Followers Post 4 :: Write 31 Days

Let's continue the Write 31 Days challenge by talking about a great resource to tap for writing ideas: readers, followers, friends. Before you get on that "I can't take advantage of other people" kick, let's take a look at this option with open minds. 

As I often do, I'll ask that you put yourself on the other side of the pen. Consider this: if a blogger friend emailed and asked you for an interview to post on her blog, how would you respond? Would you tell your friend no? Most likely you'd be positive about the idea, perhaps even honored. Now consider: what is the difference between a blogger friend and a blogger follower? Isn't it possible that a follower would be just as positive, perhaps as honored?

Let's pretend that you have contacted a subject who has agreed to be interviewed. How will the process look? 

1. After getting confirmation that the artist will answer interview questions, email a list of questions to her.
2. Ask her to list as thoroughly as she wants to and email the list back. It is critical that you ask if there are subjects that the interviewee does not want to answer and to respect those wishes. If, for example, she doesn't want information about her family on the web, you must avoid asking for information or including information you discover in your research. 
3. Once the questions and answers come back, it's time use  to write a profile. You may write about the artist, quoting her directly if you'd like, but writing a separate paper. 
4. Some bloggers prefer to use the Q&A just as they arrive using copy and paste. If you plan to do so, be certain that the artist knows your intent as you should not change any part of the interview without permission. Telling the interviewee upfront gives her a heads-up to edit her work carefully.
5. It's a good idea to send a copy of the article before it is published. This gives the subject a chance to clear up any misinformation or confusion. 
6. Finally, the interview is published. Be sure to send the link to the artist so she can add it to her blog if she writes a post about the interview. Of course, it's a good idea to include links to the artist's blog.

See, that wasn't so bad. And the interviewee probably enjoyed answering questions and writing about her craft, family, and life. In other words, people enjoy writing about themselves as much as they enjoy telling about themselves. It's not egotistical, or doesn't have to be. It's quite an honor, actually, and another way to market one's art and work. 

What do you learn or gain from writing a post about a follower or artist? Depending on your questions, the list is quite long, but these are great starters: You learn about

• a field of work that is different from your particular craft. For example, if you are a traditional quilter, you might interview and learn from a modern quilter. 
• issues and concerns in the craft. Other people may read different magazines or books than you do. Asking about their influences gives you insight into other opportunities.
• new or important artists in the field. You and the interviewee may admire different artists, or perhaps she knows of an up-and-coming new artist.
• a new technique Artist attend many shows and classes. Ask about those and you could discover something new.
• how to organize or improve the flow of your workspace. Even well-known artists sometimes work in small spaces. Asking about her workplace gives you new insight into how others organize their spaces.

Now that you understand that both you and the other artist have much to gain, consider who to interview. You should already "know" this person by reading books, blogs, magazine articles, etc. that she has published. Perhaps you've met her at a quilt show or convention or in a class. 

Most blogs have an "About me" page or a way to contact the writer. Use this to reach out to the artist, and construct a note requesting an interview. Be sure to tell her which social media you plan to use--email, FB, etc., and get that information from the artist, if necessary. Once you have the go-ahead, begin preparing questions.

Now about those questions. The obvious thing here is that you will get answers to the questions you ask, but it's easy to ask wrong or vague questions. Therefore, building the list of questions carefully is of utmost importance. 

A list of broad questions that can be used in any interview generally doesn't work well because the subject may give broad answers rather than the information readers are seeking. It is, of course, a good idea to build a list of questions that can be your starting point, and can be written at any time, even before you initiate contact. Once you have an agreement with an artist, do your research and use the list to write specific questions. My question lists appears above. I like to have it as I'm doing my research to help me stay on track.

Here's a link to a 2012 interview that I wrote about The Knotted Chain, an Etsy shop from which I won a giveaway. After receiving the jewelry from Shellie, I decided that I liked it and her service so much I wanted to profile her shop. 

This basically is about all there is to writing an interview. It's easy and you get to know your followers and artist friends on a deeper level. It can easily become a regular post to your blog. You never know, someone may even ask you to be the subject!

Please let me know if you have any questions--just leave them in the comments. I'll answer them here and also email you personally.

Links to other posts in this Write 31 Days series:
Writing about Writing Intro 

Inspiration Post 1

Inspiration Post 2

Behind the Scenes Post 3

Write about Followers Post 4

Write about Your Blog Post 5

Festival Haul

I really didn't spend much time at the vendor booths.  First, I didn't want to spend too much money; second, I wanted to see the quilts; and third, I'm not a very good shopper.  I did, however, have the opportunity to speak to a couple of the winners.  


One lady was an absolute darling, answering all of my silly questions and recommending a couple of her favorite products.  


One of those products: Bottom Line Thread, which I found at the Superior Threads booth.  So, I picked up a few cones of neutrals to use in bobbins.  My plan is to fill several bobbins in the next few days and to try to use only this brand, assuming it's as good as it claims to be about creating very little lint.


I also found this pretty lime and orange that I'm hoping will match the colors in Audrey's quilt.


While at the Festival I also signed up to become a member of The Quilt Show, an online show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims, which includes a subscription to The Quilt Life magazine.


Although I would have liked a fancier holder for my rulers, I don't have many rulers, so I picked up this small holder to help organize them.

And that's my haul from the Houston Quilt Festival.  Not much but awfully close to $100 anyway and definitely topping off my budget.


What was your last quilting purchase?  How do you control your spending when it comes to quilting?


Please do me a quick favor and click on the Picket Fence button on the upper right.  I'm still trying to get votes.  I've moved up to page 21 with 150 votes!  With your help, I'm sure I can make to 200 votes in no time!

Etsy Shop Profile: Black Cat Hill

Today we get to say hello to Delaney of Black Cat Hill an Etsy shop that sells vintage items.  Since I'm so into vintage right now, I've been enjoying browsing through her beautiful shop.  It would be difficult to choose one favorite item, so I chose five!  Check out these photos!

1. What kind of items do you carry in your etsy shop?   I'm instantly drawn to tarnished silver, chippy paint and rusty wrought iron. I love things that really show their history, scratches, chips, and all. When things are not only beautiful and unique, but also useful everyday, I have a hard time letting it go. We hunt for things like farmhouse decor, old books, and tarnished silver. My father and I also make rustic style furniture and signs from reclaimed wood. 

2. What are some of your favorite designs or items?   Sometimes, when I find something I really love, I keep it for myself. I'm sure every vintage seller does this. I'm currently collecting white dishes and pretty much anything to do with birds. But I go through phases, so who knows what I'll be after in a few months. ;) 

3. How would you describe your creative process?  Vintage selling doesn't allow for much creativity, but I also work in photography and multi media artwork. I love that I can find unique old things and use them as props for a shoot. 

4. Who has influenced your art the most? In what way(s) did this person influence you?   I was raised by artists, and I grew up around artists so the influences are probably endless. Growing up, my dad used to give me cash for birthdays and a ride to the local thrift shops, so that's probably where my love/obsession for all things vintage comes from. But it was my mom and grandmother who taught me how to spot an estate sale from a mile away. ;)

5. What does "handmade" mean to you?  In a word, unique. Even if an artist tries to duplicate an item, it will never be just as the original. Handmade means you can see the craftsmanship and design that goes into something. It means that my handmade item is the only one in the world. 

6. Is there anything else you'd like others to know about yourself or your shop?   Mostly that Black Cat Hill isn't my only shop, and that I'm constantly delving into new things. I also love vintage clothing (AnotherSeason.etsy.com), and art is a huge part of myself. I started with photography (DelaneyLaFae.etsy.com), but I also can't help but explore early styles of art (WolfPackTribal.etsy.com). And just because I haven't totally worked myself crazy, I'm opening a soap shop later this year (SylvaPagana.etsy.com). 


Leave a comment to say hello to Delaney and click here to visit Black Cat Hill.

Etsy Shop Profile: Kouture Crochet

Today we have the opportunity to meet Karia of Kouture Crochet an Etsy shop that carries handmade crocheted items.  Karia is quite an inspiration.  Read her feature and visit her shop where you'll find some beautiful crochet items for Christmas gift. Ten percent of sales go to the Clifton (NJ) Animal Shelter to help care for abandoned animals.

Where/when did you learn to crochet?    I learned when i was 14. My mother taught me at home.  

What are some of your favorite designs and yarns?   I really prefer simple designs. Simplicity in design is also part of what creates a luxury product. The challenge with working with simple patterns is that any faults, errors and imperfections stand out like a soar thumb. As a result of this, much care must be taken to maintain even tension and stitches. A simple well fitting tailored suit will indeed cost much more than an off the rack trendy outfit. The challenge is the same for crocheted works. In order to meet this challenge I had custom wood crochet hooks made that are perfect for my own hands that help me maintain even stitches throughout. The result, I think is well worth the effort. I love the art of the design challenge and the production challenge. It is why designs are simple.

You use only natural yarns and strive to make luxurious items. Explain the difference between natural and other yarns.  Synthetic yarns are great for a number of uses. There are usually far less expensive than natural yarns. Acrylic yarns are made from petroleum based plastics, so they are very hard wearing. Caring for synthetics is often a simple matter of which setting to use on your washer/dryer at home. Natural fibers require more attention and careful maintenance. Careless maintenance of natural fibers can cause felting, shrinking or worse. However, even the softest “Baby” acrylics lack the softness of some of my favorite natural fibers. Every natural fiber has different qualities, but in general there are more breathable, are better at retaining heat, are lighter in weight than synthetics. Alpaca is lighter and offers amazing warmth at a faction of the price of other natural fibers while still being wonderfully soft. Alpaca is also immensely strong. I use the scarps from my retail projects to make cat toys that don't fall apart. Cashmere is lighter still but offers as much warmth as alpaca. Notably cashmere is slightly softer than alpaca and has a drape that makes it perfect for luxury sweaters. There are many more fibers wool, silk, camel, quvot and many more. 

How would you describe your creative process?   I design every pattern myself. I do not use templates or store bought patterns. My process is at once a free flowing process and a historical and intellectual process. In designing my ties, I studied ties and cravats. I believe that if I want to create something that is timeless i need to know the styles that have passed the test of time. I take that information and then begin the design process. 

What does "handmade" mean to you? Is there anything else you'd like others to know about yourself or your shop?  I have Dandy Walker Hydrocephalus, a congenital brain malformation. Even though this prevents me from driving or having a regular 9-5 job, I started this shop in hopes of both following my passion as an artist and as a means to support myself without depending on outside or government aid. 

I have been crocheting for 17 years. Often crochet is seen as a source of work with products far removed from luxury. My goal is to create exceptional crocheted items that are luxurious yet subtle, simple and refined. I use only the finest 100% natural fibers. The result is a marriage of the wonderful and unique texture of crochet with the refined quality of the couture houses of Paris high fashion.   I am always looking for new and exciting fibers to make luxury products. Today I scored some wonderful hand dyed 50% alpaca/50% merino wool that I am going to use for some ties! 
Also I have been donating 10% of the proceeds to a number of charities. Currently 10% of proceeds are donated to the Friends of  Clifton Animal Shelter where I adopted my two lovely cats.


Say hello to Karia here or visit her Etsy shop Kouture Crochet.  Her beautiful crocheted items are already marked at a great price but knowing that part of the money also helps a wonderful charity just adds to the spirit of giving, don't you agree.

Etsy Shop Profile: Lambs and Ivy Designs

A few weeks ago I had the honor of meeting Dana through the Etsy Blog Team.  She's a designer from Atlanta, Georgia, who creates delectable ribbonwork by first hand dying silk ribbon and then shaping them into flowers, leaves, and bud to make cuffs, chokers, and embellishments for a variety of uses.  After spending a little time in her Etsy shop, I just had to interview her for a feature.

My plan was to have her feature up last Friday, but well, things happen....sisters come for a visit, surgeries are scheduled, and life moves at impossible speeds.  So, here we are, finally, with a wonderful interview in which Dana tells us a little about herself.  I'm sure you'll come away wanting to know more about her, but then you'll have to venture those questions yourself.  You can do that by visiting her Etsy shop here.

1. Where/when did you learn to make such beautiful lace flowers?   My mother and I owned an antiques store. Antique ribbonwork is hard to find, expensive and often too damaged to use. I really just taught myself to do it out of frustration in not finding enough antique flowers. 

My favorite....check out those strawberries!

2. What are some of your favorite flowers to make?  My favorite flowers are roses. I love all shades of pink. I also love purple violets.


3. How would you describe your creative process?   My creative process? Well,... a mess.Ribbons, needles, pins everywhere. I blame this on my mother.What kind of mother lets a child have an indoor sandbox? LOL!

4. What are some unconventional ways that you've used the flowers?  My flowers really get around. One customer uses them on her diabetes pump! I have made pieces for lamp shades, pillows, crazy quilts, dolls and lots of Marie Antoinette and fairy themed items.

5. You have some wedding themed items. Do you have plans for more?   I love weddings. I get very stressed when doing weddings. I want things to be perfect for the bride! I am in the process of adding flower girl tiaras.

6. Is there anything else you'd like others to know about yourself or your shop?  I love my customers. I never get tired of seeing all of their ideas and I love when they are in love with a piece.I am very blessed to do this.

See what I mean about wanting to get to know her and see more of her work?  Isn't it just stunning?  Leave a comment and say hello to Dana.  I'm sure she would love to hear from you!  You can visit Dana's blog at http://lambsandivydesigns.blogspot.com/ or her Etsy shop at http://lambsandivydesigns.blogspot.com/.  I promise you won't be disappointed!