This week’s blog post is a little different. Rather than being about a specific chalkboard activity, this post is a little broader and wider. It is more encompassing and reflective. It is about me, who I am, who I am becoming and what I am trying to create.
If you have been following my blog, you will know that I have recently moved to Milwaukee to share my life with Jim. Jim and I have been exploring the city. Together we attend events and participate in activities that interest us, expand us and bring joy into our lives. In between our activities (basically when Jim is at work) I have been ‘exploring’ who I am and who I want to become. I know what a luxury this exploration is and so I work hard at it and take it very seriously.
Recently, I have discovered that I have a passion and a knack for sewing. This passion didn’t surprise me. I’ve knitted socks and sweaters, crocheted an afghan (it was the seventies) and my Granny taught me how to tat (kudos if you know what tatting is…). So when I first moved to Milwaukee and I was investigating classes to take and clubs to join, being lead to an adult garment sewing class at Bigsby’s Sewing Center in Elmgrove just felt right (besides whenever you are being lead to Elmgrove, you should go!)
There were just 2 of us in the class. Every Monday night for 5 weeks, Melissa and I, joined April, our teacher to sew. April is exactly the type of teacher you hope for; kind, patient, encouraging and so, so knowledgeable. Together we made skirts. Beautiful skirts, with a ruffle along the bottom, out of funky, fun fabric. It was very fulfilling (that’s a lot of f’s). The best part (other than the company of Melissa and April) was creating something from scratch.
Since then, I have acquired a sewing machine and I have made 15 bags. I have made yoga mat bags, tote bags, purses and handbags. Some I have given away and others I have put up for sale in my new on-line shop! (a wee bit of self-promotion, www.hurlyburlybags.etsy.com ). Creating a business is exciting and challenging but more than that I am beginning to create a connection to a wider community, a community of artists and crafters.
It started with Etsy. www.etsy.com is a huge on-line shopping site of handmade and vintage items. Etsy is committed to supporting its sellers by providing a huge array of resources. You can learn how to take better photos and write better descriptions. The best advice I found though was about building a community. One post I read suggested getting a mentor.
Jade, my mentor is a fellow Canadian. I found her by merely seeing her blog, contacting her and asking her. Besides having 3 young children and one on the way, Jade has a thriving business (www.littlelilybamboo.etsy.com ). In the midst of her busy life she graciously agreed to be my mentor. She has taken the time to look at my shop and has offered suggestions and support. She has recounted her own journey in order to support mine.
My next step in community connection was to join a team. Etsy has all sorts of teams you can join from teams based in your area to teams based on what you create. All the teams are devoted to supporting each other. I joined the Wisconsin Street Team – The Moo Crew (I’m hoping that only refers to ‘America’s Dairyland…’) and this is where this blog post is heading. One of my personal, wider, broader chalkboard goals is to connect more fully to the world. I connect to you and my new city by writing this blog each week and I love it. I am connecting to artists and crafters by sewing and creating. Now I want to connect you to them.
Maybe this Christmas buy something local, something handmade, from someone across the street or down the block. Check out Wisconsin crafters and artists at www.wist-etsy.blogspot.com and by doing so become a little more connected to your community.
Cheers!
