TIP TUESDAY #15 - Girlfriend inspiration, especially with creative Girlfriends!

Recently I started a group in BlogCatalog for creative women blogs. I asked these female bloggers 'what inspires them' and got back some great answers: children, nature, other artists/art, music, surfing on the web, food and more! As girlfriends we often influence each other with our creativity and supportive friendships. So, it just seems fitting to ask YOU this week's TIP TUESDAY question:

What inspires YOU? How have others impacted your personality, creativity, life?!

For me, as I mentioned in the previous blog post (below) it is often my creative girlfriends. From podcasts with JULIE STEPHANI and KATHY CANO MURILLO, to books by (upcoming podcast interviewee!) MARGOT POTTER and KATIE HACKER (who also did a podcast with us). But, what about YOU? Who and/or what inspires you?

Hey Creative Girlfriends - you inspire me!

Maybe it's Winter ... the cold, short days with little time or decent temperatures for outdoor activities. Maybe it's the long nights where I just want to stay under the covers for as long as possible. Whatever it is, sometimes it takes outside elements (be they natural, human, whatever!) to get inspired.

My friend Penny was over for our Academy Awards party last night. She, as you can see in the picture (she's on the right), is still growing out her hair from shaving it in solidarity with her friend going through chemo. Penny is totally herself - she doesn't worry about what others think and loves to make a creative statement by wearing jewelry she made or fun clothing she found somewhere. And last night she came sporting a long, dark ponytail! It was a clip-on, of course, but it was also 'so Penny!'

I appreciate how Penny doesn't take herself seriously and has such a creative style. She always inspires me. I want to make random crazy earrings after being with her (Penny mixes and matches earrings!). I want to go thrift shopping and exploring like she does with her girl scouts.

Who inspires you? As a creative woman, I always learn so much from my creative girlfriends. I'm blessed with knowing some of the best ... Jill MacKay, my BFF and an amazingly talented jewelry designer; Katie Hacker, my entrepreneurial sister and beading author and expert; Marie Browning, my Canadian girlfriend with over 1/2 million craft books in print ... I could keep going and going with creative women who bless my life. But, I'd rather have you think about it, then share in the comments ... WHO inspires YOU?

If you're up for travel, check out our latest podcast with BETH WHITMAN. Author of WANDERLUST AND LIPSTICK: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo, Beth inspired us all to travel and take adventures on our own. Listen in to our podcast interview with Beth and get inspired, by a traveling guru girlfriend! It may be cold outside, but what better time to get inspired to start planning a trip?!

TIP TUESDAY #14 - Creative Girlfriend Podcast Advice?

My creative buddies just returned from CHA - the Craft and Hobby Association tradeshow. Welcome home Jill, Katie, Linda, Lisa, Margot, Tammy, etc.! (Please share the newest, latest, greatest craft trends and products!)

While they were in Anaheim, I was in Nashville where I attended a PodCamp (a seminar for Podcasters and people in "new media" - podcasting, blogs and audiocasting)). There weren't near as many fun, creative women as I've always loved seeing at CHA, but it was a good crowd with more women than I've seen in my previous (short lived!) technology career. Also what is great about this new world of new media, there are so many more great ways to communicate with others which is an exciting time to be Girlfriendology and building community with women all over the world promoting female friendship!

There are a lot of creative podcasts out there. My girlfriend Dana listens to knitting podcasts from U.S. 'knitting celebrities' to a woman in Wales who talks about the yarn she gets over there, etc. So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question:

Do you listen to podcasts? If so, how often? Why? Which ones? What podcasts would you recommend for your girlfriends? Are there some best for your creative girlfriends?

Part of our goal at Girlfriendology is to, like a helpful girlfriend, share information with each other that makes our life better. Listen in to our podcast with KATHY CANO MURILLO on creative girlfriend groups. Beading designer, author, guru KATIE HACKER did a podcast with us on beading and creative women. And "the impatient beader" herself, MARGOT POTTER is about to do a podcast with us on her creative life and girlfriends. All these are based on being a good girlfriend to you.

Let us know of any "girlfriend authors or experts" we should interview on our Girlfriendology Podcasts - email ideas@girlfriendology.com. And listen in to a few podcasts and let us know what you think. We're here for our girlfriends and we'd love to hear from you!

TIP TUESDAY #13 - What creative ways can you celebrate Valentine's Day for/with your Girlfriends?

Valentine's Day has arrived - again! For some it is a wonderful, romantic day. For others, it is ignored or even a day of dread.

As women, we have the choice to celebrate it any way we please! And, since we LOVE our female friends, shouldn't we show our appreciation and support on Feb. 14th - like we do the rest of the year?

Romance may come and go, but girlfriends stick with you. Don't they deserve a handmade or store-bought Valentine's card, a thoughtful or fun email, or just a call to tell them how much you love being friends with them? Inspire others by answering this week's TIP TUESDAY question:

How do you show your girlfriends that their friendship means the world to you? How do you make them feel loved and appreciated? AND, as creative women, what can you make for your girlfriends to show how much you love being friends with them?

Think back to Valentine's Days growing up. Take some scrapbook or paper crafting supplies and make cards. (Even if they're late, they'll be admired and appreciation!) Show your girlfriends how much you value their friendship this Valentine's Day. Then, inspire others when you please share with us ... what can you do to show your Girlfriend appreciation and love this Valentine's Day?

Just in time for Valentine's Day, I interviewed author, relationship psychologist and women's retreat leader Dr. Karen Gail Lewis for our latest podcast. Dr. Lewis (aka: Karen) offered great insight on the value of female friendships and how this romantic holiday really is all about showing those special to us that we LOVE them.

p.s. And, check out our Girlfriendology Contest this month which is on the same "LOVE your female friends" theme. Win prizes and share inspiration, just by being a girlfriend! Happy Valentine's Day Girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #12 - Crafting Trend Ideas?

This week is the BIG Craft and Hobby (CHA) Tradeshow in Anaheim, CA. Unfortunately, after years of attending I won't be there any my creative girlfriends will - dang it! However, I wish them all a great week where they make new contacts, get some business, learn about new products and techniques, get inspired and hopefully catch me up on everything when they get home! (Jill, Katie, Lisa, Linda, Tammy, Vicki, Julie - I wish I was there with you!)

So, in keeping with that event, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What do YOU think are the new craft trends for 2008? What materials, techniques, colors, etc. will influence the products and projects that inspire us?

Just returning from Paperworld in Germany (a HUGE tradeshow for the paper/office/craft world), I did see a few new trends. Shattered glass (like safety glass from car windows) is big in mosaic - no more cut glass. Paper mache was in the craft magazines and projects on display. So, what do YOU think will be BIG in 2008? More Knitting? Crochet? Mosaic? A different style of Beading/Jewelry? Share your creative ideas with your girlfriends!