Getting creative inspiration from a crafty girlfriend - like KATIE HACKER

I'm so lucky - my girlfriends inspire me so much! I was inspired to a marathon by my 'jock' girlfriend, Allison. Becky ("the Kitchen Goddess") inspires me to be a better cook (although admittedly I don't try often!). Jill inspires me with her jewelry designs. I love that about girlfriends. Together we have more fun, learn more and become more 'ourselves' through our female friends.

My girlfriend KATIE HACKER is creative, kind, talented and inspiring. She is author of more than 20 craft books including Hip to Bead, Katie's Basics of Beading and 30-Minute Beading. She also presents Beading Lessons on the PBS show Beads, Baubles & Jewels, is a regular columnist for Simply Beads magazine and teaches workshops at national shows like the Bead & Button Show. Although she is best known for beading, she does lots of other crafts and she has some wonderful ideas for crafting with and for your girlfriends.

Just listen to our NEW podcast with Katie and she'll inspire you - to craft for and with your girlfriends, to make time for your friends, to connect with your creative girlfriends through the internet and just to be more comfortable with your own creativity!

Check out Katie's blog for updates, creative ideas and her recent Ornament Round Robin (see following blog).

Do your girlfriends inspire you? Please join in the Girlfriendology December CONTEST - which asks for stories on girlfriends you're thankful for. Spread the girlfriend gratitude! Honor your girlfriend by telling everyone how much she inspires you! (and win prizes in the Great Girlfriend Gift Giveaway!) Thanks Katie!

New Girlfriendology Podcast - "Choose to Inspire your girlfriends," says life Coach Debbie Lundber

Starting out in a male-oriented industry, life coach DEBBIE LUNDBERG noticed women either supported each other to grow or held other women down. This initiated her life coaching (to primarily women, but also to men and organizations) as well as her active role in fostering growth in women.

Now MBA, author, trainer, speaker and Life Coach Debbie talks with Girlfriendology on our most recent podcast regarding her philosophies on women and in the importance in inspiring each other.

As our previous podcast authors and experts have advised, she just 'did it.' She started a women's group - the Tampa VEGAs (for Vision, Experience, Growth and Appreciation) who encourage each other to grow, learn and be their best self. Their recent event, Choose to Inspire, inspired women to be empowered through organization of their home, meals, finances, life and spirit.

Maybe now is a good time to start your creative girlfriends group (like Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo advised in her podcast with Girlfriendology)! And maybe now is a great time to hear Debbie's advice for supporting other women, for starting a girlfriend's group and for making a difference in women's lives in our new Girlfriendology podcast. Thanks Debbie!

Start a Girlfriend Group - now! (Kathy Cano-Murillo tells how in our new Girlfriendology podcast!)

Do you have a girlfriend crafting group? Or a book club? Entrepreneur group? Maybe you should start one. Hmmm, but how does one go about starting something like that?

Listen to our new podcast with the Crafty Chica herself, KATHY CANO-MURILLO and she'll tell you! In fact, she's so enthusiastic and helpful that your creative brain will start rolling and all of a sudden, you're on your way to a great girlfriend group.

Kathy was busy designing her new line of craft products (can't wait to see those!) but she still took time out to talk with Girlfriendology about her fun, creative girlfriend group, "The Phoenix Fridas," on our weekly podcast. You have to listen! I was smiling during the whole conversation! Her creativity is contagious. Her enthusiasm for her girlfriends is gregarious. Her sweet, kind, encouraging spirit is just what a girlfriend longs to hear. She rocks!

Just to share a bit about Kathy, she recently wrote her first novel and has several creative/crafty books which inspire people all over the globe. She has designed home goods for Lowe's and has fun, funky jewelry on Target.com. And, she has a Crafty Chica Cruise coming up in March 08. Wow!

Overall, she is fabulous! Listen. Enjoy. Then get inspired and start your own girlfriend group. And, share your stories with Girlfriendology. Muchas Gracias Kathy! You're a real girlfriend!