbled with submitting to magazines. That is, I would mail off an entry every few months or so. I only had a few hours a week to crochet, and that was spent primarily making gifts for family and friends. I hadn't a clue as to how to make crochet into a career, so it remained a hobby.
How does one describe a series of events in life that act as a wake up call? Karma? Coincidence? I'm not sure, but I find myself now with both the time and the desire to pursue crochet more seriously.
In my real world experience, when asked questions like "what do you feel..." or "what do you think about.." short, concise answers work best. Not a couple of words short, but short as in a paragraph or bulleted list several items long. I got hung up on the first response to "describe your efforts to work professional so far."
I learned to crochet when I was 7, but didn't really get into it until my late teens. By my early twenties I had mastered most of the stitches. I was modifying patterns to fit my taste and needs throughout my late twenties. In my thirties I was writing my own patterns for me.
I dabbled with submitting to magazines. That is, I would mail off an entry every few months or so. I only had a few hours a week to crochet, and that was spent primarily making gifts for family and friends. I hadn't a clue as to how to make crochet into a career, so it remained a hobby.
How does one describe a series of events in life that act as a wake up call? Karma? Coincidence? I'm not sure, but I find myself now with both the time and the desire to pursue crochet more seriously.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Crochet Guild of America
I have decided to use this blog not only for tips and tricks, but to chronicle my journey into the world of professional crochet. That being said, yesterday I once again joined the Crochet Guild of America.
The first time I joined was long ago. They were hosting the first CGOA conference in Manchester, NH and a friend and I wanted to check it out. You needed to be a member to get in, but they were giving away goody bags if you joined, so we decided why not? We spent a few hours strolling the vendor area, watching the speed competitions, and peeking in on the classes in progress. It was all very interesting, but the classes were out of my budget range. When I went home, I read many rave reviews about the conference, the classes, and the fashion show on my favorite discussion board, Crochet Partners.
Fast forward to 2011. If you check out their website crochet.org you will see that the CGOA has blossomed into a true guild. A one year membership costs $35, slightly more than a crochet pattern book, and I believe it is worth the investment. After applying for membership online I printed up the contract crochet form and mailed it in. I received an email this morning from them with a welcome letter and printable ID card. I plan on filling out the application for Crochet Associate Professional and sending that in either today or tomorrow. Perhaps I will request a mentor as well.
I lost touch with Crochet Partners when my day job changed from desk to field. I understand that Ravelry.com is all the rage now for online discussion, but I personally find it to be a bit overwhelming.
The first time I joined was long ago. They were hosting the first CGOA conference in Manchester, NH and a friend and I wanted to check it out. You needed to be a member to get in, but they were giving away goody bags if you joined, so we decided why not? We spent a few hours strolling the vendor area, watching the speed competitions, and peeking in on the classes in progress. It was all very interesting, but the classes were out of my budget range. When I went home, I read many rave reviews about the conference, the classes, and the fashion show on my favorite discussion board, Crochet Partners.
Fast forward to 2011. If you check out their website crochet.org you will see that the CGOA has blossomed into a true guild. A one year membership costs $35, slightly more than a crochet pattern book, and I believe it is worth the investment. After applying for membership online I printed up the contract crochet form and mailed it in. I received an email this morning from them with a welcome letter and printable ID card. I plan on filling out the application for Crochet Associate Professional and sending that in either today or tomorrow. Perhaps I will request a mentor as well.
I lost touch with Crochet Partners when my day job changed from desk to field. I understand that Ravelry.com is all the rage now for online discussion, but I personally find it to be a bit overwhelming.
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