I'm Going to the Oscars!

I'm not going to the 84th Academy Awards (otherwise known as The Oscars), but my business cards are! 100 of my business cards will be included in the swag bags that will be given to celebrities at the GBK Luxury Gift Lounge. Never in my wildest, craziest dreams, did I imagine that my product would be going first to the Golden Globes, and then my contact info to the Academy Awards. It's amazing how joining one little organization can make all the difference!

                                                   

CLICK TO READ MORE ABOUT THE ARTISAN GROUP

That organization is The Artisan Group. The Group is an exclusive group of talented artisans that provides handcrafted products to celebrities and the press at Gift Lounges leading up to major hollywood events - The Academy Awards, Primetime Emmy's Golden Globes, MTV Awards, etc. This wonderfully supportive and knowledgeable group spans all sorts of fields - handcrafted jewelry, spa and bath products, children's tutus, apparel, toys, ceramics, purses, hand-poured candles, hand-bound journals, photographs, hand dyed scarves, fine art, handturned wooden pens, and more. It's an amazing source of information on sales, social media, marketing, and public relations.

I've gained a confidence in my craft and learned loads about marketing my work, myself and my business. What we get out of these events is really up to us and the buzz we create surrounding our involvement. I am super excited to see where this road leads!

Want to read my press release regarding the Academy Awards? CLICK TO READ MY PRESS RELEASE!

After the Globes, What's Next?

The hoopla of the Golden Globes is over. Ho hum. And my felted cuffs are in the hands of certain members of the press. I have no idea which ones, but it's exciting to know that they are out there somewhere in the hands of a potentially great source of advertisement or business lead.

I received a partial list of those it could be, ranging from The Huffington Post to Hollywood TV to The Today Show Australia to Momz in the Mix. Obviously, certain venues are more of a fit than others, and to be honest, I really don't know where I hope they end up!

So, I've sent out my follow up e-mails to those I know were there and who might have gotten my gifts. Whoever it is, I hope they love them (or at least know someone who would)! I can't wait to hear what they think! For now, it's a waiting game. I'll be sure to let you know what comes of it.

On other fronts, I am continuing to update the shop  - working on pictures, descriptions, key words, etc. I'm continuing to put my name out there and setting goals for the new year. I'm thinking about new product lines (lined picnic blankets, small recycled sweater pouches similar to Cari Cucksey's gift, and possibly a line of trigger/photography mittens).

And, I've got 100 business cards going to a major Hollywood event in the near future! Any ideas where?

Craftsyble Feature

Thanks to Betty Miller over at Craftsyble.com , my involvement in the GBK Production Gift Lounge at the Golden Globes has been featured! You rock Betty! link to feature

   

Here it is! The big reveal!

So, I'm sure you've all been waiting with baited breath for the big reveal of the actual items that I'll be gifting to members of the press at the GBK Productions Luxury Gift Lounge for the 2012 Golden Globe Awards! It's been an up and down journey. From packaging dilemas, to time changes, to just a plain inability of me to make a final decision!

I finally decided on 100% alpaca felted cuffs, embellished with elements inspired by nature. They are lightweight, so good for a variety of climes. They are perfect standing alone, or under gloves/mittens for extra warmth. I wear mine when texting, driving, typing, or when I just need that extra little bit of warmth. I really wouldn't want to do without them fall, winter and spring. There are six different styles.

Over the next few weeks, I'll explore the process used to create these cuffs, as well as what I finally decided on for the packaging. For now, here are the pictures of the final product. You can order your own through my shop! http://www.seasonsofwool.etsy.com

Can you guess the title of each cuff?

Renewed Determination and Energy

Some BIG news at the end of this post!

So, I've been gone for awhile. As in, over a year. I had gotten to the point where blogging, if I'm being totally honest, seemed like a bit of a waste of time. Yes, everyone was doing it, but I had very few followers and it was taking time away from things I needed to be doing (creating, working a part time job, taking care of my family, volunteering at the school, getting my business where I wanted it to be, and all the other things in daily life). Well, none of that has changed. All those things are still there (except for the part time job). What has changed is that with the support of my family, I've decided to take that leap and make this hobby a business.

I spend most of all days creating, marketing, getting my name out there, bookkeeping, etc. I still do all those things around the house and with the family too. I miss my other part time job (teaching environmental education preshcool) at times, but I had to make a choice. Something had to give. I decided to put my efforts into making my business a business.

It has not been easy. I see other adults less (I've really got to work on this, and plan on joining a knitting group in the near future). There are days when I have to really push myself to get things done. But that's the case with any job. It's still fun. I still enjoy it.

I think one of the biggest things that has helped propel me forward, is a wonderfully supportive group, The Artisan Group. They are great people to bounce ideas off of. And are a wonderful source of inspiration. This exclusive group connects its members with the GBK Gift Lounges for high class events such as the Emmy's, Golden Globes, Oscars, etc. Members can gift to the press, celebrities, provide gift cards, etc.

The big news: I will be gifting to lucky members of the press at the GBK Gift Lounge for the Golden Globes, January 2012! 


I can't tell you what yet. Well, I could, but I won't. You'll have to check in later to find out. There will be the option to buy through my shop.