Welcome 2006!
This perfect happy party dress is from Heatherette and I found it while browsing stylehunter at Style.com.
It’s coming up to a year since I started blogging and I’ve been pondering Lisa’s questions “..why all you other bloggers out there got started… and how your blog has changed for you as a forum…. and what you are looking for from this community".
Lars told me that a blog was the medium for me and since I plucked up the courage to start I’ve realized he’s absolutely right.
So, why do I spend hours each week blogging?!
My blog evolves around my work as a ceramic designer and my main reason for starting it was to give a context to this work; to share my inspirations and to show there is thought behind the things I make. The blog is a complement to the scrapbooks I already showed on my website.
My second reason for starting a blog was to market my work and my knowledge. As a self employed designer it is important - if I want to stay independent and earn a living on what I do!
I couldn’t have wished for a more wonderful response; the support and encouragement I’ve had this year is more than I’d ever imagined. And as an added bonus, whereas I (sometimes) used to forget I now remember what has had an impact on me during the year and when I look back I can trace patterns and follow myself developing. As a marketing tool, the blog is great: I sell more directly, I trade things with others, I get involved in projects with people from all over the world and I get feedback on my work and work-in-progress. This network of friends and collegues makes me truly humble, I spend a little time and get so much in return.
To begin with, I was slightly intimidated by all of the people out there who would read my ramblings and think this or that about them… Now, I just try to be as intuitive and genuine as I can and I find the blog spurs me on - it’s made me start taking pictures again, it makes me brave and sometimes it makes me think! If that aint worth working for, I don’t know what is.
So there, I think it’s all here. Thank you all for stopping by and Happy New Year!
01 Jan 2006 @ 14:07 ;
Happy New Year Karin!!
Finding your blog has been so fantsatic this year…I have found checking in with blogs on a regular basis has helped me adjust to working from home as a self employed designer maker. It is lovely to feel that there are others out there doing the same thing, and that there is a thriving creative network that provides so much inspriation and motivation to all who find it….thank you.
Wishing you a wonderful 2006. Abigail X
Comment by Abigail — 01 Jan 2006 @ 16:46
hi Karin! what lovely sentiments!
i am so happy to have found you… your creations are simply wonderful and you always point me in such interesting directions!
happy new year!
thanks for participating in why we blog!
Comment by lisa s — 01 Jan 2006 @ 21:07
Karin,
Your work is so beautiful and always such an inspiration! Happy 2006 - may all your wishes come true!
What wonderful thougts
Comment by Nicky — 01 Jan 2006 @ 22:37
Happy New Year! Love this post and your words about blogging. I couldn’t agree with you more…it’s so nice to meet other creative type out there and be inspired by the work they do! Thanks..and look forward to more this new year…!
Comment by joy — 03 Jan 2006 @ 00:42
karin, such wonderful sentiments. i love how you say the blog has made you brave … it shows! and i think the word brave is my “mantra” for the year. i just love the idea of being brave but i know it is hard. being an online presence helps … being a part of the creative community, etc. well, i adore your blog that is for certain and i look forward to following it in 2006. and even more … i hope we can meet and i can give you a hug of thanks for all of the inspiration! happy 2006, mav
Comment by maria — 03 Jan 2006 @ 15:53
Happy new year! Its so cool that the blog has actually worked as a marketing tool! you make lovely things - that helps of course
Comment by Anna — 11 Jan 2006 @ 23:52