Pointy Sticks

I always anticipate that many of you don’t read my personal blog, and since I have been quiet over here, I just wanted to give you an update. I’ve been off in Austin, Texas for SXSW Interactive. This is normally a geek festival, and I went in part for reasons related to the podcast. It ended up being so very, very much more. Not only were there geek things going on, but there were CRAFTY things to be had too! Crafty things which will be discussed in detail in the next podcast. Just a brief list, as much for me to remember:

- The knit geeks got their knit on at Hill Country Weavers on Saturday night. We returned and met up with the Austin knitters (some were there both nights) on Sunday. Thank you, Hill Country Weavers!

- On Saturday, before we met up at HCW, I attended a panel which featured Vickie Howell and other amazing, creative women. Vickie Howell, for the record, is as adorably cute in person as she is on TV and in print. I will be setting up a date in the near future to interview her for Pointy Sticks. The purpose of the panel that Vickie was a part of was discussing women in the crafty business. It was full of great tips that anyone in business - man or woman - should hear. Especially if you are running your own business. Never, ever forget the value of your worth.

- Also on Saturday, I got to meet Cinnamon of Poise. Her bags, in one word? AMAZING. Beautiful, well constructed, fabulous. I must get one of her knitting bags. (I have my eye on the blue and brown one. Surprising, huh?) They are all so lovely, check them out!

- I met up with a member of the team at Scrapblog and finally learned what it is all about. Let me tell you, it is COOL. I take a lot of photos, and I’ve always wanted to scrapbook with them. I just have never gotten around to it. Scrapblog might finally give me a way to scrapbook my photographs, with the ease of Flickr included. You can take your photos, make a layout, and then print them as a book. How cool is that? There are other cool things you can do - check out their site.

- Speaking of making books, after seeing Lulu and Blurb book samples in person, I now know for a fact that the publishing industry is about to be turned on its head. You can make your very own HIGH QUALITY books and much more. You can do it, without waiting for a publisher. This just makes my head swirl with the possibilities.

- Got computer files you need to move around when you are on the go? Want a super cute designer flash drive? Check out the Mimobots! Goodness, these are just the CUTEST piece of hardware EVER. Seriously. They made me giddy every time I saw them, and the owners of the company? Fabulous. Great people to share your fried pickles with late on a Tuesday night at Katz’s on 6th Street in Austin. The One Love sticker will be on my laptop by tonight, and I really want to get one to tote my files around. (You can pre-order the Star Wars series of Mimobots, which I have seen in person. Good things!)

- More good stuff? Make and Craft magazine. I met them at their booth in the trade show, and learned about the upcoming Makers Faire that will be next fall in Austin, Texas. October 20 & 21, 2007 at the Travis County Fairgrounds. For those of you on the West Coast, there is one in the Bay Area on May 19 & 20, 2007.

Maker Faire is a newfangled fair that brings together science, art, craft and engineering in a fun, energized, and exciting public forum. The aim is to inspire people of all ages to roll up their sleeves and become makers. This family-friendly event showcases the amazing work of all kinds of makers–anyone who is embracing DIY and wants to share their accomplishments with an appreciative audience.

There will be a new podcast online in the next few days. My voice needs a chance to recover from 6 days of nearly non-stop talking. I learned so much and I have so much that I can not WAIT to share with you! (I was so focused on the panels and taking notes, I got absolutely no knitting done. Can you believe it? Sad, but true. More knitting this weekend.)