List of Web Resources from June 13, 2007 Meeting

Susan, can you please add these items and any others to the sidebar areas? I cannot access those areas. Thanks

WEBSITES
Trunkt.org (online design/product “lookbook” for self-marketing)
Nedandshell.com
Popandgloss.com
Delightfuldish...?
Decorate...?
Switchboard...?


PODSTER BLOGS
Henryroad.com (Paula Smail)
Beththorne.com (Beth Thorne)

really nice business card ideas....

check out this link - some amazing ideas for business cards...!!!

http://creativebits.org/cool_business_card_designs

Update from Belle Brooke Designs

Hi Members,

I missed the last meeting and can't wait to hear about it. Just wanted to post a quick update. I am back from the ACRE show in Las Vegas, it was a new show and unfortunately did not bring a buyer turnout worthy of recognition. While I don't think it was a great market for me, I do still encourage some of you crafty folks to consider it next year, as it will grow and does posses potential to become a major show for wholesale craft artist over the next few years.

I am considering the California Gift Show because of it's close proximity and my lack of LA representation, I thought one fell swoop would be appropriate! Has anyone exhibited there? If so, your feedback is welcome. Also, off the top of your creative little heads, any suggestions for boutiques, galleries, etc. in LA and SoCal that I should target would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Good Books on Marketing

I am compiling a list of good marketing books for our May Pod meeting.

Post your your recommendations for good books, websites, and blogs on or around the topic of marketing in the comments section or email them to me and I'll add them to the list. We'll edit it down or add to it at our meeting Wednesday and I'll post the results here on Thursday.

designer kitties! get one now!

hello, everyone! as many of you know, we have six gorgeous kittens available for adoption. i am so serious when i say they are the most unusual kittens i have ever seen - click on the link below to see their amazing coats. they are five weeks old and ready to go home with some lucky devils, so let me know if you or anyone you know might be interested - we are taking them to the brewery for artwalk, so email or call now if you want to reserve the pick of the litter! eve at 323-342-0178.....

http://pizzasock.caltech.edu/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=26

Interview with Beth Thorne

Hello, everyone! I'm posting my interview with Beth from our most recent meeting. Beth, I hope I accurately transcribed your responses - feel free to correct if need be.

1. What is your current creative venture?
Independent designer of furniture, fixtures, and products focused on high end luxury products.

2. What got you started in your current business?
When I was in graduate school for architecture, I started doing furniture design. I liked the smaller scale of furniture. It was less technical and more of a pure expression.

3. What kinds of things inspire you and/or spark your creativity?
Beautiful objects, mid-century glass bud vases, people (clients), audience interaction with design, organic forms.

4. What is the most challenging aspect of your design business?
Two things - one is having a client that has a particular agenda that ends up diluting the design, and two is spending so much time on marketing.

5. What is the most rewarding aspect?
The creative process - that exact moment when it just flows.

6. What's the best piece of advice you have received/heard/read or would give to someone starting out?
My dad said, "It's not what you know, it's who you know."
You don't have a business if you don't have happy customers.
Underpromise & overdeliver

7. Do you have a mentor or a person (living or dead) who inspires you or your business?
Rose Tarlow (furniture/interior designer and antique dealer)
Barbara Barry (interior/product designer)

8. Who are some of your favorite designers, artists or other creatives?
Carlo Mollino (furniture designer)

9. Describe what success means to you.
A lifestyle that allows me the freedom to travel: I see a stone farmhouse somewhere in the south of France or in Italy, with a large vegetable garden. There are children and animals running around and I'm wearing a cotton dress and an apron.

10. What are your favorite places to shop for good design/gift/fashion in Los Angeles?
Thrift and antique stores.

Favorite color: Goldenrod

Favorite food: Indian

Birthday: 08/04

Preference cat/dog: Dog
Prefernce beach/desert: Beach
Preference sweet/savory: Savory

Brewery Artwalk Next Weekend

hello everyone!

i'm taking our join posting power for a test drive and wanted to let you know that the Brewery Artwalk is happening next weekend in downtown LA. more information can be foudn here:

http://www.breweryartwalk.com/

i haven't been to this event in a few years, but the brewery is one of the largest artist communities in the US, and everyone opens their lofts and studios for tours and sales.

hope to see you there!

Invitation to Post

Hello, everyone! I've just sent an invitation to all the members to become administrators to this blog. So, once you respond to the invite, you will be able to add content to this blog. I've added some sidebar content, so please feel free to add whatever you like that would be pertinent. If you have any questions about how to add content, email me and let me know - or comment to this post, and I will get an email. You should be able to find everything you need by clicking the "customize" button after you sign in, and then on the "template" button. There is some sidebar content that is not showing up right now, because I didn't have any entries, but you will see it if you in the "template" section. Have fun!

February Meet Up

Our February meet up will be on the 12th at Tender Greens in Culver City and we will have Stacy Winkler of Tax Pro Plus, Inc. as our guest speaker. She will be able to answer questions about starting and running a small business with respect to how the government expects it done! She'll talk about licenses, fees, sales tax payments, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax prep. Good stuff, eh!

Bring your 2007 goals and ideas for the blog!

First DBMULA Post

Here we are! This is the first blog post for our DBMULA group. As you can see above (or if you can't see it yet, it will be there soon), banner #1 was voted in. Hooray for democracy! Please keep checking back to this site for news about DBMULA and other goodies (still unknown...). And if you have any ideas for posts, please send them along.