Be Generous. . . There is Enough Out There For Us All!

I have a question . . . .Has a friend ever told you about a great deal they received but failed to let you know where it was?  Has an acquaintance (we wont call them a friend, lol!) found out about a great opportunity that could be of great benefit to you but didn't want to see you progress better than them? (The Crab effect)  It happens all the time.  I don't understand the logic and kinda feel sorry for them.  They don't know the benefits of being generous.  It doesn't just benefit the other, it also benefits the person that shares the information.

This is one thing that attracted me to (Sedie) Sedruola Noel Mruska of Yarn Obsession. . . . her selflessness and generosity.  She runs a thriving Crochet business and has recently begun a mentoring program (which I am proud to say that I am a part of!!) which helps newbies (or not so new but in need of advice) to be informed of new strategies and concepts that will help grow their businesses.  

I love her spirit and willingness to share.  She seems (to me) to be very positive and determined.  I watched her for a while before I reached out to her and I'm glad I found the courage to do so.  She has become a very important part of my life and business and I am very happy to introduce her to you.  I hope you take the time to check out her pages and find something you love. (Which I'm sure you will!) Enjoy the interview . . . . 

1.  Tell me about yourself and how we came to meet

I am a mommy, entrepreneur, wife and so much more! I love to crochet, read, relax and spend time with friends and family. I met Tracy via my Yarn Obsession page in 2013 when she reached out to ask if I could help with her online presence. Her clothing pieces are lovely and it is my pleasure that we are still in contact today!

2.  What are your gifts and talents?  Where they taught or God given or both?

This is a very interesting question. I'll tell you, for a long time others saw my gifts and talents LONG before I did! I'm the ultimate people-person. I have a gift for not only being able to get along with most people, but intuitively I bring people together. That is my gift, my talent and my calling! Is it God-given? Yes, I believe it is because it has always been so. I have other talents and gifts that draw upon this one big "superpower" and as long as I stay true to it, I find that I'm extremely fulfilled.

3.  What is your brand and what was your inspiration for starting it?

My brand is Yarn Obsession! But ultimately, the brand is me and I am the brand. I started Yarn Obsession as a way to make a few extra dollars to cover the cost of my hobby. Then it was to gain a bit extra for my family. Today, Yarn Obsession is what I want to do full-time and has evolved as a way to take my talent and help others build upon theirs! The evolution of Yarn Obsession has been gradual but steady and it's still evolving. The marketplace is always changing and I'm just happy and blessed enough to be able to do something I LOVE and evolve with the marketplace.

4.  Where can your brand be seen?  Website, twitter, fb, youtube, etc...

People ask me that all the and I start to list off my places, but then I say just Google "Sedruola Maruska" it will all come up for you. . . even other ventures that are not defunct! However, or ease of research I'll list them here:

Website: http://yarnobsession.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/yarnobsession

YouTube: http://youtube.com/sediesells

YouTube: http://youtube.com/yoacademy (brand new branch of my brand)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sedruola

Instagram: http://instagram.com/sedruola

Patreon: http://patreaon.com/yarnobsession

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/yarnobsession

5.  How can customers shop or place and order?

In the last year I've moves all of my products to my website so it's easy to shop in one place. http://yarnobsession.com/products-page I love it because I have full control and when I send people to my site they don't get distracted. I also have a ton of free information that is helpful to yarn arts businesses and more coming every day!

6.  What advice do you have for someone striving to create a brand or find their gifts/purpose?

My advice is to read, learn and get inspired by everything around you then jump in with both feet! Don't wait for the exact right time to start, that time is when you think you want to start. Things will never be perfect, but just going for it will open up doors and experiences and ideas that you would never get by waiting. Trust in yourself and your inner-voice then move with confidence. Invest in your learning whether that be books, classes, mentoring or coaching. No one goes alone. Most of all I want to let other know that if the desire is there and you give yourself the opportunity to follow it, you'll never regret moving with your passion.

7.  Do you run your business full time or are you bi-vocational?

I run my business full-time and I have a part-time gig! LOL! What I mean by that is I'm always thinking and planning for my business. I spend the majority of my waking hours working on ways to deliver valuable content to the marketplace. My part-time gig I could do in my sleep, and often feel like I am. However, I have a few goals and milestones set out. Reaching them will mean getting rid of the gig and truly being a full-time business builder!

If you are in need of business mentoring for your knit or crochet business I recommend that you reach out to Sedie and check out her mentoring program. (contact information is listed above) You'll be glad that you did.  Have a great day!

Rise up and take the Challenge. . . .are you ready?

"At the end of the day, all that matters in this brief vacation we take on earth is that we didn't shrink into a corner and waste the days we're given doing what we have to do rather than rising and taking on the challenge of becoming all we were created to be." - T.D. Jakes

Good Morning! Do you have your morning cup of coffee or tea?  Well, grab it and lets sit and talk for a while.

I have been trying to push myself beyond my limits for some time now.  I am an introvert but can be very outgoing when with a crowd.  I'm shy by nature but you wouldn't know it when meeting me or seeing me with friends and family.  Kinda like you can see a person smiling but never know that inside they are in torment, lonely, insecure or hurting.

The truth is we all need someone.  We all need to be needed and to feel loved and important.  You can put on a tough exterior but on the inside you know its true!  The same with following your dreams.  Your family, significant other or co-workers might laugh and think that you're following a pipe dream, but. . . you must follow your passion and you need help in doing so.  You need advice and encouragement from people who are pursuing the same goals, have traveled your path and who fully support and encourage you.  You need to surround yourself with like-minded people.

Tomorrow and every Tuesday, for the next few months, I will be introducing you to people who I have allowed in my life who have been that encouragement for me.  These people have risen up and taken the challenge of following their instinct and drawing on their God-given gifts and or passion.  They are talented, creative people in various fields (crochet, mentoring, fashion, baking, facepainting, philanthrophy, sign painting, etc...)  These people inspire me, encourage me and support me.  That is what everyone needs.  (Even if you think you don't!)

You've already met my friend (Ren) Renaissance Marie Austin (Raghouse International) and I hope you enjoyed her interview and checked out her website, etc.  Tomorrow you will be introduced to my Crochet Mentor.  I won't mention her name because I want you to come back and read her story.  Im sure you will be inspired.

Finish your coffee or tea (tea for me please!!), whisper a prayer and go out and conquer your dreams. RISE UP AND TAKE THE CHALLENGE!! You'll be glad you did!

Sharing the Wealth with Renaissance Marie Austin

A few years ago I introduced my sister to Etsy.  As she was scrolling through she noticed a knit designer that she fell in love with.  She shared it with me and I became almost obsessed.  Earlier this year I got the nerve to contact this designer and ask to meet with her.  To my joy she accepted. I met with her at a little cafe in Downtown L.A. and we talked for hours.  Time just seemed to slip away.  I was nervous at first and she relaxed me with her calm demeanor and generosity as she shared a wealth of information to help me in my quest to expand my brand and enhance the quality of my designs. Not only is she a talented knit and crochet designer, she teaches crochet, works at a Yarn Store in DTLA and is a jazz singer.  She is gifted and wise beyond her years.  I asked if she would allow me the opportunity to interview her for my blog and showcase a few items. . .  she obliged!!  Yay!! Introducing you to Renaissance Marie Austin of Raghouse International! 1.  Tell me about yourself and how we came to meet Greetings! I am Renaissance Marie Austin and I am an artist and creative. I am hugely passionate about music and fiber, the two things mostly consume my time and creative energy. I am a native of Los Angeles mostly growing up on the South side in the South LA, South Bay, Torrance area. My fondest childhood memories are going to the beach every Saturday and fishing with my father. Sometime we would go to Redondo Beach to fish or El Dorado Park. Tracy had been a friend of my Raghouse International facebook page for some time until she contacted me with the desire to meet and talk about crochet! I was so happy about her design aesthetic and talent that later I went back and let everyone know on facebook about her work. We met for three hour and had the most wonderful and inspiring conversation. We've been in contact ever since.  2.  What are your gifts and talents?  Where they taught or God given or both? My gifts and talents generally lay in art. I would say that singing is a God given talent and when it comes to crochet my grandmother taught me at the age of 8. I was definitely a natural, took it, and ran with it. I've used many of my discovered talents in the professional realm, such at makeup artistry, photography, graphic design, styling, fashion show production, and hair styling, to name a few.  3.  What is your brand and what was your inspiration for starting it? My brand is Raghouse International and I was inspired to actually start a business in 2000 when I was studying dance, music, and poetry at El Camino College in Torrance. I saw a vendor selling a crocheted head bonnet and from that point I had a light bulb moment. Before then, I did not have the realization that you could make something then sell it. I went home, picked up my crochet hooks again and I was in full swing. I don't believe I've stopped crocheting since, literally! lol.  4.  Where can your brand be seen?  Website, twitter, fb, youtube, etc... My brand can be seen at www.raghouseinternational.com, facebook.com/RaghouseInternational, Instagram: Raghouse_International, www.raghouseinternationalknitwear.bigcartel.com/ These are just a few places to find me online. I would be glad to have you! 5.  How can customers shop or place and order? Customers can shop on my Big Cartel website. I love that site. It is streamlined and beautiful. My two top sellers are located there as well as my live crochet demonstration event for galleries and boutiques. Customers can visit www.raghouseinternationalknitwear.bigcartel.com/ 6.  what advice do you have for someone striving to create a brand or find their gifts/purpose? First things first. You have to be passionate and in love with what you are doing. You need to make sure that you are not just looking at other artisans and copying what they are doing. If you are not sure what it is you are supposed to be doing, look within yourself and go back to your childhood and a very revelatory event that took place in your live. Write and journalize about the things that you love and see what comes out. Once you start to see what it is that you are passionate about go for it. Authenticity and the best thing. Research, research, research ahead of time so that you will know how things simply work, especially when it comes to the internet. It is forever upgrading itself. People try to figure out their demographic before hand, but I've found that your customers will do that for you. It is just a matter of keep track of where they live and their lifestyle. Look into branding with websites like vistaprint.com. Packaging is everything. Think about colors, patterns and design, and be sure to treat each customer with respect and give them a lot of attention. Businesses are about relationships, but just selling a product and forgetting about that person because the return customers are the best. Be as helpful as you can to them by being an "expert in your field. Study at much as you can about what it is you do. They will be very impressed that you know not only your craft well, but the history of your craft.  7.  Do you run your business full time or are you bi-vocational? run my business full time. Be prepared and know that entrepreneurship is around the clock, but it is important to designate your hours properly, like having breakfast at a certain time, lunch, then dinner. Allocate time to creating, then time to internet work. Proper rest is important to me as well so I now set my cut off time at 12 midnight. When I was a little younger and spunky, I would stay up until 2am or 3am and really push myself mentally and physically, but it is important to have that balance and get the proper sleep your body needs. I am working both music and design, so the rest is the make sure that my voice is in good condition as well.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjb1rm39SaAI  Renaissance C.M. Austin Raghouse International Studios Luxury Knitwear & Accessories 541 S. Spring Street Los Angeles, Ca 90013 I hope you enjoyed the interview and go to her website to check out her designs and videos.  You'll be glad you did!

My Life and Creativity were both inspired at Yarnosphere 2014!

Yarnosphere 2014

Ok Guys, this is a long one . . . .So grab your cup of coffee or tea and (hopefully) enjoy!

I planned to spend the entire day at #Yarnosphere 2014, which was held this year in Bixby Knolls (Long Beach), CA.  So..... I woke up.  I drank my morning cup of Green Tea (Orange Passionfruit Jasmine), had a little nourishment and proceeded to get dressed. I had a few goals and expectations.  One of the goals were met but the day didnt exactly go as I planned.  Here is the spill. . . .

As I arrived to the venue I saw an acquaintance who I attended the event with last year (which was the first year it was held).  We were supposed to meet up but she failed to contact me with times, locations, etc.  So. . . I'm a big girl and decided to go alone.  Well. . .  as I walked up to the line low and behold she was exactly in front of me with a friend.  I spoke, she looked a little uncomfortable so I didn't bother her any further.  As we entered the venue to pay and get our Goodie bags I made sure not to make any eye contact so that she wouldn't feel obligated to talk or offer for me to hang out with them.  I was a little offended but as I said, "I'm a big girl, I arrived alone and I can shop alone"

Me and Marcella (my Client)

I didn't plan to be alone all day because I invited a fellow crochet designer, Renaissance Austin, to meet up with me and I knew she was on her way.  I proceeded to look for yarn for a client who I was designing a dress for so I walked the entire venue first before making a selection.  I found what I thought was the yarn color she desired, I took a pic and sent it to her via text.  I waited, got no response and decided to purchase it.  That is where things fell apart. . . .  or so I thought!!

Once the purchase was made I went to the booth next door to have the skein(s) wound into balls.  I realized that I no longer had my charge card.  I searched my purse, the bag and my pockets.  No card!! So, I went back to the booth to inquire and they said they gave it to me.  Nada!!!  I looked around the booth.  Went to a few other booths.  Looked on the.  Went to a lounge and emptied my ENTIRE purse onto the table (it was junky lol!) and still did not locate it. I went to the front desk to inquire if it was returned to them and was told NO!  Frustrated, angry, disappointed and cashless . . . . I contacted Ren and left the convention to report my card lost/stolen.

Well, my client called to say she didnt like the color and Ren called to say that they were announcing my name because my card was returned as "lost".  Too late!! It had already been reported to the bank!!  Too late. . .  I already purchased the Yarn!! Urggghhhh!!!  That's me. . .  rushing to make decisions, panicking and thinking the worst.  I thought I had waited a good enough time but I didn't want my card to be found and used.  I guess I need to use a little patience and trust.  I've been a little low on both lately.

Long Story short, I went back to the convention with my client "Marcella" in tow to exchange the yarn.  She found a different color and several other colors for future order!!! yay!!! And, also purchased a few skeins for me to make something for myself.  I also met up with Ren and we three sat talking for a while exchanging life stories and making fast friends.

Me and "Ren" Rennaissance Austin

These women are so optimistic and find light and joy in the darkest of situations.  They live each day as it comes, have learned to downsize their life to the point where they have just enough possessions to survive and readjust (if needed).  Their stories brought a smile to my face where I was earlier distraught and discouraged and let me know that even when you think no one cares or is watching you are mistaken.

The moral of this story??? . . . . I started the day expecting it to go one way but it make a slight turn. . . . went off course for a few hours, but ultimately ending much better than I could have imagined.  I will be introducing my friend Ren to you in the coming blog posts.  If your life is (in the words of the FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR) "tossed turned upside down", I'm sure you will be INSPIRED to look at things from a fresh perspective, reassess your situation, straighten you back bone, and take another stab at it.  I did on that Hot, Frustrating Saturday at Yarnosphere 2014. And I'm so glad I did!