I'm back!  Woo hoo!

Summer is busy with shepherding kids around and trying to keep up with my Etsy store - Infinite8Creative.

On my last (and first!) post I promised to explain the name of my business - Infinite 8 Creative.  It was inspired by these lovely ladies.

This is my girls' group (I'm in the middle, pink shirt) - we have been getting together on the first Thursday of each month for the past 11 years.  Some of us have been friends since the womb - our mom's were pregnant together.  Most went to the same high school.  Some met in college.  Two are related by blood, but we are all sisters.  We came together as a group 11 years ago and I look forward to every first Thursday since then. We have been through a lot together (you know... laughter, tears, etc.)  I love each and every one of them. 

We are always trying to come up with new names for our group.  First it was Bunco because we did attempt to play that game at our first few meetings.  However, it became clear that none of us had any interest and soon we referred to our meeting as "bunco" using the air quotes.  Several names have circulated over the years.  The most recent identity has been The Infinite 8.  Sort of super-hero-esque.  We each own the same infinity sign necklace and wear it often. There are eight of us.  The number eight looks like an infinity sign.  Get it?

Long ago we decided that our group is closed to new members and/or guests.  Have a cousin visiting?  Sorry, you'll have to leave her at home.  Old college roommate?  Nope.  The conversations are too personal (and goofy) to share with an "outsider."  Our meetings are a place to vent and celebrate and laugh 'til we (I mean ME) pee.  Bringing a visitor would upset the vibe.  We also can't meet in public places because of previously mentioned laughter, tears and occasional peeing.  We used to try to dine out and were asked to leave.  Plus our meetings go on for approximately six hours - a server's nightmare!

So my group of ladies - The Infinite 8 - are a support system like no other.   Each of them, while I can already hear their protests, is creative in their own right.  If and when they would like to sell something in the Infinite 8 Creative shop, they are welcome as my featured guest artistes.  They are my girls and I wanted to name my shop after them.  So there.

Here are a few goodies from my shop - happy July to you all!  ~Mary

My first blog post. Ever!

I've always been curious about blogging.  Read my fair share of them, most of the time feeling a bit voyeuristic while doing so.  Always wondered why people open up so much on their blog.  Some people REALLY put it all out there.  I guess they do that so other people (peeping toms like me) will read it and return.  Sort of like reality t.v. - or a train wreck - you can't look away.  I've never seen a train wreck, but lots of reality t.v.

Honestly, I'm creating this blog to support my creative business -- designing and creating accessories for you and your home.  My business is called Infinite 8 Creative - thus the title of this blog.  I'll tell you about the name another time (see, maybe you'll come back JUST to find out.  oooh, i see how this works now.)

The plan for this blog is mostly for me to write about this new venture - what I'm working on, inspired by, and what makes me want to tear my hair out.  Mostly it will be about my lofty, crafty goals... But maybe it will take a turn in a different direction if I feel like it.  Right now, no one knows this blog exists, so who cares, right?

If someone happens to actually read this, you can find my creative items for sale on Etsy. Infinite 8 Creative
Who knows, you may even buy something.  (go ahead, buy something!)

Here is how this whole Etsy shop came to be.  I went to my friend Kim's 40th birthday party, with about 20 other 40-something year old moms.  OK there may have been a few 30-ish whipper snappers attending, but you get the idea.  I made a gift for Kim -- a black and white striped infinity scarf.  Super soft, jersey knit.  The ladies went wild!  Well, if not wild, they were very excited by the scarf, and intrigued that I made it myself.  They said "Mary! You should totally sell these!"

And I thought, "Okay. I totally will." 

Actually, this idea of selling something that I made with my own two hands has been on my "to-do list" for a long time.  It's kind of funny/pitiful how long I've been saying (mostly to myself) "I want to create things.  Things that other people will want to buy."  But guess what?  Putting yourself out there and saying "spend your hard earned money on this thing that I made." is really scary for me.  It's probably worth a trip to the therapist.

But after Kim's party, I felt supported and motivated.  It felt like a good time to step out of my comfort zone and sell something.  And I did!  And I still am.  And I enjoy it.

So this is where I will spout my word of wisdom (insert laugh track here) about starting a creative business.  Because really? I am flying by the seat of my pants. 

But come back and check on me sometime!