Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Fall '09 Art Fair Schedule...

Odd Mall Saturday November 7th
Hudson Ohio

Odd Mall M.I.C.E Participants...

Baclori

Funky Ferndale Art Fair Sat-Sun Sept 19-20

Funky Ferndale M.I.C.E Participants...

Kristin Perkins

Wool & Water



Renegade Chicago Sat-Sun Sept 12-13

Renegade M.I.C.E Participants...

Sloe Gin Fizz



Emerge & See Friday Sept 11

@ The Crofoot Ballroom Pontiac

Emerge & See M.I.C.E Participants...

Angela Ficorelli



The Jamboree @ Riverside Park Ypsilanti

Fri-Sat Sept 4-5 Jamboree M.I.C.E Participants...




The Peoples Arts Festival @ The Russell

Sat-Sun August 29-30


D.I.Y Ferndale Fri-Sun September 18-20


D.I.Y - M.I.C.E Participants...


Jennifer Joy Creative


Seeds Studios


Barrel Of Monkeys


La Femme Monkita


All Things Grow


Top Knots


Sadies Room


Three Six Five


Sloe Gin Fizz


Courtney Fischer

Baclori



M.I.C.E @ The Market Sunday Sept.27th

M.I.C.E @ The Market Participants....

Chicaloo Photography & More

Wool & Water

All Things Grow

Brown Joey Designs

Lara & Me Dolls

My Vintage Kitschen

Mind’s Eye Design

KP Glass Jewelry

Baclori

Sloe Gin Fizz

Courtney Fischer Jewelry

Dang Argyle

Creative Card Solutions

Gypsy Moon Art Studio

Tilt Creations

Hurricane Katrina

Lazy Cat

Eve Van Dalsen
Cjkoho Designs
Lucky Heron Studio
S K Photo
Stick Nymph
Deets
Juleen
Kaimoon
Baskets by Rose
Beading Nutritionist
AM PM Creations
Rugs By Us
Such Pretty Colors
J Adams Design
Rain Gems Design
Christine Carole
Art With Annie

Elevated Press

Gertie Gear

Bedbug


Ann Arbor Fiber Expo Sat-Sun October 24-25

M.I.C.E. Participants...



Ridge Show Fri-Sat Nov 20-21

Ridge Show M.I.C.E Participants...


Vintage Urban Girl


Wool & Water










Sunday, August 9, 2009

Interview with M.I.C.E. member Theresa Thompson

Hello again, I am back from a glorious vacation in Italy and when I returned I had a lovely interview sitting in my e-mail in-box just waiting for me to post. Our featured M.I.C.E. member this time round is Theresa Thompson of TiLT creations, She has also been recently featured on Seeds Studio Blog in Scottie's mini M.I.C.E. interviews. Theresa has a considerable Web presence and definitely knows how to market her wonderful creations you can read and follow her blogs (listed at end of interview) and follow her day to day adventures on Twitter.


Introduce yourself, tell us where you're located and describe your work:
My name is Theresa & I run Tilt Creations here in Oak Park. I have lived in Michigan my whole life and crafting for the better part of it. I currently focus on my handmade handbags. Lately I have been doing quite a bit of hand embroidery which I am incorporating into my bags - mostly messenger bags. I plan to branch out a bit to do more arts & crafts that I enjoy.


Grr Argh Black Denim Messenger Bag, Hand Embroidered

How did you get starting crafting?
I have always painted, especially if you count fingerpainting :) It was not until my oldest wanted to be Robin Hood for Halloween...a, um "few" years ago (almost a decade & a half now)...that I began sewing. I am self taught and quickly became addicted to it. I dabble in a bit of everything I can get my hands on - paper, clay, glass, jewelry...and always look to learn more. It is much different than what I did before I became a full time mom...I was an exercise physiologist working cardiac rehab. That involved a very different kind of creativity.


How did you find Etsy?
I was researching how to become a legitimate crafting business when I ran across Etsy in several books. So I popped on over there & did a test run as a buyer before I signed up to sell.


Handbag - Pink Paisley Ann Twist

What's your favorite part of being a Michigan Crafter?
I really like how welcome I feel in the groups online & at craft shows. I have not yet jumped into a crafting circle or anything, although I would like to.

Mocha Blue Spirofloral Zip Pouch

What advice would you give to others who are interested in starting an Etsy
shop?

Follow Nike's advice and "just do it". And be patient. Etsy is a very big place and it can take a while until that first sale, or it can be the next day. I have known some people that gave up after only a month of trying to sell online - you need to give it time, just as you would in the "real world". Just keep crafting & keep listing...and get to know your camera & editing program. Pictures are very very important online. I am always trying to improve in this area - it is an ongoing learning experience - just like crafting.

Handbag in Brown and Pink Blooms

What are your plans for the future of your craft business?
I am bad when it comes to this - I admit, I have no solid plans. I just want to continue to learn more crafts, get better at those I do now & never stop.

What is you favorite inspirational place to visit in Michigan?
A great fabric store like Habermans in Royal oak can always get my creative juices flowing. But so can anyplace with great people watching like the zoo and downtown Ferndale & Royal Oak. Just seeing what other people have on or are carrying can get me thinking of new designs & styles. My own home can be great too - my kids are so creative & imaginative - I never know what they may say or do to trigger an idea.

Mollie Clutch in Green Skulls

Anything else you would like to share with MICE?
Just that I look forward to meeting more of you & hopefully joining in some of the fun in person. And looking forward to spending some Sundays in Ann Arbor's Artisan Market.


Thank You Theresa, You have a fun and quirky sense of style and have translated this into beautiful bags.

TiLT creations handmade handbags and accessories can be found at the following sites www.tiltcreations.artfire.com
www.tiltcreations.etsy.com
www.tiltcreations.crobbies.com
www.tilttoo.etsy.com

Blogs: www.tiltcreationstoo.blogspot.com
www.tiltcreations.blogspot.com
www.tilttreasures.blogspot.com


photos: www.flickr.com/photos/tiltcreations/
follow me at
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tiltcreations
Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/tiltcreations
ByHand: http://tiltcreations.byhand.me

Posted by Ashley