Monday Inspiration: Meet Liz from Made In Lowell

I am very excited about sharing today's interview!  I met Liz on Twitter.  I became a customer of hers when I purchased one of her pincushion rings.  (I adore it - not only because it is so pretty - but because it is so practical!  I use it when creating my blankets and it deserves a post of its own...) 


Liz is talented, which is evidenced by her shop filled with so many lovely things!  She is also an inspiration!  After all, she was on Martha Stewart! 


When you read about her workout regimen, you might think she's a "machine."  But she is anything but that!  She is warm and kind and engaging.  She loves to chat with her twitter friends and rarely promotes herself.  So I'm here to do that, because I think she - and her creations - are amazing!

Tell us about Made In Lowell. Did you start with an Etsy shop or a studio? What was your inspiration?

I’ve always been an artist. I started making things to sell when I was a little kid. I would set up a table in the living room and sell the miniatures my older sister had taught me to make. I would sell them to my mom. She was a good customer.

When I was in college, I started selling at craft shows, festivals, and flea markets, primarily handpainted and silk screened t-shirts shirts and polymer clay items. I added beaded jewelry in the mid aughts and became Made in Lowell in 2006 when I joined Etsy. Then I started working with wool and making felt. I always worked a full time job but in 2007 I got a studio in an old mill full of artists called Western Avenue Studios and I leapt into MiL full time.

One of the cards based on a watercolor by Liz's Mom - Marilyn Smith Rosenfeld

I love that you can’t help but create (I can relate!) I bet you were this way since you were young.  I read a lovely interview about your Mom.  Tell us a little about her and her guidance.

My mom is awesome! She grew up in rural Indiana in the 30s and 40s. Her father was a sign painter, he did gold leaf lettering on windows for businesses, and he painted the sides of tobacco barns. He was a great artist and she became one too. She and my dad met in drawing class in college (dad became an architect) and they moved to the east coast to raise a family. Mom continued to make oil paintings until about when I was born. Then she took classes and learned watercolor. She has a fabulous hand, I think her work is just gorgeous. Art was a constant and regular part of my childhood. Mom used to sell her paintings but nowadays she keeps a watercolor journal where she draws and paints from life (as opposed to from photos). I scan the pages out from her journal and make the images into cards.

Egg Ornament

You were on Martha Stewart!  She’s like a rock star in my world!  How did that experience come about and what was it like?

I blogged the whole Martha experience here: http://madeinlowell.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-experience-on-martha-stewart-show.html

It was surreal! She’s a big deal to me and getting to go on her show might be the pinnacle of my crafty existence. The short story is her producers found me on Etsy and asked me to submit materials to be considered for a segment and I was lucky to be chosen.

Walk us through a typical MadeInLowell day.

I used to be very sedentary, which is so easy to fall into for someone who sits and makes things half the day then sits on the computer the rest of the day. So for the past 2 years I’ve incorporated exercise into my routine. Every weekday morning I have my coffee then climb on the Nordic Track for 72 minutes. I used to get to my studio by 9 am but with the exercise coming first that doesn’t happen anymore. I get to my studio more around noon these days, which is hard, but worth the sacrifice to be fit, I think. And I’m certainly not going to get up any earlier haha! Then I work on all the aspects of running a one person handmade biz: making inventory for studio, consignment and Etsy orders. Applying to shows, doing bookkeeping, blogging, social networking, etc. In the evening I go home and cook dinner for my sweet husband who is a writer but works a corporate job.  (Read about her ongoing fitness journey here.)

You live and work in an amazing place!  Tell us about the building, your studio, Lowell.

Lowell is special. It’s the first planned industrial city in America. It’s all mills and canals. Situated at the confluence of the Concord and Merrimack rivers, there are a ton of pretty riverwalks. My husband and I are both from Massachusetts but not from Lowell. We didn’t know anything about the place when we moved here in 2000, except that it was affordable, near the highway, and we could rent a cool apartment on the top floor of an old mill with GIANT windows all around. Our mill sits directly adjacent to a canal, I mean our foundation is literally underwater. Right across the canal is another mill, it was actually still making textiles when we moved here. Now most of the mills are condos and rental units. It’s sad the industry moved away, but I’m glad they didn’t tear the buildings down. They are just beautiful red brick built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Western Avenue Studios is in another old textile mill complex a mile down the same canal. That’s where I rent a space. My studio is 434 square feet, the walls don’t go all the way up to the ceiling to allow the heat to circulate in the wintertime. This makes it a bit noisy but earbuds fix that. There’s a great camaraderie amongst the artists here, we know how rare this kind of community is and we treasure it.

Crochet Flower Ring

How many shows do you do a year?  What do you love about them?

Not counting monthly First Saturdays Open Studios, I do about 5 or 6 shows a year nowadays. I find them completely stressful and exhausting! But I love the cash infusion they provide (if they go well) and how I get to interact face to face with my customers. It never gets old seeing someone’s face light up when they see your work. I also love talking with all the other vendors who, over time have become my good friends. And I love meeting new vendors as well. I can’t believe it but I’ve been doing shows for 25 years now. Wow.

What do you love/hate about blogging? Twitter?  Facebook?  Are you on any other social media sites?

I LOVE TWITTER! And I HATE Facebook. I guess not every social media site is for everyone. I recommend people do the ones they like the best and don’t worry about the ones that feel like work. I also like blogging but not all the time. I try not to overwhelm my blog readers with daily posts, LOL, it’s a favor I do them *wink*. I blog about 2 times a month, if I remember. It’s a great way to share information, to be a teacher and offer value, build community and interact in a different way than the daily chat that is Twitter. Twitter is my watercooler chat and it’s a great way to meet new people. Twitter also turns out to be an amazing way to meet people right in my own city that I never would have otherwise. This has been invaluable to me for networking. I’m also on Flickr and Instagram which are communities based on photo sharing.

Do you enjoy other hobbies?

I love knitting & crocheting for fun, even though I also sell some knit and crochet items. I have done a little sewing in the past but I feel like I’m about to launch head first into a new sewing obsession that will probably be just for me and not to sell. Although I don’t mind when something I started out doing just for fun morphs into a product. I also love reading magazines and playing Words With Friends.

Pincushion Ring

 Your twitter friends know about Chestercat.  Tell us about him.

Chestercat is my little buddy! He’s a stripy short haired tabby that we got from the pound in 2000 when he was about 8 weeks old and full of beans. It took him years to become a love, but now he’s a lot of fun. Unfortunately he developed an incurable chronic health condition in 2007 that causes him occasional discomfort and costs us a lot of money and stress. I found him a great new vet though and he has been doing really well lately. I take pictures of him and post them online because he is so handsome and funny and cute and it helps relieve some of the stress to share him with my online community. I don’t mind if people know I am obsessed with my cat.

Felted Cupcake Pincushion

How would you describe your fashion sense?

I am very basic, no frills! Cotton, solid colors, jeans, Vans sneakers. But I like clothes that fit right and I do tend to wear colors that are trending on Etsy. For instance right now I have a bunch of coral colored t-shirts that I layer with berry and aqua long sleeve shirts, then I wear matching color earrings and maybe one of my felt brooches. I tend to dress in the colors of the current season.

 Are you a small town or big city girl?

Yes! Hahaha! I have always loved small cities. There are certain ones, and Lowell is like this, that have small enough downtowns that you start knowing all your neighbors, but you certainly aren’t in the suburbs. I feel overwhelmed and like a bumpkin in New York, lonely and isolated out in the country, and bored in the suburbs. Small cities are where it’s at for me! I’m also crazy about the seaside like Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard.

Favorite genre of music – or what you are enjoying lately.

I love Samba and Bossa Nova from the 1960s, Gilberto, Jobim, Getz. Neo tango like Gotan Project. Anything by Thievery Corporation. I’ve also been loving the soundtrack from The Descendants which is all Hawaiian music which I was never interested in before. And I like pop music too, Brendan Benson, Ron Sexsmith, Nada Surf. I am picky but I find a lot that pleases me.

Pendant

Favorite vacation spot.

Martha’s Vineyard! My folks bought a summer cottage there in 1970 so I’ve spent some part of every summer there my entire life.

 Fondest childhood memory.

Listening to music and making art with my mom, back door open to the warm summer air, my dad tinkering in the basement.

 Who would you like to be for a day?

This is stumping me! I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to be, even for a day.

 What's your favorite chain type restaurant?

We don’t eat out much and when we do I try to eat at independently owned restaurants but there’s a branch of Boston Beerworks that opened in Lowell a few years ago and I like that place a lot.

Felted Flower Hair Elastic

What things are unique to where you live?  As in special customs, favorite restaurants, slang, etc.  (I love to find the unique things of an area when I travel. So much of the US is homogenized - Anywhere USA).

New England as a whole is very quirky and nichey. Of course there are plenty of stretches near the highways that look like Anywhere USA, but for the most part, each city is unique and each unique city and town is further divided into small enclaves and subcultures. There are hundreds of variations on the so-called Boston accent (which I do not have, BTW). Watch The Fighter to get an idea of what people native to Lowell sound like.

 Favorite candy.

Ha! I haven’t eaten candy since 2002. Yeah, really. I had to quit eating sugar for my health and it’s turned out fantastic. I don’t eat any grains either. But before all that, when I was still a full-on sugar addict, you could not have gotten me to pick a favorite, I remember each and every candy as the perfect piece.

Felted Bead Earrings

Your scariest moment?

Luckily, the scariest thing I’ve ever done is go on live national TV with Martha Stewart.

What helps you when you are in a bad mood?

Music! A warm bath. And a hug from my husband.

Use one word that best describes you.

Interested.

Interested - and interesting!  Don't you agree?  Check out Liz's blog for all kinds of interesting information and links - including her latest project - hosting a talk show!

Be sure to stop by her Etsy shop, Made In Lowell or hang out with her on Twitter.  You'll be glad you did!  I know that I am.

Thanks, Liz, for sharing a bit about yourself.

New in the Shop

This is a 9-square T Shirt quilt made from dad's marathon's shirts.  Baby was due within two weeks so I rushed this through!  It's a simple T Shirt blanket with a minky/bubble fabric for the back.  This makes a slightly thinner blanket than polar fleece.  It was hard to find a fabric to pull the diverse colors together, so I used a black fabric with multi-colored dots.

Mom-to-be was kind enough to let me know this when her husband saw the blanket:

 "He thinks it is so awesome and wants it there in the

hospital when we bring the baby home (hopefully any day now!) We will

send you pics, but thanks again for a beautiful blanket and for

delivering it so quickly!"

Thoughts on Life - Connected or Disconnected?

Does your household ever look like this?  I might note that they are sitting in front of the TV.  And look at the old pro Annie - also texting!

Where's the little guy?  I hope he was running around outside somewhere.....

Does our social media make us more connected or disconnected? 

I have to admit - I like it!

I have an old cell phone, so it can take 3 clicks to type a letter.  Therefore, I don't text much.  But since I work from home, I can email texts to the kids and other family members.

I started social networking because of my business.  But in the process, I've reconnected with old friends I never would be talking to due to the time and/or distance that separates us.  But blogging, Facebook and even Twitter has connected me to others.  Facebook is particularly fun because old school friends have found me and it's fun to catch up.  

I have a Facebook business page, too, and I love getting to know my customers.  In fact, I had a lovely meeting with one of them last night (at Cheesecake factory!)  How fun it was to chat and get to know the person behind the lovely comments she leaves.  Not to mention the wonderful stories she shared about the "life" of her T shirts and jackets that I will make into a memory quilt.

I have connected with what started as mere strangers on Twitter.  But those connections have evolved into friendships.  I find inspiration, advice, mentoring, sharing and just plain old-fashioned chattiness there!

I wonder if social media has caused me to lose my old friends, though?  The ease of connecting on this level has caused a reluctance to pick up a telephone - something I never liked doing when the kids were young.  By the time I would have any "time" to talk on the phone, I was too tired.  Social media, for the most part, lets me connect on my time.  However, some of my old friends won't go near it.  So it takes more of an effort to stay in touch.

So are we more connected - or less?  My kids up there - connecting to friends, family, business contacts, etc....but are they connecting with each other?

Sure, they are playing each other in "Words With Friends".....!!!!

Wednesday Sewing - Say Yes to the Dress!

Everyone in the Greater Cleveland area knows that I sew.  (OK, maybe not everyone....) So they bring me their mending challenges.  This gorgeous dress was brought to me by an acquaintance.  Her daughter attends Chardon High School - where the terrible school shootings occurred.  Everyone in the city voted for this school to receive a free prom at the Rock n Roll Museum downtown.  And the kids certainly deserve to have fun!

The beautiful layers of chiffon were seamed together in a most challenging way.  It was not a simply turn and pin fitting.  It took me two hours and I was still not confident I had it right.  The good thing about the lalyers is that it is forgiving.  There is so much movement that you can't tell if it's slightly uneven.  But I had to remove the bottom of all the seams all the way around so that I could do a narrow hem.  It took me an entire day to cut and baste.

Boy, do I have a lot to learn.  I wish I was one of those old babushka ladies that could mend anything.  How did they learn?  Did they work at dressmaker shops or bridal shops?  I like to take on challenges because I always learn something new.  But removing 8" from a dress like this was hard.  Would it have been better to remove it at the waist and chop there?  I'd love to hear any tips you might have on mending a dress like this. And tips on pinning, too!  I basically took the dress and cut it at the floor because it was simply too hard to pin 8" up - especially with all the folds.  The dress is stunning on the young lady.  It's strapless (and not sitting on the form very well.)

And, oops, I did it again.....this one does not have the pleated layers.  It did have a train.  Again, the pinning of the hem was a challenge.  Mom helped.  I first cut, then we turned and pinned and still we don't feel we have it even.  There are two layers of lining and one top chiffon-like layer.  I haven't started this one yet....

Graduation Gifts - What do you Give?

Graduation season is upon us!  Do you know how you have those years where you cycle through a lot of events?  This summer is one of those for us!  We have at least six graduation parties and three weddings!  It will be very exciting.

If you are like me, even if you give money, you love to give a handmade gift.  (If you are like my husband, you "say it with cash.")

It's no surprise that I give T Shirt Quilts.  You can make one using my pattern or kit!  

But another idea is a sweatshirt tote.  This is one of my most popular tutorials.  I have evolved the handles to various styles.  You can try your luck at the thrift shops to find an old sweatshirt that you can upcycle for a favorite grad.  Some that I've made:

I recently completed a custom request for a sweatshirt tote.

She asked for the name to be used on the inside, so I lined the bag with remnant duck cloth and appliqued the name onto it.

What are your favorite grad gifts to give?

New in Annie's Shop -

Did you catch Annie's Easter dress?  She has also been sewing some new items and today I'll share her new Flat Iron Cases.

"This Flat Iron OR Curling Iron case is perfect for all those times you are on the go, and have a hot straightener. With this case, you can throw your flat iron into it, and be on the go ASAP! Now you no longer have to wait for it to cool! This case has a layer of insulation, keeping your iron heat, INSIDE the bag. This hot tool case can be used if the iron is hot OR cold! What 's unique about this bag, is that you can use it when its cold, and put the cord in with the iron, OR when the iron is hot, you simply string the cord out of the bag, close the top of the bag, and then slide the cord into the back pocket.  It includes a metal snap for a secure closure.

Thoughts on Life - DisFUNctional Family

Just a few photos from Easter morn.  It was a bit chilly and windy.  DH ran inside, college DS (who lives on a musician's schedule) barely made it out of bed because we had to leave for church so early - he's quite wrinkly....  Younger DS looked dapper in his upcycled bow tie and wore it all day!

DD made this collection of what life really is!

Wednesday Sewing - Annie's New Look 6048

Annie and I wanted to make new dresses for Easter this year.  She selected this New Look 6048 pattern, a Project Runway design.

She really wanted a yellow dress and selected a slightly heavier weight quilting cotton from Joann.  She picked out a dot contrast fabric for the contrast and the belt.  She made version B, with the halter top, but without the bottom ruffle.

It was a bit chilly and windy on Easter, but I think you can see my sewing "intern" did a fantastic job!  We carefully measured her and adjusted the multi-sized pattern accordingly.  I asked her to baste it in steps so we could make adjustments along the way.

I understand that patterns should be fit and adjusted, but it is a pet peeve of mine that even after measuring and cutting, we had to remove INCHES from the fabric!  We removed so much that we had to remove one of the pleats.  Even accounting for ease there appeared to be a disconnect between the measurements, but I find that with almost every pattern I use.

I guided her on the zipper application, which I still struggle to make wrinkle-free.  I am actually starting to prefer invisible zippers for their look and ease of sewing.

She did a fantastic job and received many compliments.  It will be a cute sundress for summer!

She has added some new items to her Etsy shop, including cases for hair straighteners.

Meet Kim from Winter Solstice Dreams

Maine Balsam Fir Filled Sachet

I met Kim (where else) on Twitter!  She's a bundle of energy and chatty in the morning!  She's from the incredible state of Maine and has a wonderful Etsy shop called Winter Solstice Dreams.  I enjoy getting to know other creative people and hope you will enjoy getting to know Kim a little bit better in this interview.  

Tell us about Winter Solstice Dreams?   What was your inspiration?

My inspiration for Winter Solstice Dreams began once my daughter was born. I learned to sew the year before and started making little sachets and drawstring bags. I used my own herbs at the time and balsam from my backyard. When she was 6 months old, I decided I would give selling my creations a go and the business was born.  I’ve had several careers in my life so far; basically I can’t sit still for too long and decided if I were going to be staying at “home” with Veronica (who is now nearly three!!!) I would need to do something to 1) try to bring in an income that worked around my own schedule 2) that was fun for me to do 3) that could revolve around Veronica 4) that would keep me busy!

Fabric Coaster Set

How long have you had an Etsy shop? 


I launched my shop in November of 2009 


Do you have a website? 


YES! It is being built right now by Beth Blonski of BBDesigns.etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/shop/BBDesigns?ref=pr_shop_more   My new site will be www.wsdreams.com

Walk us through a typical  day.

LOL, there really is no such thing in my world. Oddly enough, I was just thinking about that! I was an English teacher prior to this (I left when I had Veronica) and was always on a bell schedule. I like that. In an odd twist of fate, and even though I am “in charge”, my day changes from day to day. For the most part we do breakfast, get dressed, do chores (chickens and cats get fed and whatnot) run errands/have play dates/, nap time—which is mama work time, then dinner and family time. Sometimes we have a movie night; sometimes not. We don’t have cable so sometimes Veronica will watch Sesame Street on Netflix. But really, that’s like twice a week. Sometimes the day goes in reverse order and we do shop stuff first. I set Veronica up with an activity in my workshop like painting, coloring, some sort of craft, as I work on my own stuff at the same time. There is a LOT of start and stop right now but I do occasionally trade with a friend of mine to get uninterrupted work time. My friend has a toddler too (plus three more kids) and they love to play together. There are times where my undivided attention is needed so Veronica plays with her friends and I pick her up in the afternoon. I then return the favor and watch the kiddos here so my friend can work.   ”It takes a village”.

What do you love/hate about blogging?

I love sharing ideas, photos, new crafts, tips, suggestions, and advice.

I hate the time it takes to do all of that. Sometimes I wish I weren’t such a perfectionist and could just throw a blog up and run. I am just not like that.

Do you enjoy other hobbies?

Yes, I like hiking and backpacking. I love LOVE reading. I like doing both at the same time. I really love to travel too. I also enjoy movies and am quite the horror movie buff. I don’t collect things though; I don’t enjoy those type of hobbies. LOL, is twitter a hobby?

Zed the Zombie Heartthrob Pillow

Do you work and/or study outside the home?

No. However, I have plans do pursue more university studies when Veronica is in school full time. Not sure yet. That’s a little ways away. For now though, I do my research from home (and the library) and networking. 

How would you describe your fashion sense?

HAA! What fashion sense?! I just bought some new clothes and I would guess I am a little bit preppy with a lot of attitude and a massive dose of rock and roll.

Are you a small town or big city girl?

LOL, BOTH.

Favorite vacation spot.

This is a tough one. On one hand for backpacking I would say without a doubt, Mount Katahdin, ME.  For just relaxing and room service I would say Nova Scotia. There is a resort called White Point Beach Resort where Walter (my husband) and I went for our Honeymoon. http://www.resortsandlodges.com/lodging/canada/nova-scotia/white-point-beach-resort.html

Who would you like to be for a day?

Without laughing and YES I am quite serious. I would LIKE To be Doctor Who but as David Tennant’s Doctor Who.

Organic Tranquility Blend Eye Pillow

Tell us about your family life.

I live quite far from my family. I am originally from New York and most of my people are there. My family though is a close knit one for sure. My husband and I are a team and really work together well. We actually MET at work where we both taught and worked on a team together. Some things are just meant to be. My mom always says that in our family no one gets left behind. I like to stick to that motto as well. Basically it means no matter what happens, what someone is going through, they don’t get left to deal with it on their own. Things are talked about and a solution is found. This is what I try daily to teach my Veronica.

What's your favorite chain type restaurant?

Honestly, we rarely go out to eat and there are not many chains here. I am usually disappointed in food “out there” as my husband is the best cook ever.  BUT, I would say Longhorn Steakhouse is the only one I will go to. LOL! We eat a LOT of organic food and most places just aren’t doing that…yet….. Walter and I often talk about opening up our own restaurant. But maybe as a retirement gift to ourselves! (told you I can’t sit still!!!)

What things are unique to where you live?  As in special customs, favorite restaurants, slang, etc.  (I love to find the unique things of an area when I travel. So much of the US is homogenized - Anywhere USA).

Maine is an amazing state. I love living here through the good and the bad LOL! We are in a very rural part of the state but luckily we have amenities not too far from us. Winters are harsh in this part of the state but not as harsh as further up north. Maine is known as Vacationland because really, it is idyllic in the summer and fall. There is so much to do if you love being outdoors. It is a safe state to live in and raise kids in. I’ve lived in a few states and moved many times; I love Maine the best.  Maine Motifs: Lobsters are FIRST LOL, then blueberries, black bear, moose, balsam fir (things in my shop!), and the word Wicked.  People from Maine are INCREDIBLY hard working and self-reliant. 

Favorite candy.

Lindt truffles. Oh yeah.

Headache Relief Herbal Blend

What helps you when you are in a bad mood?

LOL, something I struggle with for sure. I dial a friend who I know will be objective, non-judgmental, and will listen. Sometimes I need to just talk things out and not get advice on how to “fix it”. Sometimes, I don’t want advice on what I don’t need to fix; I just need a sounding board. If that doesn’t work I breathe and take a walk. Move a muscle, change a thought. 

Use one word that best describes yourself.

Intense.

Thanks Kim!   You can connect with Kim:


Etsy Shop:  Winter Solstice Dreams (WSDreams)


Twitter:  @WSDreams


Facebook:  Winter Solstice Dreams


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