I meet many people along the way in life that really inspire me.    Guess I call them leaves in my pile and that is where I get my motto for my creations.

A pile gathering one creative leaf at a time….

This morning when I checked my email there was a notice from Google Alerts that my name had been used in a blog.  (This is a great service and I recommend it for all of you – of course it is free)    Pola had written about me on her Webmaven blog as part of Etsy NJ Team Tuesday Blog Hop.

They say that sometimes others see you better than you see yourself and I know that oftentimes that is true for me.   Pola make some great observations in her blog.    Just the title is a perfect description of what has been happening for me over the last few months,  ”Leafpile – a rooted trees takes off”.

I spent 2008/2009 going back into the art/craft show circuit.   After a series of misadventures and a constant struggle to keep my creations a part of my world it was time to try something else.    It really isn’t easy packing up all the art that you have created and haul it off to these shows, making sure it arrives in tack and is protected from the elements.   Then you need the tables, tent and display items.   My little car was jam packed each time.   Many of my crafting friends would stick around just to see how this jigsaw puzzle of packing actually fit.   Or perhaps it was because I was always the last one done…..

After another rainy show in late fall with minimal sales I knew it was time to do something better.    My tears as I drove home were the sign I needed that this wasn’t working for me.   The last thing I needed in my world was yet another part time job but I didn’t have any other ideas.   When my cell phone rang I hesitated to answer but it was Abbie.   She knew it had been a rough show for me and invited me to stop over so we could talk and brainstorm.

This was the beginning of Jersey Made!   I’ve always wanted to have a store and teach classes too.   It all seemed quite impossible and unattainable.   But there it was on the internet, a store available in the Mill Race Village.  The rent was low and a store in a little shopping village was a great location.   My hands shook for a few days from the excitement.    It would never have happened without Abbie’s encouragement and enthusiasm.    Once we started to think of all the possibilities it got even more exciting!   As Pola said in her blog, that is where it takes off…..

I met Abbie Galie through her Mom, the very talented Jennifer Mylod.   Jennifer often plays her music at Kirby’s Mill events (along with the Boys of County O’Cean).     Abbie & I  started working together on a few projects then we decided to have some creative get togethers.   She is full of ideas and  although we often see things very differently we found that when we agree we are onto something great!    Abbie has her own business called Original Abbie and creates some awesome art.  She is the coordinator for the EtsyNJ team.  She is the creator of the Handmade Faire , a much talked about show that really is awesome!!!    http://www.etsy.com/shop/abbieroad

So that is how I met Pola.   She is Abbie’s mother-in-law/Sean’s Mom and a very talented lady too!   Pola is involved in many non-profit organizations, spins & weaves her own wool, and oversees the Natural Resource Education Foundation of NJ in Waretown.   The NREF is a great place on the Barnegat Bay.   I try to attend or participate in as many events there as I can.   Music by the Bay is my favorite so mark that on your calendar!!!    http://www.musicatbarnegatbay.org/

Please enjoy Pola’s blog and leave her a comment – we all like comments!

http://webmavennj.blogspot.com/2010/03/leafpile-rooted-tree-takes-off.html

The Jersey Made logo was designed by Abbie Galie.   The little hands in the background and the awesome fonts combine for a perfect logo.

My leafpile is so full of creative friends.   I heart that!!!