An Epiphany...Plus a Project Potpourri

Greetings friends - it has been a creative few weeks in my studio and I am back with a "smile on my face" post...get ready for another honest, heartfelt  "worth a read" update... 

I am have been humming along in my "happy place" for a couple weeks...feeling hopeful, encouraged and upbeat...in fact, my heart has been singing. I think that comes from taking the time to work on my own designs - both quilting and cross stitching and taking some steps back from the piles of needlework finishing. It is no secret that I have always found most of my joy designing, creating and sharing my artistic ideas. Working on my latest quilt designs really brought me back the heart of Blue Ribbon Designs and what is most important and fulfilling for me moving forward. For quite a few years, I have been concerned with making sure others are happy - as we all know, I tend to be a "pleaser"...we've talked about it here before. Let's be honest - for the last several years, it hasn't been financially possible for me to have tons of charts printed...and because of that, I put my design career off to the side and worked on "paying jobs," like needlework finishing and project bags to pay the bills...I was worried about what shops or distributors would think if I adjusted my business plan or what stitchers would think if I had charts for digital download or if I would be helping the copyright criminals if I had charts and patterns listed for digital sale...I have even been concerned what other designers would think...yes, this has all been weighing on me for quite some time. I was so worried about upsetting someone by not following the old, set-in-stone industry way, that I lost track of what was most important to me and what brings me joy. Recently, when I started listing my quilt patterns for sale as digital downloads in my Etsy Shop and a lightning bolt didn't strike me down, I really started thinking about what I want my creative focus to be moving forward. For some reason, designing and listing those patterns lifted this HUGE weight off my shoulders that I have been carrying around for pretty much as long as I can remember...and it has been a HEAVY stifling weight. Have I sold a bunch of those new quilt patterns?...no, not really...but it has been so incredible for my soul...and a BIG step forward in "finding my worth," as discussed here a couple months ago. Just getting my ideas down on paper, models made, patterns written and the final products listed gave me wings! I have three new cross stitch designs that I am finalizing that will be available in my Etsy Shop soon - a small one, a medium sized one, and a larger one. Plus, believe it or not, I have almost thirty designs that have just been sitting around waiting for me to decide what to do with them (some of them for YEARS). See, I have what seems to be an endless supply of design ideas and sketches on paper, but not an endless bank account to mass produce them. So to keep my heart happy and light, over time, I will be listing them for digital download in my Etsy Shop (and soon on my website, once I have time to do some code writing). Don't worry, if I have a request(s) for a printed chart/pattern, I will print/ship on demand for you - I know some only like a printed pattern and I will do my best to accommodate you. I will not be making kits, so stitchers will still have to visit their favorite needlework shop for supplies. Will that be my path indefinitely, I'm not sure...but for now, it will allow me to fulfill my passion and keep new designs available. I honestly can't even begin to tell you how much sleep I have lost over this decision, but as I say type it out loud, I know it is what is best for my work, right now. I will still be taking on  needlework finishing, project bags and custom orders, but it will be in moderation and I will be a little more selective. I know there will be some that have a lot to say regarding all this...and please feel free to leave your constructive comments below. More details and news on upcoming designs will be forthcoming. I hope you will be excited to see new Blue Ribbon Designs and will continue to follow me on my creative journey....

Finally, I couldn't write this post without some artful finishes to show you...I have definitely been keeping super busy behind the scenes. These are some client finishes and custom orders...along with a few gifts I made over the holiday season...and a fun finish I completed for a favorite designer a few months ago, but waited to share...oh and there is a unique storage, organizing tip included too!! 

First up - an assortment of WTNT panel bags that were finished for clients...to clarify, I did not design the fabric panel, nor do I sell them...this is just my finishing work (assorted project bags made from printed fabric panels by Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle & Thread - search/see the designer website for more information)…

Here is the organizing tip I mentioned...see those clear boxes with trims in them in the photo above? Well, I got a gazillion questions about this when I posted a picture similar to this on my Instagram story...so I thought I would share here. I have my trims/ribbons/cords/rick rack all separated by color in clear boxes on my studio counter, so I can easily choose what I need for each project (a HUGE shoutout to Lois at Lady Dot Creates for helping me fill them! Visit her Etsy Shop for the best, best, BEST finishing supplies!). Anyway - everyone wants to know about these boxes...well, they are actually repurposed Beanie Baby acrylic display boxes from many years ago. I have 24 of them on my counter, stacked three high...some have wooden spools, some hold rolls of ribbon, you get the idea. Purchased separately many years ago...but can now be found on Amazon in bulk with 25 to a box for a much better deal. Also, if you look closely at the photo at the very top of this page, you will see I have all my stabilizers organized on the back of my studio closet door...and I get asked about that all the time too - they are actually in an over-the-door handbag organizer. I hope these two tips may be useful in your organizing journey. You can visit my Amazon Influencer Shop for more of my storage idea items... https://www.amazon.com/shop/brdgirl

Next up - here is a piece I was lucky enough to finish for Paulette at Plum Street Samplers - this is Called "Good Company" and was an exclusive for Acorns and Threads. Visit  http://www.acornsandthreads.com/exclusives for more details. Again this is a Plum Street Samplers design...not my stitching, just my finishing...

Catching up with a few gifts I made recently...here is my first large project bag with a carry handle and clear laminate...shown close up for detail and highlighting the chicken scissor charm - fabric and charm are by Poppie Cotton. I also made an artists pouch for a friend with a cross stitch print fabric and used another adorable Poppie Cotton charm for a cute addition...

Finally, here is an assortment of needlework finishes (not my stitching or designs, just my finshing), a couple custom small scissor/needle cases (my own design, which I will be releasing as a pattern in the future), a few fun custom project bags and a special custom pillow.

I hope today's post was good reading and gave you a little insight...I also hope it inspired you and sparked your creativity! Thank you so much for reading and visiting with me today. I appreciate your comments and while I don't always respond, I read each and every one - your constructive criticism is taken to heart and  your encouragement means the world to me...💗

Finishing Frenzy

Hello friends - it is Wednesday evening and I thought I stop by for a visit, before sitting down at the sewing machine again. It has been a productive few weeks and I am steadily working through needlework finishing and project bag orders before the Christmas holiday arrives next week (YIKES!).

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their comments, shares and e-mails regarding my last post (The End of an Era: Finding my Worth). The feedback was varied and quite overwhelming - so much so, that I couldn't answer every single message. Most of the feedback was positive and uplifting...and of course I got some nastygrams, as well. I just want to make one final statement on the subject, as quite a few stitchers feel the JCS Ornament Issue is an act of volunteerism and giving back to the needlework industry:

My post was not about volunteering, giving back or charity work. Volunteering for a good cause, generally does not profit a large corporation. I have volunteered in the needlework community many, MANY times over the last twenty years and I have given back and said thank you to stitchers and my fans countless times – happily, with joy in my heart! I have shared my time, knowledge, talent, and complimentary designs…I have made countless donations…and I will continue to do so…those acts make my heart happy and are done on my terms. 

My message: I don’t want a large company (that doesn’t publish this magazine for charity) to profit off of the hard work and creativity of the artists that make it possible. Period. 

I, personally, would love to see the Just CrossStitch Ornament Issue thrive and be full of favorite designers (like you, I am a fan). My post was about asking them to step up and support the artists that provide the material that make it their "best selling issue of the year."

Whew! Enough of that - now back to happiness and creativity!

The last few weeks have been full of needlework finishing and project bag sewing - with my husband's crazy holiday work schedule (he is in management for UPS), I have had plenty of sewing and finishing marathons...most nights, working until midnight. I have been going though tons of supplies and I am waiting on several large orders of materials (delays in fulfilling and shipping orders is slowing my progress). The highlight of my week was receiving an INCREDIBLE package from (my dear friend) Lady Dot Creates - lots of luscious hand-dyed trims, twill tapes, ribbons and fabric...if you finish your own needlework and have not ordered from her, you are missing out - gorgeous, consistent colors and high quality products. You can find her website by visiting: http://ladydotcreates.com or shop in her Etsy Store by visiting: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ladydotcreates...

Here are some images of recent project bag and needlework finishing orders...and I have at least a dozen more needlework finishes that I can show you in my next post...

For now, I am headed back to my sewing room - I finally received a large order of 3/4" cotton rick rack, so I can complete a pile of orders...it is going to be another late night. I'll be back soon to share some more needlework finishes...and I have some gifts I made that I can share with you, as well...

Wishing you some creative time during the holiday rush...I hope you can find a little time to work on a project that brings you joy!

The End of an Era: Finding my Worth

I hope fellow needleworkers, friends, and creative enthusiasts will read this post (apologies for the length) and think about how we can support the designers and artists that fuel the stitching industry.

It's hard to believe the first Just CrossStitch Special Christmas Ornament Issue was published in 1997. Truth be told, I was a fan from the start...way before I started designing professionally. I would pick up my copy at the local needlework shop or newsstand and analyze every single page. There was just something heartwarming about the diverse selection of designers, seeing their personal photos, trying their favorite Christmas recipes and reading about their stories/memories...it was truly a treat. I would spend hours perusing the pages and choosing the Christmas ornaments I wanted to/would stitch.

I honestly can't even explain the joy I felt in 2006, when I was invited to participate in this annual issue for the very first time...it was that feeling of "wow, someone has noticed my designs...I've finally made it!" That's right, 2020 marked the fifteenth year I received an invitation to design an ornament for this special issue. Even with changes over the years and many favorite designers disappearing from the issue (believe me, I've had second thoughts about it for a few years too), I continued to feel blessed to design my ornament each year. 

About a month ago, I received my sixteenth invitation for the 2021 issue (yes, designers are invited almost a year in advance). Again, I started weighing the pros and cons of being involved - mainly, because designers are NOT PAID for this issue. You heard me correctly - Just Cross Stitch Magazine does not pay designers to be in their boasted "best selling issue of the year." If you are new to the industry, sure you can get noticed being in this issue and being paid in "exposure" might be worth it; but for hardworking designers that have been around for a number of years and built a brand, giving away work for free, just doesn't seem like the best decision. I started to think about the time involved, the supplies needed, what my art is worth and even the cost of postage to mail the ornament to the publication. Plus it takes away time from working on paid pieces...and I market it for them on social media...is this really the best use of my talents?? This is my full-time job. Then I thought about my fans and the needleworkers who stitch my pieces - will I let them down if I decline?...will they be disappointed? I started questioning why...if this is JCS's best selling issue of the year, why aren't they paying and supporting the designers that make it possible? Why do they pay their staff, but not the artist? Would this be a paying job if the needlework industry was a male dominated profession? I know, a bit over the top...but that really was my thought process. I tend to quietly let things sink in, weigh it all out and make measured decisions. I took a deep breath and formulated my response (and yes, I sent this exact response in reply to the invitation):

Hi [Editorial Assistant],

I apologize for the delay in my response. To be honest, I have gone back and forth, struggling to make a decision on whether or not to be involved with the Christmas Ornament Issue in 2021.

I have shared my talent with this special issue for fifteen years…and even before I was designing full-time, it was my favorite issue and something I looked forward to purchasing. Every year, Just CrossStitch advertises that this is the “best selling issue of the year”, yet the designers that make this issue possible are not being properly compensated. Yes, the exposure is good if you are new to the industry…but for those of us who have built a name and a brand, the exposure is doing little to compensate us. This is my full-time job and something I take extremely seriously. Giving away my work for free and enabling that behavior to continue is something I can’t advocate. I’m sure you don’t ask your staff to work for free. I have expenses, time and creativity involved – not to mention the postage to send my sample to you. Plus, I have always marketed my design in this issue on all forms of social media, something I also do without compensation. Exploiting designers on any level is not something I can support.

I have decided it is in my best interest not to participate in 2021. I truly hope Just CrossStitch will take a look at this policy going forward and start paying designers fair compensation for their work – without designers, there would be no needlework industry.

This was a tough message to write and I truly weighed my options (mostly because I don’t want to let my fans down that count on me being in this special issue). I tried to write this in a kind, yet professional way. I have always been (and I still am) a fan of Just CrossStitch Magazine and I hope we will have a chance to work on future (paid) projects together. 

Sincerely,

Belinda

[Signature]

I don't know what I thought would happen - I mean, who am I, really??...and, in all reality, I enabled this poor behavior for years. I didn't expect a big change...but I did think I would get some sort of response that would give me some closure. I did get a short, nice response from the Editorial Assistant:

Hello Belinda,

Thank you for your response to our Christmas ornament design call.  As the editorial assistant for Just CrossStitch Magazine, I personally don’t have any control over the details of this publication, but please be assured that I have forwarded your concerns. Your note was very well written. I understand and appreciate you sharing your view. 

Kind regards,

[Editorial Assistant] 

Your basic - it's out of my hands and I'll send it on....but that was it. 

What an overall disappointment - disappointment in this particular publication and disappointment in myself for enabling this behavior for fifteen years. So, here I am, sharing this - my learning experience - hoping I can make some sort of difference. 

Going forward, I plan to be selective with my artistry and work on projects that are in my best interest. I, have too many times, been way underpaid (or in this case not paid) for my creativity (hmmm, AccuQuilt also quickly comes to mind)…and, in reality, these instances started to make me undervalue myself...and that is a terrible headspace to occupy. I plan to make 2021 the year to value and believe in myself and my talents!

So, for my needlework friends and fans...I am working on some ideas for a Christmas ornament(s) for next year...I have several fun ideas floating around and I will make sure you have a BRD Woodland Series ornament available for stitching next year...and it will be on my own terms! 

I hope you will share your thoughts (positive or negative) on this post with me...and/or share this post with your stitching friends and needlework communities. Maybe you'll share your thoughts with Just Cross Stitch Magazine. Think about how you can help secure the future of our industry by supporting designers and artists...

Thank you for reading this lengthy post...I'll be back soon with positivity and creativity!