Discussion at the Museum of Contemporary Craft

Kaffeeklatsch: an informal social gathering for coffee and conversation

Tuesday I had major plans to sit around at home consumed in production isolation(ah the holidays approach) and drowning myself in Election news and media coverage in every form possible. As I was checkin' out my blog feed I saw that Cathy and Diane were both going to be downtown at the Museum of Contemporary Craft for this round-table discussion about DIY in Portland. I looked at the clock and saw that I had time to be there, so I thought, why not.

Heres the official description of the event:
From craft fairs, etsy.com sellers and zinesters to the independent music scene, bike activists and “foodies,” Portland has a reputation as an epicenter for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) culture. Join guests Susan Beal and Cathy Pitters (PDX Super Crafty) and Justin Hocking (executive director, Independent Publishing Resource Center) for a discussion on DIY, its connection to craft and the contemporary resurgence of all things independent.

Afterwards I left feeling very positive about Portland (which is great considering it is cold and rainy and gray and I am feeling seasonally effected by the sh*t weather).

This event made me remember that I love living in PDX. I love that we have a Museum of Contemporary Craft, and the Independant Publishing Resource Center, and all the glass resources in town, and the Crafty Wonderland, and the Portland Saturday Market and Mercy Corps NW, and Portland Store Fixtures and the ReBuilding Center and so forth and so on... its such a cool city to live in as a craft person, and in a way that sums up the whole discussion!

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Be the Change

This construction site is in Portland Or where the Portland Saturday Market food court used to hang out on the weekends :)

After all the work is finished, Mercy Corps will be moving into their new global headquarters.

Are you familiar with Mercy Corps?
Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.

Do you live in Portland and work as a entrepreneur/artist/small business-person?
Mercy Corps Northwest is an incredible resource. As Mercy Corps’ local economic development office, Mercy Corps Northwest promotes economic self-sufficiency through microenterprise development and self-employment in the greater Portland, OR-Vancouver, WA region. Started in 1998, Mercy Corps Northwest assists entrepreneurs in their desire for economic stability through starting or expanding a small business.

Let me just point out three amazing services they provide:
1. Classes: many many opportunities, for making business plans, doing taxes, hiring employees, etc
2. Asset Building Programs: a matched savings program(for every $1 you save they match you with $3), helps economically disadvantaged people learn to budget and save money to start or build a business or become more profitably self-employed.
3. Mercy Corps Loan Fund: loan fund provides financing and technical assistance to low-income entrepreneurs who need capital to start or expand a microenterprise.

and this doesn't even mention the mentor program, the online resources, and endless other opportunities.

DesignSponge Biz Lady Meetup

DesignSponge meetup crowd shot
Originally uploaded by LeahPellegrini

Last night I attended a most incredible biz women in design meet-up. Organized by Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge and hosted by the Design Within Reach Pearl studio.

There were four discussions: sales (consignment v. wholesale) , finances (Mercy Corps NW opportunities), finding success as an artist (Amy Ruppel), and an amazing PR talk by Grace herself.

The picture does not do the meeting justice. There were A LOT of local business ladies there. I was shy to take pictures (me?!).

Grace posted notes from her talk: really good stuff - check it out if you are interested: http://www.design-sponge.net/bizladies/DSPublicRelations.pdf
I will be utilizing this "four-pronged attack" for sure! How could I not! This advice is like gold!