Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Thanks for your questions!

In my last post I solicited questions that I might answer on the December episode of Makers in Business. Thank you to everyone who asked a question!

I chose 8 questions from those left here on the blog and posted on Twitter. As promised, I used a random number generator to choose a winner for a Makers in Business mug. And the winner is...
Lucky number 8! That's the number I assigned to Brian Hogue's question, @BHogueSun on Twitter. Congratulations Brian! The mugs are being made locally here at Western Avenue Studios by Wren and Rose Studio and I'll contact you about how to get your prize to you when I have them in hand.

I still haven't seen the footage of my questions show, we're editing tomorrow, I may have trainwrecked it, if not, it will be available in December!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Ask me a question!


Hello,

I hope you are well. As you know I am deep in the throes of holiday inventory production. But I am also still creating new episodes of my TV interview show, Makers in Business. In each episode I talk with people who make things and sell them for a living. For December I'd like to do something fun and different. I'd like to post an episode where I answer any questions you'd like to ask me on the topic of making things and selling them!

Your question can be to me specifically or just a general question you think I might have some information/insight about. To make it more universal I won't be mentioning who asked each question so you don't have to worry about it if you'd rather be anonymous!

Whenever I participate in Open Studios or do a show, I often engage with other makers at different stages of their businesses. Everyone has questions about the next steps they should take. What do other people do about this and that? Everyone is unique in their situation, but I think all the discussions, like on my show, have universal themes and practical information that could be helpful to anyone on this creative business path.


So please post your question in the comments or on Twitter and let folks on social media know that I'm putting this out there as well. To make this even more fun I'm offering a free Makers in Business mug #swag to a random participant!

IMPORTANT: Questions must be in by Monday, October 14 at 5 PM to be eligible for the TV show and the giveaway.

Thanks,
Liz

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Makers in Business with Liz Smith Ep 206 Swirly Designs by Lianne & Paul Stoddard

Meet Paul and Lianne Stoddard, the married couple behind Swirly Designs by Lianne and Paul! I had so much fun interviewing them both about how they run their business, what they did to accommodate a creative business while raising a family, and which kinds of advertising and promotion turned out to work for them. I think there's so much to learn in this episode plus Paul and Lianne are just good company. Take a look or listen!


Link to the video on Vimeo:
http://vimeo.com/madeinlowell/swirlydesigns

Find the audio only version of this interview here:

Or subscribe on iTunes

Find Swirly Designs online here:
http://swirlydesigns.com/

My show airs locally in Lowell on LTC Comcast Channel 8 on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM and Thursdays at 8:30. New shows monthly. For more information about Lowell Local Access TV, visit http://LTC.org


Paul and Lianne

Steps in the process

Halloween

Easter

Valentine's Day

Swirly Designs at a craft show

Putting together a Halloween collection

Paul and Lianne at work in their home studio

From concept to creation

A holiday collection

Christmas

Beautiful handmade holiday ornaments