Introducing Kate & Val

You may recall the mention of guest bloggers in yesterday's post. I cannot tell you how excited I am to utilize the fabulous writing of my good friends Kate and Valerie.

I got to know Kate when I first moved to Boston. Not only was she friendly and fun loving but she also took me under her wing and introduced me to friends that I expect to have for a lifetime. I am also fortunate enough to call her my cousin now as I was blessed to marry into her fun loving family. Needless to say I have spent a lot of time mulling over her blog, KateIsFun.blogspot.com. I always find myself laughing at her adventures and relating to her points of view. I am excited that she has agreed to write for D&L on a weekly basis and am confident that you will be as entertained and enlightened by her as I am. Thanks Kate!
(Kate now resides in Sweden and I urge you to read all about her fun adventures by clicking the link to her blog above.)
Val is our 2nd weekly writer. Val has grown to become my best friend. We met in college and our friendship is proof that opposites DO attract. Val was the one pulling me out to parties in college and I as the one pulling her to the drafting table for a long "all nighter" the night before our design projects were due. Now a days Val sends me daily e-mails full of fun creative things and gratitude. While she currently lives in St. Louis, MO, she will be transplanted to NYC in the spring! I am excited to share her humor and perspective with you as she embarks on new and creative endeavors. Thanks Val!

Stop by Monday for Kate's introductory post and stay tuned next week as we implement our new blog schedule.

A Blog Redo

October is finally here and after months of planning so is our blog revamp! Having finally come to the realization that it would be nearly impossible for me to post on a regular basis, I decided to organize and utilize the help of 2 other very talented creatives. This means that you can stop by for new blog posts practically every day of the work week!

Mondays and Wednesdays will be brought to us by our new and fabulous columnists, which I will introduce to you tomorrow. Tuesdays will rotate between Artist Profiles and our new "Making it Together" section. Thursdays will be our "Wild Card" day each week and finally, Fridays I will be writing about green alternatives to every day items and fun DIY projects.

We would love to hear from you too! Do you have a fun DIY project or before and after photos of a recent project? Did you take your D&L reusable coffee sleeve to a fun & far off place? How about a green tip to share? We want to see your photos and hear all about it. E-mail your submissions to DotandLineHome@gmail.com with "Submission" in the subject line.

A Shady Week

August has been a pretty crazy month! In addition to moving into our new home, The Hubs and I went to Door County, Wisconsin to visit family and take some time off.

We have been back for a week now and have been hard at work. Check out our most recently added lampshades! (I hand to include the branches/bird & teal faux bois shades in both pics because they are JUST THAT CUTE!)

New Website!

I've been really excited about launching a website for D&L that would be a point of reference for all our services and handmade products. It's finally here thanks to the talented team at Marketing Resource Group (MRG) .

Check it out: www.DotandLineShop.com

A Holistic Approach to Business

I am currently in the middle of Michael E. Gerber's The E Myth Enterprise. If you are a business owner (or considering becoming one) I implore you to beg borrow or steal a copy. As I have mentioned several times recently, I am on a quest to set up successful procedures and solidify a vision that will carry D&L to the next level. I am only a couple of chapters in but Gerber's view has already influenced the ways in which I want D&L to grow. The following statement may be simple but is too profound not to share:

"A business only exists if people want it to."

This may seem like a given but pause for a minute and let it sink in. "A business only exists if people want it to." Provided this statement is true, business should not only be about the owner (person) or only about the customer (person). Instead, business should be about creating the best case scenario for everyone from owners to employees to suppliers to customers. I instinctively gravitate toward a community oriented business but I've never been able to articulate what that would look like. This statement pulls it all together for me.

For a business to operate at this level, it MUST value people. While sad to say, it's been my experience that an often over looked group in business are employees. This problem has been on my mind a lot lately. I want my employees to feel invaluable. I want to create a place where people love to come to work. A place full of community and creative energy. A place with well designed workspaces that people are inspired to spend time in. I realize I won't be financially able to pay employees their dream salaries at first, however as I work toward that goal, I am excited to explore other ways to honor them.

If you have a good idea of how to value people in the workplace please share it with us by leaving a reply in the "comment" section below.

Where in the World: England

Katie writes to us from jolly ol' England, where she fashionably sports her purple and gold coffee sleeve. Thanks Katie!


Wanna share all the places you've been green??? Send your snap shot and brief description to DotandLineHome@gmail.com.

Progress

What a week! I was originally planning on closing down my shop for two weeks but as it turns out I was productive enough last week to justify re-opening this week (Tuesday probably). Yaaay! Here is a list of the many things accomplished last week:

Built up inventory
Started to streamline the fabrication process
Development of an in depth inventory process
Developing tools for sales
Developed branding techniques

While I am grateful that these items are now checked off my list, logistics were not the week's primary focus. I was able to refocus and develop plans for the parts of my business that are currently successful and that I'm hoping to grow.

As it stands right now there are two areas of D&L that are currently experiencing a good deal of success. The first is our custom lampshade service. Our etsy site has done a decent job at generating sales, the majority of which are custom orders. I hope to develop this more over the next few months. We will be visiting local interior design/decorator firms with information regarding our custom shade services. I will also be developing wholesale options for boutiques and specialty home decor shops. We will be stepping back from in stock services for now, however we hope to develop that in the future too!

My second area of focus will be a further development of D&L's line of reusable coffee sleeves. This seems a little random given the primary focus of my business up until now has been home decor items. The success of the product so far and my interest in developing innovative ways to make green living more accessible has prodded me on to explore more in this area.

In addition to these things I also have a secret project! I have never really been good at secrets so keeping my mouth shut on this one will be tricky. More details on this exciting project later this week!

Local Flavor: The Nehemian

Over the last year of living in Idaho I have heard a variety of people mention The Nehemian. Located just outside of Buhl, The Nehemian is a barn full of wonderment and fanciful curiosities that you must go see. Owned and managed by local creative, Nancy Tyrrell, you can find anything from antiques & custom frames to beautifully repurposed, handmade and refurbished items. Nancy graciously agreed to show me around and I can't help but to share some of what I saw.



The lovely barn...





The eclectic feel:



A repurposed door...



Hand painted luggage tags:



The most creative use of chain & pully I have ever seen:



Stained glass windows & old vintage bottles:


Nancy's also graciously gave me a tour of her lovely craftsman style home bursting at the seams with her own unique touches. Perhaps next time I'm out for a visit she will let me snap a few photos of her brilliant use of repurposed materials...stay tuned.

Green Alternative: Straws

For some reason I really like straws. It could that they remind me of my childhood or it could be that I'm too lazy to drink out of a cup like an adult. Regardless of the reason I've totally been on a straw kick lately.

Unfortunately plastic straws aren't eco friendly at all. You can only use them once or twice before they need to be tossed. This leaves me with a dilemma. Do I partake in the cool rush of sipping my summer drink through a straw or do I forgo this pleasure in the name of being green. Thinking that there must be some compromise, I did a little research and found some helpful eco friendly alternatives to your run of the mill plastic straw:

Eco Products has produced a compostable straw made of corn. Go Iowa! You can see their assortment along with other eco friendly paper products here. While I always lean more toward reuse and longevity, this biodegradable option is a definite step in the right direction.

These glass straws may not be very kid friendly but they are definitely reusable and can last a long time if taken care of. Aren't they chic?

Glass straws can be purchased here.


These stainless steel straws from Steel Function seems to have the whole package. Not only are they reusable and durable but they are well suited for kids and adults alike.

Stainless steel straws can be purchased here.

The Next Couple of Weeks

Some of you may have noticed my shop is now temporarily closed for business. Thanks to some recent strategic planning, I have decided to allow myself the space to step back and reassess where things are headed. While I have plenty of logistics on my plate for the next couple of weeks, my real hope is that this time will be more about defining my vision for D&L and developing strategic ways to implement it.

To say that this last year has been the experimental phase of my business would be a gross understatement. I have tried selling anything and everything that came across my creative doorstep. Earlier this year I realized that I needed a more cohesive approach to my etsy shops and so I purged all vintage items along with other pieces that neglected to reflect my newer more graphic approach. This was a definite turning point for the business, however this move was based more on observation than on a cohesive overall vision for Dot & Line.

I am excited to say that we are headed in a more refined direction. The experimental stage has left us with many well made responsible products that fit within the vision, products we are excited to develop more!!

Please check back over the next couple of weeks for updates regarding the practical ways Dot & Line is upgrading and expanding.

Really???

Thankfully I JUST got an order of buttons in. I've been waiting on pins and needles for their arrival. They are lovely and the vendor willingly shipped them immediately per my request. You could even say my experience was flawless...with the exception of one minor faux pas.

Upon opening my package I found a religious tract. That's right folks, not a thank you note or copy of the invoice but an honest to goodness, meet you at the park, religious tract. Really???

Now I wonder if this person had a brick and mortar store if they would be so bold as to sell their customers something and then attempt to convert them. Hmmm...

My guess is the vendor was hoping the tract would be a gesture that shows she cares. Unfortunately the caring part was lost in translation.

Where in the World: Guam

Thanks Michelle!

I have to admit I am amused by the irony of Michelle displaying her handmade D&L coffee sleeve in a McDonalds in Guam.



If you are the proud owner of a D&L product feel free to share it's new home or where it's been. Just e-mail me with your photos and details at DotandLineHome@gmail.com

Artist Profile: Sienna Orlando

I love buttons. I have always loved buttons. I especially love unique buttons. It would make sense then that I would fall in love with Sienna Orlando's work. Read all about her then check out her etsy site by clicking HERE.


1. Where is your business based out of?

Currently by business is based out of my studio apartment. I am an artist-in-residence at the Mendocino Art Center in California. I live and work here making sculpture, sewn objects, and, yes, handmade buttons.


2. Where are you from originally?

I am from the Sacramento Valley in northern California. I'm a good ol' farmer's daughter, and I call Chico my home.


3. How long have you been an artist and/or business owner?

Well, I've been an artist and craftsperson (seriously) for that last four years. When I went back to school to get my BFA, that closed the deal (no turning back)! I have been selling my sculpture for a couple of years, but my Etsy store didn't come about until February 2009. I love it! I've been able to make an income while living temporarily on the coast. I travel so much, I now have the freedom to take my business anywhere.


4. Where do you get your creative inspiration?

Little things like my parakeet, or a particular song will inspire my objects. I love myths and stories, and end up creating little story-objects. My "Datura" buttons emerged as a form that I saw as a flower I grew as a child. Native Americans would use this plant in religious ceremonies. It came about as a formal exploration, but I know that each design has an immense history. Who would of thought all of that in just a little button?


5. What does your creative process entail?

My process comes very intuitively. I just start pressing out buttons and see what happens. Patterns emerge in the clay. The form will come and sometimes I'll think "yuk"! Then I glaze them and the magic of the kiln just takes over. The pieces start talking at some point and suddenly a simple button is a crystalline water drop, coming from where? I do a lot of experiments, and a lot of these little guys are great but can't be recreated. I use a lot of these special buttons in my Variety Packs.


6. Would you say your environment (where you live, work, play) influences your creative process? If so, how?

Absolutely. I live in a sort of Fairyland right now, and that has been a huge inspiration. There are plants and ocean and forests, and little things popping up everywhere. I have strong ties to nature, and often live in the country, or with a garden.

On the other hand I pay attention to what's happening on the web, too. What are the trends? What are the color palettes and icons that are pertinent right now? The aspects of design on the internet, and the whole Etsy community becomes a part of my environment.


7. Who are your creative mentors?

I have an "Art-Mama" who has been a great ceramics teacher, business owner, and mentor for me.


8. Tell us about the one project you would say you are most proud of.

My culminating show for my BFA degree. It was a carefully designed show of 9 pieces that worked not only on their own, but actually created an invisible flow for viewers. Some of my largest pieces were wheel-thrown and weighed as much as me before they dried! Others pieces just seemed to take on a tightness and a command for the material that really was a culmination for me.

Three years before I had been a potter. Upon graduating I was able to take all of my forms and create something more profound and conceptual. I titled the show "Brave Ascent" because when you get out of academia you really have to push yourself to soar; especially in the art field. You can see the show on my website at http://www.siennaorlando.com


9. What do you enjoy doing when you're not creating?

Cooking (especially canning and baking), gardening, hiking, picnics and cavorting, doing little breakfast dances in the kitchen with my boyfriend.


10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Running my own business, possibly a brick and mortar as well as internet sales. I'll have a family, lots of animals and plants, and a pantry full of homemade goods!

Oh Kids Camp!

Last week was one doozy of a week! Hubs is the Children's Director at a local church and last week was our annual church kids camp. This year was my first year going to camp with the kiddos. I went as the arts and craft director! It was super fun. Here are some photo highlights.


Isn't the lake idyllic?



Hand printed bags with things found in nature:



The Hubs taking a pie in the face:

Artist Profile: Kim Berger

It gives me great joy to introduce you to Kim Berger of KbOriginals, etc.! Be sure to check out her shop by clicking here. Enjoy.




1. Where is your business based out of?

My home. I throw pottery in a small studio in my basement during the colder months. When the warmer temps arrive, I drag my wheel outside and throw. I also have a pet free studio on our 2nd floor. That's where I sew, bead and any other project I might be working on.


2. Where are you from originally?

I was born, raised and lived in Waukesha, Wisconsin up until November 2006. My husband Kurt and I bought an older ranch and renovated it on Lake Beulah, which is in East Troy Wisconsin. We live there with our 2 dogs, 2 cats and chickens.


3. How long have you been an artist and/or business owner?

I guess I would say I've been an artist my whole life. Looking back, I was crafting and creating as a small child. I remember selling earrings in high school-remember those??? the black wire and wood beads...oh gosh...I'm dating myself here. I started doing a few craft sales when my boys were young. I decided to officially sell my goods and began KbOriginalsetc in the early 90's.


4. Where do you get your creative inspiration?

From everything! Color, nature ...you name it... I just can't turn it off! There are nights I lay awake thinking about something I saw earlier in the day. I can visualize colors and textures. I also visualize how I'm going to market it! I love reading magazines such as Martha Stewart, Country Living etc. for creative inspiration.


5. What does your creative process entail?

I'm a pretty organized person, so I work best in a neat area.... It keeps my thoughts clear. Then I’m not wasting time looking for tools, paperwork for orders etc. I also have folders full of ideas I’ve seen in magazines etc. I rip them out and occasionally I sit down and go through a file or two. It freshen my thoughts and sometimes reminds of things I had thought about a while back. Years ago I would just jump into projects without thinking things through. Age is a wonderful thing....you can learn from your past mistakes.


6. Would you say your environment (where you live, work, play) influences your creative process? If so, how?

Absolutely! For my day job, I work with the public.. You can learn very interesting things from others...all you have to do is ask. We live in a rural wooded area on a lake...so the nature surrounds us. For the most part-my time is my own. Both our boys Kyle & Kalob, live out on their own. So I don’t have the extra chores etc. that young mom’s do….Been there done that.


7. Who are your creative mentors?

I guess I would have to begin with my mom...showing me how to sew very young. Then my grandma...she would have never considered herself an artist, but I now know she was. She always had some type of craft project going on at her house. That's where I learned about candle making, casting silver jewelry and so much more. In high school I took every art class available. I always had very supportive art teachers, but I think about my pottery teacher the most. About 12 yrs ago, I was taking an art class and was invited by the instructor to assist in her class. Ruth, a very talented special lady has become a good friend over the years. Her spiritual connection with art allowed me to see that art can make your "soul sing"-her words not mine. Most teachers have no idea how much of an impact they can make on a student’s life. Currently my mentor is a potter named Jessie. She has graciously allowed me into her private studio. I volunteer my time, but while I'm there I get to ask lots and lots of questions. She has shared so much knowledge with me over the past year. I truly admire her talent and tenacity.


8. Tell us about the one project you would say you are most proud of.

I have done so many things over the years that I’m quite proud of, but I think I’d have to say that the success of my Etsy shop is at the top. I’m so thrilled to see emails from orders coming in…not because of the money…but because someone is actually interested in something I’ve made! I also enjoy collaborating with customers working with custom orders. In general I really enjoy the communication with people.


9. What do you enjoy doing when you're not creating?

I enjoy cooking/baking, gardening and relaxing on our pontoon with my husband Kurt our dogs Kirby & Jade. Honestly...In my mind, I'm always creating.


10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I would love to own my own business...a little gift shop with all handmade art. I would invite a few fellow artists to sell their work along side mine. I would serve homemade soups & sandwiches….. But if that does not work out, I look forward to each day throwing pottery in my PJ’s.

End of the Disappearing Act!

Oh blog how I have missed thee...

Lots has been going on. After a couple weeks of intense searching, Hubs and I have found a house. The price has been agreed upon and the home inspection is tomorrow. Searching for a house has felt like a second job so now that it's over (hopefully) I will have my time to keep you all posted! Yaaaay!

Stop by tomorrow for this week's artist profile.

Featured on Fox News' IMAG

Hi all! It's a great day for Dot&Line! One of my vintage fabric lampshades has been included in Fox News' IMAG slide show, "Luxury for Less".

Check out the slide show by clicking HERE.
The shade can be see in the second thumbnail, which you can click to read all about it.

Here is the shade that was included:



Thanks iMAG for including me!

A Little Custom Faux Bois (for your enjoyment)

Pretend it's Friday, not Sunday. Pretend that I'm not at all late getting a picture of "this week's" custom order posted.

Faux bois has been really popular lately. The faux bois shade I have in stock wasn't quite the right size for the client. Yaaaay custom!

D&L's First Ever Go Green Challenge!

This will hopefully be the first of many Go Green Challenges. A little creativity goes a long way in figuring out how to repurpose items and give them a new life. The goal of this challenge is to think up creative ways to reuse objects that would normally be discarded after their initial use and to share those ideas with the world.

All entries will be posted here throughout the challenge. In addition to winning the prize (see below), our winner will be interviewed and asked to write a short tutorial to help the rest of us implement their great idea.


Judging will be based on 3 criteria:

1. Creativity. Has your solution been done a million times before? What's your unique twist?

2. Accessibility. Is this something most people can make if given directions?

3. Green-ability. Are there other ways you can make your design green than just the use of the initial reused object?

Photos are also a MUST for this challenge. Entries will not be considered without photos!!!


How to enter:
E-mail a brief description and picture(s) of your completed item to DotandLineHome@gmail.com
Entries will be received now through June 15. Only one entry per contestant will be allowed!

Now that all the messy logistics are out of the way you are probably wondering what normally discarded object will be the subject of the first ever D&L Go Green Challenge...

(drum roll please...)

FROSTING TUBS! (inspired by my LOVE of cake, cookies and just about anything else that requires cream cheese frosting)



And now for the prize!

(another drum roll please...)

This vintage cake tin! (Also inspired by my LOVE of cake, cookies and just about anything else that requires cream cheese frosting.)


This tin is in GREAT shape and perfectly suited for your green use and enjoyment.



Remember: June 15 is the entry deadline!!!

Shani Neal of SNEAL Made Woolen Creations

I love fiber arts! Knitting and felting are on my long list of things to learn. Until I master these skills, I will have to be content with admiring the beautiful work of people like Shani Neal of SNEAL Made Woolen Creations.

Enjoy reading about her!



1. Where is your business based out of?

My business is currently based out of my home in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.


2. Where are you from originally?

I am an Air Force brat so I am not originally from anywhere. I was born in New Jersey. My younger years were mostly spent in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. I have lived nearly all of my adult life in and around Boulder Colorado. My husband, son and I just moved to Pittsburgh last year to be near my family.


3. How long have you been an artist and/or business owner?

I have been involved in art my whole life. One of my degrees is in Fine Art. I actually became a floral designer right after college and soon had my own floral design business. I left it behind when I became a mom about 4 years ago, and started full time selling my art. I have never looked back.


4. Where do you get your creative inspiration?

Mainly color. I am in love with bright colors and like to find new ways to marry them together. My other big love is nature in general and flowers. I am fairly obsessed with flowers and they always find their way into the things that I make.


5. What does your creative process entail?

The creative process for me is almost random. I get an idea for something that I want or something that I see and want to try and recreate, and then I just keep making and remaking until I get it right. The most difficult thing for me is remembering how I made something the
first time so that I can do it again. I am getting better with writing things down so I have at least a pattern for the next project. When it comes to needle felting onto something that I knit, I often will ponder over it for days. Looking at the piece and trying to picture what wants to be on it. ANd yet again I play with different colors to see what ones will make the piece pop.


6. Would you say your environment (where you live, work, play) influences your creative process? If so, how?

Oh for sure. Again it is the plants and flowers that I surround myself with that influece me the most. Mother nature has the best imagination when it comes to color. Also I have alot of color in my home and I can easily be influenced my seeing how two colors play off of one another. Like with an afghan that my grandmother has knit next to a painting that I may have. Or by seeing a few pieces of pottery next to one another.


7. Who are your creative mentors?

I come from a long line of creative folks. So without really knowing it, I have been influenced my whole life. I am proud to say that a good chunk of the items that I use everyday has been made by a member of my family. So I think that the wole idea and need to create functional pieces of art has been handed down to me through my genes. But I do need to give credit to all of the wonderful teachers that I have had through my education. Unfortunately there have been too many to name.


8. Tell us about the one project you would say you are most proud of.

Honestly any of them that work. I am so very proud to create sturdy pieces that hopefully will last a lifetime and then some. It has meant a lot to me to surround myself with things that have been in my family for generations. And I really hope to create things for others that will have that same affect on them.


9. What do you enjoy doing when you're not creating?

Being with my family, cooking and baking, mountain biking, reading, traveling, caring for my orchids, getting some love from my kitties, and catching up on my long list of movies that I need to see.


10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully happy, healthy, and still creating while living on a beach somewhere.