Proud of my creative girlfriend - VICKI SCHREINER

Several years ago, at a craft and hobby industry tradeshow, I met VICKI SCHREINER. She was sweet, southern (we often call each other Miss Vicki and Miss Debba!), kind, creative and very welcoming. Over a couple more tradeshows and a several creative girlfriends we had in common, we became roommates at these events and loved getting together and catching up on our lives and businesses in the craft industry.

I knew Vicki was a very talented artist - she had lots of books and craft designs in her portfolio. She successfully taught herself to go from drawing by hand to creating digital images - and through doing it maintained her signature style that "expresses the sunny side of life."

Vicki's dream was to see her drawings come to life on products and to be able to contribute to the family income by doing what she loves. I'm so proud to say that she's accomplished these goals with fervor! Her artwork is now on all kinds of products like printed materials, baby bedding, fabric, etc. Her products will be in Cracker Barrel this summer. (She's already in numerous baby, fabric and department stores!) Check out her website for her BaZooples line and her upcoming WhistleStop Station line.

Do you have girlfriends who have passion and talent? Cheer them on and celebrate when they achieve their goals. Do you have dreams? Ask your girlfriends to support you through their ideas, assistance and hugs. With girlfriends, you can be yourself and dream your dreams - and who you can be there for them and their dreams as well. Congratulations Vicki! I'm so happy your dreams are coming true and can't wait to hear what wonderful things are yet to come! Go for your dreams girlfriends!

TIP TUESDAY #7 - Favorite Girlfriend Book(s)

Do you love to read? Do you have a girlfriend who does? Actually, what girlfriend of yours doesn't have a favorite hobby or interest? We all do - right? Well, the Holidays are a great time to give books as gifts - especially when you give books that perfectly match your girlfriends' interests.

So, this week's TIP TUESDAY question is:

What is your favorite book(s) for giving to a girlfriend? What books are you giving your friends for the Holidays?

Please add a comment. Tip Tuesday questions always make me think of my response, so I'll start. Without giving away any specific gifts I'm giving (since my girlfriends read this!):

My girlfriend Renee gave me this book, I read it and passed it along to my friend Lisa who will then read and give to another girlfriend - Law of Attraction, by Michael Losier

My girlfriend Katie Hacker (who just inspired us on our recent podcast) wrote this book and donated several for the "Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway" (and I just bought one for my niece!) - Hip to Bead

After taping with Carol Duvall a couple dozen times, you get to know her - she is the real deal! She has a new book out that is perfect for paper lovers: Paper Crafting with Carol Duvall

Other books I've given in the past or enjoyed receiving: The Success Principles, How to Get from Where Your Are to Where You Want to be - by Jack Canfield. (Actually I've given this and love having it on CDs that I listen to often.) Another podcast girlfriend - the Crafty Chica herself (Kathy Cano Murillo) - Art de la Soul - Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life. Margot Potter (The Impatient Beader) has several great beading books - Impatient Beader books - check those out! Other ideas?

Look for more books and share your ideas with creative girlfriends! You might just inspire a gift from one of your girlfriends!



Happy Holidays Creative Girlfriends!

Talking Crafting, Creative Women and Marie Osmond - with JULIE STEPHANI

Creative girlfriends - this podcast is for you! You know how your creative female friends 'get you?' They understand why you take time to craft and the amazing satisfaction in working on and completing a creative project. Well, JULIE STEPHANI gets us!

Sure, JULIE STEPHANI is editor of Home Arts magazine and The Creative Arts Club (with over 340,000 members!). She's written craft books, hosted her own Scrapbook TV shows (and guest hosts on "Scrapbook Memories"), has been in the craft/hobby industry for over 20 years. You might wonder if this woman even has time to craft, much less talk with Girlfriendology. Thankfully for us, she does and she did! Check out our latest podcast as Julie inspires us to get together with our female friends (creative or who think they're not creative!) And, hear her insight into crafting given to her by Marie Osmond!

Thanks Julie for inspiring us to enjoy, appreciate and create with our girlfriends!

Girlfriend Advice: Organizing your Crafts

Talking with Kathy Cano-Murillo (The Crafty Chica) on the podcast inspired me to not only start a girlfriend crafting group, but also to get my messy studio and start messing with my glitter! (Kathy takes the love of glitter to a NEW level!) (I've already started planning ahead for some glittery glass candle holders for girlfriend gifts for the holidays! So, those of you who will receive them - act surprised!)

So ... then I'm doing research on an author and organization expert who is going to do a podcast with Girlfriendology in the coming weeks, Debbie Williams. On her site I found a great creative girlfriend article that I thought you might enjoy and benefit from. Check out her advice for organizing your craft space and her books. And, if you have specific questions for her for our podcast interview, please send them to us!

Perhaps it is our creative, female brains that takes one idea and smushes it into another?! Now I can get inspired by Debbie to organize my craft studio then get inspired by Kathy to mess it up again or, being organized as I will be after applying Debbie's sage advice, have more fun creating beautiful girlfriend gifts in my nicely organized, everything-in-its-place studio! Thanks Kathy and Debbie! Thanks girlfriends!

P.S. My girlfriend Debra Quartermain has written several crafty books and is a self-proclaimed "stitch chick." Check out her blog for info on her books and creative adventures.

Fun stuff coming! Get ready for La Crafty Chica!!

Hey - creative girlfriends! I took a quick trip to northern WI. (YES, that far north!) Now I'm back and jammin' on some fun stuff for GirlfriendologyToo.

Get ready to meet La Crafty Chica herself - KATHY CANO-MURILLO! Check out her web site and you will find all kinds of creative ideas, links, books and wonderful ways to get crafty with La Chica! She has a new show on TV, new books (and a novel coming!) and tons of creative ideas for girlfriend gifts, fun and funky home decor, jewelry and more. AND, Girlfriendology is going to chat with Kathy for our next podcast.

What questions do you have for this cool, creative, CRAFTY CHICA? Should we ask about her inspiration? Best girlfriend gifts to make and give? About her crafty girlfriend group she meets with in her hometown? Or what things she hasn't put glitter on? Let Girlfriendology know your questions! (Email us at ideas@girlfriendology.com!)

And come back and visit us at GirlfriendologyToo! Next project: Easy, pleasy Pumpkin Treat Bag!

Girlfriends are the spice of life, right? Then add some flavor to your life and make this fun girlfriend hostess gift!

This polymer project keeps it simple with black and white salt and pepper shakers. I used three colors - white, black and translucent. (I used Fimo and found the white polymer a little stiff to work with so mixed it with the translucent.) Condition your clay. Probably the hardest part is keeping the white (mixed with translucent) - white! It seems to pick up any color remnants from your clay space/pasta roller so clean before using. Then prepare your black clay.

Apply a thin cover of polymer over your glass salt and pepper shakers. (You can get a package of several sets of these shakers at Wal-mart.) Make sure you cut around the opening so that the metal cap will fit back on. Then I made very simple canes - checkerboard and jellyroll* and applied them to the shakers. Flatten these elements (into the clay covering) or leave them dimensional. Bake per the clay guidelines then cool. You can either leave them like this or apply a glaze. Polymer glaze is available in a craft store or you can use floor wax before to add a shine and cover up any fingerprints.

Make a whole bunch of mix and match sets to have them on hand to give to your friends. Your girlfriends will love them and think of you each time they spice up their food!

* If you'd like to find out more, my creative girlfriend Donna Kato (she is a blast to hang out with!) wrote 'the book' on polymer clay - The Art of Polymer Clay AND her new book The Art of Polymer Clay Creative Surface Effects - very cool!

Carol Duvall Show Videos - me on TV!

Funny! I just found out that some of my Carol Duvall show tapings are online. I really don't like watching myself on TV but hopefully you'll enjoy! Check out these image transfer projects on Carol Duvall - part 1 & part 2 as well as my book, The New Book of Image Transfer. (Doesn't my hair look funny?! And is "mender" really a word?!)

Crafting a creative career --- is best with girlfriends!

Last night my beloved friend Lisa Galvin came to spend the night (on her way to a rubber stamping convention! Photo from her Carol Duvall taping.) Six years ago we met at a craft/hobby tradeshow. Now, at tradeshows, we often share a room and travel together. She is a wonderful friend, a trusted advisor and a talented designer. We, along with Katie Hacker (another great designer and author) have a mastermind group where each month we update each other on our goals and accomplishments, as well as share our challenges and advice.

In the past six years, Lisa, Katie and I have 'worn many, MANY hats.'
* Lisa began as a designer, started publishing designs in magazines and books, did a couple books (see below), took leadership positions in creative designer organizations and now reps craft products to stores in several states.
* Katie worked for a publisher in the craft industry, went freelance and did lots of books (a few of hers below) as well as magazines, published a creative newsletter, demos, is a regular on PBS (Beads, Baubles and Jewels) teaches and develops products. She specializes in beading. (She is busy - especially with sweet little Lily!)
* I went from a career in corporate marketing into the craft industry as a designer, TV demo'er (Carol Duvall/HGTV, DIY and Shop at Home; plus QVC, PBS, A.C. Moore), wrote for magazines/books, authored a book, published an industry newsletter, and did marketing and product development for dozens of companies in the craft industry. Like I said, we've worn MANY hats.

Why do I tell you all that? Well, we crafty women need to follow our passion. We can't help it! You can craft a creative career. Look at all the others who have done it before - that's proof! Follow your passion. Live and work blissfully. Go for it! And encourage other creative women along the way! Creative and supportive girlfriends are the best!

Lisa & Katie's Books: