Wow It's been a while!!!

Sorry it's been a while since I've updated! Summer's got us all busy – let me know if anything new and exciting is going on with you... xoxoxoxox

New Member: RJ Kline!

I'm so excited about Rachel Kline's new studio of alterations, apparel, and tailoring! She's a stay-at-home Mom just starting her business and it's already looking great! Check out her blog and contact her for a new twist on your summer wardrobe!

Check out what this happy customer had to say...
"I had this great fabric (an old table cloth) that I was dying to make
a skirt out of, but since I didn't really have the time or the
know-how the project just kept getting put on the back burner. I hired
Rachel to do it for me - gave her the pattern, the fabric, and my
measurements and she came back with this fabulous new skirt for me!
It's totally original and was cheaper than something you'd find in a
mall. I love it and intend to wear it everyday this summer."

Welcome, rachel – so happy to have you...

An invitation and introduction...

I'd like to invite fellow e.f.e's to Berks Eco Mamas.

Our group is small, very informal, we will meet in homes or at Global Libations. Our group would meet every month or so for an informal meeting and list sustainable local events. There are no financial or time requirements. It is just to bring together sustainably minded mamas. If anyone is interested, email theearthchildren@live.com or head to Earthchildphotography.com and leave me a message on my contact page.

It is a really great group of women already and I wanted to extend this invitation...

Our second gathering is coming up soon. It is kid friendly -we made em' we love 'em. It will be a nice time on the historic farm where I live, probably outside, the kids can run and we can sip on coffee or wine and talk about our babes some more.

Some e.f.e mamas are already a part of Eco Mamas, including Andy and Nicole!

Hope to see you...

-Tara

Spread the Love – having a great weekend!

and... the front page! (bottom right)

GrownIndie.com!!!

Brought to you by our very own talented, Robyn Jasko!

Check out Robyn's awesome blog/site that feature great growing tips, excellent advice and tons of inspiration! She's got seeds started in her fabulous home-sprouting-center and even shows you with streaming video how to get seeds out of your flowers for next year... so great!

Yey, thanks Robyn! I'll be checking in often!

Updates!

Here are some updates that have been going on around us lately...

Tara Morrison has updated and matured her business name to Earth Child Photography – she also hopes to be diving into soap-making sometime soon... Hope to see you at the next meeting, Tara!

Sara Smedley has been continuing to kick ass – check her out again on papernstitch!

Jen Lindsay created the awesome new Frog Holler website!

Mary Oswald has added beautiful new charms and leads to her website!

Melanie Linder (that's me!) just launched the beginning of the new world order of selling blog-style! Check out my little love shop! I've also gotten to illustrate the cover of the Frog Holler cd and I've been officially invited to sell with Craftsbury Kids – look for me there next month!

Have some exciting business going on? Let me know what you've been up to and I'll post about it a.s.a.p!

Sara Smedley on the Front Page!

Sara Smedley is on an online roll! Go Sara – some of us are happily living vicariously through you! :) Keep it comin'...

New EFE member: Alex McCarty of Blossom Boutique!

Through the grapevine of HIP and Etsy-love Alex has become our newest member. She's got a bunch going on and about to be going on!
Here's a little bio from her web-shop Blossom Boutique: "Once upon a time, there was a couple of artsy-fartsy kids named Corey and Alex who were completely in love, fantastically talented, and hopelessly devoted to finding a better way of life for themselves and their two small children. Both on the brink of 30 (oh no! real adulthood!), they had suffered away their twenties in the 9-5 world, always putting their best feet forward, but in some body else's shoes!!! In desperation for creative and personal fulfillment, and dazzled by their childhood ideals ("when i grow up, i can be anything i want!"), resumes were gathered and sent, classifieds combed through, follow up phone calls made--surely there must be someone out there looking for them, just waiting to make their dreams come true!?...and then a tiny thought crept into Alex's head--the murmuring of a remembered phrase that her mother had passed on to her years before..."Bloom where you're planted." Their lives weren't waiting for them behind some other desk in some other town--they were right in the palms of their very own hands!!! Taking advantage of Corey's years of graphic design and illustration and Alex's history in retail management, they decided to open what they hoped would be a kick-ass web-shop--and so, Blossom was born.
Blossom Boutique's mission is to provide a marketplace for Corey and Alex's eclectic creations, as well as the handmade products of their friends and other like-minded independent designers, that will grow and flourish. Thanks to Blossom, Alex and Corey plan to live happily ever after in peace, love, and crafty goodness..."

And a link to her etsy shop and her new blog (which is just beautiful – i LOVE the banner!) she's just written her first post so, do check it out because i know it speaks to us all... trying to survive in this craft-eat-craft world/being stifled by the high aim of perfection/craftfairs/online sales/etc.
it's what we all have in common – and sums up the whole point to this...
Anyway welcome, Alex we couldn't be happier to have you!

Happy Monday!

Hey Ladies! I'm finally moved in and the dust is slowly settling...

Any updates since the last meeting at Mary's? I heard it was wine filled and muffinly magical – bummer I couldn't be there! Anyone up for hosting the next meeting? Sposto is in the clear – so if we want to have a very "board-room" type of gathering again just give me the word...

Some possible topics of discussion:

• Craft Fairs and applications...
• How did HIP's carnival turn out for those who were involved?
• Selling via online shops, drop-shipping and more...

Let me know what other topics are out there in the comments area!

xoxoxo

Melanie

New EFE Member : Rosie's Whimsy

After joining Handmade in Pa's ning space today I talked to Rosie from Rosie's Whimsy.

More about her and what she does:

"My design, my style ..... a marketplace for everyday, everyone, everything.
I am an avid engineer of textiles. From my studio emerges , well everything and anything my heart desires to create .... from little girl's dresses to functional home decor to handbags.
My designs are original and I take pride in sturdy and beautiful construction details." – www.rosieswhimsy.etsy.com

She's got a great little Etsy shop and a storefront on 1000 Markets, along with a great web/blogroll site!

Welcome Rosie – I'm sure we'll have some questions for you about 1000 markets and much more!

Sara Smedley on Poppytalk!

Sorry this is a little late!... Way back on February 6, Sara Smedley was posted on Poppytalk! Way to go, Sara!

Congrats and updates...

Skylark Studio was featured on Etsy's front page! Way to go Karen!



Minutes later, so was Chezsucrechez! Way to go Kimberly!



In other notes we've had some Z-town Made topics come up for our next discussion...

• Wists and Z-town Made...
• How to approach Adwords without breaking our individual banks...
• Tips on how to make Z-town Made a perfect, cohesive, selling portal...

Have a topic? Please put in the comments area!

xoxoxox

Mel

This weeks meeting is going to be ULTRA professional and effective!

After discussing further the need to possibly meet at members homes instead of at the Firehouse I have volunteered my home for this Thursday... BUT I have an even better plan!...
I have asked for and received clearance to use Sposto Interactive as a meeting place from 7-8pm! This means we will be meeting in a large, quiet, smokeless board-room with an overhead computer monitor!!! Hope to see you there!

Also, some exciting updates!

HIP has been interviewed by The Reading Eagle... dedicated article to come! Congrats, Tara!

Sara Smedley was noted on Poppytalk! This is extra awesome since we were all discussing how to approach the "big" blogs with your work at the last meeting and obviously Sara got to it and had some great success! Let's discuss this further at the up coming meeting... Congrats, Sara!

Ashley Fetherolf's Eco-Conscience Design and Love Your Invite have storefronts on the WeddingWire!

Kim Davis of The Bark on Main!

Yey! Kim Davis, the owner of The Bark on Main is our newest E.F.E. member!
The Bark on Main is a dog café and boutique - "a place for dogs & the people they own" - retails natural & organic dog treats, unique canine fashions, tail wagging toys, superior grooming products, cozy beds, and even provide their masters with a selection of coffees, breed specific bags and exceptional home decor.

Member Mary Oswald of Collier Leeds sells her fantastic collars in Kim's shop and she also has some of my prints up for consignment. Thanks for the local support!

Conveniently located for walking and driving traffic, The Bark on Main is centered in the main shopping district of downtown Kutztown. Stop by and meet Kim – you may even befriend the inspirations behind The Bark on Main, two wire-haired fox terriers, Mattingly and Georgie, as you browse the store. The atmosphere is very inviting and often amusing.

Welcome, Kim – so glad to have you!

Chezscurechez featured on Design Sponge!

Check it out! Congrats Kimberly – you're so awesome!

EFE Recap of the week...

Some business congratulatory items are in order...

Jen Lindsay of Clothesline Designs launched her shop and within 2 days was in a treasury and on the front page of Etsy!



Sara Smedley of "Sara Smedley - Art you can wipe your hands on" was featured in a beautiful post by papernstitch!



A personal congratulatory item is in order...

Lisa Byrne got engaged right before Christmas – to one of my best friends! I love them both and I'm super excited!!!

In other notes...

Little ol' me reached a personal goal of gaining over 100 hearts which took me a long, long time... like the little engine that could. Since reading the new posts about re-vamping your shop on '09 via Etsy How-to I'm taking on some new ideas and hope to see if it will increase sales in the future – I'll relay the details of what I've done so far at the meeting... Also, Karen mentioned a great idea a while back for everyone to give advice on each other's shop... any of you radical Etsians interested in spreading your knowledge?

CSPIA and the craziness that follows – I can't quite get a handle on exactly what is going on but it doesn't seem good. I can't tell if shops like Etsy and Craftsbury Kids are the ones going to be harassed by this law or us the individuals... I have found documentation on a requested vote for amendments which will rule out all organic materials (see page 4 here) but I still don't really grasp what this will mean after Feb. 10th if it hasn't been voted on by then... We'll discuss more at the meeting...

See anyone who can make it tonight at the Firehouse – 7pm!
xoxoxox

Mel

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLY SERIOUS - PLEASE READ!!!!

At first I read about this from the owner of Craftsbury Kids on her blog. Today I read more (which I have posted below) on this Etsy Forum... This is very serious and scary for us crafters trying to sell in the child/baby niche. Please read and then post some or all on your blogs...

"As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react."

Z-towners – it has begun...

1). We have a joint account!
(So far account members are:
Melanie Linder, Mary Oswald, Kimberly Scola, and Karen Stanford)
I opened our account today at Sovereign Bank with our collective $100.00. All of our names are listed and anyone can join and or be cancelled out at any time. It is a free checking account that can have as little as $0.01 with no repercussions – sweet! Since it needed to be listed under someone's social security number I volunteered which means I will be receiving the statements. I can manage all of the online payments as of now but if anyone has a online banking account via Sovereign bank let me know in case I need some help in the future. :)

2). So, get to making your ads and coupon codes!
The fantastic Tara of Handmade in Pa is about to give us some good and needed attention over at H.I.P. and we gotta look good. When you get a minute please try to update or recreate your little ad posts on the z-town spot so we can see if this baby even works...

3). Keeping it together...
Let me know if you have any issues or need some help. You should be able to go into what I've already posted as tests and just add your new image. I recommend sticking with the same text format for now so but don't forget to change the CLICK HERE TO BE DIRECTED TO BUY link to your store. Also, you can easily go and copy/paste anything you see - like my wording of coupon codes via Edit Posts under Posting.

Please post your questions in the comments area for all to refer to...

New member : Tara of Handmadeinpa.net!

Handmade in PA seeks to be the premiere site for bringing Pennsylvania artisans & shoppers together. They feature interviews, host giveaways, publish tutorials, and offer business & shopping advice - all in the name of supporting the handmade movement in Pennsylvania. Plus, she always looking for guest contributors and hosts for giveaways. – hint, hint!
Tara is a brand new momma to a little miss Lola Rose. She has a degree in Religion from Lebanon Valley College (Annville, PA) and managed a Borders Bookstore before becoming a mom. Tara is a lifelong crafter, lover of all things handmade, and a Pennsylvania, born & raised. Since the birth of her daughter, she has been involved in craft business promotion and supporting the handmade movement in Pennsylvania. Yey! Welcome Tara and many props to furthering buying local and handmade!!! (featured images: Handmade in Pa's Valentine's Picks... go to her site to see more details!)

New Member : Sara Smedley!

Welcome, Sara Smedley! Sara's beautiful line of screen-printed butcher’s aprons are inspired, in part, by aprons her grandfather wore when he cooked. (Her grandmother made them and they are still in use by her mother.) Additionally, she screen-prints wonderful patterns on tea towels, and napkins and sells them all in her new crisp and fresh feeling etsy shop. Her apron bodies are made of 100% heavy weight linen and the pockets and ties are made of 100% cotton with white topstitching. They are all hand-silkscreened with water-based inks. Go Sara! Check her out and make sure to spread the word...

I just found this great resource called Creative Commons for anyone who would like to copyright their work, craft ideas, designs, whatever... check it out!

2009 is gonna be fine!

Or at least that's my motto this year. Even though the economy is not at it's best our little niche of peeps seem to keep on truckin...

Here are some updates if you haven't been around in a while...

Elisa Hammes has a new website...

Rachel Chambers will be showing at the following places:
Queue Studio, Lancaster
Gallery 141, Lancaster
Artist's Haven Gallery, Fort Lauderdale
InFusion, Philadelphia

ChezSuceChez has a new online store

Collier Leeds was in the Reading Eagle

Z-town Made will be going up and live sometime soon...

Have I missed anyone? Let me know what you've been up to...

Check out Mary Oswald in the Reading Eagle!

"Handmade, jeweled collars from Virginville resident give Fido the classy, upscale look" – Reading Eagle

Mary made it to the front page of the business section in the Reading Eagle last week! (12/21)
Click here to read the fantastic article... Go Mary! We're so proud of you! xoxoxoxoxox

New E.F.E. Member : Kseniya Thomas!

"Trained at the print shop of the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany, Kseniya Thomas opened Thomas-Printers in 2005. A full-service, commercial letterpress and design shop, Thomas-Printers loves the process almost as much as the finished product, whether its wedding invitations, stationery systems, custom cards, or anything else that needs the touch of letterpress. They work with designers and individuals nationwide on projects that demand quick turnarounds and a close attention to detail.

Thomas-Printers strives to make letterpress printing as green as it can be. All our stock papers contain some amount of recycled content--most are tree-free--and all scraps are recycled, as are our rags and printing plates. Though all ink contains toxic chemicals, we use non-toxic methods to wash up the presses." – Thomas-Printers.

Kseniya is an awesome girl and her shop is amazing! I visited her in Carlisle almost 2 years ago with Jen Impink and we had a great time! Check her out and be sure to tell your letterpress-loving friends!

Another E.F.E. Member!

Ashley Fetherolf of Ashley Fetherolf Eco-Conscience Fashion Design is our newest member!

The eco-friendly business plan has been in full-effect lately and Ashley is no stranger to that idea! She has been focused on sustainable material as her main goal in fashion design since her beginning.

Her materials include bamboo, silks, hemp, organic cottons incorporated with creative resourcing of recycled or vintage fabrics, laces and/or notions. Check out her website to see her fantastic designs!

Welcome, Ashley – we're so happy to have you! (featured photo: one of Ashley's eco-conscience wedding gowns!)

New E.F.E. Member : Tara Brianna Morrison!

Tara Brianna Morrison of Reflected Innocence – Fine Art
Eco Photography of Children has just become an E.F.E. member!

Tara's photography business features maternity, newborn, children and family fine art portraiture. Her beautiful website www.reflectedinnocence.com showcases her fantastic eye and earthly spirit. Not only is she creating wonderful memories for families but she has an eco-friendly goal in mind as well. Using recycled papers for printing and matting along with reclaimed wood or framing she pushes sustainability to the forefront of her mission.

I know many new Mommies out there that will love to hear about Tara's work – so let's spread the word! Welcome Tara and Congratulations on your success!(featured photo is from the Children section of her gallery.)

Kimberly Scola is famous!

Holy Crapola! Chezsucrechez is kicking ass and taking names... Kimberly is in this month's ReadyMade magazine!!! Check out the details in her own words at her sweet blog and give her a hug the next time you see her! Congratulations Kimberly - so cool!

Jenn Impink is a Mommy!

Jen had her baby girl around 3am this morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital! After about 2 days of labor with no sign of dilation Jen decided to take a trip to the hospital and get some sleep. She had an epidural around 5pm and pitocin which got her dilated from to 2 to 8 centimeters in 4 hours. Little baby Gordon Girl has yet to be named – I'll let you all know as soon as they let us know...

Congrats to Jenn and her family!!!!

This week our meeting will be hosted by Mary Oswald of Collier Leeds. (I found this great vintage photo to be very fitting!) She lives in Virginville, so it might not work out for some of us but if you can make it should be fun!

Directions: *Note: Snowdrift Rd sign has been stolen and is NOT there! If you've passed the red barn that sits close to the road then you've gone too far!

From Kutztown
South on 222
Right onto Crystal Cave Road
Proceed about 2.5 miles
Bear right onto Crystal Ridge Road proceed to bottom of hill
At "T" intersection turn left onto Crystal Cave Road (yes, we are back on that road)
Take first right onto Snowdrift Road (no road sign, if you pass a barn that sits close to the road you've gone too far)
Second house on right -- about .5 miles. Tan with green shutters

From Virginville
Go thru Virginville traveling North on 143
At single lane bridge intersection go straight. Do not go over bridge!
Proceed .5 mile
Just after the barn that sits close to the road, make left onto Snowdrift Road (no road sign)
Second house on right -- about .5 miles. Tan with green shutters

This week we will hopefully be discussing: photography - how to take great shots of your products...please bring advice, examples... and a drink if you need one!

7pm sharp!

Another E.F.E. mommy!

Jen Impink is about to have her baby any day now! She's actually due today but as of now, nothing yet! I will keep the updates coming...

ANOTHER Z-TOWN MADE MEETING!

Hey everyone!

It was good to see most of you at the Arts Market yesterday! So, we're calling another Z-town made meeting for this Thursday at the Firehouse.

What to bring:
– Try to come up with a list of ad words (words that describe your company) for our campaign.
– $25.00 if you can, to get you set up in our first month.
– Any good ideas/suggestions you may have for Z-town made!

If you have any questions or can't make it – put it in the comments area.

Last weeks records show:
Kimberly Scola collected $25.00 for our account from:
Mary Oswald, Karen Stanford and Melanie Linder.

Meeting tonight - 7pm at the firehouse!

Bring your money if you wish and we'll do some shop talk with beers...

Get your stuff out there!

Hey everybody, first time blogging here, not sure if I'm doing it right. I had to show you all these awesome stamps that an etsy jeweler had done. How cool is this right? Here's the link:

http://photo.stamps.com/Store/?source=si10985886

Thought this would be rad for wedding stuff (Mel) or Christmas or Eli's face. At least the postman would see it ...

Another new E.F.E member... Lelayna Klein!

Lala creates crocheted rugs, hats, and felted accessories with wool from her own sheep! Her Etsy store has lots of fun things to buy and she's been craft-showing-it-up like the rest of us! Also now joining our Z-town Made group we are honored to welcome this great new addition to our growing E.F.E membership list – Welcome Lala!
(featured photo: one of Lala's stinkin' cute faced sheep!)

E.F.E. Expands to create Z-town Made!

Z-town Made is having a meeting this Thursday at 7:00 pm at the Firehouse. Please remember to bring your $25.00 account set-up fee! Any questions email me at melanie@loveyourinvite.com

Kimberly Scola – Another new E.F.E. Member!

Wow! Our new member Kimberly Scola of Chez Sucre Chez (home sweet home) is kicking ass and taking names! She's got a bumpin' Etsy shop, blog and is getting tons of nods from the big-wigs such as ReadyMade and Design*Sponge!

New to the little town of Kutz, Kimberly is also working on flipping a sweet house on main street! Holy nuts – that's a bunch of stuff!

Be sure to check out her awesome cross-stitch letters and much,much more! (All which are totally great for a lovely holiday gift for friends or family! Featured photo: Kim's Custom letters $36 for sale at Etsy.)

Lisa Byrne – our newest E.F.E. Member!

Lisa Byrne has just begun her small in-home business staging homes for the eager-to-sell. This tiny girl has a ton of spunk and has just plain old "hit the streets" to drum up jobs in her area... and guess what? It worked!

What a smarty pants – why not create a business that will benefit while helping people in this crazy housing crisis. Which reminds me of the quote I heard on NPR the other day pertaining to doing business in the economical status of today. "When others are greedy, be afraid. When others are afraid, be greedy."

Lisa plans to go full-time into Staging and Interior Design as soon as she can – so go tell your friends who are trying to sell that home to contact Lisa today for an expert consultation.
(featured picture: I found this beautiful picture of a gorgeous hallway and paired it with this post – sorry to the photographer I stole it from!)

E.F.E. member Karen Stanford opens Etsy shop!

Karen's beautiful hand-cut Sterling Silver jewelry can now be found for sale online at Etsy! Her hip/unique designs are wonderfully executed in a classic kind of way that makes them perfect for any kind of gift! She has been working away and is excited to start trying out the indie craft scene coming up this month. October 19th at the Berks 4-H Community center Karen, Jen Lindsay and I will be set up to sell our handmade crafts. If you would like to come and support us there, please go to Homegrown for more info. and directions. Congratulations, Karen! Featured necklace: "The Skylark" $80.00

helping to spread the word about homegrown – today is the last day to become a vendor! a few of us may get a spot – i'll drop a line if we do!

Does anyone out there have any advice on how to file taxes for their small business? Do you file quarterly? What if you're a service based business? If anyone has help, suggestions, books/services to recommend that they have used and had success with please note them in the comments area. Anything would be of help to us all...

Wow! I got to meet kate lacey the other day! This amazing freelance photographer is so great a what she does – she is a fantastic inspiration! Her portfolio is crazy awesome and includes her work for readymade and craft magazine along with shots of renegade craft fair for the ny times!
above photo: origami animal napkins for craft magazine.

No shame in a little self promotion...

If anyone would like to post some cool stuff they've been up to – please do so! I think it's a good thing to keep motivated and help inspire others.
Maybe you've been working on something someone can help you with. I know it can feel weird to say "hey, look what I did" but I'm thinking we have the perfect friendly setting...

I'll start by being the guinea pig.

So, I've been interested in trying to get some freelance illustration work lately an if anyone would like some illustration work for there products, website, shop, whatever I'd love to be of help. You can check out some of my work on my online portfolio.

Who's next?

Lynda.com = free tutorials!

If anyone happened to read the comments from a post a couple weeks back... Karen Stanford suggested this site called Lynda.com... And it's awesome! There are hundreds of free tutorials on things like Quickbooks, Photoshop Lightroom, Excel and more. If any of you are interested and would like to split the fee for us all to have access to this learning software please leave your name in the comment area. If we get enough girls interested we can split the monthly/annual fee and all benefit without a huge expense! Thanks again, Karen! (You should be posting already!)

Small Business Credit Card

I've had my Capital One Small Business Credit Card for a while now and I've had a great experience. I thought I'd recommend it as a good choice of you're looking into getting a card anytime soon...

Interested in advice from other small business owners?

Check out Design*Sponge's Biz Ladies post and awesome downloads for all us entrepreneurial types. Thanks to Karen for the heads up!

EFE Member opens online store.

EFE member Rachel Chambers just launched an online jewelry store called Green Icing. Her gallery features one-of-a-kind pieces made of recycled/reused materials. Way to go Rachel!
Featured pair: ReVictoria 14Kt. gold, recycled pendants $10

I suck at math and I run a business?

I'm finding out more and more how running a business highlights my many inadequacies in monetary form. I know I can make my craft really well but I have really no idea how to keep good books, evaluate my advertising percentages, ensure myself of making a good profit... the list goes on and on. It's a scary and and awful feeling to face every month along with everything else that life has to throw at you.

This month's featured member is... Rachel Chambers!

Many of you may not know Rachel (which is why we need to all get together sometime soon!) but she is a lady of many talents! Just check out her website of awesome sculptural work... and then jump on over to www.tinyelephantdesigns.com to see her and her fiance in web action! Currently, she's been working at KU filling in for Barbara Schulman while managing Tiny Elephants and planning a wedding – this girl's a work horse! Rachel is a wonderful artist and an awesome inspiration. Combined with her quick wit, great sense of humor and ridiculous memory of art history she makes an amazing colleague and friend. Here's to you Rachel! xoxox

Hmmmm...

I've contacted the Small Business Center at Kutztown University to make an appointment like 4 times now! I've left messages on people's answering machines (I've never actually talked to a real person) And, I've emailed multiple people but to no avail! Truthfully I'm not sure if they even exist... I guess I wouldn't recommend their services since I don't even know if they are real. Bummer.

Just a note:

I have updated the blog posts to email when there are comments. Let me know if you hate this and want it to stop. Otherwise, it will keep everyone in the dialog...

If anyone is interested in cool artist conventions - this is it! Icon5 is an Illustrators dream come to life and so much more! Seminars on Adobe Illustrator® for Creative Suite® 4 by people who really know their stuff and brand spanking new crazy hip and speakers like Tara McPherson (who's work recently had a cameo in the movie Juno!) Check it out and see if you would like to take a group trip. (do check out the cost of each seminar. they are a bit pricey - but it looks like you will receive really awesome goodies in the end – not counting the life-changing and totally inspirational time!)

LinkedIn?

Has anyone ever heard of LinkedIn? Mary Oswald introduced me to it just recently... (along with facebook which has proven to be a little scary for me) It's actually a cool portal (facebook for professionals) where you can get connected to other people who do similar things as you, people interested in working together, and can simply bring traffic to your company(especially web-based like us Mary, and Andy) If you're interested let one of us know and we'll send you a professional invitation or just click about and sign up...

EFE in 2008 (a little late)

Hey everyone! Hope all is well!
As you might have noticed I went a little crazy and updated EFE's blog logo for 2008. I plan to get some meetings going this summer during the nice weather. Jennifer Hampft is one guest speaker I plan to line up ( graphic/print designer shop owner).
If anyone has someone they might suggest please leave the info. in the comment area.
Also, if anyone is interested in "getting out" the Fire Co. is offering open bowling on Wednesday nights around 7pm.

Hope to see you all soon!

Love,

Melanie

This month's featured member is... Elisa Hammes

If you didn't know already Elisa Hammes is one incredible lady! From a full scholarship to Pratt in 1984 to teaching English in Italy – this girl has talent that seems to never end. She has touched upon so many interesting facets that it's hard to know where to begin...
Above is one of her many branches of creativity in where she designed a hand painted t-shirt line called Elisa Originals that was featured in Southwest Crafts magazine in 1990. She also has a collection of sculptural paper mache hats and uniquely fabulous/emotionally stylistic paintings.
Keeping up to date – Elisa has now taken over the digital world. She's moved on and begun creating local websites, banner ads and many multi-media designs for places like St. Johns UCC, Rodale and Radius. We are so lucky to have such a experienced self-sustainer in our midst – especially since she is such an open soul. Yey, Elisa we're happy to have you with us. Visit her website at eh-deseyen.com

Maria Kalman

Maria Kalman is so inspirational! Check out her talk from TED.

This month's featured E.F.E member is... Mary Oswald!

E.F.E. member Mary Oswald is breaking into the dog collar world with a serious head of steam! Her new website has just been made active and ready for sales!

Mary has been working on creating her unique collection for a while now and it has finally all come together so beautifully. Her products boom with an amazing hand-made quality combined with wonderful European influences. Congratulations Mary!

Check out Mary's new website at www.collierleeds.com

An EFE Member needs our help!

One of our members has recently lost her home in a terrible fire!

Jen Impink has suffered a serious loss including a pet and most of her possessions. We plan to gather a EFE/friends and family benefit party to help support Jen in her time of need. If anyone has any help to offer or suggestions please leave comments below.

If anyone would like to send an immediate donation to Jen
please direct it to:
Jen Impink c/o
Danelle Thompson
94 Leespring Road
Blandon, Pa 19510

Let's all gather together to help Jen get back on her feet!

Kutztown Small Business Development Center

Is anyone a member? Anyone interested? I'm about to go a find out what info they can provide about small business insurance plans – I'll post what I find out... Please comment if you have any info. about the center.

This month's featured EFE member is... Jen Lindsay!

To keep us all motivated I've decided to feature one of us every month!



Did you know that our own EFE member, Jen Lindsay, designed Betty's outstanding logo and signage?! Did you also know that she's a new mom AND she's about to be a new business owner? She plans to take the world by storm helping small businesses establish their own unique and stylish look. Like she did for Betty's, Jen plans to offer logo development, signage and business card design, and complete identity packages for small businesses.

If you know anyone who needs some business-related design work, spread the word about Jen Lindsay Design! EFE will be sure to post when her new website is live - until then she can be contacted via www.jenlindsay3.com

Andy Rowan's Fair Trade Kids

Andy Rowan's website is up and running! www.fairtradekids.org is a great place to buy people and planet conscience gifts for all the great kids you know! Her site features wool stockings (pictured above) alpaca bears, musical instruments and bunny ears for dress up! Support Andy and tell your friends!

If anyone has any web, advertising, storefront, and/or community advice for Andy please leave your comments below...

How much cool shit does a person really need?

A fellow artist in our community recently pondered...

What do you do when you run across the work of another exceedingly talented person who is doing something so similar to you but so much better? Do you throw in the towel? hope that you can control your mind to not subconsciously copy(aka be inspired by) it? Trash talk that other person to yourself in order to boost your esteem?!?!

I'm sure the answer is to "stay true to yourself" , "you're unique in your own way" , "the products are different" yeah yeah whatever. It still sucks to see insane talent all around, like there is so much cool crap out there. Does the world really need another hipster accessory? How much cool shit does a person really need?

Anyone have any good comments/advice when the world seems to be pushing your artistic eject button?

Seeking website creator

I would appreciate recommendations for website creators.  If you are pleased with yours please post their contact information.  Thank you

Donate in 2008

If your business is interested in donating a portion of your profits from 2008 I highly recommend Boikarabelo. To find out more visit www.boikarabelo.org and see how you can make a difference. It's a truly heart-warming story! A friend of mine has been there and met the founding couple - so we can all be sure they will get every cent we donate.

४ Over 4 printing

If you like overnightprints.com for printing business cards and more - you're going to love 4over4.com! I've seen the end result and it's got a beautiful clarity that gives overnightprints.com a run for their money. Their only drawback is the quantities - but for some of us that's no problem!

Etsy anyone?

Etsy is fantastic! Anyone interested? I've started a shop and it's so easy and cheap... you can do it too! If you have never heard Esty please visit www.etsy.com today!

Jen's a Mom!

Jen Lindsay of Jen Lindsay Design has become a new mom!
Eli Lindsay Schlappich was born on Black Friday in the late afternoon.
Congrats Jen!!!! We love You!

Anyone left out?

Know anyone who might be interested in being on this bulletin board? If you do, list their info. in the comment area and I'll email them the blog page to check out for themselves.