Meeting Makers

8/3/2016

As a maker, it's sometimes easy to be isolated, working on crafts in your space, and perhaps not having friends and family who want to chat about the same things you do. I sort of like that, I gather my energy while alone. But it can work against you when you need a like-minded person to hand!

Let's have a shout out for the networks of creative mates, those supporters and suggesters, the idea bouncers and shooter downers. If they're people you chat with through facebook, a handful of local peeps, or an organised group; they know your small business struggles, and share your creative impulses. How often do you meet them though?

Recently I've been getting more stuck into Nottingham Etsy Team, having enjoyed a Christmas meal with folks from the team as a 'work night out'. The idea of the team is to share, support and promote Etsy designer makers based around Nottingham, which means we get help, and you get to see great makes, and discover more about the people and processes behind them. Recently I've been flattered to be included in their weekly Meet the Maker feature.

Photo by Deborah Panesar Illustrations

Although I'd filled out the Meet the Maker questions by email, Katherine, part of Nottingham Etsy Team's social media crew and founder of Dendiko, still suggested meeting for a chatter. It was lovely. Kicking back with a brew, chatting about real life day jobs, why we do what we do, inspirations, social media, areas we live in... It was great being able to dip in and out of craft stuff so naturally with someone who would understand the designer maker brain, before sliding off into other topics

Katherine summed it up when she said that she'd taken the role to MEET makers, not just send emails. We're so used to having hundreds of people at our fingertips by screen, from close friends to circles such as Etsy Resolution, that we're used to quickfire interactions. Posts and replies, likes and comments. But taking time out, heading out, meeting up and just chatting was a great recharge, and we probably helped each other with ideas we'd never have thought to ask in a tweet or email.

If you have a crafty mate, suggest a cuppa. Find a local meet up like a stitch and bitch and chatter with like-minded strangers. See if some of your social media buddies want to meet in person. Don't feel strange, or stalky, be honest about wanting to natter about everything, anything, small business and crafts, with no agenda, and you'll probably find some folks bite your hand off at the chance.

Relaxing with #cider, #cake and The Moonstone at #Nottingham Broadway before I chat to Katherine from @nottinghametsyteam about Meet The Maker. *burp*!

A photo posted by Perfidious Jewellery (@perfidiousjewellery) on Feb 24, 2016 at 10:28am PST