Alicia here from Hi Octane Jewelry and Oceanside Craft Mafia, So I volunteered to be a guest blogger for Megan and then when I got the go ahead I said to myself “What the heck should I write about?” So I thought I would start with a little info about OCM and then I have some other random things I thought would be fun to include later down the week.
Big Thanks to Megan for having me. Aloha - Alicia
website: www.peezandques.com/
blog: peezandques.blogspot.com
myspace: www.myspace.com/peezandques
What’s your Craft: Primarily paper, but anything really….
What’s your sign baby? Gemini
What’s your favorite hue? Green
Generation: Generation X
What’s your favorite magazine to hack apart? Anything geared towards kids and moms, they have great colors and patterns.
People say you look like…? Mostly I’m told I look just like someone’s cousin or good friend, but sometimes I’m lucky enough to be told I look like Amanda Peet.
How’d it all start? Kind of by accident. I was playing with magazines. The colors and graphics in magazines are always so brilliant. I started cutting and pasting. Well one thing lead to another and I started making note-cards. People started asking me if I sold them, and I thought, “why not?” I knew if I was going to do a paper-based business it had to be earth friendly. I’m very lucky; I am able to satiate my desire to help mother earth with my need to create.
Stacker upper or spreader outer? I’m a total spreader outer. I like to see everything I’m working with, or might want to work with. It’s hard because I work from home so my projects have a tendency to take over the kitchen table, coffee table and any other flat surface I can get my hands on!
Ancient crafting wisdom? (something you’ve learned in the world of craft business)
I’ve learned that there are a lot of ego when it comes to personal expression. I try to be open to suggestions. Usually when someone offers their insight for my business or product it is a very valid point, and one which I may not have considered.
What’s your greatest professional joy? Being able to work for myself and make a living being creative I kept getting involved in jobs that were management, and while I learned a lot which I’ve been able to apply to my own business, I was not able to satisfy a need for creative outlet.
What’s your greatest personal joy? I’ve become much more balanced in the last few years. I have a long way to go, but I make time for those I love and for myself. I had to let go of the idea that I was defined by my career. While I may not be what people in the corporate world consider “successful,” there is no doubt in my mind that I am fulfilled.
What are the perks and challenges of being an entrepreneur? Being an entrepreneur is wonderful. There is nothing holding you back to dream big. But with big dreams come big responsibilities. At the end of the day, you are solely responsible for your own success or failure. There is a lot of work involved but the rewards are great.
What’s the best thing about living in California? 70 and Sunny. The weather is amazing!
What’s the worst thing about living in California? Good thing I like the weather because with the ridiculous housing prices out here I’m tempted to pitch a tent on the beach.
Did your education influence your craft? Absolutely. I received a degree in art history. I know those years I spent studying the work of artistic masters influences all my color and line choices. Sometimes I think all that information in my noggin’ keeps my designs too buttoned up.
Favorite Singer of all time? Britney Spears… JUST KIDDING….(no offense Brit)
Definitely Etta James
Favorite 80’s Rocker? Pat Benatar, she’s such a Heart Breaker!
