Tuesday, April 17, 2012

My Next Adventure


In 2010 I went on The Martha Stewart Show and for 8 minutes, on live national television, I taught Martha how to make my polymer clay eggs. It was a surreal experience that took all my courage. I had terrible stage fright but I went through with the segment despite my terror. After it was over I felt a euphoric rush which must be the reason people do extreme sports. The high lasted for months and I can still call a little of it up now and then when I need some fuel. When I watched myself later I was astounded that you really couldn’t tell how frightened I was!


I have a picture of me and Martha posted outside my studio and at Open Studios I get to tell my crazy story to anyone who is interested. I’ll never get tired of this story. One Open Studios I was telling my story and how I had been so scared before I went on TV but after it was over I was so juiced I felt like I could have my own TV show! And the person I was talking to said “You totally should.” It turns out she was Jessica Wilson, the brand new Executive Director of Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), Lowell’s local access cable station!

The idea felt scary and exciting. Fun and awful. I thought about it for a few weeks, ran it past family members (who all emphatically said DO IT!) and decided OK. Why not?

The whole idea wasn’t completely out of the blue. I had taken Sister Diane’s online podcasting class in preparation for starting to provide audio content to my blog followers and hopefully pick up new folks. When I saw how much pre- and post-production went into Diane’s amazing shows, I’ll admit, I got discouraged. I didn’t think I would have the time or focus to spend hours and hours on each podcast and still run my handmade business.

But a TV show, that was different! A TV show is collaborative. I wouldn’t be doing this alone, I’d have crew and resources, I’d have help! And maybe I could strip the audio and STILL offer it as a podcast! WIN/WIN.

So here I go, tonight we shoot the first episode of Makers in Business. It’s a talk show where I’ll interview makers about their work and some aspect of how they make their business run. It’s a show for other makers, for people who love handmade, and for anyone interested in the nuts and bolts of running a small business.

I will post links to the show so you can view it online and hopefully I’ll be able to post the audio as a podcast.

I’m just as nervous as when I went on Martha, only now I’m the Martha! Or the Terry Gross, or the Jon Stewart. But it’s not live and I have a great group of people to help me make this the best it can be. And if nothing else, I will have tried something outside my comfort zone and that alone is worth the butterflies.

30 comments:

  1. Wow, congrats on your next big adventure! I wish you the best of luck :)

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  2. YIPPEEEEEEE! I'm so excited to see this adventure taking off. Wishing you splendid times with the shoot tonight, and I hope we'll be able to see this on video somewhere, sometime.

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  3. Congratulations! This is so exciting, I can't wait to see it. You're going to do great! :-D

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  4. Awesome news, congratulations and have fun with this!!!

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  5. Awwwww! How wonderful for you!!!!! :-] I've been following you for a while, and get crochet inspiration from you all the time, so I look forward to hearing anything about running a small business, or creative ideas for my crochet, or whatever I can glean that might help me along the way somewhere!...WAY TO GO!!! I wish you much success in your new...albeit scary...adventure! :-)

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  6. Thanks kind people!!

    When the show is ready, it will air on local access cable here in Lowell and be available to view online as well. I'll post links!

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  7. I love this story ! It is so right for you to try such an exciting new venture.

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  8. I was very interested to listen to Diane's podcast about your Martha adventure and its consequences, or lack of immediate consequences for your business... so your announcement is the best follow up :).

    Big congratulations on getting out of your comfort zone to go to Martha's show, and on finally seeing direct, big results of this leap!

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  9. That's so cool! I think you're on top of a trend here, btw. Video content really seems to be the next big thing.

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  10. Holy cow, that fantastic! I'm so happy for you - you'll do great!

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  11. This is so cool and it couldn't have happened to a nicer person! You'll be REALLY good at this. Can't wait to watch online.

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  12. wow! that's so exciting!! congrats and keep us updated :)

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  13. Hooray, Liz! You are going to rule the craft world. Enjoy yourself and know this is the perfect fit for you as you are one of the most helpful people I've met in our crafty world.

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  14. Congrats! I can't wait to see it.

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  15. Congrats! I have family in Chelmsford so i'll make sure they tune in!!! Very exciting.

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  16. FANTASTIC! Looking forward to seeing it! Way to go for taking on a new challenge. I'm sure you'll be great :)

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  17. I'm so excited for you, Liz! Can't wait to see it - I wonder if I'll be your most far-flung viewer?!

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  18. I'm so excited for you that I have goose bumps all over. Hooray for Liz.

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  19. I so very much appreciate all your kind encouragement! It means the world to me that you are cheering me on :)

    Taping last night went well although it was exactly as terrifying as I imagined! I hope as I keep doing this the stage fright will lower to a dull roar :)

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  20. Oh Liz, I am so happy for you! Huge congratulations on this wonderful adventure you are embarking on. I can't wait to see!!!

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  21. Way to go, Liz! You are such an inspiration! Wishing you the very best on your new endeavor!

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  22. Liz -- I know you'll do a wonderful job! I can't wait to see your pilot show. You go, girl!

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  23. Congrats Liz on your new and very exciting venture:)
    Lianne & Paul

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  24. This is just the thing for you! Your genuine excitement about making and makers will show, and you do have an unflappable quality that translates well on film. LOVE the idea; look forward to seeing and hearing them. xo

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  25. This is such great news, Liz! I'm so happy to hear you are doing this and that the shows will be available to view online!

    Yay for you pushing past your stage fright and taking on a big, new adventure! Yay for the artists you get to highlight! Yay for me & the rest of the audience!

    xo, Tracy

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  26. eeeep! how exciting! congratulations xxx

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  27. OMG Liz, that is awesome :D:D:D Such a fantastic idea for a show, I so can't wait to see you first episode. You where so perfect on the Martha show, I had no idea that your where so nervous. Congratulation my sweet friend xxx

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